Hotels in the Middle East reported negative results during July 2017, while hotels in Africa recorded growth across the three key performance metrics, according to data from STR.U.S. dollar constant currency, July 2017 vs. July 2016Middle East
Marriott International has appointed Stuart Birkwood as cluster general manager for its upcoming properties in Dubai: Aloft Me'aisem, Element Me'aisem, and Aloft Dubai South.
Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®), the world's largest hospitality technology conference brand, will be coming to Dubai, UAE on November 14-15, 2017 at the Conrad Dubai. Produced in partnership by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), the only organization producing nonprofit hospitality events at an international level, and Naseba, HITEC Dubai is set to be the region's largest hospitality technology showcase hosting leading hospitality decision makers and technology vendors. HITEC Dubai is an extension of HFTP's tremendously successful HITEC, which just completed its 45th year.
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, participated last evening in the kick-off meeting of the advisory council for 2017 HITEC Dubai. The objective behind the high level meeting was to define and outline an agenda for HITEC Dubai based on the rapid innovations in technology and the specific needs of the Middle East region, especially Dubai, in order to keep up with the expectations of international travellers. The advisory council for the mega event also includes representatives from leading hospitality brands in the region including Jumeirah Group, Al Habtoor Group, Marriot International, Hilton Worldwide, Rotana Hotels & Resorts and Four Seasons Hotels among others.
HMH – Hospitality Management Holding has announced the promotion of Haytham Aziz to General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah. Aziz joined the HMH group in 2014 as Executive Assistant Manager at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel before being promoted to the position of Hotel Manager at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah in 2015. Making the announcement, Ferghal Purcell, COO of HMH, said, Aziz is a great asset for our company. He has done a tremendous job in repositioning Coral Beach Resort Sharjah as a market leader despite stiff competition and challenging market conditions. Undoubtedly the highlight of his tenure has been establishing Coral Beach Resort Sharjah as the preferred hotel amongst our customers. Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is an exceptional hotel, competing at the highest level and I am sure that under Aziz’s leadership it will continue to excel. I wish him all the success in this new and exciting stage of his career.” Holding a Bachelor’s degree in law from Helwan University in Cairo, Aziz has over 17 years’ outstanding experience in the hospitality industry. He joined the Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2003 where he spent over a decade working his way up with the various brands in the group.
STR's preliminary July 2017 data for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, indicates steep performance declines consistent with the year-to-year shift in Ramadan dates. Based on daily data from July, Dubai reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection has appointed John Farrelly as multi-property director of sales & marketing for St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai - Al Habtoor City and The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City.
The first M Hotel Brand in UAE under the management of Millennium & Copthorne has appointed Amit Kumar as its new Food & Beverage Manager and Executive Chef In charge.
Crowne Plaza & Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island has appointed Hanita Haidar as director of finance and business support.
Raffles Dubai is pleased to announce the appointment of Wolfgang Wagenleitner as Executive Pastry Chef, overseeing the dessert and bakery operation at the landmark luxury hotel.
With the number of new rooms in Dubai slated to exceed 120,000 by 2019, hotel owners and operators in the city must become increasingly innovative to stand out in one of the world's most crowded hospitality markets.
Paul Dalgleish, Vice President of Sales & Distribution will be responsible for Property, Market and Area Sales Organisations as well as the Global Sales Organisation, whilst leading the Middle East and Africa Distribution Strategy. Previously Vice President of Sales for Marriott International, Paul has played a key role in the rapid expansion of the Middle East and Africa Region, deploying new and innovative sales strategies, whilst ensuring talent development lives as a discipline priority.
Jitendra Jain, Vice President of Digital, Loyalty and Portfolio Marketing will be responsible for the company’s award-winning Loyalty Programs, Partnerships, cross-brand marketing of Marriott International’s regional portfolio and will lead all Digital Marketing, Platforms and Products. A Starwood veteran, Jitendra previously led the Marketing function for the former Starwood portfolio in the Middle East, where he spearheaded the transformation of marketing processes, talent and culture, cultivating a data-driven and forward-looking mindset leveraging digital, brands and loyalty.
Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President of Premium and Select Brands will be responsible for Brand Marketing and Management for Marriott International’s compelling portfolio of Premium and Select Brands and will oversee Restaurants & Bars Marketing as well as Area Field Marketing. Sandra was previously Senior Director, Brand Marketing & eCommerce for Marriott International Middle East and Africa managing Field Marketing, Brand Marketing, Public Relations, Partnerships, Social Media, Digital as well as Loyalty. She was instrumental in positioning Marriott International’s lead in Brand Marketing in the region.
Sarah Walker Kerr, Vice President of Communications Middle East and Africa will be responsible for devising and implementing the overall Communications Strategy for Marriott International in the region, driving visibility, enhancing the perception of the company and its brands and increasing its share of voice in the media. She will provide strategic counsel to the senior executive leadership team, managing Internal and External Communications, Crisis Communications and Reputation Management as well as Brand Communications. A seasoned communications specialist, Sarah was previously Regional Director of Public Relations Middle East, Africa, India & Japan for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
Calbet joins with more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including nine years at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, three years with Spanish Chain BlueBay hotels, and two years with Armada BlueBay Hotel.
Marriott International has appointed Dany Dagher as the complex general manager for the Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa and Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah.
Almost every hotel management company brand has specific guidelines regarding the design of all-day dining concepts. Usually, the size of the all-day dining outlet is proportionate to the number of rooms; therefore, a hotel with a greater number of keys will have a larger all-day dining area. In addition, the greater the number of rooms, the greater the linear length of 'buffet offering' is required to support those rooms. This can ultimately result in the space being underutilized, which in turn, leads to a potential revenue loss should the area be used for other purposes.
Millennium Hotels has appointed Khaled Zaki as the new general manager at Millennium Hotel Fujairah.
A seasoned professional who brings over 16 years of experience to his position, Kaan will continue to grow the hotel’s position within the JLT urban community and surroundings, as well as regional and international markets.