Advisors.

Chris is the Co-Founder & CEO of ENVI Lodges, the Middle East’s first luxury ecolodge brand and management company, focusing on low-impact alternative accommodation immersed in nature. The company was launched in 2021 with the backing of investors from Europe and the GCC, and several projects have already been secured in the Middle East and Africa. The company is based on the principles of regenerative tourism and thus adheres to high levels of sustainability. This contributed to ENVI quickly becoming a leading company in the space of ecotourism and allowed the company to win the 2021 Transformational Business of the Year award in Dubai. Chris and his business partner Noelle were also named amongst the top 50 most influential hoteliers in the Middle East and are regularly invited to speak at various investment conferences and hospitality podcasts.

Chris began his career in hospitality at a very young age. He was born into a family of hoteliers and started “working” at the family-owned Yacht Club when he was 10. Subsequently, he gained valuable experience in operations at several trendy restaurants and beach clubs in Lebanon.  After an MBA at the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in 2008, Chris joined the team that launched Shaza Hotels in Geneva, and was later promoted to Vice President, in charge of global development. He also became a member of the group’s Executive Committee. Being associated with the company since its inception, Chris has played an instrumental role in building the  brand and its positioning, company culture and brand values. He was also closely involved in the development of Shaza’s upscale brand ‘Mysk by Shaza’. 

Prior to his role at Shaza, Chris was Vice-President of Development Africa and Middle East for Kempinski Hotels from 2014 to 2017. In his tenure, he signed several luxury hotels in new markets in Africa and reinforced the brand’s presence in existing markets. He is experienced in deal-making for both hotels/resorts and branded residences. Chris holds an MBA from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland and a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut.

Chris is a father of one and another one on the way. He is a huge proponent of sustainability and ESG and loves to travel in his free time. He is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit the world as part of his job too which makes it even more exciting. Chris also loves food and music, he was a DJ in his younger age and has played in some of the best clubs in the Middle East.