The tourism industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expanding quickly, and changemakers are essential to this expansion. Reem Garash, CEO of Shada Hospitality, is one of these Saudi women who has earned a spot on the Saudi Vision 2030 leadership list. She has helped make Saudi Arabia a popular travel destination worldwide.
Stay tuned as we discover more about her.
Shada Hospitality’s Beginnings
We must examine Shada Hospitality’s history from the beginning to better understand Reem Garash. Reem’s mother chose to lease a block containing residential flats in 2003 after purchasing the property from her real estate developer husband. She never would have imagined that this small endeavour would become a renowned hospitality brand.
After two years without notable gain, the furnished flats were turned into opulent hotel suites. The family-run team’s creation of distinctive traditional practices, like providing coffee and dates, lighting incense burners when guests arrived, and greeting guests with unusual expressions like “a thousand welcomes,” added to their allure. Many people were drawn in by these minor details, particularly heritage-loving foreign tourists.
Stepping Into the Hospitality Industry
While still in college, Reem started working for the company. She graduated with a BA in Banking and Finance from Dar Al-Hekma University and an MBA from Queen’s University of Charlotte. She had a strong basis for her leadership position thanks to this academic training.
Following graduation in 2018, Reem became the first Saudi woman to head a regional hospitality company dedicated to preserving southern Saudi culture and elevating hospitality standards worldwide.
Moreover, she started the Shada Hotel chain in Jeddah and Dubai with her mother, brother, and sister, Rana. She is also opening a new hotel in Riyadh and making investments in the food, beverage, and entertainment industries.
Reem encourages social responsibility in addition to her work with her family. For example, she co-founded “Sakn for Families,” a nonprofit organisation that houses Saudi social security recipients. More than 500 homes have been given to needy families since the organisation’s founding in 2021.
Read more: The Saudi Businesswoman Rasha Al-Hoshan
A Remarkable Experience
As a member of the Board of Directors of Al-Tanfeethi Company, Reem Garash contributes to the growth of the aviation industry in the Kingdom in addition to her work and experience in the hospitality industry.
Additionally, Garash has worked in the hotel and hospitality investment industry for more than 12 years. She is eager to use her expertise in business development, financial management, and strategic planning to support the hotel brand throughout her career. She has greatly expanded the market share of the new brand she oversees by achieving several successes.
Realising Oneself is Her Motto
Reem constantly aims for excellence and adds value for stakeholders, partners, and clients. She lives by the motto, “I am here.” She looks for new challenges and opportunities because she is passionate about the hospitality industry.
Reem Garash’s ambition and spirit have allowed her to blend her personality with her love of hotels and hospitality, making her a well-known figure in the industry at a young age. This demonstrates that dedication and ingenuity can lead to new opportunities in the travel and tourism industry, as well as other fields.
Read more: Hospitality Sector Grows in Saudi Arabia Amid Rising Demand
