The primary role of the General Manager is to oversee all functions of their assigned location, while developing brand awareness within respective local markets, using a variety of methods to create opportunities for exposure and growth. Working for many years in the corporate world he knew that his true passion lay on the other side of his comfort zone. A visionary at heart, with a passion for creating new experiences and concepts, Rabih stepped out of the corporate world in 2015 to follow his long-standing aspirations to achieve great things in the F&B and entertainment industry. Looking back, the teams have not only made it through 2020 with a smile, but they have also been able to achieve budget and forecast on the second half of 2020, a remarkable achievement given the circumstances. Giacomo actively listens, proactively comments on other contributions and offers constructive feedback or insights to other queries. Taking the lead for three hotel openings with total 1046 rooms within 4 years, in a competitive market, wasnt tough enough, the biggest challenge has been the uncertainty of the past 16 months. obtaining great results during his period as general manager at SOFITEL Baru Calablanca Beach Resort. F&B revenue increased, too, as Palazzo Versace Dubai came up with unique concepts that proved to be successful among UAE residents. Sandeep Walia is the Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International in the Middle East. He made it a point to address all concerns as much as possible through personal interactions at the hotel as well as weekly newsletters. Through extensive market research, he is keen to introduce as many key countries and cities to the magic of COYA as possible. A hospitality veteran of more than 20 years, Slim Zaianes career path has taken him from Geneva to London to Dubai in senior management roles with several luxury hotel brands. Leveraging on the trusted expertise of a team of hospitality experts, Palazzo Hospitality will bring to the market a diverse range hotel brands, from ultra-luxury beach resorts to business and art properties. He oversees all company operations and resources and has launched an array of high-end, themed restaurants throughout the past decade. Whilst many hesitated, David, recognised early that this new kind of business would help them to survive and get through the most difficult months. In 2021 Guy Hutchinson continued to spearhead the management of the pandemic across the Rotana portfolio, swiftly instigating several successful measures, some of which include the Rotana Safe Space Program that remains today. A clear success is the way Mark lead and managed the region during the difficult period of Covid. Skilled in business planning, management, hospitality management, customer service, and strategic planning. Sofitel Dubai Downtown boasts an air of sophistication, a different concept of luxury; how would you position the hotel in the Dubai market and how has it maintained this positioning since its opening?Sofitel Dubai Downtown has a signature French identity, which is woven into its aesthetic, hospitality and guest experience. The company has more than 40,000 employees across its portfolio. Hailing from the Southern state of Tennessee in the US, Keffer has held managerial positions with Marriott International for over 25 years. His primary focus is to deliver a personalised and engaging luxury experience by combining distinctive characters of Omans local culture with his international experience. Rizwan Kassim has launched some of the citys most popular brands, such as, La Cantine du Faubourg, Ninive, Mimi Kakushi and Twigg yby La Cantine. By working with partners from governments to airlines, tour operators to franchisees Panos, alongside the Wyndham team, continue to rebuild confidence in tourism, as people begin to explore once again in this new era of travel. He is a strong business development professional graduated from Yerevan State University and Public Administration Academy. General Manager, Sofitel The Palm Dubai. Weve been thinking outside the hospitality box for a while, bringing in new initiatives and projects that havent been implemented anywhere else in the industry. Highlights include: Introduction of Ritz-Carlton in Jordan with The Ritz-Carlton, Amman; debut of Le Meridien in Qatar with Le Royal Meridien Doha, Residence Inn in the UAE, MEA in Qatar with Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha; and openings of The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm and The St. Regis Downtown Dubai and W Dubai Mina Seyahi in the UAE. The Group received 25 awards and nominations from the industrys award-giving bodies. Built in record time, Grand Hyatt Dubais Conference & Exhibition Centre was designed specifically to become one of the most renowned events, conference and exhibition venues within the destination. Leading by example, being