Global hotel brand, Courtyard by Marriott, today opened the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi, marking the first Marriott-endorsed hotel in the capital. Crowds gathered to celebrate the opening which saw the first guest, Saeed Al Romaithi, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at ADGAS, who is also a Marriott Rewards Platinum member, checking in and becoming the hotel's first-ever customer.
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.
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.
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.
Brian D’ Souza, the property’s new assistant food and beverage manager, is set to ensure that all short-term and long-term targets of F&B operations are met. In his newly assumed position, he will direct the department’s activities to boost revenue and profitability, and ensure that high quality products and service are delivered to guests. With seven years of experience in the hotel’s F&B field, he previously worked at Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, where he served as room service captain and worked his way up to restaurant manager.
With 16 years of hospitality sales experience, Osman Nasir will now be leading the sales and marketing department as director of sales and marketing. In his new position he will be aiming to set and achieve targets to maximise revenue, and will be directing corporate sales and marketing strategies. Further responsibilities include strengthening relationships with the property’s existing partners and generating business leads on a local and international scale.
Mantoani has been with Hyatt for 17 years, having begun his career as a corporate trainee at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in 1997. He then relocated to Spain, where he was promoted to assistant director of F&B.
Josh brings 30 years of hospitality sales experience to her role. Previously, she was assistant deputy general manager and director of business development for Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, and also ran her own catering company.
Yong, a dynamic and inspiring leader, joins the team with over 15 years of hospitality experience. She has previously served as director of sales and marketing at luxury properties spanning the globe, including in the UAE, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Paravantavida joins with more than 30 years of hospitality experience in handling pre-openings, conversions and takeovers of Marriott International hotels in six countries, across three continents. He brings with him a strong operational background and experience in business, luxury convention and resort properties.
Elie MILKY ESSEC IMHI 2007 has been promoted to Senior Director Business Development MEA at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Dubai where he started four years ago as manager. Prior to that Elie worked 3 years with HVS MEA and before 3 years in Hotel Operations on the Room Division side.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – December 16, 2014 – Marriott International, Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) has just signed up Dubai's luxurious Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its Autograph Collection. This represents the debut of the exclusive portfolio of the one-of-a-kind-hotels in the Middle East and Africa.
Khalid has more than 15 years experience in the UAE’s hospitality industry, having spent his entire career with the Al Habtoor Group across its portfolio of properties.
Turkish hotel operator Rixos Hotels said it CEO Bugra Berberoglu has moved to Dubai also announced shifting its headquarters to the emirate. Dubai, hosting the World Expo in 2020, is setting the bar in hotel and tourism industry with consistent growth in room inventory every year, and exciting new F&B propositions and concepts, it said.
Gaillard has been with InterContinental Hotels Group for 15 years, during which time he has served in various positions in conference and banquet services, food and beverage, and operations management.
Kempinski Hotels announces the appointment of Noel Attard as CEO of Kempinski Trading JLT, based in Dubai, effective November 27, 2014. Kempinski Hotels’ Management Board have appointed Mr Attard, a long serving Kempinski General Manager whose deep operational and preopening knowledge, and strong financial background make him ideal to lead Kempinski Trading JLT. Attard joined Kempinski in 2001, originally as Financial Controller at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz in Malta, and later as Executive Assistant Manager. He then transferred as Executive Assistant Manager to Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Croatia to 2/3 support the hotel during its pre-opening phase, and in 2008 returned to Malta as General Manager.
Rotana, says the innovation of customer driven smart technology is translating into a significant boost in business. Since launching the Rotana Mobile App two years ago, Rotana has posted a 20% increase in monthly mobile bookings, delivering a significant return on investment in developing the mobility platform.
As the UAE gears up to celebrate its 43rd National Day on December 2, one of the biggest changes that the country has seen is in the hospitality industry. It has grown at an incredible pace. We speak to Jean Pierre Simon, Regional General Manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, an Emirati group with a strong regional footprint, about his experience in the emirates and what holds him here
As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the world's most luxurious hotel, has launched The Dream - a powerful motion graphics video that takes the viewer on a journey starting from the vision, to the arrival, to the unveiling, to the heart and finally to the promise of more to come.
The structural business dynamics of the North American restaurant industry are changing dramatically. In an era of diverse consumer preferences, increasing complexities in global supply-chains and more regulatory restrictions, restaurant operators across a variety of brands are struggling to stay current