Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
Raffles Dubai appoints new General Manager
Raffles Dubai has appointed Safwan Abu Risheh as General Manager, bringing 25 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality sector, having held senior leadership roles in the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Mexico.
Raffles Dubai has appointed Safwan Abu Risheh as General Manager. Abu Risheh brings with him over 25 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality sector, having held senior leadership roles across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Mexico.
A seasoned hotelier and strategic visionary, he joins Raffles Dubai following a highly successful tenure as Managing Director of Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. Raffles Dubai completed its refurbishment two years ago.
Throughout his career, Abu Risheh has shaped and elevated some of the world’s most renowned luxury hotel brands, including Four Seasons and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
He is recognised for his ability to lead large-scale renovations, conceptualise immersive F&B experiences, and drive exceptional performance across all facets of hotel operations.
His leadership has consistently resulted in record-breaking RevPAR, elevated guest satisfaction scores, and long-term brand value creation.
A dynamic and inclusive leader, he is widely respected for his ability to build and mentor high-performing teams.
His track record includes five ultra-luxury hotel openings, creative asset repositioning strategies, and notable revenue growth, particularly across residential and commercial portfolios.
A Canadian national of Middle Eastern heritage, Abu Risheh holds a degree in Business Administration and Economics and has completed executive programmes at Cornell University in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Executive Leadership.
He is an active contributor to the industry, previously serving on the board of Destination Vancouver and collaborating with key tourism and development stakeholders
.
“It is an honour to join Raffles Dubai, a property that has maintained the standard for luxury and personalised service in the region,” said Abu Risheh. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team to build upon the hotel’s legacy, while embracing innovation and delivering memorable experiences that reflect the timeless elegance of the Raffles brand.”
His return to the Middle East marks a meaningful new chapter, combining his deep regional insight with global experience.
Abu Risheh sees Raffles Dubai as a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most iconic addresses in luxury hospitality in Dubai. -TradeArabia News Service