Colliers International, a global leader in real estate advisory, today launched the inaugural MENA Hotel Market Forecast which points to the significant opportunities for the hospitality market in Cairo and Sharm Al Sheikh. The report sites rising popularity of Sharm Al Sheikh with European visitors and socio-political stability in Cairo as key drivers of growth.
Haitham Nassar, Ramses Hilton General Manager, has recently appointed Mohamed Ismail to the position of Director of Business Development at Ramses Hilton. Mohamed joins the Ramses Hilton with more than 20 years of experience,
Marcel is a second generation hotelier holding a bachelors degree from the International Hotel School “The Hague” as well as a masters degree in hospitality management from Erasmus University of Rotterdam, both of which were obtained in the Netherlands.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi on Cairo's famous Maadi Corniche. The hotel becomes the second Holiday Inn and fifth IHG hotel in the Egyptian capital.
Mr. Abdou, who is originally from Egypt, can look back on over 20 years of experience in the hotel business. His most recent position was General Manager of the four-star Hotel Iberotel Club Fanara & Residence in Sharm El Sheikh.
Buerkle was previously the pre-opening GM at Radisson Rosa Khutor, which hosted the pre-Olympic test event and Park Inn by Radisson Rosa Khutor in Russia, which hosted the Alpine Ski World Cup.
A French national, Zaanoun graduated from École Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland and holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. He attended the Hilton International Shine Program (General Manager Program) from 2008 to 2009.
Kunkel joins the team after his recent position as resident manager at Hilton Baltimore. The recently renovated hotel is one of the most convenient hotels in Alexandria for business and leisure travelers visiting Washington, just steps away from King Street Metro station and close to Reagan National Airport. In 1993, Kunkel began his hotel career with an apprenticeship at the Queen’s Hotel Residence in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He finished the final examination with honors and started to travel, working for the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in Germany and the world renowned “Suvretta House” in St. Moritz, Switzerland before he returned to the Hotelfachschule Garmisch-Partenkirchen to earn his degree in Hotel Management.
Steigenberger Al Dau Resort is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Carsten Menz, as the new Hotel Manager of the 5 stars deluxe Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.
Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano announces the promotion of Ahmed Atef to Director of Sales and Marketing as of May 1, 2014.
Sameh joined the Four Seasons family with the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence in 2000 in the position of Retail Agent. His dedication, hard work and passion made of him the perfect candidate to move to Front Office Agent, and then he was promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor. He also assisted the opening team at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh as part of the task force in the housekeeping department. In 2002, Sameh made another move with the pre-opening team at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh in the capacity of Assistant Front Office Manager, and was then promoted to Communications Manager. As a result of his professionalism and hard work, he joined another pre-opening team with Four Seasons Hotel Doha in 2005 in the capacity of Night Manager, and then kept on jumping up the ladder to Guest Service Manager, Front Office Manager and finally Concierge Manager in 2010.
Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano announces the appointment of Ashraf Osman to Director of Food and Beverage as of May 1, 2014.
After graduating from university in hotel management, Madani decided to pursue his career in the food and beverage field. He began his path as a server in 1995, and then worked in number of prestigious hotels. He joined Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence in the capacity of Assistant Restaurant Manager, and then transferred to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza as Restaurant Manager. In 2009, Madani moved to Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano as Restaurants Director in charge of nine restaurants and bars, and then was promoted to Assistant Director of Food and Beverage in 2010. Madani's commitment and dedication played a big role in shaping the Hotel's food and beverage division and created a solid reputation in the city.
Joining from sister property Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, where he served as hotel manager, El Keiy, a hospitality veteran who has spent more than 12 years with Four Seasons, is a graduate from the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels in Egypt.
Amr joins the group from Princess Hotels in Hurghada where he was responsible for three hotels as the area general manager. Prior to that, he was the general manager at the Royal Grand Sharm in Sharm El Sheikh . Amr's considerable experience in Egypt has seen him occupy roles in Accor Hotels, Egypt, Pullman International Hotels and Continental Hotels.
