As the area general manager of Marriott International at YTL Hotels, Mahmoud Skaf first entered the hospitality scene in the United States, where he landed a position working in food and beverage. Gradually, he built a foundation in the field, gaining new opportunities in Latin America and China along the way. He has had experiences as director of food and beverage, director of operations, and led the opening of the first Marriott in Shanghai.
In 2005, Skaf eventually found himself in Malaysia, serving as the general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur—YTL Hotels’ first Marriott-branded property. He later took on the same role at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, managing both properties simultaneously. Today, he leads more than just two hotels, overseeing YTL Hotels’ portfolio of Marriott International properties in Malaysia and Koh Samui, Thailand, as well, celebrating 20 years since joining the ranks of YTL Hotels.
What sparked your interest in joining the hospitality industry?
When I went to America, I didn’t speak English at all. As a young boy wanting to make some money, I started working in a hotel to learn how to communicate with people, and I loved it. I began in food and beverage, working in the kitchen as a chef for almost 12 years. One of my bosses liked my personality and said, “You shouldn’t be behind the scenes, you should be in the front.” That’s when I transitioned from the kitchen and, 40 years later, here I am.
I still enjoy cooking. I do it at home, and also when I travel to places like Japan or Thailand. At The Ritz-Carlton in Japan, I visit the hotel, put on my chef’s jacket, and cook. I work with the chefs, helping with some cooking, teaching, and learning.
You’ve worked with Marriott International in China and Peru before. What ultimately attracted you to work with YTL Hotels, a proud Malaysian-grown brand, in overseeing its Marriott properties?
After the 9/11 attacks, the economy crashed, so we decided to come to Asia. China was our first stop. My boss then said he’d like me to go to Kuala Lumpur, as there was a hotel that needed guidance. He told me to just do one year for him and, then, I can choose any destination I want afterwards. There was a huge difference between China and Malaysia. We’re talking about China in 2004—it’s not the China you see now. The lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur was really no different from America then. That was what excited my wife and me to come here. I came for a year and clicked with Dato’ Mark Yeoh (the executive director of YTL Corporation Bhd). Our goals were similar. Now, from two Marriott hotels, YTL Hotels has become one of the largest owners of Marriott properties in the world. It was challenging but fun.
You’ve led Marriott properties within YTL Hotels in many ways, from general manager to area general manager, managing multiple properties across Malaysia and now Thailand. How did that path unfold?
I remember having a great time as the general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. I was friends with the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. He decided to get married and move to the United States. At the time, I had proven myself as the general manager of JW Marriott, which encouraged my boss at Marriott and Dato’ Mark to approach me and say, “Instead of hiring a new general manager for The Ritz-Carlton, we want you to take that position and grow with us.” It wasn’t a hard decision for me. My wife and kids had already settled down, and we like Kuala Lumpur, so we didn’t plan to go back to the United States. I took the opportunity and, from there, Dato’ Mark started expanding into more projects. I naturally became the middleman between Marriott and YTL Hotels.
What have been some of your proudest moments and milestones in your journey managing Marriott brands under YTL Hotels?
When I came to work here in Malaysia, I brought with me the Marriott experience and operational expertise. But, working with Dato’ Mark at YTL Hotels, I’ve come to learn the other side as well. I’ve learned more about development and, over time, I started to understand more about him. As a general manager, we don’t usually interact much with the owners. We may sit down and have business meetings, but, to me, I consider YTL Hotels as family, and that makes you want to do more for people like that. We have a strong business relationship, but we’ve also become a family. Dato’ Mark’s mother spoke to me the other night as I celebrated my 20 years to congratulate me. That moment is priceless.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part for me is that my legacy comes from the people who work with me. Every time I see someone I’ve been involved with become successful—that, to me, is personally rewarding. It feels like seeing your kid graduate, grow up, or get married. When I look at them, I feel like they are a part of me.
How do you anticipate the partnership between Marriott and YTL Hotels evolving in the coming years?
I think that, 10 to 15 years from now, YTL Hotels will be just like Marriott International. The way I see Dato’ Mark do business, his mentality, and his goals, I can see YTL Hotels being number one.
Photography by Anna-Rina Photography