confident, approachable and passionate, and paying attention to details these are the main keys to success. We see families visiting from the UAE, the region, and other countries, but quite often the only offering is an extra bed. Founder Hadil, is a certified holistic nutrition and a Gut Health specialist who is passionate about supporting and catering to busy mothers and fitness fanatics. Gold Award for General Manager of the Year - Ranjit Phillipose Gold Award for Best New Luxury Hotel of the Year - Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai Silver Award for Restaurant of the Year (Indian) - Varq Best Restaurant Team of the Year at the Leaders in F&B Awards 2022 - Varq experience in the industry, Sittl has held various positions at hotels around Europe and the Middle East, including maitre d? His relationship with the Gulf and wider region started in 2006 when he was appointed general manager for Middle East and Africa at a FMCG/healthcare multinational. These brands under the umbrella of Gates Hospitality include Michelin recognised and awarded folly, internationally acclaimed concept Reform Social & Grill, Dubais premier apres ski chalet; Publique, an authentic French Bistro; Bistro Des Arts, homegrown healthy concept Ultra Brasserie, Red Farm London and award-winning resort and spa Six Senses in Zighy Bay. This includes classic sides, stuffing and jus. Leading a team of 700 colleagues across Gates Hospitality, he is considered one of the industrys most respected spokespeople, nurturing the careers of many new faces of the future. Fairmont The Palm, Dubai has appointed Dominic Arel as general manager. During his time with these exclusive properties, Naim was instrumental in nurturing sound relationships with owners, securing the best possible locations, negotiating, and formalising contractual agreements, and appointing teams to infuse and reflect the ethos of the brands. Professionally, Panos is passionate about advancing the GCC tourism sector and has contributed his expertise, as a member of the advisory board for the AHIC (Arabian Hotel Investment Conference) and the AHIF (African Hotel Investment Forum). airport 1 - full name Access: 43.9 km / 27.28 mi 41 min drive Transports DXB His leadership and mentorship ensured that teams, partners, and guests were always informed on Accor strategies and activities that were implemented to support the different stakeholders. This package includes a New Years Eve dinner at Les Cuisines and breakfast for two. Equipped with an unwavering vision of growth and development, he established 7 Management with its inaugural launch of Seven Sisters; a luxurious oasis of music and cuisine within the heart of Beirut. LApero, our new lounge bar, is inspired by French countryside aesthetics, while serving terroir-style food and drinks. Seven Sisters acted as a catalyst for the development of the food, beverage and entertainment brands that followed shortly afterwards in Beirut, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and Erbil. With his leadership, the brand awareness has reached new peaks and have been visible across prestigious channels through strategic partnerships with highly-acclaimed brands such as UAE Pro League, Mubadala, RAKBANK, Aquaventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and Dubai Expo 2020 amongst others. The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel. My career in hospitality technically started when I worked at a family friends restaurant, as a teenager, to earn a bit of pocket money. In 2017, Cordon was appointed Area Senior Vice President for MEA responsible for leading operations and delivering business growth and profit across the groups largest area. Recent projects have included spearheading the 2020 launch of the UAEs first kosher restaurant and the opening of a dedicated salon area within Armani/SPA. Were also linked to The Dubai Mall, which features an exciting range of kid-friendly entertainment options. Under Jochem-Jan Sleiffers leadership, Hilton is ushering in a new golden age of travel in the region as the industry recovery continues to gather pace around the world. A key player in the industry, Fakhreddine has amplified the nightlife landscape in the region with 7 phenomenal launches under his belt. Our new rustic-themed lounge bar, LApero, is hosting a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with classic fare, a festive quiz and Christmas crackers for AED 225 with soft beverages and AED 325 with alcohol. Sofitel Dubai The Palm has scooped a number of top titles at the World Travel Awards. One of the ways the company is empowering youth is by developing the next generation of hospitality professionals through its Tahseen program a hospitality training program that was developed by Marriott to specifically focus on fast tracking local hospitality leaders. La Ptisserie Lounge focuses on moreish French