Messerli, a native of Switzerland and graduate of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, has also grown his passion for the hospitality industry in his family's hotel in the Swiss Alps. The 10-year veteran of Four Seasons joined the company after graduation and became a citizen of the world, working his way up through food and beverage division management assignments with Four Seasons in Chicago, USA; Great Exuma in the Bahamas; and Carmelo, Uruguay before moving to Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon in Portugal. More recently, before joining Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, Messerli was the Director of Food and Beverage, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it will soon introduce the Westin brand to Egypt with the opening of The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes early next year. Owned by New Cairo for Real Estate Investment Company SAE, the 128-room resort will be ideally located within the Katameya Dunes development, a 1.8 million square meter luxury residential compound in the New Cairo City District.
For many a holiday dream will become reality as the Steigenberger Aqua Magic on the Red Sea Coast opened its doors on 1 January 2014. "The Steigenberger Aqua Magic is the ideal complement to our Al Dau Beach Resort in Hurghada", commented Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of the Steigenberger Hotel Group. "Egypt guarantees ideal holiday conditions in summer and winter alike, something which is appreciated by guests from all over the world". "Despite of all the challenges in the business environment over the past years due to the fluctuating political and economical situation in Egypt, we managed to complete the project and introduce to the destination a complete 5 stars family resort with 707 rooms and immense facilities", says Bassel Saad, Chairman of Al Dau Development. A welcoming environment The Steigenberger Aqua Magic offers 707 rooms and suites, including 294 specially designed family suites with a separate children's bedroom. The rooms feature a spacious layout and cheerful decorations. Individually adjustable air conditioning, satellite TV and high-speed Internet access all ensure a maximum level of comfort and convenience.Water activities and health and beauty spa enjoyment The magic of water plays a special role at the new Steigenberger Aqua Magic. The hotel has a certified Aqua Park offering a whole host of attractions for visitors large and small. These include giant water slides, a "lazy river" and a separate children's area with a range of play equipment. Guests will also enjoy trying out the five swimming pools and special children's pool. The hotel also has its own private beach, which is just a few minutes away via a shuttle service. The roof of the Steigenberger Aqua Magic is home to the Aqua Relax Swimming Pool, an exclusive place to cool off whilst a butler brings drinks from the bar. Inside the hotel itself, a Spa World provides relaxation for both body and mind. A steam bath, a sauna, beauty treatments and a gym area are all available. There are also a 9-hole golf course with an electronic driving range, various games facilities such as boccia, table tennis and table football and a 2.5 kilometre jogging and walking trail.The delights of a club holiday on the Red Sea coast Nine different restaurants and bars with sun terraces serve up a range of regional specialities and international dishes to cater to the needs of every single guest. Italian cuisine, pool snacks, Arab delicacies and a children's buffet are just some of the culinary options available. The Magic Sky Restaurant on the roof of the hotel provides dinners with unforgettable views. The "Souk", an Arabian/African style market with designer shops and an entertainment area, offers a unique shopping experience. There is also a Kids' Club and a Teen Club for younger guests.
Keiy started with Four Seasons in December 2006 as Sales Manager at the Resort, where he handled groups in the Middle East and Gulf markets and played an instrumental part in building relationships with ambassadors and travel agencies. He was twice recognized by the company's Presidents Club, in 2007 and 2008. In 2011, he was promoted to Regional Senior Sales Manager for the European team for all four Four Seasons properties in Egypt.
The deadly protests and political turbulence that have swept Egypt in recent months are keeping Western tourists away from the resorts, beaches and famous scuba diving waters across the southern Sinai Peninsula. "This summer is by far the worst I have seen,” said Mohamed Ismail Abdullah, who has worked as a tour guide here for 14 years. “Hotel occupancy at this time of the year usually ranges between 70% to 80%. Now we have no more than 50%, and that's only because of the Eid holidays [this month] that brought many Egyptians and tourists from the Arab Gulf countries."