On the move

New CEO for Austria’s top chain

Rupert Simoner has been appointed as the new CEO of Vienna International Hotels & Resorts, effective as of September 1, 2014. Simoner has vast experience in the sector, most recently as senior vice-president of Kempinski Europe and as general manager at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz.

Santos joins Four Seasons Doha

Four Seasons Hotel Doha has welcomed a new director of food and beverage, Manuel Santos, who takes on his new role from a challenging stint in the UAE capital, where he led the F&B operations at Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, overseeing a large team of 380 permanent staff working across an award-winning restaurants.

New GM for Ewan Ajman

Ewan Ajman Suites Hotel has appointed Pierre Aoun as general manager. Aoun has extensive international experience in hospitality for more than 30 years and has served leading hotel chains both in the Middle East and Europe in various managerial positions. A German national trained in Beirut, Aoun knows four languages.

Kempinski appoints top men

Kempinski Hotels has appointed Wissam Suleiman (pictured here) as general manager of Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, and Florian Wille as residence manager of Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha. Suleiman’s career in hospitality began in Amman 16 years ago, while Wille has spent more than 20 years in the luxury hotel business.

Naydenova to handle e-commerce

Golden Tulip has appointed Victoria Naydenova as the new area e-commerce coordinator. In addition to her new duty, Naydenova also holds the post of front office and revenue manager at Golden Tulip Hotel Al Barsha. She has been working with Golden Tulip for seven years now.

Ethuin joins Le Royal Monceau

Raffles Hotels & Resorts has appointed Serge Ethuin as general manager of Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. One of Europe’s best-known hoteliers, Serge moves from Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts to take up the position in Paris with immediate effect.

New GMs for Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has appointed Robert ‘Dougie’ Douglas as its general manager for Armenia and Wuraola Oduntan as general manager for Nigeria. Douglas will lead the airline’s Armenian sales and marketing operations from its new Yerevan office, while Oduntan will be based in Lagos.

Ftouhi joins Saadiyat Beach

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has announced the appointment of Belhassen Ftouhi, who joins the region’s first beachfront course as operations manager from neighbouring property, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat. Ftouhi brings a wealth of experience to the new role, reporting to Paul Booth, director of club operations.

ONYX appoints Martell

ONYX Hospitality Group has appointed Douglas Martell as executive vice president, chief operating officer. Prior to joining ONYX, Martell’s professional experience included a 13-year tenure with IHG, where he was vice-president of operations – South West Asia. He has had a career spanning more than 25 years.

Ramada appoints new DOSM

Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach Residence and Ramada Sharjah have appointed Angela Christodoulopoulou as new director of sales and marketing. In her role, Christodoulopoulou will develop strategies to achieve set sales targets and maximise revenue for both properties.

Mourad joins Raffles Istanbul

Tarek Mourad has been appointed as general manager for Raffles Istanbul. Mourad joins the Raffles family from Four Seasons, where he successfully opened four hotels for the group over 14 years. Previously general manager at Four Seasons Sultanahmet in Istanbul, Tarek returns to the city after two years at Four Seasons Baku.

Fogueira gets new manager

Fogueira Restaurant, the Brazilian Churrascaria located at Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach Residence, has appointed Brazilian national Andrea Viana da Fonseca as the new restaurant manager. She will work alongside the hotel’s food and beverage manager to arrange promotions and activities to generate revenue for the restaurant.

Onyx promotes key personnel

ONYX Hospitality Group has promoted Pierre Andre Pelletier (pictured above) and David Cumming to vice-president area general manager South Thailand and Bangkok respectively. Both veterans in the hospitality industry, Pelletier has been part of the Onyx family for over 20 years and this year will mark Cumming’s 10th anniversary with the group.

Saade to lead Jannah Place

The upcoming Jannah Place Dubai Marina has appointed Jawad Saade, as general manager to spearhead the group’s development in this key market. A graduate of Kafaat University, Beirut, Lebanon, Saade specialises in hospitality management and brings over 15 years of extensive experience to the role, eight of which have been managerial in nature.

New food director for Marriott

Robert Catlin brings 20 years of hospitality experience to his role of food and beverage director at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf and Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf, Dubai. Prior to this appointment, Catlin was overlooking the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, Marriott Executive Apartments and Courtyard by Marriott, in a similar capacity.