Technology is rapidly changing the hospitality industry, but all technology must ultimately be focused on a simple aim: Enhancing the guest experience. Recent studies indicate that by 2020 customer experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator 一 and forward-thinking hotels are taking notice.
Specialist mixed-use operator Kerten Hospitality - known for challenging the industry with new concepts that combine innovative spaces for working, living and socialising - is expanding its Talent Tank Internship Programme to the Middle East as it prepares to open its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A Hyatt veteran, Zvicer will support the operations and functionality of the 204-room and 84-apartment Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah, which is located on the Al Mina Road near the exclusive Jumeirah neighbourhood. She brings 13 years of hospitality experience and is driven by Hyatt's purpose - to care for people so they can be their best. Having worked in two of Hyatt's most luxurious properties in Dubai - Grand Hyatt Dubai and Park Hyatt Dubai - Zvicer aims to position the newly opened hotel as a welcoming place, where guests find uncomplicated experiences in a casual atmosphere. Before joining Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah, her tenure at Grand Hyatt Dubai comprised of a variety of departmental leadership roles, including director of executive office services and director of events planning. She initially handled the five-star property’s four dining outlets before she was promoted to events planning manager in 2013, followed by assistant director of events planning in 2015.
Radisson Blu, the upper-upscale brand that delivers a positive and personalized service in stylish spaces, is pleased to announce the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View. Continuing Radisson Hotel Group's expansion in key global cities, the new design-focused hotel is the group's seventh hotel in Dubai.
What will the hotel room look like in the future? Those wanting to know the answer must attend HITEC Dubai 2019, the Middle East's largest hospitality technology show for hotels organised by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Naseba, and endorsed by Dubai Tourism. The mega event will be held on November 12 and 13 at the Festival Arena by Intercontinental at Dubai Festival City.
Savino Leone has joined the Abu Dhabi team as General Manager of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. Savino most recently led the operations of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa for two years in Kuwait. Under his leadership and guidance, he maintained an outstanding reputation for the hotel in the market, and the team achieved 11 prestigious awards in 2018, including accolades from World Travel Awards, Haute Grandeur and Business Traveller Middle East. Savino is a well-respected hotelier with extensive international expertise in Japan, Egypt, UK, France and Qatar.
In the UAE, Marcus Sutton joins Jumeirah Group as General Manager of Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Marcus has over 20 years' experience and a distinguished hospitality background across Luxury, Boutique, Business, Resort and Conference Hotels in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, United Kingdom, United States of America, Switzerland and Australia. Most recently, Marcus has held several senior roles, including General Manager with IHG in the GCC. Marcus is an Australian national.
HITEC Dubai 2019, the Middle East's largest hospitality technology show for hotels organised by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Naseba, and endorsed by Dubai Tourism, will bring together over 2000+ Hospitality professionals, 100+ exhibitors and 30+ leading thought leaders from across the region. The mega event will be held this year on November 12 and 13 at the Festival Arena by Intercontinental at Dubai Festival City.
Delfin's career in hospitality spans a total of ten years, including one year in the Maldives and nine years in the Middle East. She started off her career in hospitality as a part of the front office team, even winning the AICR (Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Réception des Grand Hôtels) Receptionist of the Year UAE competition in 2010 (1st Runner Up).
Central Hotels has announced the opening of the much-anticipated C Central Resort - The Palm, a spectacular beach-front luxury property featuring 203 beautiful rooms and suites. C Central Resort is superbly located on the East Crescent of the picturesque Palm Jumeirah. From its exceptional location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, guests can access one of the best private beaches in the city as well as experience unhindered views of the iconic destination.
El Amri boasts more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality field and has held increasingly complex positions in the hotel industry in the Middle East throughout his career, including countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. He has worked for high-profile and reputable hotel groups such as Safir, Starwood, Marriott, Accor and IHG.
In his new position, Bleakley will oversee the performance and overall operations of 351 rooms, 128 Marriott Executive Apartments and five food and beverage outlets at the property in Al Jaddaf.Bleakley has 20 years' experience in the hospitality industry and has been working with with Marriott International since the start of his career.Prior to this role, he was general manager at Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi since the hotel's opening in 2016.Bleakley has been in the UAE since 2012, when he led the team at JW Marriott Hotel in Deira as acting general manager and hotel manager until 2014, after which he moved to Abu Dhabi for the role of pre-opening general manager for the first branded Marriott hotel in the capital city, Courtyard by Marriott in World Trade Centre.
Wisler assumes her new challenge with more than eight years of valuable international experience. She is an expert in social, digital and traditional marketing.
An Irish-Egyptian national, Al Ainen has 25 years' experience in hotel management and operations.
The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and shared computers with high-speed internet, accommodating guests' needs through purposeful service and an overall uncomplicated stay.
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) has selected Filippo Sona, Managing Director, Global Hospitality, Drees & Sommer to join its prestigious, invitation-only membership.ISHC's mission is to contribute to the advancement of its members and the hospitality industry, cultivating an educational, interconnected environment for networking, professional development and knowledge exchange, while fostering credibility.
The Lebanese national will be lead the growth of the 396-key property with a steady focus on corporate business and strengthening leisure partnerships, as well as a strategic approach on meeting and events.
Katia joins Fairmont Dubai from her most recent role as Director of Housekeeping at the Fairmont Marina Abu Dhabi, where she has been part of the pre-opening team since April 2018. Prior to this role, Katia was chosen to assist the housekeeping department at the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore to reopen the property after a two-year renovation.
The 16th edition of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), being held from 14-16 April 2020 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, will explore how the Middle East's hospitality industry can harness the opportunities afforded by the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its bid to "transform tomorrow".
Hilton announced that Jochem-Jan Sleiffer has been appointed to the position of Area President, Middle East, Africa & Turkey (MEA&T) in succession to Rudi Jagersbacher, who has chosen to step down following 40 years of service with Hilton. These changes, effective 1 January 2020, will see Jagersbacher assume a two-year advisory role, based in Dubai, to assist the transition. Over the last eight years, Jagersbacher has led Hilton through sustained growth in Middle East, Africa and Turkey by more than tripling the number of hotels in the region, by launching four new brands and by entering 12 new countries and territories. Furthermore, under his leadership, Hilton was crowned the #1 Best Place to Work for in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and #3 Best Workplace in the UAE. Sleiffer takes on his new position following a three-decade career at Hilton, where he most recently acted as Senior Vice President Operations, Continental Europe, overseeing a portfolio of 57 Hilton-managed hotels across 26 countries and territories. Prior to this, he held a number of leadership roles across Europe, including Belgium, UK, France and Greece. Sleiffer will relocate to Dubai in January 2020. Originally from the Netherlands, he is married with one daughter.