Wishing All The Best For The Years Ahead

One of my core beliefs is that if you serve with all your heart and are good to your word, opportunities and outcomes will present themselves naturally.

I’ve been fortunate to have a diversified and interesting career that’s allowed me to serve with outstanding mentors and colleagues. 

I am highly optimistic and excited for the years ahead, feeling very creative and inspired to achieve my most meaningful and successful work.

The last four years at Forbes Travel Guide have gone by quickly. I’ve had the honor of serving with such exceptional colleagues and a supportive board, as we have built the most respected and valued hospitality, evaluation and learning and development company globally. It’s all based on integrity, work ethic and service to our industry and guests.  

The future is bright for Forbes Travel Guide and those who serve and lead within it. This was the plan, as any legacy company is built on a team effort, which is certainly the case with FTG.

I’m extremely proud of what has been accomplished with the best years clearly yet ahead. 

In 1990, while I was happily heading up the innovative Morgans Hotel Group founded by the visionaries Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, I had the honor of meeting Nelson Mandela on his now historic first visit to the United States. This wonderful encounter led me to make the decision to move to South Africa and accept the responsibilities to head up the Sun City/Lost City Resort Complex.

Those years changed my life, resulting in my marriage to Prudence and having our daughter Helena Zakade, in addition to our blessed and intimate relationship with Nelson Mandela and the extraordinary people of South Africa, during one of the most exciting times in this beautiful country’s history. 

I remain grateful to another visionary, Sol Kerzner, and my colleagues at Sun International and Kerzner International for this opportunity. 

I am deeply humbled now to have an opportunity to contribute to the meaningful and dynamic vision of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in his Royal Highness’s Vision 2030. I will have the privilege of leading a group of the world’s finest professionals in the development and execution of HRH’s vision for Diriyah Gate, the ancestral home of the Saudi state.

I will be writing more about my new role in the weeks to come, as we seamlessly transition out of my responsibilities at Forbes Travel Guide before assuming my new position in Riyadh on September 5.

I am grateful to our chairman, Jeff Arnold; our board; and John Chadwick for the constant support and friendship I received daily over these wonderful years at FTG. They have been flawless in their support of our team effort and deserve most of the praise as to what we have accomplished.  

I am thrilled that my globally respected colleague and friend, innkeeper Filip Boyen, will now lead the exceptional FTG team into the exciting years ahead as the company diversifies its service to our industry and distinguished guests.

Additionally it’s been a true privilege working alongside one of the most dedicated and value-driven teams of my career, and I am so thankful to all of my remarkable colleagues for their talent, work ethic and values. 

I’m very much looking forward to supporting them as I remain on the board and FTG goes from strength to strength, which it is clearly set up to do.  

As always, I appreciate all the friendships and support from my friends and colleagues worldwide.

In my extensive travels on site directly with thousands of properties, I’m constantly humbled by the excellence and devotion I encounter on behalf of their guests and colleagues. 

I’m looking forward to the years ahead as we collectively continue to support raising global standards as well as employee cultures and self-esteem.  

My years in South Africa were transformative both personally and professionally, especially in the time of Nelson Mandela.

With the honor afforded me by HRH The Crown Prince, I am greatly looking forward to fulfilling his vision as well as serving the wonderful people of Saudi Arabia and guests from all over the world in welcoming them to the Jewel of the Kingdom, its birthplace, Diriyah.

It’s another transformative opportunity that I approach with humility, gratitude and anticipation for the dynamic years ahead under the historic leadership of HRH The Crown Prince.

Diriyah, its history and heritage await your visit. You will be most welcome. 

With warmest regards, respect and affection,

Jerry