From 'The Godfather', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'Titanic', Paramount Pictures has become synonymous with entertainment and above all creativity, and today the brand stands for more – adventure and escape. Now, in its 101st year, the global launch of 'DAMAC Towers by Paramount' in Dubai marks the company's first venture into the hotel and real estate industry.
Dirk Bansemer, from Germany, has over 28 years international experience in the industry and has established and developed a number of successful restaurant concepts. His experience spans the strategic, financial and marketing elements of food and beverage operations where he has headed the F&B departments of leading hotels in Germany, China, Japan, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dirk was the Director of Food and Beverage at the Al Faisaliah and Al Khozama Hotel (A Rosewood Hotel) in Saudi Arabia where he managed all aspects of the F&B department, including Banqueting Operations.
Dubai-based hospitality chain, Abidos Hotels generated phenomenal interest among trade professionals, hotel developers, investors, technology providers and media during Arabian Travel Market 2013. Putting up an impressive show, the newly formed 5-star hotel brand announced two amazing projects in Poland besides promoting its existing properties in the UAE.
Abidos Hotels announced today its second hotel in Dubai and the fourth in its portfolio with the unveiling of Abidos Hotel Apartment – Al Barsha at Arabian Travel Market. Owned by Al Shafar General Contracting, the deluxe hotel was formerly known as Corp Executive Hotel Apartment – Al Barsha.
The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC 2013) geared up even more global hospitality leaders in its second day, with Patron HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports and President of Dubai Dept for Civil Aviation, Chairman and CEO of Emirates, handing 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of Al Habtoor Group.
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,380 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced plans for the first Wyndham® Hotels and Resorts property in the United Arab Emirates following the signing of an agreement with Sigma III Limited, a subsidiary of British-owned developer The First Group, to manage its impressive 33-storey building in the Dubai Marina.
Having originally joined Rotana in 2009 as the director of outbound sales Abu Dhabi, Al Attar brings to his new position 12 years of hospitality management experience and a strong background in front office, sales, accounts management and customer service.
After the slump witnessed in 2009 and 2010, the Dubai hotel market has resumed growth in terms of occupancy and average rate under all submarkets. This can be primarily attributed to the resumption of travel from main feeder markets such as European countries, combined with the redirection of demand from neighbouring countries due to unstable political conditions. Furthermore, Emirates Airlines bolstered growth, increased frequency of flights to feeder markets and introduced new routes, which has led to the influx of additional feeder markets and has encouraged visitation to Dubai.
During the first quarter of 2013, average occupancy in Jumeirah’s portfolio of hotels has increased by 9% globally, compared to the same period in 2012. In the same period the average daily rate rose by 9% and the revenue per available room, an industry standard for measuring performance, rose by 22%. The performance data is based on hotels that had more than 18 months of operations.
The new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers now have a hotel brand tailored just for them with Vida Hotels and Resorts by Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of Emaar Properties. Vida, meaning 'life' in Spanish, embraces warmth, simplicity and youthful vitality, creating a stimulating environment. An 'urban hub where inspiring minds stay, play and connect', the first branded outlet in the novel hotel chain will open inDowntown Dubai, offering 156 rooms.
Olery, a leading provider of reputation management software for the leisure and hospitality industry, announced today that the company has signed Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) as their new customer. Headquartered in Dubai, HMH is the holding for four distinct hospitality brands.
Garan, who began his career with the group in 1985 as banquet manager at the New York Marriott Marquise, has filled key roles including banquet manager, director of events operations, director of food and beverage, and general manager at various Marriott properties around the world.Garam took on his first Middle East assignment as director of food and beverage at the JW Marriot Kuwait City, followed by general manager for Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain, and was most recently the general manager at the Doha Marriot Hotel.
Four Seasons veteran and thought-leader within the Middle East hospitality industry, Simon Casson will take the helm as Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, when the property opens late next year.
Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai capitalised on a surge in GCC demand in March driven by the spring break for schools in the region, which was complemented by an array of cultural, sports and other events, according to the latest HotStats survey of full service four and five star hotels by TRI Hospitality Consulting.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, the ultra-luxury five-star hotel ideally located on the waterfront of Sowwah Square will open its doors on May 1 2013, marking the first presence of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand in the UAE. Leveraging years of global experience and a corporate passion to exceed expectations, the renowned hospitality brand will offer UAE residents and Abu Dhabi tourists a distinct and personalized luxury lifestyle experience in the heart of Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island.
Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East & Africa, has announced moving forward with its development plans of the Saadiyat Rotana Resort, a luxurious five-star hotel set to open in 2015 on Saadiyat Beach, a nine-kilometre stretch of pristine white sand on Saadiyat island.
The first Middle East Hotel Investment Forum will be held ahead of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC 2013), organised by MEED and Bench Events, and taking place at the Madinat Jumeirah from 5-6 May 2013.
Tricia Warwick is the new regional vice president of sales & marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa for the Viceroy Hotel Group.
Originally from South Korea, Chef Espiritu’s expertise is in contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine and throughout his career has amassed 16 years of worldwide hospitality experience. This includes numerous 'experience restaurant' opening team positions within global hotel chains and cruise lines including Fairmont Hotels, Marriott Hotels International and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) has promoted Jaouad Sbihi to the position of director of sales and marketing, Qatar, and tasked him with setting up a representation office for the group in Doha. Moroccan native Sbihi started his hospitality career 13 years ago as a front desk agent in Morocco before moving to Dubai in 2001. Sbihi then joined the pre-opening teams of the Shangri-La Hotel and Kempinski Mall of The Emirates, reaching the position of sales manager travel & trade GCC.