Dardenne heads up Emaar Hotels
Emaar Properties has named Marc-Francois Dardenne as the CEO of Emaar Hotels & Resorts.
Dardenne was previously, VP & area general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels in the Middle East, overseeing the hotels in Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Sharm El Sheikh.
Flamingo welcomes Matar
The Grand Continental Flamingo Hotel, Abu Dhabi has appointed Emile Matar as their operations manager. Matar has 17 years of experience with hotels around the UAE, including the Grand Hotel Sharjah, Al Bustan Residence in Dubai and the Rotana Hotels.
InterCon DFC names chief concierge
The InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Adam Keast as chief concierge to head the front office team for the Dubai Festival City hotels. He moves from a position as chief concierge at Australia’s luxury Hayman Island resort.
Citystars for Duchenne
InterContinental Cairo Citystars has named Stephane Duchenne its director of F&B.
He has with him over 10 years of academic and professional experience, particularly in the area of F&B and projects management at various international hotel chains.
Emirates names new UAE manager
Emirates Airline has appointed Majid Al Mualla as manager, UAE sales. Previously manager for Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, he will oversee all seven emirates. He joined Emirates as a management trainee in 1996.
Stutz heads to Four Seasons Amman
Four Seasons Hotel Amman has appointed Gerhard Stutz its new general manager. Stutz began his career with Four Seasons in 1995 at The Regent Singapore. He has worked at the Four Seasons Newport, The Pierre in New York, and the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles.
It’s the Taj Palace for Melhem
The Taj Palace Hotel Dubai has appointed Rabih Melhem as the new director of F&B. He has worked with the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain Rotana as F&B manager. He was also part of the pre opening team with Al Murooj Rotana Hotel & Suites.
Roula moves on up at Gefinor
The Gefinor Rotana recently promoted Roula Abouljoud to the post of assistant director of sales and marketing. Abouljoud previously held the position of sales manager since 2005. She has been in charge of the smooth running of the Sales Department.
It’s Four Seasons for Concezzi
Leonardo Concezzi, has been named senior executive sous chef at the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus. He came to the region in 2001 with Sheraton Doha, later moving to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, where he was chef de cuisine and was later executive sous chef.
Royal Jet appoints new VP
Royal Jet has named Andrew Bray its vice- president of oper-ations. He joins from British Mediterranean Airways, where he piloted A320 and A321 aircraft, and progressed to Head of Projects and Business Development, and then to Head of Programme.
Koth in charge in Doha
Michael Koth moves to the InterContinental Doha as its general manager, and will be transferring from Budapest. His career with the group started as a chef at Hamburg and he has since worked in various roles with the group around Europe and the Gulf.
Hosanin goes to Al Barsha
Corp Executive Hotel, Al Barsha, has named Mohamed Youssef Hosanin Ahmed as F&B manager. He has 12 years’ experience at several hotels in the UAE and the USA. He moves from a post as F&B manager with the City Season Hotel in Dubai.
Awadalla named front office manager
Emad Awadalla recently joined the team at the Mِvenpick Hotel Bur Dubai as the Front office manager. Awadalla moves from the USA where he held the position of front office manager for the five-Diamond The Island Hotel in California.
Hot new job for Martinez
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers is proud to welcome Fabien Martinez, its new executive chef. He brings with him 17 years of culinary experience at several Michelin-star restaurants and international chain hotels.
ATM gets new director
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has named Simon Press as its dedicated exhibition director. He moves from the UK show Retail Solutions, where he was event manager. He has six years’ experience and is part of several new initiatives to raise visitor numbers.