Profile
A relationship builder skilled in engaging globally. Proven in managing diverse global teams to drive strategic brand impact in various markets. Capable of motivating teams to achieve goals and facilitating positive change while leveraging a strong network in the travel industry to foster meaningful partnerships.
Collaboration is central to my approach. I believe in the power of partnerships to drive business growth through strategic marketing. Working with diverse teams allows us to achieve optimal outcomes for the greater good. My commitment lies in fostering collaborations and making a positive impact.
Degrees
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) - Marymount University, Arlington, VA.
Bachelors Degree (BSBA) - Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
Select Diplomas & Certifications
Sustainable Tourism & International Cooperation for Development - Post Graduate Diploma - George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
AI for Business & Content Marketing Certification - MIT
High Impact Presentations, Leadership & Communication Certification - Dale Carnegie
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate - Google
Inbound Marketing Professional Certificate - HubSpot
International Tourism Cooperative Development Certificate - George Washington University
Experience
Growth Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Leader
Accomplished executive with 14+ years of experience driving revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and high-impact marketing initiatives. Expertise in developing global partnerships, optimizing engagement, and delivering data-driven strategies to elevate brand positioning. Adept at leading teams, negotiating multimillion-dollar contracts, and executing innovative campaigns that enhance market share and business performance. Fluent in English and Arabic, with professional proficiency in Spanish.
Global Mindset
Samer has extensive international experience in the travel and tourism industry, particularly in North America, LATAM (Latin America), and the Middle East. He has developed award-winning PR, marketing, and branding strategies and has a track record of leading diverse, cross-disciplinary, and highly functional global teams.
Local Expertise
Extensive knowledge of many states and territories in the U.S.A. including Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Successfully developed events, lead generation campaigns, advertising and partnership development initiative strategies with a network throughout the country.
Head of Marketing & Communication Strategy
VELA TRAVEL
An AI-powered travel concierge startup based in Washington, D.C.
Spearheaded brand positioning and go-to-market strategy for the travel startup, integrating AI-driven personalization and led the design of omnichannel marketing campaigns resulting in a 30% improvement in conversion rates.
Identified new revenue opportunities through AI integrations, optimizing digital strategies and brand alliances to expand reach.
Provide strategic counsel on marketing team development, contributing to team growth and significantly expanding client base.
Built a structured marketing team, defining new roles and hiring key talent to drive scalable growth.
Dubai Economy & Tourism
As the North America Account Director, Samer led a team of 10 across USA and Canada to reintroduce Dubai to the North American travel trade.
Negotiated multi-year partnership contracts and initiated comprehensive marketing plans with the industry’s leading networks, and key stakeholders.
Developed and executed multi-year strategic partnerships with top U.S. travel associations, increasing inbound visitor numbers.
Executed roadshows across the USA. Operated FAM trips and Study Tours with leading travel companies and agencies.
Guided the development of comprehensive partnership proposals and business cases.
JORDAN TOURISM BOARD
As the Director of Marketing
Throughout his 12 year career, Samer achieved several key achievements, including expanding the market share of his organization in high-revenue segments, securing significant partner support, driving customer engagement and awareness through marketing and PR campaigns, launching sustainable tourism products, and building strategic partnerships through cooperative marketing and media relations. He conducted successful joint marketing campaigns with leading brands, and amplified brand visibility through international media campaigns. Built and led a global team of 20 while managing four external agencies across North & South America, driving maximum marketing impact through strategic budget allocation and data-driven performance optimization.
As Director of Strategic Partnerships
As a partnerships and marketing director for North America and South America, Samer worked with a broad range of partners and built close relationships with global and regional teams. Samer pioneered the North American partnership strategy, tripling the partner network and driving new revenue through customized co-op marketing initiatives. He has been responsible for global partnerships, strategic planning, creative and design, digital partnerships, and brand marketing. He possesses a wide range of marketing capabilities, including digital marketing, branding, communications, and product marketing. He is skilled in managing complex contract negotiations and liaising with development agencies.
As the Country Director - Mexico, LATAM
In his role as country manager in Mexico, Samer started an entirely new department, built a communication structure, and assembled a dedicated team. He positioned Jordan as a viable tourism destination for Mexican and Latin American travelers, leading to significant market growth and increased revenue. He has been involved in market intelligence, consulting, and providing insights for new embassy development. He has also developed collateral, expanded budgets, managed partner marketing, established key alliances, entered the luxury market, and implemented innovative marketing campaigns.
As the Digital Marketing & PR Manager
As the director of digital branding strategy and consumer marketing departments in the USA and Mexico, Samer has utilized his digital marketing expertise and creative problem-solving skills to propose exciting projects to partners and increase ROI. He has developed growth strategies, managed budgets and resources, implemented marketing campaigns, and led successful brand and PR strategies. He has also focused on developing storytelling content, launching loyalty programs, and creating new marketing plans to inspire and equip audiences.
Leadership & Public Speaking
Samer provides mentorship and career coaching for students pursuing careers in tourism, hospitality, and business development. A speaker and panelist at global travel industry conferences, addressing trends in destination marketing and partnership strategy.
Samer develops and delivers lectures on sustainable tourism, global marketing, and international business strategy for undergraduate and graduate students, spending time as an Adjunct Lecturer & Guest Speaker at Various Universities & Institutions across U.S.A and Mexico.
Samer is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He leads trainings, participates in panel discussions, and speaks at events throughout the year.
Destination Marketing & Strategic Consulting
Various Tourism Boards, Hospitality Brands & NGOs
Consulting for international DMO’s, Travel Startups and Travel Tech Companies on brand expansion, strategic partnerships, and AI-driven marketing solutions.
Deliver strategic consulting for sustainable tourism development, digital branding, and community tourism projects in Latin America and the Middle East.
Advise travel startups and boutique operators on partnership outreach, pricing strategy, and customer acquisition plans.
Support post-crisis marketing and traveler confidence initiatives following geopolitical disruptions.
Train DMO and nonprofit staff on marketing strategy, grant development, and storytelling tools.
Advise boutique tourism brands and destinations on go-to-market plans, sales funnel optimization, and travel trade engagement.
Develop sales materials, email campaigns, and CRM workflows tailored to DMO and hospitality clients.
Create lead magnets and evergreen content for digital advertising campaigns that increased prospect engagement.
Create custom market-entry strategies for tourism clients expanding into North America.
Senior Advisor at Vela Travel
Provided strategic advisory to the startup and established brand voice, driving tailored marketing, sales, digital transformation and partnership strategies.
Lead Marketimg Consultant at Jounia Ventures
Created tailored sales toolkits and partner marketing collateral that resulted in a 15% increase in client engagement and successful campaign rollouts for multiple destinations and an uplift in client engagement across four new market segments.
Testimonials
“Proud of how much he has grown and honed his skills because of how hard he has worked, his infectious personality and how much he has achieved since starting as an intern 15 years ago.”
“Samer is a results-driven leader with exceptional communication and analytical skills. He is dedicated to achieving outstanding results in the tourism industry and continuously improving himself by learning new skills and techniques. ”
Professional Case Studies
Click below to get more in depth information about the professional achievements I am most proud of!
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