Competent, qualified, professional, classy, dynamic lady, Caroline Chemaly—you are the general manager of The Bayview Hotel and a hospitality, travel and tourism consultant, specialized in the development of the tourism sector, and holding a double master’s degree in Hospitality Management and Marketing. You also speak four languages. And you were elected in 2016 to be the youngest hotel general manager in Lebanon and Middle East.
You have professionally managed, or consulted on a high level, many projects like Queen’s Hospitality Group Beirut, Villagio Hotel & Resort Zaarour, and a lot more, that you have put back on track with successful continuity. Also, you are signing a lot of new projects that require new levels of expertise and skills in terms of communication, strategies, renovation and hygiene standards to adapt to the Lebanon crisis and the pandemic.
You have been selected to participate and represent the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism industry in seminars, workshops and projects. Can you tell us briefly about your last endeavor and why it’s important?
According to the WTTC, Lebanon’s hospitality, travel and tourism sector has been one of the leading economic sectors, with a contribution of around 20% of Lebanon’s GDP, representing a major source of income and employment, along with other services.
My latest participation was in the workshop “Towards Sustainable Tourism,” with the Economic and Social Council and the Ministry of Tourism, which ended with a successful seminar at Biel in March 2019. It focused on new strategies for valuing and promoting some of our competitive advantages like leisure attractions and cultural, religious and natural heritage. We also addressed how to put value in our market opportunities such as medical tourism, business and convention centers, and the like. We also focused on solving the problems this industry was facing in all its divisions.
It is such an honor for me to work on projects and workshops that help revive my country’s GDP, reputation and professionalism in this sector. It’s an experience and an opportunity to share my know-how, experience and vision in the field. I take pride in reaching my goals.
Why consultant?
It was my target since I started my career 20 years ago. I’m ambitious and I’ve always considered consulting an exciting field, full of challenges with plenty of opportunities. So, here I am.
What is your main task as a consultant?
Some of my main tasks are to help build a brand; provide professional counseling to hotels in crisis; to give advice to investors and developers for upcoming projects; to conduct hospitality feasibility studies and creative strategies; to advise on operator selection assignments and asset management directives, repositioning, revenue management, crisis and rescue management, and pre-opening. I also provide key skills and trainings that the team can continue to implement and use for better continuity.
Expect more insights on the hospitality and tourism field from Caroline Chemaly. Stay tuned.
