New sales director for Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek has appointed Mohamed Anwar as sales director. Anwar has a wealth of 13 years’ experience in the revenue, sales and marketing field. An Egyptian national, he started his career in Dubai with InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East Regional Office in 2002.

Dusit Thani Phuket welcomes DOSM

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has appointed Sanjeev Tandon as director of sales and marketing. Tandon brings 25 years of international experience with luxury hospitality brands in India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Qatar. He holds a master’s degree in management studies from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research in India.

FCS appoints executive director

FCS Computer Systems (FCS) has announced the appointment of Roger Crellin as executive director, with responsibilities focusing on the North America and EMEA regions. FCS is a hospitality technology solutions and services provider, with an extensive portfolio of integrated products used by more than 5,000 hotels with over 8,000 installations in 32 countries.

Sheraton Bahrain promotes Pastrana

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel has promoted Cristalyn Pastrana to the post of director of marketing and communications. Pastrana joined Sheraton Bahrain Hotel in January 2012 as marketing communications manager. The promotion has come as a result of two years of remarkable marketing and public relations strategies and digital and social media efforts.

Ajman Palace appoints Aziz EAM

Haytham Aziz has been appointed executive assistant manager in charge of rooms at The Ajman Palace and Resort. Hailing from Egypt, Haytham began his career as a guest service agent at the Sheraton El Gezirah Hotel in Cairo before moving to the renowned Jolie Ville Mövenpick Golf & Resort Hotel in Sharm-El-Sheikh.

Four Seasons creates new role

Michael A Crawford has joined the executive team of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in the newly created position of president, Asia Pacific. Crawford assumes primary responsibility for all business activities in the Asia Pacific region, including implementing the company’s growth plan and delivering on financial objectives.

Balcombe is CEO of VisitBritain

Sally Balcombe has been appointed VisitBritain’s next chief executive officer. Balcombe was most recently a board member of VisitBritain, governor of the Museum of London, commissioner of English heritage, and non-executive director of Mr & Mrs Smith, while also advising a number of businesses focusing on the digital area.

New restaurant manager for Fogueira

Fogueira Restaurant, the Brazilian Churrascaria located at Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach Residence, has announced the appointment of Andrea Viana da Fonseca as new restaurant manager. In this role, da Fonseca will oversee Fogueira’s day-to-day operations. A Brazilian national, da Fonseca boasts extensive hospitality experience both in Brazil and the UAE.

Massoud joins Swiss-Belhotel

Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Noel Massoud as the group’s new vice-president, operations and development, in the Middle East, and will oversee the opening of Swiss-Belhotel Seef in Bahrain, Swiss-Belinn Ghubrah Muscat in Oman, Swiss-Belhotel Erbil in Iraq, Swiss-Belboutique Tahliya and Swiss-Belhotel Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Ascott appoints Miccolis as area GM

The Ascott Limited has appointed Vincent Miccolis as area general manager for the GCC countries. Miccolis has more than two decades of experience working with several hospitality brands and has been with Ascott since 1997. He will oversee regional operations and drive growth for the brand’s serviced residences.

Corinthia appoints wellbeing expert

Corinthia Hotel London has appointed international wellbeing expert Renée Blanchardt as the new wellness manager and naturopath at Espa Life at Corinthia London. With 20 years’ experience in Europe, Asia, and Australia, this new role will see Renée overseeing the wellness programmes and therapists at Espa Life at Corinthia London.

IBTM America event director

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced management changes for IBTM America 2015 (renamed following AIBTM 2014) with Jaime Rosov appointed as event director, taking over from Michael J. Lyons. Rosov has worked on several of Reed’s large-scale events in the US including the National Hardware Show, PGA Shows and JCK Shows, among others.

Ingram joins The Reem Mall

The UAE’s National Real Estate Company (NREC), has appointed Stuart Ingram as director of development for The Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi’s new retail, leisure, dining and entertainment destination. Ingram, a chartered civil engineer, will be responsible for all aspects of development and delivery of the project.

Taj appoints new MD and CEO

Rakesh Sarna has joined Indian Hotels Company Limited (The Taj Group of Hotels) as managing director and chief executive officer. In this role, he is responsible for steering the growth of the organisation as it continues to be positioned as a strong India-based hotel group with strategic presence in chosen markets outside India. 

Kempinski hires new GMs in Jordan

Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea has appointed as general manager Oliver C Martin (pictured here), who will be replacing Masami Egami, the newly appointed general manager at Kempinski Seychelles. Sebasiten Mariette will be managing Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea as Henk Meyknecht will be moving back to Shanghai to head Grand Kempinski.

Gregorowitsch to head Oman Air

Oman Air has appointed Paul Gregorowitsch as its new chief executive. A citizen of the Netherlands, Gregorowitsch joins Oman Air from Air Berlin, where, having joined the company in 2011, he was on its management board responsible for the carrier’s commercial activities.

Stevens appointed EAM in Cairo

Simon Stamper, regional general manager InterContinental Hotels Group, Egypt and Lebanon has appointed Trevor Stevens as executive assistant manager in charge of food and beverages for InterContinental Citystars Hotels. Stevens has climbed the culinary ladder from sous chef, to executive chef and then food and beverage director.

Key staff for Kempinski MOE

Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates has appointed Obay Bahri (pictured here) as the new front office manager of the hotel and Jens Schuster as director of engineering. Hailing from Jordan, Bahri first joined Kempinski in 2011. Schuster has over 15 years’ experience in the industry, having worked across a range of luxury hospitality brands.

Noon Art appoints new GM

Noon Art Boutique Hotel Apartments, has named Joseph Haidar as its new general manager. Haidar has experience from his home country Lebanon, where he worked for worldwide brand InterContinental Hotels and Resorts. He has over 14 years worth of in-depth knowledge in business development, setting budgets and strategy management.

Alila appoints first head chef

Alila Hotels & Resorts has appointed Rick Gonzalez as Alila Jabal Akhdar’s very first head chef. Prior to this post, Gonzalez was executive chef at Amandari in Ubud, Bali and also worked with the team at Sana Sini restaurant at the Pullman Hotel in Jakarta.