DOHA, QATAR — Nepali professionals are playing an increasingly important role in Qatar’s hospitality industry, moving beyond traditional operational positions and taking on senior leadership responsibilities, according to Hany Ghanem, General Manager of Best Western Plus Doha.
In an exclusive interview, Ghanem spoke about the growing contribution of Nepali professionals to Qatar’s hospitality sector, their career opportunities and challenges, the importance of education and professional development, and the long-standing relationship between Best Western Plus Doha and the Nepali community.
He also shared his personal connection with Nepali people and culture, the role of Asiana Dohori Ghazal in promoting Nepali culture in Doha, and the opportunities for stronger tourism and hospitality cooperation between Nepal and Qatar.
According to Ghanem, the contribution of Nepali professionals to Qatar’s hospitality industry has grown significantly in recent years.
He said Nepalis are now working across a wide range of hotel departments, including Front Office, Food & Beverage, Culinary, Housekeeping, Engineering, Security, Human Resources and Purchasing.
“What has particularly impressed me is not simply the number of Nepalis working in hospitality, but how their role within the industry has evolved,” Ghanem said.
He noted that Nepali professionals are increasingly moving into supervisory and departmental leadership positions.
At Best Western Plus Doha, he said, several key leadership positions are currently held by Nepali professionals, including the Head of Security, Head of Human Resources and Head of Purchasing.
“These are significant positions of trust and responsibility involving people management, safety, compliance, procurement, cost control and important operational decisions,” he said.
Ghanem believes the progress of Nepali professionals should not be measured only by the number of people employed in the sector, but also by the positions and responsibilities they are gradually taking on.
Ghanem said professional growth in hospitality requires individuals to move beyond their comfort zones and develop skills beyond their current positions.
He encouraged young hospitality professionals to improve their communication skills, understand finance and budgeting, learn about revenue management, sales, technology and digital systems, and develop leadership abilities.
“For someone who ultimately wants to become a General Manager, this is particularly important,” he said. “A GM cannot understand only Front Office, F&B or Finance. You need a broad understanding of the entire business and, above all, you need to understand people.”
He also emphasized the importance of preparing for the next position before receiving the title.
“I always believe that you should start learning the skills required for your next position before you receive the title,” he said.
Ghanem also highlighted the importance of strengthening hospitality education in Nepal.
He described Nepal as a country with enormous tourism potential, supported by its natural beauty, mountains, culture, heritage and tradition of hospitality.
He suggested greater cooperation between universities, hospitality schools, vocational institutions and hotels so that students can combine academic knowledge with practical industry experience.
“Nepal should not only be producing talented hospitality professionals for international markets,” he said. “It has the potential to educate and develop those professionals at home and create future supervisors, department heads, General Managers and hospitality entrepreneurs.”
According to Ghanem, the talent already exists in Nepal, while stronger educational opportunities, professional exposure and career pathways can help take that talent to the next level.
Best Western Plus Doha has developed a long-standing relationship with the Nepali community in Qatar, Ghanem said.
The hotel has supported and sponsored major Nepali events, including programs associated with Nepal Idol and The Voice of Nepal. It has also hosted participants and judges from these programs.
Ghanem said such events have significance beyond entertainment because they allow Nepalis living abroad to maintain a connection with their culture and homeland.
“When a community living thousands of kilometres away from home comes together to celebrate its artists, music and culture, there is an emotional significance to that,” he said.
Ghanem also spoke warmly about Asiana Dohori Ghazal, a Nepali cultural and entertainment venue located within the hotel.
He said the concept is built around authentic Nepali food, entertainment and a fully Nepali team.
“What matters most to me about the concept is authenticity,” he said. “The objective was never to create an international interpretation of Nepali culture. We wanted the experience to genuinely feel Nepali.”
For Nepalis living abroad, he said, food and music can create a powerful emotional connection with home.
“I sometimes describe it very simply as a small piece of Nepal in Doha,” he said.
Ghanem said his relationship with the Nepali community has gradually developed from professional interactions into genuine friendships.
Through his friendships and interactions with Nepali community leaders and members of NRNA, he said he has learned more about Nepal’s traditions, music, celebrations, food and strong sense of community.
“I didn’t learn about Nepal from a brochure. I learned about Nepal through Nepali people,” he said.
He also highlighted the respect and dignity he has experienced in his interactions with Nepali colleagues and friends.
Referring to what he jokingly calls his “Namaste Rule,” Ghanem said the traditional Nepali greeting represents respect for the person standing in front of you, regardless of their position or status.
“To me, it represents something simple but powerful: acknowledge the person in front of you, respect them and treat them with dignity,” he said.
He also revealed that he has developed a particular fondness for sukuti, a popular Nepali dried meat dish.
From his perspective as an international hotelier, Ghanem said Nepal has tremendous potential as a tourism destination.
He noted that Nepal already enjoys strong international recognition because of Mount Everest, the Himalayas, trekking and its landscapes.
However, he believes Nepal can promote a much broader tourism experience, including culture, heritage, food, spirituality, wildlife and adventure tourism.
“The opportunity is to continue developing the infrastructure, education, service standards and tourism products that allow visitors to experience more of that diversity,” he said.
He also stressed that tourism development and human-resource development should go hand in hand.
Ghanem sees significant opportunities for stronger tourism and hospitality ties between Nepal and Qatar.
Qatar has developed into an important international aviation and tourism hub, while Nepal has a distinctive tourism identity and a large community living and working in Qatar.
He said this creates opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism promotion, hospitality training, professional development and cooperation between educational and hospitality institutions.
He also suggested that Nepal could promote itself more actively among non-Nepali residents in Qatar.
“Many people know Everest. Far fewer understand the full diversity of what Nepal can offer a traveller,” he said.
At the beginning and end of the interview, Ghanem expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal following the recent natural disaster.
“My heart goes out to every family that has lost a loved one, to those who have been injured or displaced, and to everyone whose home, livelihood or community has been affected,” he said.
Having worked closely with the Nepali community for many years, he said the tragedy feels particularly close to him.
“My heart and prayers are with Nepal,” he said.
Ghanem said he hopes Nepal will soon be able to move beyond the current hardship and once again be celebrated internationally for its beauty, tourism, culture, talented people and hospitality.
He also expressed his hope that the long-standing relationship between Best Western Plus Doha and the Nepali community will continue to grow through cultural, professional and tourism-related cooperation.