pastries, something that the country is globally renowned for, with traditional and contemporary dishes on offer. I am proud to be part of a team that strives to bring to life the outstanding experiences and spirit of the Sofitel brand to our guests. Banis hands-on and human leadership style has remained consistent, and Alephs company culture of empowerment has made it an attractive employer, with a hotel employee turnover below 5%. French-born Nicolas Budzynski describes himself as a dynamic and self-driven restaurant professional with a passion for delivering unique experiences to my guests. As a goal-oriented individual, he handles challenges with finesse with a forte in project and change management as alongside creating new concepts. Possessing extensive knowledge of global hospitality markets;particularly that of the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Africa Antonio has spent the past 12 years successfully creating and expanding SHGs impressive portfolio of brands.These include METT, Black Tap, and Azure. AHH now has a presence in UAE, KSA, and soon India. Menu Gallery I was promoted to deputy general manager after 18 months and later served as the general manager for two years. Fakhreddine enhanced the nightlife scene in both KSA and Qatar with the successful launch of Antika Bar. Its AED 199 for the soft package and AED 299 for the alcohol package. Elies experience from his early days within the company led him to manage the entire day life and nightlife portfolio of ADDMIND, including WHITE Dubai and Abu Dhabi, WHITE Beach at Atlantis The Palm, Pure WHITE in Dubai Harbour, La Mezcaleria in Downtown, JBR and Abu Dhabi, Babylon in DIFC, Ria at The Palm, Bazaar in Meydan and many more. In the unprecedented times of COVID-19, Cordon ensured the hotel group remained resilient and on track for the rebound of the travel and tourism market. In this role, he oversees the daily operations and sales execution in multiple hotels throughout the southwest. Timothy Kelly, the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Atlantis Resorts and Residences has grown the business from strength to strength after coming on board in November 2017. Guests can indulge in a breathtaking view of Downtown Dubais cityscape, seasonal dcor and exquisite in-suite amenities. Were free to throw into the market any crazy idea and our audience just likes how unique we are. In 182 deluxe apartments, complete with full kitchen and private balcony, guests enjoy the delights of Sofitel's French hospitality. Covering a wide spectrum of positions within senior leadership, including the role of Managing Director for both Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and The Anantara Group respectively. Its no coincidence that the group has been repeatedly recognised as the regions guests choice. Successful activities included the opening over 20 properties per year since he has joined the Accor Dubai office (even during Covid), as well as ensuring that financial results were achieved even during the most difficult times. Sofitel Montral Golden Mile. Fax +480.502.9492. Varun and his team have been able to keep Miss Lilys ontop of its game for the past 6 yearsOne of Varuns greatest achievements in his career is the creation of his homegrown concept Honeycomb Hifi. Accor ALLSAFE operational standards, which were developed with hygiene solutions specialist Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections and certification, have been implemented at Sofitel Downtown, and all Accor properties across the Middle East and Africa. Two FIVE Hotels have been ranked #1 with occupancy rates of over 95% and a TrevPAR that is 253% higher than its competitive set. Sunset Hospitality Group was founded in 2011 by Antonio Gonzalez with a vision to create unique experiences around the world through a diverse mix of hospitality concepts. After having gathered a wealth of experience, coupled with my ability to speak in French and English, the Middle East called. Before establishing Lavoya, Hajj founded Cravia, one of the GCCs leading food and hospitality groups that brought world-class franchises to the Middle East, including Zaatar W Zeit, Seattles Best Coffee, Cinnabon, as well as Five Guys in Saudi Arabia. The group have launched projects including Tab Dubai, The Other Side, Miss Tess, C La Vi and their newest, Hayal Dubai. Whats the future looking like for the property, and how do you plan on moving forward following times of pandemic as Dubai opens its doors to the world?Its indeed an exciting opportunity to be the general manager at Sofitel Dubai Downtown. 