Ahmed Elnawawy has been appointed Area General Manager at Rixos Hotels, Saudi Arabia
With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Ahmed Elnawawy has built a reputation as a transformative leader with a keen eye for delivering unforgettable guest experiences. He now steps into a pivotal role as Area General Manager for Rixos Hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while also serving as the General Manager of the flagship Rixos property in King Abdullah Economic City; one of the most anticipated openings in the region.
In his new capacity, Ahmed will be at the forefront of Rixos Hotels' strategic expansion in the Kingdom, marking a milestone for the brand's entry into the Saudi market. His remit includes overseeing the launch of new properties, driving financial and sales strategies, strengthening partnerships with local brands, and identifying high-value investment opportunities. As custodian of the brand's positioning in KSA, Ahmed is tasked with cementing Rixos as the premier choice for luxury all-inclusive hospitality, while showcasing the distinctive character and strength of each property within the Saudi portfolio.
Ahmed is no stranger to the Rixos brand. Before his appointment in Saudi Arabia, he made a tremendous impact as General Manager of Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, where he transformed the property's performance and reputation, earning multiple accolades including back-to-back "Great Place to Work" certifications. His journey with Rixos began earlier as Rooms Division Manager at Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, where he developed a deep understanding of the brand's DNA and guest-centric ethos. This strong legacy in Rixos makes him uniquely positioned to lead the brand into its next chapter in the Kingdom.
Beyond Rixos, Ahmed has also held senior leadership roles in the UAE with some of the most distinguished names in hospitality. He served as Head of Emaar Customer Excellence at Emaar Group, before taking on roles as General Manager of Palace Downtown, General Manager for the pre-opening of Address Fountain Views, and General Manager of Manzil Downtown under Emaar Hospitality Group. Earlier, he honed his resort operations expertise as Associate Director of Resort Operations at Atlantis The Palm. This diverse background across resorts, luxury hotels, and corporate leadership equips him with a unique breadth of experience that he now brings to the Saudi market.
His leadership is characterised by a balance of operational precision and human-centric management. Deeply committed to empowering his teams, Ahmed leads with empathy, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring an environment where colleagues thrive and guests feel genuinely valued. His dedication has been recognised on the global stage, including being named "Best Newly Appointed General Manager on a Global Level" at the 2024 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards.
Equally passionate about sustainability, Ahmed integrates long-term environmental and community-conscious practices into his leadership approach, ensuring responsible growth and lasting value.
As he takes on this prestigious role, Ahmed brings not only an extraordinary wealth of expertise but also a deep understanding of what makes the Rixos brand unique. His leadership will play a defining role in translating the brand's warm hospitality and world-class standards into the Saudi market, shaping memorable experiences for generations of travellers to come.
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