Gerrit Graef

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.

In his new position, Graef will oversee Marriott's UAE premium and select brands hotel portfolio. After working at Marriott International for more than 22 years, he has taken on a plethora of roles across brands including Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments in markets such as Europe, Asia and the Middle East.