Bab Al Qasr Hotel & Residences has appointed Elias Saad as the Food & Beverage Director. He has over 20 years’ experience in Abu Dhabi’s food & beverage scene. Throughout his career, Saad has worked with well-acclaimed hotels such as Le Royal Meridien, Emirates Palace, Le Meridien and Fairmont.

Guatemala has appointed José Bassila as the new Commercial Counsellor in its UAE Embassy, connecting the heart of the Mayan world to new markets, promoting trade, attracting foreign direct investment and increasing tourism. Prior to this, Bassila was a lawyer with experience in public management. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Haitham Mattar as Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa. Mattar is a well-known industry veteran in the IMEA region, with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining IHG Hotels, he was Senior Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism.

Minor Hotels has appointed experienced hotelier, Mark O’Sullivan as Area General Manager Bangkok. This role will see Sullivan at the helm of numerous flagship properties including Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. 

Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf has appointed Hossein Garan as the General Manager. Prior to this, he was General Manager for Doha Marriott Hotel. Garan is a true Marriott veteran, having first kicked off his career with the Grand Hyatt in 1982 in New York City as a Management Trainee.

The Royal Jordanian Board of Directors has elected Samer Majali as Vice Chairman and designated him to assume the role of RJ President/CEO. Majali is a RJ veteran, widely credited for the companies’ growth in the region. His recently founded Plane Vision, a Corporate Strategy & Organization Advisory in Bahrain.

Marriott International has made some key regional appointments. Sandeep Walia has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, Middle East. Prior to this role, Walia was Area Vice President for the UAE. He will be responsible for Marriott International’s 146 operating hotels across the Middle East, as well as Egypt and Turkey, representing 21 hotel brands across ten countries. Jerome Briet has been appointed as Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa. Prior to this role, Briet was Chief Development Officer, Middle East and Africa. He will be responsible for driving Marriott’s growth trajectory and market position across EMEA.

Marriott International has made some key regional appointments. Sandeep Walia has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, Middle East. Prior to this role, Walia was Area Vice President for the UAE. He will be responsible for Marriott International’s 146 operating hotels across the Middle East, as well as Egypt and Turkey, representing 21 hotel brands across ten countries. Jerome Briet has been appointed as Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa. Prior to this role, Briet was Chief Development Officer, Middle East and Africa. He will be responsible for driving Marriott’s growth trajectory and market position across EMEA.