With work nearing completion at the new Four Seasons Hotel Damascus and an expected opening in November, general manager Markus Iseli has announced his pre-opening team for the property.
Tarek Murad has been appointed hotel manager, bringing with him to Damascus, vast experience of the hospitality industry which has included being a member of the pre-opening teams for Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence, and Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
Erfan El Hamad has been appointed as director of marketing, a position which has taken him back home to his native Syria. El Hamad has spent his professional career in the Gulf, starting in Saudi Arabia at Le Meridien Gulf Khobar before moving to Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai as director of sales.
Ayman Chalati, director of finance, is no stranger to hotel openings having been part of the pre-opening teams for Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas and Four Seasons Hotel Amman. This is the first appointment with Four Seasons for Dutch-born Edwin Kramer, director of food and beverage. Kramer spent nine years with the Hyatt group, working in the US, Caribbean, Spain and then Egypt before moving to Damascus. After a long career with the InterContinental Hotels, American born Felix Mayer has moved to Four Seasons and takes over his first assignment with the group as director of rooms at the new Damascus property. Ghazwa Orfi has been appointed PR manager and moves back to her home country from Abu Dhabi where she was with Le Royal Meridien. This is her first appointment with Four Seasons.