Welcome to Season 4 of Travel Stories with Moush everyone!
In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by travel visionary Haitham Mattar - a pioneer in tourism leadership and the CEO of IHG Hotels (Middle East, Africa and West Asia). From shaping Ras Al Khaimah into an adventure hub to transforming Saudi Arabia’s tourism story, Haitham shares powerful insights, incredible travel stories, and a peek into his new book "Pots, Pans, and Five-Year Plans."
Destination Highlights:
- Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Cruise Experience – Haitham joined the first-ever cruise ship to sail in the Red Sea post-pandemic. He visited untouched islands like Sindalah, witnessed crystal-clear waters and vibrant corals and cruised past the Wadi ad-Disah, believed to be where Moses split the sea.
He also believes that Saudi Arabia is a tourism powerhouse in the making.
- AlUla, Saudi Arabia - A “living museum” with tombs carved into mountains, echoing the Nabataean civilization. According to Haitham, it’s a stargazing paradise and one of the most peaceful, spiritual places on earth.
- Petra, Jordan – A must-visit destination.
- Lebanon – He celebrates the ancient city of Byblos, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and loves the buzz of Beirut, with its diversity, gastronomy and the unique way expats adopt Lebanese culture. The rich history, stunning Mediterranean coastline and enduring charm of Lebanese villages is what makes the country even more special.
- Oman – An underrated gem according to Haitham. He believes that Oman has major untapped potential in sustainable and adventure tourism.
- Island of Palau – A sustainability model and a standout example of tourist accountability and community-first tourism.
- Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman - A hidden gem offering tranquility, indulgent spa experiences, and adrenaline sports like paragliding. https://www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/middle-east-africa/oman/zighy-bay/
- Agra, India – Haitham is deeply moved by the Taj Mahal and the profound story of love behind it. He also highlights the Agra Fort as an underrated gem, rich in Mughal architecture and history.
- Six Senses Barawara, Rajasthan, India – A place where he would like to keep going back to and one that holds a very special place in his heart. https://www.sixsenses.com/en/hotels-resorts/asia-the-pacific/india/fort-barwara/
Connect with Haitham at:
haitham.mattar@ihg.com
Thank you everyone for tuning in today. I hope our conversations have fueled your wanderlust and inspired you to explore the world in new and exciting ways. Please don’t forget to hit that subscribe button on your favorite podcasting channel to keep up with our latest episodes. I would love to know what you think…what kind of travel stories and guests you would like me to cover. So, please do leave a comment, a rating or a review.
Do follow me on Instagram and find out who’s joining me next week. I’m at @moushtravels. You can also find all the episodes and destinations mentioned by all the guests on my website www.moushtravels.com as well as on the episode show notes. Thanks for listening and until next time safe travels and keep adventuring.
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