 |
Hilton Worldwide appoints Shaw
Hilton Worldwide has appointed Heather Shaw as senior director, corporate communications for Middle East & Africa (MEA), overseeing PR and communications in the 17 countries it operates in the MEA. Her previous experience includes high profile organisations including Barclays Bank plc, Time Warner Inc and the New York City Mayor’s Office.
 |
New role for Marriott Jr.
Marriott International have announced J.W. Marriott,Jr. (right), currently chairman of the board and CEO as executive chairman and chairman of the board, and Arne Sorenson, currently president and COO, as president and CEO. Robert McCarthy joins the company as group president.
 |
Concorde Fujairah appoints new GM
Concorde Hotel Fujairah has appointed Mohamed Fekry as general manager. Prior to his new role, Fekry worked as hotel manager at City Seasons Suites Dubai. He has also held various managerial positions while with Majestic Hotel Tower Dubai and the Rotana Group.
 |
Anantara appoints Koopman
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has appointed Michel Koopman as director of operations in the Middle East as well as general manager for Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara. Koopman joins Anantara Hotels & Resorts from InterContinental Hotels Group where he held the position of regional general manager for their hotels in China.
 |
New members at The St Regis Doha
The St Regis Doha has appointed André Jacques (right) as director of sales and marketing and Leslie Garcia-Moica as director of public relations. Jacques was most recently director of sales and marketing at The St Regis Washington, D.C, while Garcia-Moica was director of communications at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa, Maldives.
 |
IHG appoints Anagnostakis
InterContinental Dubai Festival City has announced the appointment of its new area general manager, Yannis Anagnostakis. Having most recently worked as general manager for Emirates Towers, Anagnostakis joined IHG in the Americas with InterContinental Miami, InterContinental San Francisco and moved on as GM of InterContinental in Toronto.
 |
New appointments at Jumeirah Group
Jumeirah Group has announced the appointment of two new general managers. Mark Griffiths (right) joins Jumeirah Group as GM of Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Kuwait. Marco Metge has been appointed acting general manager for Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto, Rome, the management of which is handled by Jumeirah from mid-January 2012.
 |
Missoni Hotel Kuwait appoints Rafea
Hotel Missoni Kuwait has appointed Lydia Kholud Rafea as director of sales & marketing. Rafea started her career in hospitality as a sales manager at The Grand Hotel Esplanade before joining the opening team for Concorde Hotels & Resorts in Berlin in 2005. Rafea was most recently director of sales at The Regent Berlin.
 |
Radisson Blu welcomes Nielson
The Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat has announced Michael Nielsen as its new executive assistant manager. Nielson gained his experience, working in hotels across Scandinavia and the Middle East. He joins the team in Muscat from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Kuwait, where he moved from assistant F&B manager via director of sales & marketing to operations manager.
 |
Oman Air appoints new CEO
Oman Air has announced the appointment of Wayne Pearce as the chief executive officer. Pearce joins Oman Air after he held several senior executive positions in Qantas, and other airlines in the region. Pearce was also the group managing director with Gold Medal Travel in the UK, which has a special focus on the Gulf Region.
 |
Parsons joins Le Royal Meridien
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has appointed Shaun Parsons as general manager at Le Royal Meridien in Abu Dhabi. Parsons spent 15 years with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific region before moving to Starwood Hotels & Resorts with the Westin Dubai and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina in 2006, before joining the Westin Dubai in 2008.
 |
New COO at Emaar Hospitality
Emaar Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Jurgen Baumhoff as chief operating officer. Baumhoff brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality sector having worked across Europe, Australia and Asia. Baumhoff will oversee the business development and expansion plans of Emaar Hospitality as well as its general administration.
 |
Kingsgate Hotel welcomes GM
Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi has announced the appointment of Mashhour Al Refai as general manager. Al Refai brings with him over 19 years of experience in the industry. In his new position, he will be leading the business strategy of the hotel, as well as look oversee operations, guest satisfaction, human resources, sales and revenue generation.
 |
Rak Airport strengthens team
RAK International Airport has appointed Andrew Gower (left) as airport director and Mohammed Qazi as commercial director. Gower joins the team from Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport in the UK, while Qazi joins from the UK, having previously worked with major regional airports such as Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff.
 |
Layia Hospitality welcomes Twiggs
With over 10 years of work experience, Olimpia Twiggs has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Layia Hospitality. Twiggs brings a wealth of experience in sales and marketing management and business development having most recently worked as associate director of sales with Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach.