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Hilton Worldwide announce new VP
Hilton Worldwide has appointed Christian Grage as vice president, operations for Arabian Peninsula. Grage was formerly vice president of operations for Hilton Worldwide’s Egypt and Levant region. Based in Dubai, UAE, he will oversee the regional strategy development and operational matters for its 13 hotels across the GCC.
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Raza joins Hyatt Regency Riyadh
Asif Raza has been appointed as EAM, sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Riyadh, Olaya. Raza joined Hyatt in 2001 with Hyatt Regency Jeddah moving to Grand Hyatt Muscat as sales manager and associate director of sales. He joined Park Hyatt Jeddah in 2008 where he held his most recent role as director sales and marketing.
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Stamper gets promoted InterContinental Hotels
Group (IHG) has promoted Simon W. Stamper to regional general manager for Egypt and Lebanon from his previous role as area general manager at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. Stamper will oversee the InterContinental Hotels Citystars, the InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars.
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Katara Hospitality appoints COO
Katara Hospitality has announced Christopher R.J. Knable as its new chief operating officer. Prior to joining Katara Hospitality, he managed a portfolio of hotels for Kingdom Hotel Investments as vice president asset management. He has also worked with well-known brands including Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and The Peninsula Hotels.
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Carlson Rezidor appoints Nettleton
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Elaine Nettleton as manager of PR and Communications for the Middle East and North Africa. Nettleton brings over 16 years’ experience of working in the UAE, with previous marketing and public relations positions held with the Rotana Hotels and Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts.
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Fetz joins Oceanic Resort & Spa
Sharjah National Hotels has appointed Paolo Fetz as general manager for the Oceanic Resort & Spa Khorfakkan, re-launched last month. Before moving to the UAE, Fetz worked in Royal Wing Pattaya, Thailand, Palmeraie Golf Palace Marrakech, Morocco, Siam City Hotel Bangkok, Thailand, The Residence Tunis Tunisia and The American Colony Hotel Jerusalem.
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Al Attar moves to Al Ain
Al Ain Rotana hotel has appointed Jihad Al Attar as the cluster director of sales for Al Ain Rotana and Hili Rayhaan by Rotana. Jihad joined the group in 2009, as director of outbound sales, Abu Dhabi bringing with him over 12 years of experience in the hospitality management business.
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New staff at Golden Tulip Jiyeh
Golden Tulip Hotels and Resorts have appointed Saadeh Massad (right) as general manager of Golden Tulip Jiyeh Marina Resort in Lebanon. Massad has previously worked with the IHG hotels in UAE and have assisted in several regional hotel openings. The hotel also appointed Wissam Injibar as executive assistant manager, in charge of sales.
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Kumar moves to Abu Dhabi
After eight years with the Le Meridien brand, Kiran Kumar joins LE ROYAL MERIDIEN, Abu Dhabi as director of PR and marketing. Kumar started his career with Le Royal Meridien in Chennai, India and have also worked with Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Fujairah and Al Maha, A Luxury Collection in Dubai.
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New GM at Radisson Fujairah
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced Janet Fitzner as general manager of the Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah. Fitzner joined Rezidor in 1992 at Radisson SAS Hotel in Dusseldorf. In 2010, she moved to the UAE as general manager at the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, Deira Creek before her new role.
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Chaudet moves to Pullman Dubai
Laurent Chaudet has been appointed general manager of Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre hotel. He moves from a similar role at the Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, the brand’s first hotel in the UAE. A pioneer of the industry, he has held several executive roles with Accor properties over the last 30 years.
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Khreich at Golden Tulip Al Barsha
Golden Tulip has appointment Fares Khreich as sales in charge for the Golden Tulip Al Barsha, Dubai. Khreich brings over four years of experience between Dubai and Oman and over six years with Golden Tulip Hotels across its different properties. He recently graduated with an MBA degree from AUST.
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Hilton Abu Dhabi appoints Musch
Hilton Abu Dhabi has appointed Saco Musch as its new executive chef. Chef Musch comes to Hilton Abu Dhabi having worked in several landmark hotels including the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri and Hilton Amsterdam hotel. He has also enjoyed culinary roles in Ras Al Khaimah and the UK.
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New role for Elkaffas
Hatem Elkaffas has been promoted to assistant director of sales and marketing at Al Nawras Hotel Apartments in Dubai, UAE from his previous role as sales manager. Elkaffas has previously worked with several Starwood Hotels including Le Meridien Pyramids, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi and Le Meridien Al Sondos in Dubai.
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De Groot moves to Bahrain
Patrick De Groot has been appointed general manager at the brand new hotel, The Domain, Bahrain. Before joining the team as GM, he worked on a private business venture in retail and wholesale. De Groot has also worked for Jumeirah Group as director of development and Shaza Hotels as VP development.
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Rotana boosts its F&B operation
Rotana has appointed James Wierzelewski as its new corporate vice president, food and beverages operations. Wierzelweski brings with him over 20 years of top-notch experience in the food and beverage division of the elite groups in the hospitality industry as well as with with Norwegian Cruise Lines, Harrods of London and Disney Corporation.
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Douglas to lead ADAC
Former London Heathrow chief executive Tony Douglas has been appointed as chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). Douglas, formerly CEO at Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) since 2010, brings a long track record of achievements which includes delivering Heathrow Airport’s award-winning Terminal 5 on time.
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Kachkouche moves to Dubai
Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai has appointed Ossama Kachkouche as director of sales, corporate.Kachkouche has worked with several Dubai hotels including the JW Marriott, Marriot Executive Apartments and Courtyard by Marriott and the Hyatt Regency Dubai among others. Prior to his new role, he was director of sales, Mice for Millennium Plaza Hotel, Dubai.
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Anderson moves to Yas Viceroy
Has appointed Peter Anderson as director group sales Europe, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Anderson has previously worked with a number of luxury properties including Relais & Chateaux, Guesthouse West and most recently The Dorchester Collection where he oversaw the group’s nine hotels across the UK.
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New managers at Hilton hotels
Hilton Worldwide have announced two new appointments. Andreas Searty (right), currently as general manager at Hilton Doha in Qatar takes charge as cluster general manager for Dubai while Haakon Gaarder-Larsen, currently general manager at Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya in Saudi Arabia moves as general manager of Hilton Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.