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.
Hilton and Al Taif Investment today announced the signing of a management agreement to open DoubleTree by Hilton Fujairah City Centre - a new build hotel that will soon grace this vibrant city of the northern United Arab Emirates.
Clinton D'Souza has joined Marriott International through the St. Regis Downtown Dubai. The long-time restaurant professional comes in as F&B manager of four outlets. He will oversee Basta, Bleu Blanc, The St. Regis Bar, The Library and in-room dining.
Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi has announced the appointment of Victoria Nield as the director of operations.
Emirates Palace - one of the UAE capital's most opulent hotels - has named its new F&B manager. Toni Mazzurana steps into the iconic five-star with a raft of experience behind him, including stints with Jumeirah Group and Bulgari Hotels and Resorts.
Grand Mercure Hotel and Residences and Ibis Styles Dubai Airport has a new cluster marketing manager. Cyrine El Klifi joins the Accor complex with just over half a decade of experience under her belt.
Ennismore - the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company - today announces the appointment of Chef Sara Aqel as the global Executive Chef of Fi'lia, the award-winning Italian restaurant concept that continues to expand worldwide. The appointment will see Chef Aqel - the 26-year-old Palestenian-Jordanian Chef who trained with the team of Michelin star Chef Massimo Bottura - expand her current role from Chef de Cuisine of Fi'lia Dubai to now oversee sister Fi'lia locations in Miami's SLS Brickell and South Beach locations and SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas, with a fifth location in Paris to open this year.
The Rixos Bab Al Bahr resort continues to bring in senior hoteliers into its ranks. In the latest move, the RAK property has named its new food and beverage manager.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm has named its new director of operations - hiring internally as the resort bolsters its leadership team. Antonio Ostuni steps up to the role from his previous position of director of F&B.
Abdel Rahman's new role as General Manager comes as a promotion from his most recent position as Director of Operations at Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort in 2021. Here, he was responsible for pursuing outstanding quality of operations and performance of the hotel. Under his leadership, he spearheaded a range of upgrades and activations to optimize the resort's dining, leisure and entertainment offerings throughout the past 8 months. He has also worked on restructuring and upgrading all the F&B facilities in line with the room refurbishment plans to further elevate the guest experience and maintain the high caliber of service expected at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
Joining in February 2022, Rafael González Ensesa has stepped into the role of GM at Jumeirah Living Marina Gate. Ensesa has previously worked for the likes of Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Fairmont, across Europe, Asia, Indonesia and North America. In his role as general manager for Jumeirah Living Marina Gate, the fresh GM looks to elevate the reputation of luxury residential hospitality.
Mark Hehir has taken the lead at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. With 38 years of experience, Hehir has held senior executive roles with major global hospitality brands across Asia, and later took on the role of CEO for The Small Maldives Island Co. From GM to CEO, Hehir has developed and managed high profile luxury resorts across the Maldives, Thailand and Bali, working for leading luxury brands including The Ritz Carlton, One & Only Resorts and Anantara.
The Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi has named its new director of sales - Vasko Baletic. For Baletic, it is his first time as a director of sales, having previously held a number of increasingly senior sales roles in the industry.
Driven by the final weeks of Expo 2020, Dubai’s hotel industry reported its first month of 90% or better occupancy since 2007, according to preliminary March 2022 data from STR.
Atlantis The Palm Dubai has a new director of restaurants. F&B expert Fredericos Tsaparas steps into the role with almost a decade of regional experience behind him.
The recently opened Studio M Al Barsha hotel has appointed its general manager, Dani Moaccad. Hiring from within the Millennium Hotels and Resorts stable, Moaccad joins from Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi.
A waiter at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah less than a decade ago, Samir Lazaar has now been promoted to his most senior role to date. He is now restaurant manager at Cleo, a Mediterranean outlet within Hyde Hotel Dubai.
Al Raha Beach Resort in Abu Dhabi has appointed Hussain Dagher as its executive chef. Dagher was previously executive Oriental chef at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, which has now temporarily closed for refurbishment.
The Iconic 5-star Hotel Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira is pleased to announce the promotion of Emad Ramzy to Hotel Manager.