Exclusive Interview Conducted By Farooq Awan Arranged By Adnan Arif Photos By Ramzan Mughal Leading the largest chain of five-star hotels in Pakistan, Haseeb Gardezi is the Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality and Education Division at Hashoo Group. As a C-level professional with over 27 years of diversified senior management, leadership and hospitality experience, he has played a pivotal role in expanding and developing Pakistan’s hospitality industry and sustainable infrastructure. In an exclusive sitting with Daily Times, Gardezisaid Pakistan is entering a new era, leading to a path of prosperity. “Hashoo Hotels finds itself at the forefront of this shift with an impressive portfolio of hotel brands across multiple categories,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s demographic dividend is perhaps its greatest strength and Hashoo Hotels has always been an advocate of developing a strong people culture. “The people make up for its backbone and inspiration, which is why quality is never compromised and expertise is always respected.” Chief Operating Officer Hospitality and Education Division Hashoo Group Haseeb Gardezi signs an MoU with Road & Story for opening of Pearl-Continental Hotel by the stunning Attabad Lake in Hunza Valley. About services being provided at the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts, he said the chain is known to have always achieved excellent international standards of quality products. “The Group is consistently focused on enhancing its brand & creating memorable experiences for people with its presence in all the main cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Bhurban, Muzaffarabad and MalamJabba,” he further said. “In order to establish a cordial and engaging relations with its customers, Pearl-Continental Hotels are offering the largest customer loyalty programme across Pakistan by the title of Privilege Club,” he continued. “They are currently offering their guests exclusive Pearl Rewards and benefits across all their hotels, ranging from dining privileges to spa and wellness discounts and rewards.” PC LEGACY About the new initiatives by HashooGroup, Gardezi said the brand ‘PC LEGACY’ is a new chain of four-star hotels. “PC LEGACY will bridge the gap for travellers between five-star and select-service hotels,” he explained. “Theconcept ofPC LEGACY has been created to offer superiorservices and facilities to high?end and middle?class travellers who need acomfortable stay with landmark accommodations and the finest service,” he said of the objective behind the new initiative. “Soon to open in the scenic valley of Hunza, PC LEGACY Nasirabad, Hunza will be the first PC Legacy hotel by Hashoo Group, followed by the pipeline projects PC Legacy Valley Road Naran, PC Legacy Bahria Town Rawalpindi and PC Legacy Airport Lahore,” he said of the new projects under the brand. “With 23 hotels in 16 Locations across Pakistan, Hotel One offers the lowest prices, comfortable rooms, and a peaceful stay, making it the ideal choice for business and leisure travelers.” Gardezi said Hotel One, the three-star brand of hotels by Hashoo Group, continues to set the standards in limited-service accommodation by delivering value, convenience, and reliability ever since its launch in 2006. “With 23 hotels in 16 Locations across Pakistan, Hotel One offers the lowest prices, comfortable rooms, and a peaceful stay, making it the ideal choice for business and leisure travelers,” he told Daily Times. Franchise Management Haseebalso has to his credit the introductionof the concept of Franchise Management in the hospitality industry of Pakistan. The largest national network of such facilities operates under the brand name of “Hotel One” by Pearl-Continental. He has further taken this initiative towards franchising four and five-star hotels. “These initiatives generate investment and revenue for the Government of Pakistan and create employment opportunities. Internationally, this has helped Pakistan to showcase its softer image as one of the most hospitable nations,” he said. Heritage Hotels About an upcoming project, Gardezi said Hashoo Hotelsis introducing a new category – Heritage Hotels – to its hotel portfolio by reviving the age-old charming Cecil Hotel, Murree. “Cecil by Pearl-Continental will take the guests back in time while offering the most modern amenities during their stay. Offering the best of both worlds,” he added. White Label Management As the leaders in the hospitality industry of Pakistan, Hashoo Group has the expertise in the service and management sector, which is enabling them to provide White Label Management services for international hotel brands that are looking to expand into Pakistan. “In addition, we are also in the process of adding residential projects to our portfolio by introducing Pearl Residence luxury apartment living,” Gardezi said. PC Mobile App This is the age of digitalization and to keep up with the digital transformation being the fourth industrial revolution, Hashoo Hotels recently launched its PC Mobile App, which offers seamless solutions for the guests to enhance the overall customer experience.”Hashoo Hotels will be the proud owners of 60 plus hotels by the end of 2025. “Hashoo Hotels will be the proud owners of 60 + hotels by the end of 2025. These hotels include