The 16th edition of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), will take place in a brand new format over three days from 29 September - 01 October 2020 with an exciting programme filled with critical insights from industry leaders, and networking opportunities designed for the new world.
As part of Swiss-Belhotel International's group development, the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and India regions have been merged together. The executive team based in Dubai will now also be responsible for the group's operations in Europe while working closely with Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International to develop new opportunities across the continent. The brand's flagship hotel Swiss-Belhotel du Parc, Baden Switzerland will be the operational base for Europe.
Following a temporary closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre will reopen its doors to welcome guests from Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Local and international guests will be able to enjoy brand new offers, its newly renovated Superior Office Rooms with a unique new Business At Its Best offer, spacious terraces and restaurants, and world-renowned Four Seasons service.
The Luxury Collection®, part of Marriott International, Inc., today welcomed Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa to its unique ensemble of iconic hotels, marking the debut of the portfolio in the UAE capital. Just a 30-minute drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa is located deep within the expansive landscape of Abu Dhabi. With a design reminiscent of a historic desert village, it is an intimate retreat suffused with natural beauty, unique tranquillity, and rare experiences.
W Dubai - The Palm has announced a new general manager to oversee the popular five-star hotel.
Anoop Dhondoo is an experienced professional in the world of hospitality, having nurtured his skills and natural flair at some of the leading hotel brands in various segments of the industry. As a driven and inspiring individual, he launched his career as a hotelier in 1998 in various front and back of house roles in the hospitality industry in Mauritius, U.K. and Asia. By 2010, Anoop had been appointed as Hotel Manager of the 5-star beachfront hotel Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana. He played a key role in keeping the property amongst the top 5 hotels in Trip Advisor for the year 2011. In 2012, he took on the mantle of general manager at Ibis Jakarta Tamarin. He was responsible for all operational output. Under his tenure, he implemented a strong innovative sales and marketing strategy that resulted in an increase of bookings that significantly influenced the GOP. In 2014, he was appointed the pre-opening GM of Novotel Bali Airport, the flagship Novotel property of the region. The Middle East welcomed him in 2019 as a Complex Hotel Manager for ibis World Trade Centre and ibis One Central. Now we see him take on a new challenge as the Cluster General Manager at Dubai’s Novotel & ibis World Trade Centre and ibis One Central – located in the midst of Dubai’s financial and commercial districts. In these challenging times Anoop draws upon his experience in driving results with managing diverse projects and customer-driven focus to ensure both Accor properties are at the vanguard of the city’s diverse & vibrant hospitality sector. He has already been successful in implementing the Accor ALLSafe initiative in partnership with AXA Insurance, across the hotels to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests.
Described as the 'original heritage hotel at the heart of the action', the award-winning JA Beach Hotel at JA The Resort, Jebel Ali Beach, Dubai will reopen for business on August 10th, 2020 after a brief hiatus of 3 months.
Vibrant beach-front property JA Ocean View Hotel on The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence Dubai is set to officially reopen on 29th of July 2020, ready to welcome international tourists after a brief hiatus of 3 months.
Mathew George, Ph.D., Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts is pleased to welcome guests for a luxurious and much-needed break at the newly opened penthouses at Jumeirah Al Naseem. Guests can escape the ordinary and enjoy complete serenity from the moment they step into Jumeirah's contemporary beachfront hotel, as they check-in to a world of bespoke sculptural and couture-inspired furnishings.
Dubai's hotel industry reported slightly improved but still relatively low performance levels, according to preliminary June data from STR. Compared with June 2019:
Marriott International has announced that Tolga Lacin has been made area general manager after a long stint as complex general manager. In his new position, Lacin will oversee nine Dubai hotels including The Westin and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Le Meridien Dubai, Aloft and Elements hotels. Lacin has been climbing the hospitality ladder for years, starting out in Istanbul at Hilton Hotel in 1992. He later joined the opening team of Hyatt Regency in Istanbul before shifting gears to the F&B world. Previously he has held food and beverage manager positions across Kazakhstan, Kanuhura and Maldives. In 2009 he came back to the Middle East as complex GM of both The Westin and Le Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort. In his new role, he will drive new opportunities at the nine hotels.
Ravi Santiago is the new cluster general manager of Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche.
Bakas will utilise his more than 16 years of experience to lead the teams across three Anantara Resorts on the island.
Kleindienst Group, developer of The Heart of Europe - the US$5 billion (Dh18.3 billion) master-planned leisure tourism and second home island destination - has strengthened its sales leadership team with a series of appointments, including appointing Gabriela Rizova as its new Head of Sales for the Heart of Europe project.
Shaju Kozhiparambil has been named as Radisson Blu Hotel, Ajman's new chief engineer, using his 19 years of experience in the senior position.
He assumes his new position with over13 years of experience. He began his journey in hospitality in 2007 as the service manager of Radisson Hotel Dubai Deira Creek. He then joined Ramada Jumeirah Hotel as front office manager in 2012 and later became a member of the pre-opening team for DAMAC Hospitality, where he took the lead as front office manager.
Abu Dhabi's hotel industry reported improved but still relatively low performance levels, according to preliminary May data from STR. Compared with May 2019:
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City has appointed Elliot McKenzie as its new Food & Beverage Manager.
Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City, has welcomed Erika Gudauskaite as its new revenue manager.