A Journey to Excellence in Hospitality: Naseer Thodi, General Manager at Mövenpick Wa'ad Al Shamal
Naseer Thodi, the General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal, embodies a journey marked by dedication, innovation, and a lifelong pursuit for excellence within the hospitality industry. Through a collaborative and people-focused leadership approach, he has contributed to the establishment of high-performance teams and to a culture of delivering exceptional guest experiences, solidifying his position as one of the best in the industry. His career spans over two decades, marked by milestones such as the successful pre-opening of the Grand Sheraton Bangalore Brigade Gateway in 2010 and leading Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal to achieve a localization rate of 53%, showcasing his passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences and nurturing high-performing teams.
Hospitality is more than a profession; it’s a passion for creating lasting memories for every guest.
A Transformative Career in Hospitality
The journey for Naseer Thodi began in 1997 in the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, perfecting his art in the Food & Beverage department and then going into Rooms Operations. These formative years made him understand all aspects of the hospitality operation that will ensure great guest satisfaction.
He joined Sheraton Hotels in 2006 and was spotted to have significant leadership potential. Starting from Front Office Manager to Director of Guest Services, then to Director of Rooms. For much of his working tenure, his was a very vibrant contribution to success both at Sheraton Dammam and pre-openings for Grand Sheraton Bangalore Brigade Gateway that occurred in the year 2010. That same year his innovative approach caught him the respect and accolade when he garnered the Six Sigma Green Belt of the Year honor for the year 2008, for both the Middle East and Africa conferred by Starwood Hotels Group.
Thodi continued to rise in his career with Mövenpick Hotels, where he was given key positions at their iconic Makkah property – one of the largest Mövenpick hotels worldwide, with 1,200 keys. His growth from Director of Operations to Executive Assistant Manager in 2013 and then to Resort Manager in 2016 at Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar demonstrated his capability to lead large-scale operations while keeping a focus on guest satisfaction and team development.
Leadership with Purpose, At Accor
In 2018, Thodi assumed the role of General Manager at Mercure Dubai, managing one of the largest Mercure properties globally with 1,007 keys. Under his leadership, the property was recognized as the “Best Sustainable Hotel” by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Following this, he held leadership positions with Millennium and Crowne Plaza in Dubai before taking on his current role as General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal in 2023.
His decision to join Accor has been inspired by the international reputation of Accor for being a hospitality company that is synonymous with innovation and sustainability, creating truly memorable guest experiences. Accor’s employee-centric culture, espoused through the “Be ALL You Are” philosophy, appeals to Thodi. As Heartists, its employees are given the freedom to bring their uniqueness, culture, and creativity into the workplace for an inclusive yet empowering environment.
Thodi is a people-focused, collaborative, and results-driven leader who believes in an inclusive environment with open communication, diverse perspectives, and innovation. He leads through example and emphasizes team development; thus, he has always managed motivated, high-performing teams that align individual growth with organizational goals.
Leadership is about inspiring trust, fostering growth, and aligning individual aspirations with organizational goals.
Innovating the Guest Experience
In 2025, Thodi has focused at Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal on guest-centric strategies that are redefining the hospitality experience. His projects include:
- Cultural Immersion: Enriching the guest journey by infusing the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia in culinary offerings, design, and curated experiences.
- Sustainability: Pushing forward eco-friendly initiatives such as eliminating single-use plastics and establishing a water bottling project within the hotel.
- Personalization: Using data-driven insights to craft unique guest experiences and ensuring that every preference is expected and exceeded.
- Inclusiveness: Creating a welcoming environment that fosters appreciation for guests coming from different walks of life.
- Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities and artisans to uplift guest experiences and stimulate local economies.
These initiatives align with Saudi Vision 2030 by directly contributing to key goals such as increasing tourism revenue, fostering a deeper appreciation for Saudi culture, and driving economic diversification through enhanced community engagement and sustainable practices.
Technology as a Catalyst for Personalization
Thodi realizes that technology can be a strong facilitator of guest experiences in personalized ways. Guest Room Management systems at Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal improve the sustainability while at the same time providing tailored services. Motion sensors control lighting and air conditioning for an eco-friendly yet personalized experience. ALL-Accor Live Limitless membership program further enables the property to use guest profiles for customized room setups, dining options, and curated local experiences.
Smart room technologies encompassing interactive TVs, mobile applications, and GRM controls allow every guest’s journey to be fluid and according to expectations. Live data analytics gives insights into how guests are behaving, which will help the property be one step ahead in responding to the guests’ needs. All these advanced technologies and high-touch personalized interaction result in unforgettable stays with impressions.
Technology enhances the emotional connection between guests and hospitality, transforming ordinary stays into extraordinary experiences.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is part of the operations at Thodi. At Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal, he has advocated for plastic-free environment transition, energy consumption optimization, and reduction of food waste. The bottling of water in the hotel itself is a testament to his efforts in going green. Through such activities as team training in the form of energy efficiency workshops and community clean-up drives that align with sustainability goals, Thodi makes sure that going green is deeply embedded in the hotel’s culture.
Building a Culture of Growth and Excellence
Thodi opines that an effective culture of growth and excellence is established when meaningful connections occur at every level. His efforts include:
- Earning trust and showing integrity.
- Acknowledging and celebrating team wins.
- Creating growth plans tailored for each employee.
- Offering training and development consistently.
- Holding team-building events and marking milestone events.
These habits produce a motivated, high-performing team that will deliver excellent performance time and time again.
How Strategic Leadership Beats Challenges
Leading a globally recognized hospitality brand has its challenges. Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal is located in a remote area, which poses logistical challenges, such as supply chain management and talent acquisition. Thodi overcomes these challenges through proactive planning, collaboration with the regional office of Accor, and local hiring initiatives, such as partnering with the Labor Office of Turaif. He ensures operational excellence by fostering a resilient team culture and leveraging strategic partnerships.
Shaping the Future of Hospitality
Thodi identifies five key trends that shape the future of hospitality, namely sustainability, integration of technology, personalization of experiences, wellness-focused travel, and local authenticity. Accor’s initiatives in the “Planet 21” program and ALL loyalty program are a reflection of these trends.
Under Thodi, Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal is poised to embrace these trends with innovative solutions for guest satisfaction and loyalty. His vision for the future will center on leveraging technology, promoting sustainability, and creating culturally immersive experiences that celebrate the uniqueness of Saudi Arabia.
Milestones
The successful opening of Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal was finally set on December 15, 2024. One could see him navigate through and work in handling such complex operations and, yet again, demonstrate a good reflection of the company’s values through his actions.
Major achievements recorded were 53% localization; the female empowerment of 33%; and having filled all positions, before the launch date, by professionals.
Visions for 2025 and Beyond
Thodi sees a future where the Accor guest experience journey is driven by personalization, sustainability, and seamless technology integration-including smart room controls, AI-driven concierge services, and mobile apps that create convenience and ease for guests. He believes in driving innovation, empowering teams, and localization as the key ways to improve the guest satisfaction quotient and make Accor the most sought-after brand in hospitality globally.
Innovation in hospitality is the fusion of tradition and modernity, creating immersive experiences that celebrate local heritage.