Sandeep Walia

Marriott International veterans Gerrit Graef and Sandeep Walia will take on the positions of area vice president premium & select brands and area vice president luxury brands in the United Arab Emirates respectively. The appointments reflect the company's new direction to split its portfolio into 'Premium & Select' and 'Luxury' brands - done specifically to meet the market demands of a diversifying travel and tourism sector in the UAE.

For the company's luxury portfolio, Walia will bring his extensive luxury experience to the region in his new role. He has worked with Marriott International since 2005 and most recently held the position of area vice president luxury brands for Western Europe, overseeing the company's luxury portfolio across Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and the UK.