Sulaiman Al-Romi
It is Monday, April 26, and in today's episode of “Monday motivation, Felix asks”, I am taking you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the city of Riyadh specifically. In 2019, the population in Riyadh was 7.6 million people, making it the most populous city in the Kingdom and the third most populous city in the Middle East. One of those 7.6 million people and one of the most influential and most passionate people in travel & tourism is our guest for today. It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr. Sulaiman Al-Romi, the Director of Protocol at the Capital Market Authority.
Since I started my career almost ten years ago, Riyadh was always one of the highlights during my Middle East roadshows. In the beginning, I joined the organized FRHI (Fairmont Raffles Hotels International) roadshows, with a tour covering five countries in 7 days; this is also where I made Sulaiman's acquaintance for the first time. Over the years, I visited the Kingdom regularly, usually with Alaina Monblatt from the Plaza in New York. A visit to Riyadh without a private audience with Sulaiman is unthinkable. His office has welcomed many CEOs, Managing Directors, and General Managers, not to mention all my fellow sales colleagues from all the top luxury hotels (and brands) worldwide. I admire how Sulaiman can stay in touch with his extensive network from across the globe.
Sulaiman is an experienced protocol developer with a demonstrated history of working in the financial sector at the Saudi Central Bank. That is also where he started his career and got promoted to Assistant Director of Public Relations. In 2006, he became the Head of PR in the Capital Market Authority and established one of the most recognized PR functions in the country. The Capital Market Authority is the government of Saudi financial regulatory authority responsible for capital markets in the Kingdom. Under his leadership, his team is responsible for organizing all flagship events and protocol-related activities where his vast contacts in travel, hotels, and event management are of paramount importance.
During the interview, we discussed his current role, his definition of hospitality, his favorite anecdote, and his mentors’ advice. He shared some additional advice with a book recommendation and mentioned his travel plans post-Covid, as well as the must-sees for people visiting Riyadh for the first time.
I hope you enjoy the read, as it really showcases the diversity and beauty of our unique industry. Please share your questions or thoughts below in the comments, via Email, on LinkedIn, or any other channel.
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Question 1: Where did you start your career? What do you love most about your current role?
Sulaiman Al-Romi (SAR): “I started my career with the Saudi Central Bank which is popularly known as SAMA.
About my current role, I am handling a key government role overlooking all protocol arrangements for our organization & what I love about my job is the platform it gives me to meet new people, build relationships and indeed traveling.”
Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?
SAR: “For me, hospitality means how well and warmly you treat others.”
Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry?
SAR: “Couple of years ago I went to Bodrum with AMAN and the Hotel arranged a visit for us to a small Turkish Village called Etrim, we entered the village and then prayed in the local mosque after which we were welcomed by a Turkish family and almost all the family Was there to welcome us and then they served the best Turkish food and we saw first-hand how Turkish kilims (carpets) were made it was an amazing experience for me to top it all the families eldest lady, The Grandmother invited us to the huge kitchen and all of our group had special sweet delicacies prepared by this lady right in front of us in her century-old oven, this whole experience for me was so humbling that without being a part of this industry I can’t find time and experience this curated experience that’s the beauty of Hospitality industry. ”
Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it and did she/he give you a piece of advice you still follow?
SAR: “Yes, H.E Mr. Mohammed Al Shaikh he is still my good wisher, He gave me an advice which I follow and will always follow; he said “Do not hesitate to help anybody who comes to your door asking for help, help if you can.”
“Do not hesitate to help anybody who comes to your door asking for help, help if you can”
Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/professional who recently started his/her career, at this right moment?
SAR: “I would like to emphasize three things:
“1) Master your skillset
2) Whatever you do, do it with full passion or don’t do it at all
3) Learn how to Network because you’re Network will be your net worth”
These pieces of advice will work in any times not just COVID times.”
Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc.
SAR: “I am not so much into reading but I remember one book which motivated me a lot, “Magic of Thinking Big - By David Schwartz” - This book contains the secrets to getting the most out of your job, your marriage, and family life.
The book guides you and shows you how you don't need to be incredibly intelligent or unique to have the success; you simply need to think in a way that cultivates success.”
Question 7: Where will you travel as soon as it is allowed? And which hotel would you stay in?
SAR: “I will first start with my neighboring countries and visit Dubai. A particular hotel would be the new SLS Luxury Hotel and ME by Melia built by Madame Zaha Hadid. These are two which I want to experience to share with my clients.”
Question 8: Which General Manager or other professionals in our industry would you like to see answering my questions?
SAR: “Felix - I already see most of the names in your list which is very good, but I will still recommend two people that you must interview
- Mr. Bob Van den Oord - COO of Langham Hospitality
- Mr. Alexander Blair - GM of Opening Soon Shangri La in Jeddah who used to be with St. Regis Maldives and Al Faisaliah, Riyadh”.
Question 9: What is a must-see for people visiting Riyadh for the first time? You cannot choose your stunning office :)
SAR (laughing): "Thanks Felix for that compliment, but I think people who come to Riyadh should see our culture. Riyadh is like any other cosmopolitan city in the world, having the same fancy restaurants, buildings, and theme parks. But I recommend going to Diriyah, the place of our ancestors, to visit the King Abdulaziz Museum and Masmak Palace, and the surrounding downtown area. Another must-visit is Desert Camping. Stay overnight - those memories. I bet you will carry those experiences for a long time.”
Dear Sulaiman, thank you so much for taking the time to participate in today’s “Monday motivation – Felix asks” and I cannot wait to see you again, either in Riyadh or here, at the beautiful Lake Tegernsee.
Happy Monday,
Felix
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