Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has brought in a new marketing and PR manager. Cecilia Hage joins the team, having previously interned with IHG Hotels and Resorts all the way back in 2013. Today, she is an experienced marketer and PR professional, having worked with a number of high-profile global brands.
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) has confirmed the first 50 speakers for the region’s flagship hospitality investment platform taking place from 19-21 September at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Co-organised by The Bench and MEED, FHS consists of multiple conference tracks, awards, workshops and in-person networking features. These include the 18th edition of AHIC - Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, GRIF - Global Restaurant Investment Forum, AHIF Marketspace – Focus on Morocco, Startup Den, the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge Finals and plenty more - all under one roof. The overall theme of the Summit is ‘Lead the Change’, and Host Sponsor is Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.
Diaconu started her career in the sales department at Grand Hyatt Dubai in 2014 and moved up to sales manager in 2017. She was later made assistant director of sales for both the Grand Hyatt Dubai and the Andaz property before her latest promotion.
Besson began as a sales executive at Hyatt Regency Dubai and was soon promoted to sales manager. Then moving to Grand Hyatt where he was promoted to director of sales in 2019. Since June 2020, he has led the sales and marketing department as director of sales at Andaz Dubai the Palm.
Andaz Dubai The Palm has brought in Bastian Baumann as its hotel manager. Previously posited at Andaz in Munich as EAM, he will now lead the day-to-day operations of the Palm Jumeirah hotel.
Kerzner International Holdings Limited, the owner of the One&Only Resorts, announces the appointment of Emanuela Setterberg Di Vivo as the new General Manager of Dubai's most loved ultra-luxury resort, One&Only The Palm.
Ennismore has promoted Emmanuele Fiorito to food and beverage operations manager at Hyde Hotel Dubai. Fiorito now oversees all F&B outlets in the hotel, previously serving as general manager of Katsuya.
Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills has appointed Jovian Masarenhas as executive chef. Part of the hotel since pre-opening, and previously chef de cuisine of FireLake Grill House, the promotion is a recognition of his contribution to the hotel's F&B offerings.
Among key hotel markets in the Middle East, Dubai’s gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) came in seven times higher than the 2019 comparable, according to STR‘s May 2022 P&L data release.
Sonder Holdings Inc. (“Sonder”, Nasdaq: SOND), a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, is set to open a 401-unit property at Business Bay in Dubai later this year. It will become the largest property in Sonder’s global portfolio.
Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, part of the Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, has announced the completion of the hotel's rebranding as Residence Inn by Marriott following its renovation. Enjoying a prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road near the city's key business and leisure attraction such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Emirates Towers, and World Trade Centre, it is the world's largest and tallest hotel to join the Residence Inn by Marriott brand.
The H Dubai, at One Sheikh Zayed Road, recently announced the appointment of Samer Majari as director of human resources. Majari brings with him over 15 years of industry expertise, having worked across a broad range of HR roles in both mature and developing markets and for national and multinational hotel brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts and Millennium Hotels and Resorts.
Kerten Hospitality, a mixed-use, ESG and lifestyle operator, appoints Tara Marlow as Group General Counsel based in the Group's UAE office, from where Tara will be supporting and strengthening the footprint expansion in existing and new markets while at the same time supporting the multiple ongoing openings in KSA, Kuwait, Georgia, Italy, UAE and Egypt to name a few which are set to open in the next 12 months alone.
Nadine Zinhobl Khamis was recently appointed as the director of sales at the first internationally branded aparthotel on Palm Jumeirah - Adagio Premium The Palm.
Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 529 hotels and resorts in 56 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Indian Ocean, announces an upcoming addition to its Anantara portfolio in the United Arab Emirates. Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel will be the brand's third property in the thriving global leisure and financial hub when it joins the portfolio on 1 July.
Beachfront property C Central Resort The Palm has brought in fresh leadership. Hany Samuel steps into the general manager role from First Central Hotel Suites within the same group.
Robin Solomon has commenced his first general manager role after more than 20 years of working within Accor. With the opening of Ibis Styles Dubai Deira, Solomon now serves as GM of the new hotel, along with his existing Aparthotel Adagio in the same area.
25hours Hotel One Central in Dubai has brought in a fresh leader to head up its restaurant division. Sami Matta joins the hotel as multi-outlet general manager, leveraging 15 years of experience to oversee the hotel's outlets.
Antonio De Luca has been appointed as the new bar manager at cocktail bar Off the Wall at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. His role is to conceptualise the drinks menu and oversee all operations. Originally from Italy, his career as a mixologist has seen him travel across the globe as a bartender and gain a wealth of knowledge that he will be bringing to the property.
The Waldorf Astoria DIFC has named a new head chef following Luigi Vespero's move up to director of F&B and culinary. Selim Ay rises to head chef at the property, his most senior role to date.