Zeigler takes charge at IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed Jenifer Zeigler as senior vice-president, global brand management for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
Zeigler joined the company in 2000 and has led the Holiday Inn Express brand in North America, where she was responsible for brand marketing and business strategies for 1,350 hotels.
Martel joins Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Catherine Martel as director of communications for Europe. Martel brings with him more than six years of communications experience and was recently working at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, as director of PR and assistant director of catering sales and events.
Vamvakas at Sealine Resort
Ilias Vamvakas has been appointed as general manager of the Sealine Beach Resort in Doha, a property owned and managed by Qatar National Hotels Company. Vanvakas was previously hotel director at St. George’s Bay Country Club in Corfu, Greece. He has been in the hotel industry for more than 22 years and has worked in Germany, the UK, Scotland, the West Indies and the Maldives.
New appointments at QNHC
Qatar National Hotels Company (QNHC) has announced the appointment of two Qatari nationals as general managers for two of its properties. Abdul Aziz Al Emadi is now the GM of the Sharq Village and Spa, QNHC’s newest property set to open by mid 2006. He was previously GM of Al Sadd Merweb Hotel since its pre-opening in June 2002. Taking over Al Emadi’s position as GM of Al Sadd Merweb Hotel will be Yousef Ali Darwish, who was previously the deputy GM of Mövenpick Doha Hotel.
Radisson SAS, Sharjah, promotes Ali
The Radisson SAS Resort, Sharjah, has promoted Hadi Ali to the position of executive assistant manager (EAM) in charge of food and beverage (F&B). Hadi has almost 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in hotels in the US and the UAE.
El Khouri moves to Mövenpick Doha
Christian El Khouri has been appointed as director of sales and marketing (DoSM) of the Mövenpick Hotel Doha. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry in Europe and Middle East, El Khouri comes to Doha ready to face new challenges.
Le Vendome promotes Torikian
InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Raffi Torikian as DoSM at the InterContinental Le Vendome, Beirut, Lebanon. Torikian, who joined the hotel as a sales executive, intends to further boost the property’s exposure to international markets.
El Hamad at Four Seasons, Damascus
Erfan El Hamad has been appointed director of marketing at the soon-to-open Four Seasons Hotel Damascus. El Hamad, has spent much of his career working in the Gulf region, most recently in Dubai with the Al Khaleej Group of Hotels, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi and Rotana Hotels.
New faces at Ritz-Carlton, Doha
Marie Cazaux has been named the new PR manager at The Ritz Carlton, Doha. Cazaux started her career with the Ritz Paris. Prior to joining the Ritz, she was PR manager at Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hawaii. Shereif Moshref has been appointed as the new director of the spa. He was previously the recreation and spa manager of the Hotel Hyatt Sharm El Sheikh.
Changes at Millennium Sharjah
Souzie Michel Nassar has joined Millennium Hotel Sharjah as marketing executive. Souzie has graduated from Central Pacific University of New York majoring with a Diploma in management and marketing administration. Meanwhile, Zahra Khan, who has over 15 year’s experience, has joined the hotel as executive housekeeper.
Dubois at Taj Palace Dubai
The Taj Palace Hotel Dubai has appointed Claude Dubois as the new director of F&B. A sales and marketing graduate from France, Claude spent most of his professional career with the Taj Group in the UK with over seven years at 51 Buckingham Gate & Crowne Plaza London St James as F&B manager.
Moussa is F&B manager at Coral Deira
Coral International Hotels has appointed Samir Moussa as the F&B manager at Coral Deira, Dubai. With over 24 years experience in the hospitality industry, Moussa has worked with a number of reputed hotels. Prior to his new job, he was director of operations for El Torito at the InterContinental, Abu Dhabi.
Chef Hannan joins Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Chef Anthony Hannan has been appointed as executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. Hannan started his career at luxury hotels in Australia, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, he was part of the opening team at The Fairmont Hotel in Dubai, and subsequently executive sous chef of The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
Mihai joins Al Corniche Club
Al Corniche Club, Kuwait, has appointed former Romanian long jump champion Alexandru Mihai as sports and fitness coordinator. Mihai has spent two years as sports and fitness coordinator at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha and was also assistant spa manager at the Cancun Méridien in Mexico.
Stathkias named Bavaria finance VP
Bavaria Hotels International has appointed Philip Stathkias as vice-president of finance for the group. Stathkias is based in the Bavaria Hotels International regional office at Dubai Media City and will be working closely with the pre-opening team of the Bavaria Executive Suites Dubai, which is due to open at the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone in 2006.
Finch is new CEO of Tourism Society
Sue Finch has been appointed as the new CEO of The Tourism Society, the leading membership organisation for professionals in the travel and tourism industry. Finch’s experience of the industry includes policy and development with the English Tourist Board and as founder and first chief executive of the Holiday Care Service.