Hilton names new regional VP
Hilton Hotels Corp-oration has announced the appointment of its new vice president for the Arabian peninsula, Essam Abouda.
Abouda will be based in the group’s regional head office in Dubai. He has 26 years of experience with Hilton, and was previously vice-president for France, Africa and the Indian Ocean, a position he held for three years.
Shetty goes to Ascott
Ascott International has appointed Shashi Shetty to the position of assistant director of sales and marketing to oversee the Gulf Region.
Shetty brings with her more than 10 years’ experience within Dubai’s hospitality industry. In her new role she will oversee all sales and marketing for the three properties across Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar.
Kamath moves to Bur Dubai Sheraton
The Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai has appointed its new Ganesh Kamath its new director of sales.
Kamath started his career in the hospitality industry as a sales and marketing manager with Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces in India before finally settling in Dubai.
He will be responsible for the hotel’s overall sales and marketing strategy.
Elite promotions at Elite Group
Elite Group has promoted several of its key executives. Jamila Missilmani (left) has been named director of sales for the group; Ramesh Muthan has been promoted to assistant financial controller for Elite Luxury Apartments, and Fathi E Salman has been named assistant front office manager for Elite Seef Residence and Elite Tower.
New promotion at Conrad Cairo
The Conrad Cairo recently promoted Maha Eraki to director of groups and events. With wide experience in international hotel chains, Eraki joined the hotel four years ago as director of corporate sales. Her responsibility as department head will be reactive sales activity, looking after groups and events coordination, social event sales and account relations.
Kufer leads Africa for Mِvenpick
Josef Kufer has been promoted to senior vice-president, Africa, for the Mِvenpick Hotels & Resorts and becomes a member of the executive commit-tee of the hotel group. Based in Cairo, he will be in charge of the hotels in Morocco, Mauritius, Tanzania and Tunisia as well as the future projects in general manager of the Mِvenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut.
Bavaria International expands team
Bavaria Hotels Inter-national has made several senior appointments at its Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai.
Franck Royer (left) has been named executive assistant manager, moving from the Intercon- tinental Bahrain. Prasoona Akkunoor has been appointed revenue manager and Carlito Bascara as executive housekeeper.
El Allam moves to Media City
Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Media City has appointed Soufiane El Allam to the position of assistant director of sales and marketing.
El Allam brings with him 13 years of Middle East hospitality experience, having worked in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and his native Morocco. His last hotel posting was at the Dusit Dubai where he served as assistant director of sales and marketing.
New names at the Al Bustan Rotana
The Al Bustan Rotana Hotel has appointed Craig N Frauenstein (left) its new area director of human resources for the hotel and other Rotana Hotels in Dubai & the Northern Emirates.
He brings with him more than 13 years’ worth of knowledge and experience both in human resources and in five-star properties.
New chef at Burjuman Rotana Suites
Jacques Hajj has been appointed as executive chef of the newly opened Burjuman Rotana Suites.
Hajj previously held the position of chef de cuisine for the Intercontinental Hotels in Beirut as well as other positions in the GCC. He brings with him a wealth of experience in French and European cuisine by opening several restaurants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Radisson Sharm gets GM
Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts has appointed Armin Glanzmann as general manager of its resort property in Sharm El Sheikh. He will also head up the adjoining Golden Resort managed by Rezidor. He has held several GM positions in Turkey, Australia, Asia, Czech Republic, Jordan and Iran. His most recent role was MD, Langenthal Porcelain Factory in Switzerland.
Top-level moves at Kempinski Hotels
Kempinski Hotels has promoted of Samer Achcar (left) to director of sales and marketing at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, moving from Kempinski Hotel Ajman. He retains his position as area director of sales Middle East. Marissa Garcia Olm comes to Ajman as director of sales and marketing, moving from the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea.
Smooth sailing for Welin
Bateaux Dubai, the cruise vessel managed by Jebel Ali Inter-national Hotels, has appointed Sofie Welin as sales and marketing manager. Prior to joining Bateaux Dubai, she worked as brand coordinator for Esteé Lauder, and her experience with luxury brands will be beneficial to her new company.
She has also worked with the brands John Ryan, Swedbank and Ikea.
Omeish moves into rooms
Shadi Omeish has been named director of rooms at the Four Seasons Riyadh. He moves from the Four Seasons Amman. He has experience in Saudi Arabia at Marriott Internat-ional’s regional sales office in Jeddah.
Taking over from Omeish as director of marketing is Huda Malhas, who previously director of catering for the last three years at the hotel.
Dosé named Gulf Air CEO
Gulf Air has named Swiss citizen André Dosé its new CEO. Industry veteran Dosé began as a pilot for Crossair, and made it to CEO at the European regional airline.
After the collapse of the Swissair Group, he was the driving force behind the development of Swiss, where he was credited with several achievements.
Business development nod for Senior
The Accor group has appointed London hotelier Richard Senior its director of business development for their Novotel and Ibis Dubai World Trade Centre Hotels. He moves to Dubai from his recent position as general manager of the four-star Holiday Inn in London’s Kensington. Other brands he has worked with are City Inn, Radisson SAS and Forte Meridien hotels.
Promotions at Marriott GSO
The Marriott Global Sales Organisation in the Middle East, Africa and the subcontinent sees changes in its hierarchy. Kamran Mustafa (left) has been promoted to senior director, Global Sales, MEA ; Arijit Munshi to director, corporate accounts; Ian Medalle to director, e-commerce and Khalid Sharbatly to manager, global reserva-tion, sales and customer care, MEA.
Fresh faces at the JW Marriott Dubai
JW Marriott Dubai fills key roles with new team members from across the globe. Therry Polhout (left) is the new promotions manager for the hotel’s Champions sports bar and Luc Bonnaz assumes the role as executive sous chef. Antonio Fention is the new director of houskeeping, while Wojciech Orlewicz joins as the new guest relations manager.
Jabbour at Al Bustan Residence
Al Bustan Centre and Residence recently appointed Talal S Jabbour as their marketing manager.
He joined Al Bustan Centre and Residence from Insight, a corporate identity and strategic design company, in Saudi Arabia. He has worked in different countries such as Cyprus, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman, and UAE.
Irish stew, Conlon’s own recipe
Chef Kevin Conlon has taken charge at Dubai’s well-known Irish Village at the Aviation Club.
Chef Kevin started in New York at the Tipperary Arms Pub, followed by five years in Spain as head chef at Torremolinos Irish bar and Ibiza’s Kiliteets. He was with the Philharmonic Bar & Restaurant in Liverpool before moving to Dubai.