the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels, four-star PC Legacy and three-star Hotel One across Pakistan.” These hotels include the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels, four-star PC Legacy and three-star Hotel One across Pakistan,”Gardezi resolved. Hashoo School of Hospitality Management Detailing Hashoo Group’s contribution to the education sector, Gardezi told Daily Times that it has successfully launched Hashoo School of Hospitality Management (HSHM) – Pakistan’s first premium tourism and hospitality management school – in collaboration with the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK.The HSHM offers a two-year Leadership Programme in Hospitality Management at Islamabad and Peshawar Campus. “Hashoo Group has successfully launched Hashoo School of Hospitality Management (HSHM) – Pakistan’s first premium tourism and hospitality management school, in collaboration with the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK.” The third year can be completed in the UK, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Switzerland or United Arab Emirates to obtain a BSc (Hons) Degree, leading to guaranteed job placements at Hashoo Hotels across Pakistan.After the success of Islamabad and Peshawar campus, HSHM will soon be opening a branch in Karachi. “Currently, HSHM is offering a two-year Leadership Programme in Hospitality Management locally, and then completing the third year internationally, for obtaining a BSc (Hons) Degree; leading to guaranteed job placements at Hashoo Hotels, thus producing a fleet of future hospitality leaders,”Gardezi said. Hashoo Foundation About service to community, Gardezi said Hashoo Group believes in giving back to the society and is playing their part by providing a platform for a greater social impact.”Hashoo Foundation works with a global vision, partnering with multiple stakeholders and communities across Pakistan, enabling the underprivileged segments to become self-reliant and lead their lives with dignity,” he said. “Extending outreach to both rural and urban areas, the foundation works to deliver direct services, build capacities and invest in action research through partnerships with organisations that share the same values,” he continued. “Hashoo Foundation, a separate non-profit entity of Hashoo Group, that serves the underprivileged through humanitarian and capacity-building approaches across Pakistan,” he added. Corporate Decarbonization As a leading hospitality chain, Hashoo Group embarked on the corporate decarbonization journey in October 2021. Net Zero Pakistan is a national collaboration between pioneering companies and institutions in alignment with UNFCCC Global Campaign Race to Zero, which urges non-state actors to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero-carbon world by 2050. “The aim is to engage all employees to understand the importance of the 1.5 C pledge and commit at an individual level to reducing the company carbon footprint,”Gardezi told Daily Times. Moving Upwards and Onwards The legacy of Hashoo Group was built onhard work and limited resources. The goal of the Group is to make that legacy a testament to the quintessential Pakistani way of success – to move upwards and onwards. The companies that comprise Hashoo Group create jobs, nurture Pakistani economy, and raise living standards for ordinary people in the communities where they operate. “Looking towards the next 50 years, Hashoo Group remains committed to sustainable growth through a focus on resilience and transparency,” Gardezi believed. Haseeb Gardezi – the Journey of Success * HaseebGardeziis a certified Management and Hospitality professional from Cornell School of Hotel Administration USA, one of the leading management institutes in the world. * Apart from specialising in International Relations, Haseeb has attended multiple Mastery and Senior Management sessions from the Harvard Business School’s division of continuing education under the professional development programs and has received the prestigious “Purple Squirrel” award. Haseeb’s Harvard courses were focused on Innovation, Strategy and Leading Successful Change Initiatives in the corporate world. * Haseeb has also attended numerous Leadership and Change Management courses from LUMS, the top business school in Pakistan. * Haseeb started his career as a Management Trainee. After serving Pakistan’s hospitality industry for over two decades, he became the Chief Operating Officer – Hospitality and Education Division for Hashoo Group, the largest hospitality group in Pakistan, with an annual turnover of more than USD 100 million. * In addition, he carries the title of CEO, Hotel One (Pvt) Ltd, the select-service chain of hotels by Hashoo Group. As the voice of Pakistani Hotels, he has served Pakistan Hotels Association as the Chairman, leading the association with his colleagues to survive the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality and tourism sector. Upcoming 11 Hotels in 11 Cities * Pearl-Continental Attabad Lake Resort & Hotel * Pearl-Continental Hotel Mirpur * Pearl-Continental Hotel Bahria Town * Pearl-Continental Hotel Multan * Pearl-Continental Hotel Hyderabad * Cecil by Pearl-Continental * PC Legacy Hotel NasirabadHunza * PC Legacy Valley Road Naran * PC Legacy Bahria Town Rawalpindi * PC Legacy Airport Lahore * Pearl-Continental Hotel Sukkur