Mohamed Khater
Destination Tourism Development Expert, Saudi Arabia
Experienced Tourism Development Expert with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry and international organization. Skilled in Tourism Development, Hospitality, Destination Promotion & Marketing, Negotiation, Budgeting, Leisure Travel, Sales, B2B Association and Hotel Management. Strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) focused on Computer Science with Business Administration and Hospitality.
Mohamed Khater has an unrivalled passion for tourism and has excelled in becoming one of the greatest advocates for tourism development in the Middle East. Having dedicated his entire career to the tourism sector he has become an expert in his field and is well-known throughout the industry for his professionalism and cordial demeanour. Over the past few years, Mohamed has worked with and for a range of government administrations and international organisations to promote tourism to the Middle East. During this time, he has honed his skills in destination promotion & marketing, negotiation, budgeting and leisure sales.
Currently, Mohamed is a tourism leader currently driving the 360-degree strategic plan for the Aseer Region in Saudi Arabia. His work focuses on building a sustainable tourism model that combines the Kingdom’s rich heritage and mountain landscapes with modern, eco-friendly infrastructure to meet Vision 2030 goals.
1. How can hotels, resorts, and airlines implement eco-friendly practices without compromising guest experience?
In Aseer, we focus on "Natural Luxury" instead of high-energy air conditioning, we use the region’s naturally cool mountain climate and traditional stone architecture. Guests feel a deeper luxury through authenticity eating farm-to-table honey and fruit from local orchards which reduces the carbon footprint of food transport while providing a premium, unique experience.
2. How can GCC hospitality providers balance luxury with sustainable operations?
The key is "Smart Heritage" we are integrating modern technology, like solar energy and smart water recycling, into traditional designs. In Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, luxury isn't just about "more" it's about "better." By protecting our juniper forests and mountains, we ensure the landscape remains the main attraction for future luxury travelers.
3. How can cities develop sustainable infrastructure while managing high visitor numbers?
We use "Seasonal & Geographic Spreading" Instead of crowding one area, our 360-degree strategy promotes different sites across Aseer from the high peaks of Soudah to the heritage villages. By using electric shuttles and digital crowd-management tools, we keep the environment clean while welcoming more tourists.
3. What innovations in sustainable tourism have the greatest impact?
Community-based tourism is a major innovation. When we involve local families in Aseer as hosts and guides, the "waste" of large-scale industrial tourism is replaced by a circular local economy. Also, using renewable energy for remote mountain "glamping" sites allows us to offer world-class stays with zero impact on the land.