2021 was the year that Fakhreddine kept his finger firmly on the pulse of this ever-evolving city, whilst also setting his sights further afield. As the former head of the ultra-luxury boutique Zaya Nurai Island, Moukheiber is no stranger to welcoming the most discerning UAE residents, as well as celebrities. Looking ahead, Aloki plans to continue to evolve and encourage pioneering strategies at FIVE Zurich and capitalise on its already established key markets. During his tenure, he continues to demonstrate in many ways how he cares for people, most notably how he cares for the associates that work with him. Meet the propertys general manager, Caroline Trichet, who has been inspiring her team to always strive for more. For over six months, Tim donated the space for Sacha to create the worlds largest canvas which was sold at a glittering auction at the resort for a staggering $62 million, raising money for children in need across the globe. Paul Bridger, a British National is a proven hospitality leader with more than two decades of diverse experience across Europe, Middle East and Asia, Paul Bridger is the Chief Operating Officer of Rove Hotels, the smart, new value hospitality brand created as a joint venture between Emaar Hospitality Group and Meraas Holding. The brand introduced revolutionary entertainment and wellness programs in the Middle East, from staged shows to exciting creative activities for children at Rixy Kids Club to action-packed challenges at Exclusive Sports Club. To get them into the festive spirit, guests can also try our Festive Afternoon Tea until December 31 for AED 199 per person. This project fuelled him to turn his entrepreneurial attention to something closer to home, co-founding VKD alongside business partner and best friend Khalil Dahmash in 2016. During the pandemic, he ensured all hotels followed stringent health and safety measures, including launching the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol. He also led the successful debut of Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al-Bahrain, the first extension of Vida Hotels outside of the UAE and Address Istanbul, a hotel situated in the heart of the luxury Emaar Square on the Asian side of the city, Address Istanbul is a destination unto itself with unlimited possibilities. Since the pre-opening of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Mehdi has been instrumental in the resorts F&B operations. His philosophy and approach is to connect likeminded investors, operators and brands to define concepts, successful portfolios and continue on shaping the hospitality industry. Excelling from aculinary point-of-view from the tender age of 9 to becoming the Vice Chairman of d.ream Group (Dou Restaurant Entertainment and Management), the largest restaurant and retail group out of Turkey, Umuts career trajectory is an achievement in itself. In terms of revenue results the grou had a record breaking profit conversion of 19.7 Million, a great achievement which could only be realised by a great team working under an exceptional leader. The ideology of his vision is to continue to apply and set the highest standards of service quality and, in that way, justify and uphold the reputation that he has among guests, partners, competitors, and the wider community. Its within walking and driving distance to popular tourist and cultural destinations in the area and city. Regarding revenue generation, Bill and his team adapted the hotels sales strategy during the pandemic, diversifying into long stay business for the hotel as well as reaching out to new markets, such as Israel. . Hakan is not only highly experienced and meticulous but is also caring, compassionate, and strongly committed to the financial success of the business. In his role as Hotel Manager, Memarian heads all the operations, leading the culinary team in enhancing Palazzo Versace Dubais reputation for world-class, curated dining. Kunming, Yunnan, China. Sandeep is passionate about the opportunity to develop the future leaders of this regions industry. I enjoyed all aspects of my role there from interacting with the F&B team to seeing happy customers leave with a smile. Between PPE equipment, strict hygiene measures, and self-isolating repatriates, David made sure to stay close to his team, while supporting and supervising them on this honourable journey. During his time at Zaya Nurai Island he achieved great success in terms of revenue and worldwide recognition and managed to generate strong performance during COVID in 2020 and 2021 before assuming his current role as CEO of Zaya Hospitality where he leads the organisation to new heights with his vast experience and leadership skills. C CENTRAL RESORT THE PALM. His personality exudes passion and drive to deliver results through his team. We also have the Mosaics Pool Bar on the fifth floor and Mafia Dubai, our latest entertainment addition, a nightclub. Accor. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved widespread global awards including 27 service-related accolades in 2018. Founded by Monther Darwish, the company is dedicated to building world-class hospitality products. 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