Accor's MEA CEO Mark Willis On How His Hospitality Brand Handled The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic "We've been heavily impacted over the last six months, but now is the time to look forward and take a positive position on what that future looks like."

You're reading BIZ Experiences Middle East, an international franchise of BIZ Experiences Media.

With great certainty, we can say that hardly ever have CEOs of hotel chains seen as strong an impact on their businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with BIZ Experiences Middle East, Mark Willis, CEO - Middle East and Africa, Accor, talks about managing a crisis of a lifetime -travel restrictions and national lockdowns causing the instability of economies and businesses around the world- and how Accor's people and guest-focused approach to the COVID-19 pandemic helped them to emerge stronger. "We've been heavily impacted over the last six months, but now is the time to look forward and take a positive position on what that future looks like," says Willis. "We have a portfolio of wonderful brands at Accor, and although the market remains subdued, that will not last. As you move out of 2020 and into 2021, the dynamics of business and the demand in our industry will start to come back."

Related: Experiences Matter: Yigit Sezgin, Chief Commercial Officer - MEA, Accor, On How The Hospitality Brand Is Driving Its Offerings In The Post COVID-19 Era

BIZ Experiences Middle East Staff

BIZ Experiences Staff

News and Trends

From the Bronx to the World: How a Single Teacher is Transforming Education Around the Globe

In the heart of the Bronx, a community with some of America's greatest health disparities, filled with chronically underperforming schools and increasing intergenerational poverty, a community where concrete and fast-food outlets outweigh green space, an unlikely revolution is growing.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.

Money & Finance

The Biggest Money Mistakes BIZ Experiencess Make — and How to Fix Them

BIZ Experiencess are often seen as risk-takers, visionaries and masters of opportunity. Still, some struggle with their finances.