Prior to her appointment, new director of sales and marketing, Stier was director of sales and marketing at Shangri-La Dubai and has experience at hotels in Cairo, Egypt, Muscat and Oman.
Sell joined The Ritz-Carlton Dubai in 2010 as executive assistant manager and oversaw the construction of a new wing, while carrying out the role of acting general manager. In January 2013 he was romoted to hotel manager at the hotel, and has now moved to The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi in the same capacity.
Roger COUSIN (ESSEC IMHI 2009) has been appointed Account Director, Group Sales, Middle East, Greece & Turkey at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide based in Dubai. Previously Roger was Area Sales Manager UAE Market for Firefly Communications Doha/Dubai and prior to that Roger worked 3 years for W Doha Hotel & Residences, Doha - Qatar.
YOTEL, an affiliate company of Kuwait-listed IFA Hotels & Resorts KSCC, has signed a long-term agreement with Dubai Investment Properties LLC ('DIP') to operate a new hotel in Dubai, UAE. This marks the hospitality brand's first property in the Middle East.
The Taj Group, established in 1901, is a pioneer and market leader with 128 hotels, resorts and palaces spanning sixty four locations in India and fifteen international locations in four continents. "We are delighted to enhance the nobility of Indian heritage and hospitality in one of the world's most vibrant cities," said Rakhee Lalvani, Director -Public Relations, Taj Group. "With its distinctive design, responsibly appointed amenities and warm service culture, Taj Dubai aspires to become a preferred address for discerning guests.
Mr Christian Palacin has been recently appointed as General Manager of City Seasons Hotel Dubai. With a management diploma from a French hotel school and a Master Certificate in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, Palacin brings over 20 years of experience in operational and managerial positions including large renovation projects and hotel openings in Asia and the Middle-East with major international companies as Starwood and Golden Tulip.
Boasting more than 15 years of hospitality industry experience, Kuhn began his career with the Rezidor Hotel Group in Germany, and has, since then, acquired a strong knowledge base spanning sales, marketing and operations in diverse markets across Europe and the Middle East.
Shetty brings more than 15 years of GCC hospitality experience to her new role.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the signing of the first-ever St. Regis polo resort, The St. Regis Dubai Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, in partnership with Al Habtoor Group LLC. Scheduled to open early 2017, the 136-room hotel will be the centerpiece of a six-million square-foot equestrian sports complex in Dubai.
Irani has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality, media events planning and conference management, and, through her role as Account Manager for MCI Middle East's Association Management and Consultancy division, has access to the latest global practices in association growth strategies and product development. Irani's background in the hotel industry includes the Taj Group in Mumbai and the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai. After working in hotels, Irani launched Entertainment Plus Gulf magazine in Gulf News. In addition, she has experience with associations like the UAE Internal Audit Association (IAA), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and Information Technology Governance Assurance Forum (ITGAF). For the UAE Internal Audit Association, Irani developed a website and increased its membership through an aggressive membership retention campaign.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has named the MCI Group's Andrea Irani as the new Managing Director of HSMAI United Arab Emirates (UAE). Irani has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality, media events planning and conference management, and, through her role as Account Manager for MCI Middle East's Association Management and Consultancy division, has access to the latest global practices in association growth strategies and product development.
Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, a distinct five-star beachfront resort located in Dubai has joined the Autograph Collection, Marriott International's exclusive global portfolio of independently owned hotels. The new partnership will elevate the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa's iconic status throughout the region by participating in Autograph's global sales and marketing channels, the award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program and the company's management and franchise expertise.
Solenthaler spent the last three years working with ShangriLa Hotels & Resorts, with his most recent posting in Manila as resident manager. Prior to that he was executive assistant manager food and beverage at ShangriLa Hotel Jakarta.Before joining ShangriLa, Solenthaler was executive assistant manager F&B and director of F&B at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. He also worked in Singapore at Sentosa Resort & Spa, and Goodwood Park Hotel, where he was executive chef. Solenthaler began his career in hospitality in 1986 as a kitchen apprentice with Hilton Worldwide in Zurich and worked through the ranks at hotels in Geneva, London, Singapore and China.
Park Inn by Radisson, the young and dynamic mid-scale brand of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has opened the very first property in Dubai: Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Apartments in Al Barsha. "The bright future of the nation, as outlined in UAE Vision 2021, makes this the ideal time to seize the substantial potential that Dubai has to offer as a popular destination for vacationers and businesspeople alike," said Mark Willis, area vice president, Middle East & Sub-Saharan Africa at Rezidor.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the fifth Hyatt-branded hotel in the city. A sixth Hyatt-branded hotel, Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square, is expected to open in Dubai later this year. Each of the six properties is developed by wasl Hospitality, a subsidiary of wasl Asset Management, reflecting the strong and long-lasting relationship between the developer and Hyatt.
Prior to joining the Dubai property, Schneider had been manager at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel since 2012.
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.
Sid SATTANATHAN (ESSEC IMHI 1994) has been appointed General Manager for Coral Deira in Dubaï from HMH Hospitality Management Holdings. Sid has worked for many hotel chains among them Inter Continental for more than 12 years where he held different executive positions. Coral Hotels & Resorts is a quality-driven 4 & 5-star brand with a vision of excellence. Headquartered in Dubai, the chain offers an array of exciting properties designed for discerning travellers who seek intimate surroundings, distinctive service and safe environment across key destinations in the Middle East and Africa.
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.
Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach - Dubai has appointed Matthias Geoffroy to lead its reservations team as Cluster Director of Revenue.