SPECIAL REPORT
JAY SHAH
CORPORATE HOTELIER OF THE WORLD
2018
HOTELIERS
A
focus on advancing the careers of the hoteliers around them is perhaps what Jay Shah and Philippe Leboeuf have most in common as HOTELS 2018 Hotelier of the World award winners . They prioritize personal growth and encourage employees to speak their minds and take an active stake in the company ’ s success .
Shah , CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust since 2006 , is inspired most by growing his team , preferring to ask questions than give mandates . “ You bring people along to get to the same answer by asking questions ... Then , you ’ ve helped them figure it out on their own ,” he says .
He learned to listen from his parents , who started the family hotel business back in the 1970s , and developed his empathy for all team members because he worked every aspect of the business – from breakfast line cook to owner-developer . His family remains
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16 hotelsmag . com November 2018