Alexander Schneider has been named General Manager at Rixos Palm Jumeirah Hotel and Resort
Prior to joining the Dubai property, Schneider had been manager at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel since 2012.
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HotStats MENA Chain Hotels Market Review – January 2015
Dubai and Abu Dhabi experienced contrasting results for the month of January as gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) fell by 7.4% to US$281.79 in Dubai, whilst Abu Dhabi saw GOPPAR levels increase by 1.2% to US$88.38, according to the latest data from HotStats.
Minor Hotel Group Partners with Dubai Properties Announcing New Anantara in Dubai
Minor Hotel Group (MHG), a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of over 120 hotels and resorts in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, is pleased to announce a partnership with Dubai Properties (DP) to develop a new Anantara to open in Dubai in early 2018.
Matthias Geoffroy has joined Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach as Cluster Director of Revenue
Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach - Dubai has appointed Matthias Geoffroy to lead its reservations team as Cluster Director of Revenue.
Starwood Strengthens Dubai Portfolio with Debut of Aloft and Element Brands
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE:HOT) today announced an agreement with wasl hospitality & leisure LLC, a subsidiary of wasl Asset Management Group, to debut the Aloft and Element brands in Dubai. Scheduled to open in 2018, Aloft Dubai Raffa and Element Dubai Raffa will bolster Starwood's presence in Dubai – the city with the second largest concentration of hotels for the company after New York City. With the debut of both brands in 2018, Dubai will soon be home to all nine of Starwood's brands.
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management named as one of the best hotel schools in the world
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), one of the world's leading hospitality business management schools and a part of the global luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group, has been listed as one of the top hotel schools in the world by Hotelier Middle East magazine for the third year running.The hospitality school was featured on the list due its strong focus on quality and continuous improvement since its inception in 2001. EAHM was shortlisted from a number of hotel schools across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. Ron Hilvert, Managing Director of EAHM, said: "We are honoured that both the hospitality industry and potential students recognise EAHM as one of the top hotel schools of choice amongst aspiring hoteliers. We are privileged to be involved in the education of the future leaders of our industry."Graduates of EAHM find excellent professional placement opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry and other related sectors, with a majority of its graduates finding employment within the first six months of graduation. More than 500 alumni are now working in over 90 countries and have been employed by more than 100 companies worldwide.
Amir Lababedi has been appointed as VP of development Middle East & South Asia at Movenpick Hotels & Resorts
Amir graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and holds a master’s degree in Global Banking and Finance from the European Business School in London. His 20 years’ experience in the industry covers investment advisory services to many of the world’s leading hotel investment stakeholders. His operational experience is supplemented at an upscale level with management training at the then Conrad International London. Amir has also produced extensive development strategies for hotels and other real estate asset classes for government-related funds.
Jumeirah Group launches new home-grown restaurant division
Jumeirah Group, the international luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has launched Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai (JRG Dubai), a global restaurant management company that creates, operates and franchises a portfolio of 60 restaurant brands. JRG Dubai operates home-grown high-end, premium casual and casual dining venues and lounges, including Pierchic, Tortuga, Pai Thai, 360° and The Noodle House, which comprises a portfolio of 23 branches worldwide.The newest addition to the Jumeirah Group stable of brands, which includes luxury hotel brand Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, contemporary lifestyle hotel brand Venu, and wellness brand Talise, JRG Dubai makes its debut at the Global Restaurant Investment Forum in Dubai on February 16-18.The launch of the division marks a pioneering move from Jumeirah Group to dedicate resources to the further development of its restaurant portfolio, as it seeks to compete with the very best in the standalone restaurant market and help establish Dubai as a hub for culinary excellence. Having conducted a thorough business review, JRG Dubai will develop existing restaurants located within the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts portfolio via a series of refurbishments, menu overhauls, talent acquisition and marketing excellence.The group will collaborate with international experts, from chefs to consultants, in order to develop new concepts founded in Dubai. JRG Dubai will also engage in joint ventures, franchising and white label operations.Piers Schreiber, Spokesperson for Jumeirah Group, said: "Jumeirah Group is a pioneering Dubai-founded company and our new division, Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai, is committed to building on our heritage, reputation and success to become a world-recognised restaurant management company."JRG Dubai is opening two new restaurants in Q1: Beach Lounge at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which has the best views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai; and Naya, a North Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Jumeirah Group signs first Venu hotel for Bluewaters Island in deal with Meraas Holding
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, today announced the first deal for its new contemporary lifestyle hotel brand, Venu™, following the signing of a management agreement with Meraas Holding. The Jumeirah Group will operate the Venu Bluewaters Island Hotel together with adjoining serviced residences, which will be operated under the Venu Living brand. The Venu properties are expected to open in 2017 and will offer close to 300 hotel rooms and 119 serviced apartments. Bluewaters Island is a mixed-use development that will be located off the coast of Dubai. At the heart of the development is Dubai-I, the world's largest Ferris wheel. The island will also host retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones.Speaking at the signing of the management agreement, Jumeirah Group President and CEO Gerald Lawless said: "Meraas Holding is a respected developer with a bold vision and we are proud to bring our unique hotel experience to Bluewaters Island. Our partnership is strengthened by the synergies between the Jumeirah Group and Meraas, not least for exceptional quality and innovation, and we look forward to working together. Opening our first lifestyle Venu hotel is a significant milestone for the Jumeirah Group and an exciting achievement towards our goals for expansion."Cherif Hosny, Chief Hospitality Officer, Meraas Holding, said: "Jumeirah Group has successfully evolved from a home-grown brand into a global and reputed industry player. Bluewaters Island is a unique proposition that will enrich Dubai's tourism offering. Our partnership with the Jumeirah Group to operate Venu hotel within the island is in line with our objective to grow our portfolio in the hospitality sector to cater to the 20 million projected tourists that Dubai is set to attract by 2020."In addition to extensive beachfront access, the Venu Bluewaters Island Hotel will offer a wide range of restaurants, a spa and conference and meeting facilities. Venu is an exciting innovation for the Jumeirah Group. It will operate as an independent brand attracting guests with a passion for simplicity and style, appealing to the modern traveller with its sleek, modern feel. A lifestyle hotel inspired by the spirit of Dubai, Venu offers guests a contemporary experience underpinned by the Jumeirah Group's reputation for quality and service. The new management agreement bring the total number of properties in Jumeirah Group's future hotel pipeline to 26, in addition to the 22 already in operation in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Patria Puyat has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
Puyat developed her career at IHG’s Dubai Festival City complex, where she was part of the conference and events team for more than five years.
