IN A move that prioritises future expansion and brand consolidation, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Amir Lababedi as vice president for development, Middle East and South Asia.
The role of vice president for development is a new position, highlighting the hotel operator’s desire to grow in the region. In the Middle East Brand Ranking Index conducted in 2013 by BDRC, an independent research consultancy firm, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts ranked second in terms of brand recognition, a significant achievement for this international company. Although Mövenpick already has 29 operating properties in the Middle East, it has prioritised future development in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat, Delhi, Mumbai and Dhaka, as well as the Dubai World Central airport district. Primary and secondary cities in Saudi Arabia including Jubail remain high on the company’s radar, as well as other locations in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.