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New appointments at Sonesta
The Sonesta Collection has appointment Osama Massoud (pictured) as general manager of Sonesta Pharaoh Beach Resort, Hurghada. Massoud has more than 24 years of hospitality experience. The hotel also welcomes Ashraf Michel Fouad as assistant executive manager.
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Atakuman for Jumeirah Bilgah
Jumeirah Group has appointed Mete Atakuman as general manager of Jumeirah Bilgah Hotel, Baku in Azerbaijan, set to open later this year. Atakuman has more than 18 years of hospitality experience including a number of senior operational roles in high-profile hotel chains.
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Jumeirah Group appoints Assmann
Klaus Assmann takes charge as general manager at Jumeirah’s new property, the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai. Assmann has been with Jumeirah since 2003 and has provided pre-opening support in the US, Asia and the Middle East. Prior to that, he worked for Shangri-La.
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New team for Radisson Blu
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown has announced the appointment of Hazem Aouad (pictured) as director of sales and marketing and Pinar Kirlar as the marketing and communications manager for the new hotel. Aouad moves from Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, while Kirlar comes from Conrad Istanbul.
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Emirates announces Iraq manager
Emirates has announced the appointment of Raed Al Rahma as area manager for Iraq. Having joined Emirates in 1991 Al Rahma was the first UAE national to join flight operations as a management trainee. He fulfilled several roles within that department before becoming VIP airport services manager.
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Sheraton promotes Al Mhana
Sheraton Kuwait and Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait announced that Mazen Al Mhana has been promoted to director of sales and marketing. Al Mhana was a member of the Sheraton family in 2002 before becoming regional marketing manager in an investment company for two years, rejoining Sheraton Kuwait in 2009.
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New face at Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide has appointed Haitham Mattar as regional vice president of sales for the Middle East and Africa, Eastern Europe, Turkey and Russia. Mattar joins Hilton from IHG, where he worked for more than a decade in a number of roles including area general manager and commercial director for Lebanon and the Near East countries.
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New roles at Monroe
Cesar Masri has been appointed as director of rooms for the Monroe Hotels Group. He previously worked with Rotana Hotels corporate office as director of reservations overseeing 27 properties. The group has also internally promoted Michelle Naaman (pictured) to take over the role of director of marketing and communications.
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New appointments at Safi
Safi Airways has appointed Zaidan Khalifat (pictured) as director of quality and safety and Miguel Serra as director of ground operations and OCC as part of the airline’s strategic rollout for 2011.
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Dusit International strengthens team
Dusit International has appointed Rami Taim as regional senior sales manager Middle East. He was previously with the Shangri-La Dubai as business development manager and has has held similar positions with Tamani Hotel Marina and Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts as well as Sofitel City Centre Hotel and Al Ain Rotana.
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Shennara joins Petra
Marwan Shennara has been appointed business development director for Petra Airlines. He has 13 years’ experience in the hotel industry with Radisson Blu Resort, Golden Tulip Hotels, Six Senses and Movenpick all in Jordan. In 2003, he received an accolade from the White House for his contribution to the World Economic Forum as a general coordinator.
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Romaniello takes charge at Rosewood
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has appointed Luigi Romaniello as managing director of Rosewood Abu Dhabi. Romaniello joined the company in 1999 as resident manager of Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort in US Virgin Islands. He moves from The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Bonnot for Ibn Battuta Gate
Philippe Bonnot has joined the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel as general manager. He takes charge after three years as general manager at Mövenpick Tower & Suites Doha and has held similar positions with Le Méridien group including Hôtel Le Méridien Heliopolis, Egypt and Hôtel Le Méridien Bruxelles, Belgium.
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Jan Verduyn joins Ramada Dubai
Abjar International Hotel Management announced Jan Verduyn as general manager of the Ramada Hotel Dubai. Verduyn has more than three decades of international experience and has previously worked as general manager for several international hotel chains in various countries.
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IHG strengthens MEA team
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed Ignace Bauwens (pictured) as vice president operations, Gulf. He replaces Pascal Gauvin who takes on the role for the Near East and Africa. Taras Ettl joins as vice president development, MEA, James Britchford as director of sales, MEA and Francois Kassab as director of finance for Saudi Arabia.