Upon graduating from the Faculty of Commerce in 1976, I began my career in the banking sector, serving for approximately 4 years. In 1981, I transitioned to the tourism sector, initially undergoing practical training as a tour operator in the United States. Subsequently, I served for nearly a decade as the Country Manager for the same company’s Egyptian branch (R&H Travel).
I then advanced to General Manager at Saqqara Travel Group, later moving on to serve as Director of the Egyptian Tourism Federation. My public sector career at the Ministry of Tourism spanned roles from Assistant to the Minister, culminating in my appointment as Minister of Tourism. Following my tenure at the Ministry, I have held several distinguished international and local leadership positions across public and private sectors, leveraging my administrative and professional capabilities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Current Roles
- Board Member, Meli Hotels Management
- Board Member, Sinai for Tourism Development
- Board Member, Higher Institute for Specific Studies
- Chairman, Z Solutions for Tourism Consulting
- Board Member, Sohbah Hotel Management & Operation
- Advisor for the Middle East, Solution Inc. (Germany)
- Secretary-General, Arab Tourism Organization
Previous Experience
- Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism (2012 – 2016)
- First Assistant to the Minister, Ministry of Tourism (2007 – 2012)
- Assistant to the Minister, Ministry of Tourism (2007)
- Director, Egyptian Tourism Federation (2004 – 2007)
- Chairman, Al Tameer for Real Estate Development & Tourism Management (Marina El Alamein Center) (2017 – 2020)
- Board Member, Orascom Development Egypt (2016 – 2024)
- Board Member, Misr Hotels Company (2021 – 2024)
- Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2017)
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Member, Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA)
Member, African Tourism Board (ATB)
Secretary-General (Part-time), Arab Tourism Organization
Board Member, Mediterranean Tourism Foundation (MTF)
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Commerce, Ain Shams Universit
- Honorary Doctorate, International Business Academy (IBA), Delaware, USA
- Executive Education Certificate in Senior Management (Public-Private Partnerships), Harvard University, USA
- International Tourism Certificates/Courses, UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
- Master of Science in Logistics and Transport (In Progress), Arab Academy for Science,
- Technology and Maritime Transport (Expected completion: 2026)
- Academic Committee Member, Master’s and Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Panels across various Egyptian Universities
AWARDS & HONORS
Recipient of numerous prestigious local and international recognitions, including:
- Person of the Year, International Relations Organization (Paris, 2013)
- Best Tourism Minister, Berlin (2014)
- Best Tourism Minister, Italian Tour Operators Association (2014)
- Arab Tourism Medal of Honor, Arab Tourism Organization (2015)
- Multiple Certificates of Appreciation and Honors from various Egyptian universities, institutes, and local organizations.
