Wynn Resorts subsidiary Wynn Design & Development has named an executive VP for the UAE. It appears to be one of the first roles based in the emirates for the Las Vegas resort major, and follows the announcement that Wynn Resorts' Ras Al Khaimah property will open in 2026.
Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has brought in a new marketing and PR manager. Cecilia Hage joins the team, having previously interned with IHG Hotels and Resorts all the way back in 2013. Today, she is an experienced marketer and PR professional, having worked with a number of high-profile global brands.
Crowne Plaza Yas Island has appointed Do Van Quy as chef de cuisine for Jing Asia. The Vietnamese chef has worked elsewhere in the Middle East, as well as in Asia, including at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, where he took charge of its dedicated Vietnamese restaurant Citron.
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa has appointed Vinil Wilson as director of the food and beverage department.
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) has confirmed the first 50 speakers for the region’s flagship hospitality investment platform taking place from 19-21 September at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Co-organised by The Bench and MEED, FHS consists of multiple conference tracks, awards, workshops and in-person networking features. These include the 18th edition of AHIC - Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, GRIF - Global Restaurant Investment Forum, AHIF Marketspace – Focus on Morocco, Startup Den, the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge Finals and plenty more - all under one roof. The overall theme of the Summit is ‘Lead the Change’, and Host Sponsor is Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts.
Diaconu started her career in the sales department at Grand Hyatt Dubai in 2014 and moved up to sales manager in 2017. She was later made assistant director of sales for both the Grand Hyatt Dubai and the Andaz property before her latest promotion.
Besson began as a sales executive at Hyatt Regency Dubai and was soon promoted to sales manager. Then moving to Grand Hyatt where he was promoted to director of sales in 2019. Since June 2020, he has led the sales and marketing department as director of sales at Andaz Dubai the Palm.
Andaz Dubai The Palm has brought in Bastian Baumann as its hotel manager. Previously posited at Andaz in Munich as EAM, he will now lead the day-to-day operations of the Palm Jumeirah hotel.
Kerzner International Holdings Limited, the owner of the One&Only Resorts, announces the appointment of Emanuela Setterberg Di Vivo as the new General Manager of Dubai's most loved ultra-luxury resort, One&Only The Palm.
Baptist became GM of the hotel in June 2022. Starting his journey with Marriott International as hotel manager for Aloft Abu Dhabi in 2019, Baptist has elevated the hotel's performance exponentially in all regards throughout the years, by improving guest service operations scores and positioning the hotel practices that are guest-centric, ensuring their needs are met and expectations are exceeded.
Marriott stalwart Yousef Haddad has once again been promoted at Aloft Abu Dhabi hotel. Haddad has worked with the hotel since 2009, now moving up to the position of hotel operations manager.
Sushant Rege, previously the hotel's assistant director of beverage and food has now been promoted.
Deivid Paiva has flown in from Ritz-Carlton Tianjin in China to work as executive chef.
Ennismore has promoted Emmanuele Fiorito to food and beverage operations manager at Hyde Hotel Dubai. Fiorito now oversees all F&B outlets in the hotel, previously serving as general manager of Katsuya.
Rotana has announced the launch of an interactive food & beverage (F&B) platform ‘Rotana at the Table’. The platform was recently introduced on Instagram and shares original content to celebrate the F&B industry.
Anantara hotels in Abu Dhabi now have a new area director of e-commerce and distribution. Nethmina Kariyawasam has stepped into the role, having previously exceeded his targets at other Anantara properties.
Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills has appointed Jovian Masarenhas as executive chef. Part of the hotel since pre-opening, and previously chef de cuisine of FireLake Grill House, the promotion is a recognition of his contribution to the hotel's F&B offerings.
Among key hotel markets in the Middle East, Dubai’s gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) came in seven times higher than the 2019 comparable, according to STR‘s May 2022 P&L data release.
Jannah Hotel Apartments and Villas Ras Al Khaimah is pleased to announce the promotion of Johnny Rjeily as General Manager of the property.
Sonder Holdings Inc. (“Sonder”, Nasdaq: SOND), a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, is set to open a 401-unit property at Business Bay in Dubai later this year. It will become the largest property in Sonder’s global portfolio.