Dabbah takes global role


Marriott International has named Vladimir Dabbah vice president of global sales for the Middle East and Africa. Most recently, he was director of sales and marketing for the Renaissance Dubai Hotel.

He joined the company in 1997 and in 2000 became senior business transient manager for the Mena region.

Shave takes charge at Wataniya


Wataniya Airways has appointed Lee Shave as its chief commercial officer. Shave has held commercial positions in some of the world’s most prestigious airlines including British Airways and Swissair.

He moved to the Gulf to work with Qatar Airways and later joined Gulf Air.

New appointments at Westin Jeddah


The Westin Jeddah Hotel, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia recently welcomed Nahla Al Azem as e-commerce executive. Azem joins from the ROI – Middle East, Jeddah where she was a data management analyst. Alaa Wahba joins the sales team and Moez Frigi as been promoted to revenue and reservation manager.

Marriott fills Mena top spots


Marriott International has appointed its new Mena regional team. Jeff Strachan (pictured) is VP sales and marketing, Volker Heiden is VP finance, Paul Downing has the dual role of area VP for Africa and VP regional operations, Nihad Kattan is area VP Middle East and Gary Dodds is regional VP human resources.

Agus for Mövenpick Bahrain


Francesco Agus has joined the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain as food and beverage manager coming from the UK where he was the group’s regional sales manager.

An Italian national, Agus has more than 11 years of experience in international hospitality Including stints with Expotel and Jury’s Clifton Ford Hotel, UK.

Gulf Hotel promotes Yactine


Gulf Hotel Bahrain has promoted Fares Yactine to executive assistant manager. Prior to joining the Gulf Hotel he was with the InterContinental in Spain and Al-Habtoor in Lebanon.

Abdulla Siddiq has also been promoted to deputy general manager, he was previously executive assistant manager.

Promotions at IHG Citystars


The InterContinental Hotel Group announced the promotion of Sherif Nader Fadly (pictured) to the position of information technology manager for InterContinental Hotels Group Citystars Cairo.

His colleague Ahmed Azmy has been promoted to director of Citystars Cairo’s rooms division.

Talents for Taki


Rania Taki has been appointed as talent acquisition manager for the Renaissance Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Centre, Qatar.


Taki holds a degree in hospitality and marketing management and was previously at the Renaissance Dubai Hotel in the UAE.

Nawfal joins Media One


Marwan Nawfal has been appointed sales manager at the Media One Hotel, Dubai, UAE.

Nawfal started out in Lebanon before moving to the UAE with Abu Dhabi National Hotels. He later worked with Intercontinental Al Ain and Golden Tulip Al Barsha.

Towers Rotana welcomes Adel 


Amr Adel has been appointed executive assistant manager at the Towers Rotana Dubai.


He brings with him more than 17 years of experience most recently with Fujairah Rotana Resort where he broke sales records and exceeded sales targets as director of revenue.

Rezidor appoints Chona 


Rezidor Hotel Group has announced Tapasya Chona as the regional responsible business coordinator for the Middle East. Chona spent almost five years with the Jumeirah Group at the Burj al Arab in Dubai before joining Rezidor in 2007 as training and development manager at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, UAE.

Hunter for Aloft Abu Dhabi


Aloft Hotel Abu Dhabi has appointed Todd Hunter as executive chef. Hunter began his career in Australia and has since worked in London, the Caribbean and throughout Central and Southern America, before returning to London’s famous Grosvenor House Hotel where he was sous chef and later chef de cuisine at Buddha Bar. 

El Meligui joins Salalah Marriott


Ahmed El Meligui has joined the Salalah Marriott Resort as director of sales and marketing.

He has been in the hospitality industry since 1992 and worked with Accor, Sheraton, Radisson SAS and Hyatt in key sales positions before joining Marriott in 2006.

Grand Hyatt Muscat appoints Bhagat


Grand Hyatt Muscat has appointed Girish Bhagat as its new director of rooms. Bhagat is new to Grand Hyatt Muscat, but not to the group, having started his career with Hyatt in Australia.

He was part of the pre-opening team at Grand Hyatt Dubai and later became front office manager.

New roles at Kempinski Ajman


Kempinski Hotel Ajman refreshed its management team with the appointment of Samir Zreik (pictured) as recreational manager. Zreik previously worked with Le Méridien Hotel Abu Dhabi and Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah.

Farzeen Patel has been appointed as training manager.

Mueller joins Taj Palace


Andreas Mueller takes charge as general manager of the Taj Palace Hotel Dubai. Mueller started his career with Ramada Hotels and has held several positions with the Southern Sun Hotels and Beverly Hills Hotel in Durban. He joined Taj Hotels in 2007 as general manager in Goa and Mauritius before moving to Dubai.

Gagliard joins Bonnington


The Bonnington Hotel, Jumeirah Lakes Towers has announced the appointment of Thomas Gagliard as executive chef. From trendy restaurants to country clubs and luxury hotels and resorts, Gagliard has worked with Marriott and Renaissance hotels, Bellagio, Ojai Valley Inn and Spa and The Westin to name a few.

IHG promotes Simmonds


IHG has announced the appointment of Kate Simmonds as area director of sales and marketing for the Northern Gulf with responsibility for two hotels in Bahrain, three in Kuwait and a further hotel to open in Kuwait at the end of the year.

She was formerly director of sales and marketing for the Crowne Plaza Bahrain.

New Maldives GM for Minor Group


Minor International has announced the appointment of Claudia Pronk as the area general manager for the Maldives, overseeing Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa, Anantara Veli Resort & Spa and Naladhu in the Maldives.  She moves from The Grand Mauritian in Mauritius where she held a similar position.

Riley takes charge


InterContinental Bali Resort has announced the appointment of Phil Riley as general manager and regional general manager IHG Indonesia. He moves to Bali from the recently opened InterContinental Asiana Saigon where he was general manager as well as IHG regional general manager Vietnam.