GARSHOM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2019

Mr. V A Hassan, A legendary leader and visionary who has carved his niche in the hospitality industry in the Middle East and India – Mr. V.A. Hassan. He made a humble beginning some four decades back maintaining passion and perseverance to build one of the best brands in hospitality – the Flora group of hotels.

Apart from being just an employer to hundreds of people across the globe, Mr. Hassan is a philanthropist whose kind acts of charity is a relief to the destitute. He has also contributed to spreading a noble message by starting non-alcoholic hotel rooms under his brand.

Starting his entrepreneurship in general trading, V. A. Hassan travelled a long way from Thrissur in Kerala to Dubai in 1975, after completing his education. He entered the arena of hospitality industry after proving his proficiency in electronics, garments, real estate, and health care businesses.

Aiming at the expo 2020, he is planning to double his number of non-alcoholic hotel rooms under Flora hospitality to nearly 3000 including two new five star hotels in Dubai.

Bearing the signature of the master, the SBK real estate company founded by Mr. Hassan thrived even during the period of recession in late 2008. His company continued to hire people at that time eventually venturing into property management. The Karama shopping center, which has turned out to be one of the mascots of Dubai, is managed by SBK.

According to him, the family comprising of wife Rabia, children Shebin, Shahid, and Saira are behind his strength. The children are also into the management of various businesses set up by Mr. Hassan.

Though Mr. Hassan has his steps firm on the sands of the Middle East, he has also established several hospitality initiatives in his homeland, Kerala.

He focuses on charity through the corporate social responsibility initiatives by his companies. He extends his kind heart towards the destitute in his home state of Kerala through palliative care units, providing medical aid for kidney diseases, and setting up facilities for cheaper treatment for the poor.

He also makes sure he is focused on charity is through the corporate social responsibility initiatives by his companies. He extends his kind heart towards the destitute in his home state of Kerala through palliative care units, providing medical aid for kidney diseases, and setting up facilities for cheaper treatment for the poor.