Al Hokair Group has appointed Omar Sami Samara as its chief executive officer for tourism and development. Samara has a proven track record in the industry and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Decision Science and Management Information Systems from George Mason University, Virginia, USA. 

Centro Capital Centre has appointed Kamal Haider as the new director of rooms. Bringing with him more than 21 years of experience in the industry, Haider was part of the pre-opening team at The Westin in Cape Town, South Africa and his last role was director of front office at five-star Amwaj Rotana, Dubai.

The Gulf Hotels Group has appointed Fares Yactine as general manager for The Gulf Hotel Convention & Spa, the legendary five-star property in Bahrain. Yactine is not new to the Gulf Hotel as he previously served as executive assistant manager, in charge of the F&B department, and health & recreation.

Frank Naboulsi has been promoted as regional vice-president, Luxury & Upper Upscale Brands, Egypt, including Fairmont Nile City, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, Sofitel Taba Heights, Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, and Sofitel Le Gabriel. He will oversee AccorHotels’s growing portfolio in Egypt.

Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai has appointed Hagop Tchaparian as its new director of sales and marketing. Tchaparian joined the property from Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf and Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf, Dubai, where he was multi-property director of sales and marketing for three-and-a-half years.

Two new general managers have joined Mövenpick’s growing Dubai team as the brand prepares to open another two properties this year. Maria Lamarche, former hotel manager at Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba, Jordan, has been promoted to GM of Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai and Alfio Bernardino comes on board as GM of Mövenpick’s upcoming hotel in Dubai Media City, from his previous role as GM of Radisson Blu Dubai Media City. Lamarche’s hospitality career spans more than three decades and several continents having worked for Starwood, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Millennium & Copthorne, Hilton and Rotana. 

Two new general managers have joined Mövenpick’s growing Dubai team as the brand prepares to open another two properties this year. Maria Lamarche, former hotel manager at Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba, Jordan, has been promoted to GM of Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai and Alfio Bernardino comes on board as GM of Mövenpick’s upcoming hotel in Dubai Media City, from his previous role as GM of Radisson Blu Dubai Media City. Lamarche’s hospitality career spans more than three decades and several continents having worked for Starwood, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Millennium & Copthorne, Hilton and Rotana. 

Anne Liyanage has joined The Meydan Hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa as the director of sales. She has more than 20 years of industry experience in Sri Lanka, Australia and the UAE. Anne will provide leadership and strategic direction for the cluster sales team and oversee the sales operation.