Valerie Vayssiere has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Traders Hotel, Dubai
A French national, Ms. Vayssiere joins the hotel from the 519-room Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, where she served as director of sales from January 2012 to January 2015. Prior to her appointment at Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, she spent 15 years at the Shangri-La Regional Sales Office in Europe. Ms. Vayssiere brings with her 18 years of experience in hospitality and a wealth of professional knowledge, particularly in business development. She has an admirably outstanding background in achieving profitable business growth by creating and executing effective sales and marketing strategies.
Emaar watching market conditions for hotels IPO | emirates247.com
Emaar Properties, Dubai's largest listed real estate developer, is watching the markets closely to make a decision on a time frame for listing its hotels business, the company said on Thursday. "The timing of the IPO will be dependent on the market conditions. We are watching the markets closely and will take a decision to list at the appropriate time," an Emaar spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
Rove Hotels, Dubai's Smart New Hotel Brand for the Modern Traveller, to Roll Out in 10 Central Locations by 2020
Modern, cosmopolitan, smart and cultural, the essence of Dubai's identity, finds an unmatched expression in a contemporary new mid-market lifestyle hotel brand, Rove Hotels that will roll out 10 properties across central locations in Dubai and the region by 2020. Developed by Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of global developer Emaar Properties, and Meraas Holding, a Dubai-based leading development company, Rove Hotels celebrate the very heartbeat of the city with its unique approach to deliver value hospitality experiences for the young and young at heart global traveller, who explores without borders.
Dubai: back from the brink, roaring ahead
What are the factors that will play the biggest role in Dubai’s chances for sustained hotel growth? The Jumeirah Group’s Claire Harvey analyzes the uncertainties.
By Claire Harvey, Director of Development, Planning, Jumeirah
EXPO2020 Dubai: 5 years to go; 5 challenges to meet
Dubai will be hosting the World Exposition in 2020. With just five years to go before this seminal event throws open its doors, what are the key priorities from the point of view of the hotel industry? Angela Anthonisz, Senior Lecturer at the Dubai-based Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and John Fong, Associate Professor there, look at the plans and preparations under way.
By John Fong and Angela Anthonisz
HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings Eyes Middle Ground
Luxury versus budget is a long-running debate among hotel investors. What provides higher and quicker return on investment - a 5-star or a mid-market hotel? Looking at the market conditions and demand in Dubai, the answer seems clear. Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings, said, "Budget hotels are the most profitable long-term investment. And now is the time to build these in Dubai. The market is ripe and is in urgent need of more budget rooms if it is to diversify its segments, attract the growing middle class travellers from emerging economies of Asia and Africa as well as cater to Dubai Expo 2020 visitors. It is an unprecedented opportunity that investors can capitalize on".
Myrla Alindayu Barnayha has been appointed as Revenue and Reservations Manager at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel
Moving to Dubai in 2000, Myrla joined the Jumeirah Beach Hotel where she worked in reservations department as reservation executive and in Jumeirah Group – Central Reservation Office as customer sales before moving on to the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort as reservations group coordinator, with promotion after three years to assistant reservations manager.
HotStats MENA Chain Hotels Market Review – November 2014
Hotels in Dubai have reported weakening performance trends, as revenues per available room (RevPAR) declined by 6.6% to US$ 340.06 for the month of November compared to the same period last year, according to the latest HotStats data. The contraction in room revenues was due to a softening of occupancies which retracted by 1.1 percentage points to 86.7%, but led largely by a decline in average room rates (ARR) of 5.5% to US$ 392.37. The drop in room revenues also caused a decline in total revenues per available room (TRevPAR) by 2.3% to US$ 602.70, but was compensated in some part by an increase in food and beverage revenues that rose by 4.8% for the period. Profitability levels were under pressure as some key cost items such as payroll and sales and marketing inched higher for the period, causing gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) to contract by 4.3% to US$ 316.36.
Mark Griffiths has been appointed as Senior VP Operations - Middle East & Africa at Kempinski Hotels
Kempinski Hotels has appointed Mark Griffiths as its senior vice president, regional operations for the Middle East & Africa, a role vacated by Bugra Berberoglu towards the end of last year.
Antoine M. Lhuguenot has been appointed as General Manager at Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach
Prior to moving to Dubai, Lhuguenot was general manager at Sofitel Plaza Hanoi in Vietnam. He has spent more than 25 years with Accor, and has held general manager roles at properties in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.