Every successful journey begins with a moment of clarity. For Abdelrahman Soliman, that moment arrived in high school when he joined a student activity program focused on self development. The lectures taught him that life is something you shape, not something you wait for. After completing the year long course, he walked away with a new sense of purpose. He understood that he needed to find direction, discover his strengths, and build his path step by step.
This experience pushed him to explore voluntary activities where he gained hands on exposure in different areas, including events management. These early experiences shaped his communication skills, teamwork abilities, and problem solving mindset. While still in university, he joined youth development programs, which expanded his vision and helped him believe in his potential.
Discovering a Passion for Helping Others
One of the strongest driving forces in the life of Abdelrahman Soliman has always been his love for helping people. He enjoyed guiding others, supporting them, and creating positive moments. The smiles he received in return left a deep mark on his heart. This passion naturally connected him to the world of hospitality.
He loved assisting foreigners visiting Egypt and making their journey easier. The simple joy he saw on their faces made him realize that hospitality is not only a job. It is a lifestyle built on care, patience and genuine service. This understanding encouraged him to explore the industry further and eventually build his career within it.
Starting a Hospitality Career After the Covid Era
In October 2021, one year after the Covid era, Abdelrahman Soliman took his first step into the hospitality field. He joined Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo as a Reservations Agent. He entered the department with excitement, ready to learn and eager to grow. He joined the team with two colleagues and a manager, unaware that his early months would soon test him in unexpected ways.
Within ten months, both colleagues left the department. This placed him in the position of senior team member despite having only one year of experience. He suddenly had to train new colleagues and help them through their onboarding process. This responsibility was challenging but it also sharpened his skills and taught him the importance of leadership through action.
Overcoming Major Challenges
Not long after the first challenge, he faced another. His newly appointed supervisor left after only six months in the role. By March 2023, Abdelrahman Soliman found himself responsible for all the supervisor tasks. He handled group reservations, daily operations, staff coordination and the overall flow of work inside the department.
The department was operating with low staffing which meant that he had to work very long hours. There were periods when he worked twelve to fourteen hours a day just to ensure everything continued running smoothly. At the same time, he was participating in the Young Potential Award program which required commitment, learning and focus.
Despite the challenges, the results were impressive. The department performed so well that it was recognized as one of the best performing teams for their strong records. This achievement became one of the proudest milestones in his early career.
A third major challenge arrived shortly after he was promoted to Reservations Supervisor in January 2024. Only two months after his promotion, his manager left the hotel. This sudden change meant that the responsibilities of both the Revenue and Reservations department fell on his shoulders. He managed the entire department until a Task Force Revenue Manager joined. Later, he assisted in handing over the department to the new Revenue Manager who arrived in June 2024. Handling responsibilities that belonged to several higher positions was extremely demanding, but he succeeded and kept the department stable.
A Life Changing Experience in the Young Potential Award Program
Among all his achievements, the Young Potential Award program remains one of the most valuable experiences for Abdelrahman Soliman. He was selected to join this international program in 2023. It was designed to identify young talents with strong leadership potential and help them grow into future managers.
As part of the program, he traveled to Germany several times in one year and also visited the Netherlands and Vienna. These trips exposed him to new cultures, modern hospitality standards and advanced ideas. He also built friendships with young professionals from around the world.
The program strengthened his skills, helped him grow personally and professionally, and opened his eyes to new possibilities. He used the knowledge he gained to improve his performance at work, which later helped him earn his promotion from Reservations Agent to Reservations Supervisor.
Growing Into Revenue Management
Today, Abdelrahman Soliman works as Assistant Reservations Manager in Crowne Plaza West Cairo – Arkan, an IHG Hotel. Along with his main responsibilities, he is receiving growing exposure to the field of Revenue Management and he was working under the leadership of Mr. Mohamed Salem, who’s one of the best Revenue Managers in Egypt now. His long term goal is to become Assistant Revenue Manager within the next three years and Revenue Manager within the next five or six years.
He is already involved in revenue related tasks and continues learning from his Revenue Manager. With time, he has gained strong experience and a deep understanding of how revenue strategies work. For him, learning and development never stop.
Lessons That Inspire His Journey
Throughout his career, he has held onto one important belief. Whenever you go the extra mile and give your best, you always gain something useful. Even if the reward does not appear immediately, the experience itself becomes a benefit. You grow faster, perform better, and learn new skills.
This mindset helped him stay strong during difficult periods and kept him focused on self-improvement. He also expresses deep gratitude for the support he received from his family, his wife, and the mentors who played a key role in shaping his journey. He especially acknowledges:
Mr. Osman Zeinhom (Revenue Manager, Voco Makkah)
Mr. Amr Hossam (Revenue & Channels Manager, Cairo Pyramids by JAZ)
Mr. Karim Hafez (Revenue Manager, Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo)
Mr. Mohamed Salem (Revenue Manager, Crowne Plaza West Cairo – Arkan)
Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in him helped him push through moments of doubt and continue moving forward with confidence.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Abdelrahman Soliman dreams of inspiring young professionals in hospitality. He wants to leave a positive mark on the industry and help shape future leaders who work with honesty, passion and dedication.
He also hopes to contribute meaningful ideas in revenue management that future generations can build on. For him, leadership is not about titles but about actions and the positive impact one leaves behind.
His journey continues and with his dedication and passion, the future holds many more achievements waiting for him.
Do follow him on Instagram
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