Leading global real estate consultancy firm, Knight Frank, reports an exciting outlook for the United Arab Emirates' dynamic hospitality sector, characterised by an additional 9,200 rooms expected by the end of 2023. According to Knight Frank's latest analysis, by the end of 2023, approximately 154,000 rooms will be operating in Dubai's hospitality sector, marking a substantial 6.4% increase from the year, 2022.
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai and Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites have appointed Gerrit Gräf as the new multi-property general manager. Gräf, with over two decades of Marriott experience replaces the much-respected Bill Keffer, who retired earlier in 2023.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO Accor, signs the agreement with Amit Kaushal, Group CEO of Dubai Holding The first of many announcements marking the beginning of a larger hotel and brand development partnership between Accor and Dubai Holding, with multiple projects in the pipeline Ennismore and Banyan Tree Group, two global leaders in hospitality and part of the Accor Group, have inked a landmark deal with Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company with an extensive portfolio of AED 130 billion worth of assets, to introduce a unique luxury lifestyle experience in the emirate. The multi-staged project on Bluewaters will welcome new brands to Dubai, starting with the opening of Banyan Tree Dubai in November 2023.
Making its stylish debut within Dubai's up-and-coming new smart district, SO/Uptown Dubai brings a slice of avant garde living, unique identity, and design narrative to DMCC's Uptown Dubai district with luxurious, sartorial guestrooms, distinctive dining experiences and breath-taking views of the city's skyline.
After almost two decades with Marriott, Matt Cooper is moving to a different operator. The Dubai hotelier begins the most senior role of his career, joining IHG to become a cluster general manager.
Atlantis The Royal has a new vice president of food and beverage, a role that requires the management of 19 restaurants, including a myriad of celebrity-backed venues. Cedric Darthial takes the honour, the previous VP of culinary for both Atlantis, The Palm and Royal.
Recently transitioning from Accor to IHG, Th8 Palm has named Cora De Conceicao-Stuart as its new General Manager, succeeding her role at Waldorf Astoria on Palm Jumeirah.
Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites has a new marketing manager. Shanadi Liyanage takes on the role at the Palm Jumeirah hotel, previously the marketing manager for The Dubai EDITION hotel in the city.
Alain Aboukhater has been promoted to director of marketing and communications at Al Bandar Rotana Hotel.
Ravneet Arora, a seasoned marketeer from Dubai, has recently taken up the role of director of sales and marketing at Marriott's Lapita resort. Now positioned at Lapita, which is a part of Dubai Parks and Resorts and the Autograph Collection Hotels, Ravneet's primary responsibility will be to enhance the resort's commercial performance.
Guy Hutchinson will become the new president of Hilton for the Middle East and Africa. The role puts him in charge of 285 hotels in the region, either open or in the pipeline, and a combined workforce of over 29,000 people. He starts the role early next year.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has appointed Aseel Elagib as its dedicated social media specialist.
Dubai’s resurgent tourism industry is celebrating a successful first half of 2023, after welcoming a record 8.55 million international overnight visitors, compared to 8.36 million tourists in H1 2019. Surpassing pre-pandemic visitation levels and further bolstering the city’s bid to become the world’s most visited destination, the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) represents the industry’s best ever H1 performance.
Yana Zapryonova joins The Lana Dubai team from The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, where she held the role of front office manager.
Carol Shaw has held various executive housekeeping roles at Kempinski Emerald Palace Hotel the Palm, Dubai (now a Raffles), The Address Downtown Dubai, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Singapore, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, and others. Her most recent role before joining the Lana was with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Saudi Arabia.
Oliver Jackson has relocated back to Dubai, after leading the culinary team at The Langham Gold Coast, Australia. Prior to his move to Australia, chef Jackson developed his career at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi for 10 years. He has also held various culinary leader positions in Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Icebergs dining room & bar, Australia, and Pegasus Bay Winery, New Zealand.
A long-standing team member from Dorchester Collection, London, UK, Edoardo Buffin de Chosal joins the Dubai team from his most recent role as customer service manager, Global Contact Centre based in London. Prior to joining Dorchester Collection, he held various roles within rooms division with Baglioni Hotels & Resorts, One Aldwych Hotel, and Rocco Forte Hotels.
Carlotta Cavallari brings more than 14 years of marketing and PR experience with her, gained across the hospitality, fashion, watch & jewellery industries in the luxury space. She was the assistant director of marketing at Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, and held two pre-opening marketing lead positions at Address Hotels & Resorts, culminating with two consecutive successful pre openings within one year in 2022.
Jakub Adamowicz has joined The Lana team from Intercontinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa. Prior to his move, he held various complex Engineering Leader roles in Marriott Marquis City Center, JW Marriott Marquis City Center, Le Meridien City Center, and others.
Nicolas Caupain has worked in five different countries over the last 15 years - with experience at the Belfry Hotel, The Ritz Carlton Abama, Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.