Rotana has made a host of new appointments among its top managerial staff with the aim of streamlining its operations ahead of a major expansion drive in 2013.

Some of the new appointments include the new area vice president for Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Sudan, Mohamad Haj Hassan, who with more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality market is returning to Rotana after two years working elsewhere.

Francisco Giles has been appointed general manager of the Park Rotana and Park Arjaan Complex, Abu dhabi and Eleni Tsolakou has been promoted to hotel manager at Centro Barsha, Dubai.

"The rapid expansion that Rotana is going through necessitates the best use of our human resources and rapid up skilling of our managerial talent. Bringing the top talent in the industry to Rotana from outside the company and enabling our colleagues to expand their experience and knowledge base will reap rich dividends for the company in future," said executive vice president & chief operating officer of Rotana Omer Kaddouri.

In addition, three general managers were transferred within the group: Hany Khorshid , general manager of Al Marwa Rayhaan, Makkah, will become GM of Coral Beach Rotana Resort, Tiran, Sharm El Sheikh. He will be replaced by former Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi general manager Mostafa Tantawi, who will in turn be replaced by Sherif Madkour, who was the general manager at Centro Barsha, Dubai.

The restructuring of the management team is inline with Rotana's plan to increase its presence in the region with the launch of several new properties across the Middle East, bringing the number of rooms under its management to more than 14,500 by the end of the year.

Properties in the pipeline include the 119-key Majestic Arjaan by Rotana in Bahrain, the 257-key Hili Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Ain, UAE, the 444-key Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa in Salalah, Oman as well as the 427-key Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana in Amman, which will be Rotana's first foray into Jordan, and the 200-key Karbala Rayhaan by Rotana, its second property in Iraq.

About Rotana

Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels 'Treasured Time'. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you.

Further information on any Rotana property, its brands or reservations can be obtained by visiting rotana.com or by contacting one of the regional sales offices.