Roy will be working to ensure profitability at the hotel, keeping in mind the hotel's owners and shareholders. He will ensure efficient revenue management, helping to keep the hotel in "pole position," within its compset.
Catling will have a keen focus on the hotel's corporate and group business, expected to leverage the hotel's access to Expo 2020 Dubai, along with its proximity to a range of sports venues and business hubs. He will lead all commercial activities at the hotel.
Marjan, RAK Hospitality Holding and Wynn Resorts, Limited, the US-listed international developer and operator of luxury resorts, have announced a multibillion-dollar integrated resort development on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Culinary artist and expert craftsman Pedro Samper has joined Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach as Executive Chef. His wealth of knowledge and skill stems from 20 years of experience, working in Michelin star kitchens alongside some of the world's most decorated chefs. Samper's role sees him lead the Resort's culinary team, overseeing some of Dubai's favourite dining destinations including Sea Fu, Mercury Lounge and Shai Salon.
UAE-based ExploreTECH is set to launch on the 2nd of February 2022 with the aim of connecting hospitality and travel professionals and tech providers from the Middle East and Africa. The platform allows technology providers to showcase their products and services to hospitality professionals who are looking for a go-to source to find and compare tech solutions.
A long-time Marriott director of operations has taken up his first general manager role. Gerrit Schmitt steps up to general manager of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah as it gears up for a summer opening this year.
One of the most well-respected chefs in Dubai hotels is hanging up his chef whites. Waldorf Astoria DIFC's Luigi Vespero has been promoted to director of F&B and culinary at the hotel. Previously he was the hotel's executive chef, notably bringing Bull & Bear to the forefront of Dubai gastronomy during that time.
LEGOLAND® fans, rejoice! The long-awaited opening of LEGOLAND® Hotel at Dubai Parks and Resorts is finally here, bringing more fun-filled adventures to both parents and their children. Set to welcome guests on 21 January 2022, the launch of the hotel will introduce new and existing fans to the full LEGOLAND® Dubai Resort experience. Built with kids aged 2-12 in mind, the LEGOLAND Hotel will unlock new possibilities for families looking to build cherished new memories.
Karin van den Berg has been appointed by Hilton as senior director of operations for its full-service hotels in the UAE. She will oversee operations at 17 hotels across the emirates.
Marriott Al Jaddaf has brought in a top F&B manager who has already made his mark in the group. Anwer Abbas has climbed the ladder in Marriott for years, now helping lead food and beverage at Marriott Al Jaddaf.
Alan Snyman is the new executive chef for Rotana Hotels at the Capital Centre Complex in Abu Dhabi. Snyman will leverage almost three decades of culinary experience at Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Centro Capital Centre and Capital Centre Arjaan.
Yas Plaza Hotels has appointed Mokhtar Mohamed Ekholy as cluster executive chef at Yas Island Rotana. Ekholy will lead kitchens at Choices, Blue Grill, Rangoli, Aquarius and Y Bar in Yas Island Rotana and oversee future development of menus, events and offers.
Adnan Ali Khan has been promoted to general manager of Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Barsha Heights. Previously hotel manager in charge at the hotel since 2020, he has proved himself as a "true leader" over the pandemic.
Abonitalla has been a chief concierge for over a decade and a half. As early as 2004 he was chief concierge for One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, staying at the hotel for over six years. He would then go on to be chief concierge for Raffles Dubai, the Conrad Dubai during its pre-opening, Habtoor Palace and the Renaissance Downtown Hotel (now the St. Regis Downtown).
A veteran in luxury travel, Fabio Marigliano brings over twenty years of hospitality experience to the award-winning team at The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, UAE. His expertise in the GCC region puts him in good stead to bring the charms of Sharjah to life and curate even more memorable guest experiences. Most recently, Marigliano was the executive assistant manager at Minor Hotels and Resorts in Doha, Qatar with oversight of the pre-openings of The Vyra Suites NH Collection Doha office and The Plaza Doha by Anantara.
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana is pleased to announce the appointment of Shahzad Ahmad as Chief Engineer.
Conrad Dubai has brought in Kyra Bommeljé as director of food and beverage. Originally from the Netherlands, the Dutch national joins from the UAE's own JA Resorts & Hotels where she worked in F&B for almost seven years.
Toggle Hospitality, an online business to business platform, marked its arrival at the Arabian and African Investment Conference (AHIC 2021) with CEO Fuad Sajdi speaking on how this new SaaS enabled technology will revolutionise hospitality procurement and usher in critically needed efficiencies, savings and transparency across the whole purchasing cycle and supply chain. Digital innovation was a major focus of the conference as hospitality leaders across the world look to technology for new solutions to the challenges the industry faces and which the Covid pandemic has accelerated.
Yas Plaza Hotels has brought in a new cluster executive chef to head up culinary operations for two of its hotels. Oscar Cardenas Diaz now spearheads the restaurants at Crowne Plaza Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Yas Island.
Lifted by Expo 2020 and the holiday season, Dubai’s hotel industry reported its highest monthly room rates since 2015, according to preliminary December 2021 data from STR.