Jean-Robert Reznik

He wanted to be an artist, but he became an operator in world tourism. Notably however not! in a supporting role. And certainly not as an extra. Jean-Robert Reznik is a principal character in an industry that now represents more than 10% of the global economy. A hero of international tourism development, he built his name on his involvement in Club Mediterranean, the Accor Group and Air France. Offering work to thousands of people around the world by changing the economic destiny of many countries, Jean-Robert has also experienced self-evolution, demonstrating the need to sometimes dissociate the rule from the exception.  

For Jean-Robert Reznik, the dream surpassed reality. From the beaches of Mostaganem in  Algeria where he was born, to the firmament of international recognition in Morocco, the  United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Egypt, Mauritius, Mexico, Indonesia, Haiti,  Jordan, Israel, the Dominican Republic and Tunisia, his life is the stuff of legend.

Tourism without culture is a world without moral bar. “Tourism is only real if it  allows cultural development” confirms this people-person who wanted to bring people together,  erase physical borders and mix cultures. He primarily understood  that tourism and culture were intimately linked; that art was a common good  and that differences were an opportunity in the great human struggle  against mistrust, fear of the unknown and community withdrawal. These ideas changed  the destiny of the companies where he exercised his undeniable talent and the lives of his  collaborators.  

He went where no one had been before. He believed in countries where no one else would bet a single kopeck. He is credited with the discovery of established legendary destinations like Cancun, a festive spot in Mexico bordered by the Caribbean Sea or Punta Cana, a dream oasis with transparent waters in the Dominican Republic. J2R’s limitless professionalism is propped up by a combination of assumed eccentricity and unswerving ambition. 

A study of his address book begs the question whether Jean-Robert Reznik is a referent in world tourism development or a diplomat, feted for his interpersonal skills. We get the impression that tourism is a parallel form of diplomacy in which J2R has excelled. « I had the chance to create links with some of the people who have had the greatest impact on the life of Arab countries, » he tells me with unfeigned emotion.  

He talks about Sheikh Zayed, founder of the United Arab Emirates. « That was certainly one of the most significant encounters of my life," Jean-Robert confides. « I met him, in Hong Kong, during the inauguration of the Club Mediterranean offices, which the United Arab Emirates owned. Following this meeting, I accompanied him to Egypt. President Hosni Mubarak wanted him to invest in alternatives to the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh and the natural bay at Naama. I advised him to form a base at Naama Bay where he built a house. He thanked me for this advice. Together we developed three Palmariva hotels in Morocco and five in Egypt. Sheikh Zayed was a trailblazer. He had a modernist vision at the time of the emergence of oil in the United Arab Emirates. He mastered the development of his country with an ambition to be open-minded to the world and to culture. » 

He quotes the King of Morocco His Majesty King Hassan II. « He was not only aware that his country had to be a great industrial, technological and agricultural country, but also a country geared towards tourism, » says J2R. He also evokes Egyptian President Anouar el-Sadat. « I met him before his historic speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in  

November 1977, » he said. He also remembers the Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba. « I am proud to have shared his hopes for the development of Tunisia and his fight for the emancipation of African women, » he tells me.  

During his immense career, Reznik has unearthed great talent and promoted young people. « This is the pride of my career, » he says. It is impossible to name them all as the list is so long but if he had to pick just one, it would be Khalid Anib, who 

obviously stands out. « When I met Khalid, he was working on presentations at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech » Jean-Robert expands. « He had exceptional qualities. He had a very good grasp, very quickly, in fact, he exceeded my expectations. And he had a very strong personal relationship with the clients. He was probably the best… »…and after a remarkable career at the Accor Group, he is now Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Hotels. 

Khalid Anib, in his turn, is also full of praise for his mentor. « He is an inspiring leader, » he tells me. « His key words are ‘innovate’ and ‘persevere’. He is like an extraordinary suggestion box. He also has an amazing nose. He is a destination scout. He can sniff out prospects for tourism, trends, and the preferences of travellers to come. He rarely misjudges this. » And which is evident in his tourism development policies as much as the choice of collaborators. Reznik has only one barrier: his encounters with atrophied generosity. « He personifies righteousness, loyalty and altruism, » admits Khalid Anib. « As soon as I have the opportunity, I try to spend time with Jean Robert. He has two passions: tourism and people. We always learn from being in his company with fun, good humour, and laughter. »  

Jean-Robert Reznik has the recipe for happiness. « In life, you need one third dreams, one third realism and one third humour, above all don’t to take the first two thirds too seriously… »