Charlier heads up at Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Valerie Charlier joins the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai as the assistant director of Travel Industry Sales.
Charlier joined Ritz-Carlton in 2004 with the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Florida as travel industry sales manager. She has also worked for one year at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain as sales manager.
Al Bustan Rotana Hotel welcomes Berger
Al Bustan Rotana Hotel recently welcomed Christoph Berger as the new resident manager. He was previously the executive assistant manager at the Sukhothai Hotel, Bangkok. Christoph has also worked with Steigenberger Hotels in Germany, the Savoy in London, Hotel Bristol Kempinski in Berlin and Hilton Dubai.
Abdallah takes charge
Neman Abdallah has been appointed as general manager at the Golden Tulip Bahrain. Abdallah, a French national, is a specialist in managing hotels. Until recently, he was at the helm of the management of the Mercure Grand Golden Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He has also worked with the Accor group.
Akil appointed at The Doha Marriott
The Doha Marriott Hotel has announced the appointment of Raghda Akil as director of human resources. Raghda introduced Marriott’s state-of-the-art hourly e-hiring system to managing the executive development program and the one-week general manager’s development program.
Christandl moves to El Gouna
Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna has appointed Klaus Christandl as the new general manager. Christandl, was until recently the deputy general manager for Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort & Towers, UAE. He has also held the position of deputy general manager at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, UAE.
Dual role for Saade
InterContinental Hotels has appointed André Saadé as area director of sales and marketing Saudi Arabia and Bahrain overseeing the development of nine properties in the area. Saadé is also executive assistant manager for InterContinental Al-Khobar scheduled to open later this year.
Kempinski appoints Macke for MEA
Silke Macke has been appointed as Kempinski’s regional vice president for sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa. Macke was director of sales and marketing with Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin before her position as director of business development at the corporate sales and marketing department in Geneva.
Safei appointed at Al Sondos
Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien, has welcomed Ashraf Safei as director of sales and marketing. Safei brings over 20 years of experience from UAE and Egypt. He has also completed management courses, including HR management, marketing commu-nication, financial management and customer relations.
New faces at Beach Rotana
Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers Abu Dhabi recently appointed Philippe Harb (left) as assistant F&B manager. Harb has also worked for the Grand Hyatt Atlanta and the Intercontinental Hotels. Susan Maccan has been appointed as the assistant HR manager. She was previously with the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group.
Manna promoted at the DIH
The Dhahran International Hotel has announced the promotion of Fayaz Ahmed Manna to the position of assistant food & beverage manager. He has been working with the Dhahran International Hotel for over four years now. Manna also holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management.
Werdeling goes to Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Abu Dhabi announced the appointment of Heiner Werdeling as the new general manager, joining after two years at the InterContinental Grand in Mumbai, India. Werdeling has held various positions with the ITT Sheraton Group, Hayman Island and for two years with the famed Savoy Hotel of London.
Wright heads up Cathay Bahrain
Tom Wright has been appointed as general manager for Cathay Pacific, Middle East, India & Africa. Wright joined Cathay Pacific in 1986 as assistant to the general staff manager and moved his way up to the post of general manager in-flight services and then senior vice president, The Americas in 2000.
Etihad Airways appoints Al Ali
Etihad Airways, has appointed Abbas Al Ali as its new country manager for Morocco. Ali joined Etihad in 2004 and previously held the role of Etihad’s sales manager for Sharjah and the Northern Emirates. Prior to his term with Etihad, he served with DNATA and Emirates Airline, both in the UAE.
Dadabhai Travel welcomes Menon
Dadabhai Travel & Holidays, Kingdom of Bahrain has announced the appointment of Vijay Menon as their new general manager. He comes with a back ground of more than 28 years experience in the Gulf in various positions mainly on the leisure marketing and travel agency promotion.
Kanaan promoted at Holiday Inn Kuwait
Walid Kanaan has been appointed as general manager of Holiday Inn Kuwait. He was previously resident manager at InterContinental Doha. He was also executive assistant manager at the InterContinental Phoenicia, Beirut and operations manager for the InterContinental Residence Suites of the hotel.
Shaikh promoted at Sheraton Deira
Nadim Shaikh was recently promoted as assistant human resource manager at the Sheraton Deira Hotel. Shaikh who joined the group in 2002 was previously to his joining the hospitality industry, Nadim was working for Juma Al Majid in the role of administration supervisor in the personnel department.
New team at Dusit Dubai
Dusit Dubai announced the arrival of Marielle Morin (left) as director of sales and marketing and the Farah Ismail, as director of sales, corporate. Morin brings with her over 20 years of experience with various hotel brands in Europe and North America. Ismail joins with over 16 years of hospitality experience in Asia.
New general manager at Midwest
Midwest Hotel Apartments Bur Dubai, the new Irish-based hospitality group in the UAE, has promoted Shafique M Shaikh to the position of general manager.
Shaikh joined the property eight months ago prior to its opening in December 2005 as a director of sales & marketing.
Movements at Safir Heliopolitan Beirut
Mohamed Labban (left) has joined Safir Heliopolitan Hotel, Beirut, as human resources manager. Labban was previously personnel senior supervisor at the Phoenicia InterContinental Hotel, Beirut. Nathalie Zobayan has also been promoted from assistant catering sales manager to catering sales manager.
De Wilde moves on up
Starwood Hotels and Resorts has appointed Guido De Wilde as the new vice president, regional director for the Middle East overseeing 48 hotels and 11 countries. De Wilde was till recently area manager for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Portugal and general manager of the Sheraton Algarve Hotel, Pine Cliffs Resort.