In his new position, Woltering will be based in Dubai and will carry out the responsibilities of regional vice president, overseeing the overall operation, performance and strategic direction of all FRHI properties in the UAE. Adding to this, as the general manager of Fairmont Dubai, he will also hold responsibility over overseeing day-to-day operations of the hotel.
The Westin Dubai and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina has named Derryn French as its new EAM in charge of food and beverage and marketing across both The Westin Dubai and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi complex.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is delighted to announce the appointment of Paula Tannous as Director of Sales and Marketing of the 499-bedroom property, part of the luxury lifestyle Viceroy Hotel Group. Tannous will be responsible for strategy development and internal operations, including all restaurants, MICE spaces and hotel facilities.
As the project paces towards completion, Starwood Hotels & Resorts introduces the management team of the three luxury hotels that it will operate in Al Habtoor City – Dubai's first-ever St. Regis (234 rooms), the UAE's first W hotel (356 rooms) and the largest Westin (1004 rooms) in the Middle East.
Leading global hospitality management chain Swiss-Belhotel International continues its expansion in United Arab Emirates with the take-over of Swiss-Belhotel Sharjah, increasing its Middle East Portfolio to 12 operating and project hotels. Previously named Sharjah Rotana, Swiss-Belhotel Sharjah is ideally situated in the heart of the city, close to the Arts and Heritage area and Rolla Souk and stone's throw away from the sandy beach of Sharjah and Ajman.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) maintains the pace of its regional development plans by announcing the signing of Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf, a signing that marks a significant entry in the lead up to 2020 as it will be the hotel group's first property from the Residence Inn brand portfolio in the UAE. Due to be completed in 2019, the Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf will be comprised of a total of 135 units.
RoomNetTV, the leading provider of Apple TV based in-room solutions, has expanded into the Middle East with the opening of its Dubai office. Managing over 10,000 rooms globally, with clients ranging from large multi-national hotel chains to smaller luxury boutique hotels, RoomNetTV's solutions are designed to enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. Its solutions enable hotels to differentiate themselves by offering their guests a truly unique, home- away-from-home in-room entertainment experience.
Florian Gallini, Group CEO of INTEREL, the world's fastest-growing manufacturer of integrated room technologies in the luxury hospitality industry, has been elected to the HTNG Vendor Advisory Council for a three-year term.
Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, announced the appointment of Ina Boneva as the new Director of Human Resources.
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) has reached an agreement with Royal International to open its first hotel under the Curio - A Collection by Hilton brand in the UAE. Due to begin welcoming guests in 2018, the grand two-tower Rosemont Hotel and Residences, a 450-guestroom and 280-serviced apartment property, which will be developed on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road, will offer travellers local discoveries and authentic travel experiences indicative of the Curio brand.
The Ajman Palace Hotel has appointed Ghazi Louhichi as its new food and beverage manager. Ghazi brings more than eight years' experience to his new role, having worked at prestigious properties such as Hilton London Metropole, Europe's largest conference and banqueting hotel, and Al Bustan Rotana Hotel Dubai, winner of Dubai Leading City Hotel 2013 at the World Travel Market. Prior to joining The Ajman Palace Hotel, Ghazi was assistant director of food and beverage at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel Dubai.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel has appointed Marianne Fitzgerald as the new hotel manager.
Andrea Strim has assumed the position of executive assistant manager in charge of F&B at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.
Nahas has served as general manager with the group since 2009, having managed Grand Rotana Hotel & Resort, Sharm El-Sheikh for four years and then Rose Rayhaan Dubai, for three years.
The new GM joins the Beach Rotana from his previous post as the opening GM for the flagship InterContinental Moscow, where he worked for the past three years. Van Alphen was also the GM at the InterContinental Budapest, the InterContinental Koln, and has held various posts throughout his career that has spanned more than 28 years across Europe.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers has appointed Zeki Ozal as the new Hotel Manager.
Jumeirah Group has appointed Emirati National Naser Mohammed as the General Manager of Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre Residences. In this role he reports to Marwan Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Middle East Africa South Asia Operations.
Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai, has announced the appointment of Andy Nightingale as Resort Director of Sales. Andy brings more than 20 years’ experience from the airline and hospitality industries. He has worked with global companies including InterContinental Hotels, Rotana Hotels and Resorts Virgin Atlantic and other European airlines.
Bani HADDAD ESSEC IMHI 2000 has decided to launch his own company of Hotel Management for Middle East and Africa, with a special focus on East Africa countries and Iran. Bani joined Wyndham Hotel Group in 2007 to head the company’s development in the Middle East and Africa. His remit was expanded in 2012 to include responsibility for operations as he was appointed Regional Vice President following five years of strong growth. Since starting his career with Starwood as a front desk associate, Haddad has held a variety of roles within the hospitality sector including overseeing the pre-opening phase of Walt Disney Studios as project manager for EuroDisney and working as General Manager at a Disney managed hotel. In 2005 Bani moved to Dubai with Hospitality Management Services as Regional Director and was instrumental in the introduction and development of Holiday Inn Express in the Gulf.
Dubai is now ready to explore the boutique hotel sector with some areas of the emirate ripe for this niche, according to the experts. Experts at a panel at The Vision Conference, which formed part of The Hotel Show, spoke about the potential of boutique hotels in Dubai.