Hospitality & Guest Experience professional with 5+ years of progressive leadership experience across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Currently serving as a Director of Special Projects within the Strategic Growth Unit at Hero Experiences Group, specializing in the design, development, and delivery of high-impact guest experiences and destination concepts across desert, aviation, cultural, and adventure tourism. Proven ability to lead projects from early-stage concept through feasibility, commercial structuring, stakeholder alignment, and on-ground execution. Experienced working with government entities and high-profile stakeholders, ensuring concepts align with national tourism strategies and luxury hospitality standards.…

Austin Landsey

Hospitality & Guest Experience professional with 5+ years of progressive leadership experience across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Currently serving as a Director of Special Projects within the Strategic Growth Unit at Hero Experiences Group, specializing in the design, development, and delivery of high-impact guest experiences and destination concepts across desert, aviation, cultural, and adventure tourism. Proven ability to lead projects from early-stage concept through feasibility, commercial structuring, stakeholder alignment, and on-ground execution. Experienced working with government entities and high-profile stakeholders, ensuring concepts align with national tourism strategies and luxury hospitality standards.…

Available to hire

Hospitality & Guest Experience professional with 5+ years of progressive leadership experience across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Currently serving as a Director of Special Projects within the Strategic Growth Unit at Hero Experiences Group, specializing in the design, development, and delivery of high-impact guest experiences and destination concepts across desert, aviation, cultural, and adventure tourism.

Proven ability to lead projects from early-stage concept through feasibility, commercial structuring, stakeholder alignment, and on-ground execution. Experienced working with government entities and high-profile stakeholders, ensuring concepts align with national tourism strategies and luxury hospitality standards.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director of Special Projects | Hospitality & Destination Development at Hero Experiences Group
January 1, 2025 - Present
Operates within the Strategic Growth Unit, leading the development and delivery of high-value tourism and hospitality concepts across multiple destinations. Leads end-to-end tourism experience development (desert, aviation, cultural, and adventure verticals) including feasibility studies, commercial modeling, proposal and RFP development, operations and delivery planning, SOP development, multi-site operational coordination, and end-to-end project management. Oversees on-ground execution and ensures alignment across concept, guest experience, and operational standards. Coordinates cross-departmental teams (operations, marketing, finance) and external partners/stakeholders, delivering proposals to government entities and private stakeholders. Key projects include: Shara an Safar (Sharaan Safari & Dining Experience) with Royal Commission for AlUla; AlUla Skies Festival (project lead and logistics for international balloon operations); and multiple destination experience proposals for D
Group Training Officer & Learning & Development Coordinator at Hero Experiences Group
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024
Designed and delivered structured training programs for 25–35 conservation guides annually, and delivered cross-functional training across hospitality, aviation, and guest services teams. Training included customer experience, VIP handling, hospitality etiquette, UAE history, culture, and ecology. Developed and implemented SOP-based training aligned to operational requirements. Supported onboarding and performance development for both seasonal and permanent staff and contributed to standardization of training programs across multiple experiences and teams, including on-the-ground delivery for diverse roles (guides, outdoor instructors, chefs, waiters, pilots, ground crew, ticketing teams, and hospitality personnel).
Conservation Guide at Hero Experiences Group
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Delivered premium, conservation-led desert safari experiences within a protected reserve environment, combining hospitality, storytelling, and ecological education. Guided guests through immersive desert experiences focused on Emirati culture, heritage, and biodiversity. Managed full guest journeys from pickup to departure ensuring seamless service delivery, engagement through educational interpretation, and coordinated with hospitality teams for on-site camp operations and visitor journey management. Supported camp operations and coordinated with hospitality teams on-site.
Events & Hospitality Intern (Front Office, Kitchen, Storekeeping, Events Support, and F&B) at Cricketwood Manor Boutique Hotel; Hotels and museum/venue placements
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Completed internship placements across hospitality operations, front office supervision, kitchen supervision and assistance, storekeeping support, event and banquet support, venue/event preparation, and live cooking station assistance. Roles included front office & housekeeping duties, banquet and event support, kitchen and buffet preparation, and coordination/assistance across multiple hospitality operations.
Hotel Internship at International Hotel School placements (Front Office and Kitchen support)
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
International hospitality internships with exposure to front office, housekeeping, kitchen and event-related duties, including preparation and support for venue services and guest-facing operations.

Education

Higher certificate - Business Practices & Principles at Varsity College
January 1, 2020 - July 24, 2026
Higher certificate - Event Management at Shaker Bar School
January 1, 2020 - July 24, 2026
Diploma - Hospitality Management at International Hotel School
January 1, 2019 - July 24, 2026
IB & W SET (Spirit) - Level 1 at IB & W SETs
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021

Qualifications

Licycle (Driver) First Aid; Fire Safety; Fire Warden (certifications)
January 11, 2030 - July 24, 2026
Fire Safety & Fire Warden Certification
January 11, 2030 - July 24, 2026
Fire Safety / Fire Warden (valid for regional & international travel)
January 11, 2030 - July 24, 2026

Industry Experience

Travel & Hospitality, Government, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services
    Project Portfolio | Experience Design & Destination Development

    This portfolio brings together a selection of pitch decks, commercial proposals and concept-development projects created for tourism, hospitality, aviation and destination-based experiences.

    My work goes beyond presentation design. I help turn early-stage ideas, complex information and commercial opportunities into clear, persuasive proposals that decision-makers can understand and act on. This includes developing the narrative, structuring the business case, defining the experience, shaping the commercial model and translating it all into a polished visual presentation.