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Vincent Smarrella has been appointed as senior vice president, hotel operations at Atlantis, The Palm

In his role, Smarrella will be directing the rooms division, including front office, call centre, concierge, bell services, guest services, business centre, housekeeping and VIP and butler services. He reports directly to the resort's president and managing director Serge Zaalof. Smarella joins from Hotel Le Bristol, Paris where he was resident manager, responsible for sales in the Middle East and South East Asia as well as Japan and the emerging markets China and India. Smarrella graduated from Tourism Institute F. Algarotti in Italy. His career began 1981 as an executive assistant reception manager at Grand Hotel Des Bains, in Venice Italy.

Elena Giordano has been appointed as Front Office Manager at Ocean View Hotel

Elena has taken up the challenge to be a part of preopening team after seven fruitful years with JA Resorts & Hotels, where she started her career as a management trainee. With the help of her qualifications and thorough job knowledge, she became front office manager in Oasis Beach Tower which has been her role for the past two years. Elena studied at “G.Giolitti” Hotel School, in Italy, her home country and started her career at Hilton Hotel & Casino in Douglas (Isle of Man) where she spent two years and then moved to the Mount Murray Golf Hotel/ Resort in Santon (Isle of Man) as head receptionist. Elena believes in motivating people and loves interacting with guests. She describes herself as a soft-hearted individual with a strong determination in achieving results and guest satisfaction.

Carl Stephan has been appointed as Food and Beverage Manager at Ocean View Hotel

Carl, originally from the UK, has over 15 years of F&B and operational experience. He joined Ocean View Hotel’s preopening team after six years in the UAE with the Ramada chain, where he consistently demonstrated his creativity and capabilities. Carl planned and executed a number of successful F&B and operational functions ensuring profitability, maintaining 5-star service standards and creating environments which both employees and clients enjoy. Carl’s passion for hospitality and deep knowledge of the local market ensure he’s ready for the challenge of running several new, unique restaurant concepts.

Anabela Radosevic has been appointed as Director of sales and marketing at Ocean View Hotel

A proven professional within the hospitality and tourism industries with an impressive record of sales and marketing management and consultancy, Anabela has a long history with JA Resorts & Hotels. She first started working with the group in 2001 and grew from Assistant Director of Sales to Director of Sales and Marketing. She then left to pursue other challenge as Regional Director of Sales for the leisure department of Jumeirah Group. Then she further extended her expertise providing management consultancy to clients in the fields of hospitality, tourism, hotel sales and marketing both locally and internationally. When Anabela was asked to return to lead the JA Resorts & Hotels Sales and Marketing team in 2011, she brought a wealth of experience and has been an indispensible figure in the re-branding success as well as the positioning of upcoming new properties.

Pamini Hemaprabha has been appointed as Executive Housekeeper at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

Hemaprabha joins from Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers in Cairo, where she held the position of director of housekeeping. During her tenure in Egypt she launched the Housekeeper’s Association in Cairo, a first for the country. Hemaprabha brings more than nine years of experience in housekeeping operations to the role. She started her career at the ITC Park Sheraton & Towers in Chennai, India in 2003 and quickly moved through the ranks.

Stefan Viard has been appointed as General Manager at Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels

Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of global developer Emaar, has appointed Stefan Viard as general manager of Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels. The group took over operations at the Downtown properties in Dubai from South African operator Tsogo Sun earlier this year. Viard will be responsible for the overall operation of the two properties – from rooms to guest service – in addition to implementing and driving marketing goals. German-French born Viard was previously hotel manager and acting general manager at The Address Dubai Mall, under Emaar Hospitality Group’s flagship brand The Address Hotels + Resorts. “It’s an exciting task to be at the helm of these two hotels located in the heart of one of Dubai’s most vibrant tourist districts, Downtown Dubai, billed as ‘The Centre of Now.’ With Emaar Hospitality Group assuming the management of the two hotels, we have several new offerings in store for our guests. We will continue to uphold the key differentials, built on location, service and guest benefits, that have set apart Emaar’s hotel assets,” said Viard in a statement.

Christian Hellot has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel

Christian Hellot is appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing for Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, the arts and lifestyle hotel in the heart of Dubai. Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, Christian worked for Intercontinental Hotels where he held the post of Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for their properties in Florida and in Beverly Hills. A French national, Christian began his career in Sales in 1992 with JW Marriott in Los Angeles; he then relocated to Dubai in 2008 with Sofitel as pre-opening Director of Sales and Marketing with their Jumeirah beach property, before being promoted within the Accor group to Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing in 2011. With over 10 years of managerial experience, Christian also holds a B.A degree in International Marketing from Institut Supérieur de Gestion (ISG) in Paris English.

Rabih El Zyr has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Downtown

Rabih, a Lebanese national, has worked in the hospitality region within the Middle East for over 10 years. He started his career with Rotana Hotels in 2003 as Assistant Area Sales Manager, in 2004 he moved to Kempinski's Julai'a Hotel & Resort in Kuwait, as Sales and Marketing Manager, before being promoted to Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing at the property. In 2011 he joined Grand Excelsior Hotel, Kuwait as Director of Sales and Marketing, his most recent position prior to joining Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown.

Erin O’Neill has been appointed as Managing Director U.A.E. at Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)

Erin O’Neill has been named managing director of the HSMAI U.A.E. O’Neill is the founder of Hot Hoteliers, a hotelier networking organization with more than 4,500 members across Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, and partner and Chief Imagination Officer of Serindipity Event Solutions, which builds brands through special events, public relations and marketing initiatives. Additionally, O’Neill has experience working in sales and marketing for Movenpick and Starwood Hotels and Resorts in both Europe and the Middle East. O’Neill’s responsibilities will include developing HSMAI programs and growing the membership base in the U.A.E. She will also work with a steering committee made up of HSMAI members in the region.