Movements

Mercure Muscat
Oman

Castle Hotel Management has appointed Ismail Ibrahim as the General Manager of the soon-to-open Mercure hotel in Muscat, under the Accor brand. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ibrahim brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. In his previous positions, Ibrahim has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a strong commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences. His strategic vision and passion for hospitality will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the property. He holds a university degree in International Hotel Management from Alexandria University, the most prestigious Egyptian academic institution. He has held multiple leadership roles with prominent hotels in Oman, the UAE, and Egypt.

 

Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort
Ras Al Khaimah

Karim Abdelhamid has been appointed as the General Manager of Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort. He is no stranger to Sofitel’s brand and has garnered over 25 years of rich experience in managing luxury and lifestyle properties globally. Sofitel Al Hamra is thrilled to welcome back Abdelhamid. During his last assignment as Vice President of Hotel Operations at The First Group in Dubai, Abdelhamid has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving operational success across the group’s diverse hotel portfolios. His remarkable skills from executing profitability strategies, along with a strong track record of building and sustaining high-performing teams, have led to the overall success of the group’s properties. His strength also lies in Food and Beverage operations.

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, appoints Peter Katusak-Huzsvar as the General Manager. A seasoned professional, Peter brings with him a wealth of international hospitality expertise. Taking the helm of this iconic establishment, he is dedicated to crafting unforgettable experiences and further enhancing the renowned legacy of the Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah. Armed with a BSc in Hospitality Administration & Management from Corvinus University Budapest and an MSc in Business Administration & Management from the University of Pécs, Peter boasts of an illustrious career that spans more than three decades. After starting his career in Hungary, Peter has held pivotal roles in renowned hotels across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

 

TIME Hotels
Dubai

TIME Hotels appoints William Costley as its new Chief Operating Officer. With an extensive background in the hospitality industry and a proven track record of driving operational excellence, Costley is poised to spearhead the company’s growth initiatives and elevate its guest experience to new heights. Bringing over three decades of leadership experience to his new role, he joins TIME Hotels with a wealth of knowledge garnered from his previous senior positions within Hilton and Minor Hotels. His comprehensive understanding of hotel operations, business strategy, innovation and service excellence makes him a valuable addition to the team. In his capacity as COO, Costley will oversee the day-to-day operations of all TIME Hotels properties, ensuring seamless efficiency across all departments.

 

The Tower Plaza
Dubai

Ahmed Ibrahim has joined The Tower Plaza Dubai as the Director of Sales and Marketing. Ibrahim brings 20 years of experience with a diverse portfolio in the MENA region. Prior to this, Ibrahim worked for various international hotel brands in the UAE. He brings forth his expertise to drive revenue growth, execute strategic sales plans and foster relationships with key partners. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, he collaborates closely with his team to elevate The Tower Plaza Hotel’s standing as a premier destination for both for business and leisure travellers. Having the experience with international brands for over two decades, Ibrahim will be looking at increasing their brand presence. He will be looking at tapping into new source markets by attending various events which will bring in visitors from across the globe to one platform.

 

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
Oman

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar has appointed Aidai Ismailova as Cluster Director of Sales for Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. Ismailova, who hails from the Kyrgyz Republic, continues her journey with Minor Hotels, after spending over a year at NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel in Qatar, where she was Director of Sales. She has built a strong reputation in hospitality, beginning her career in the Middle East in 2009 in the Front Office department for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, before moving to the commercial department in 2012. After thriving in roles with 5-star hospitality groups in the UAE and Qatar, managing key corporate and government accounts, she is eager for the new challenge in Oman.

 

interTouch
EMEA and India

interTouch, the leading provider of cloud-based Internet and guest-facing technologies to the global hospitality industry, has appointed Moustafa Fawzi as Vice President of Sales and General Manager, EMEA and India. In his new role, Fawzi will be responsible for supporting the company’s growth and business strategy in the regions, reporting to Ernest Teng, Managing Director, interTouch. He will be heading Sales & Managing EMEA & India region with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Fawzi re-joins interTouch after 12 years, during which he worked with top global hospitality brands such as Airangel, Acentic Hospitality Technology, Hoist Group, Swisscom Hospitality Services, and Nevotek.

 

Copthorne Hotel
Dubai

Wael El Behi joined Millennium Hotels & Resorts and has been appointed as General Manager of Copthorne Hotel Dubai, UAE. With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and tourism sector, El Behi is a seasoned hotelier with proven expertise in business development, operational strategies, revenue optimisation, product enhancement, cost management and asset value maximisation. He has a diversified career journey in the hotel industry. El Behi started his career as Sales Executive at the Golden Tulip El Mechtel Hotel, a large business and convention hotel in the heart of Tunisia. He then moved with Corinthia Hotels International Sales team to contribute to their expansion plan in Tunisia and North Africa. He then moved to Dubai to start an international career experience.

 

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
Oman

Geo George, a native of Mumbai, has been appointed as the Director of Finance at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, moving from sister property, Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas. He has been a respected part of the finance team at Anantara since 2013, holding managerial roles in Doha and Tunisia. Prior to joining Minor Hotels, George has been integral to opening, rebranding and restructuring finance operations at several luxury properties in the UAE and Qatar. George’s responsibilities will include collaborating with all departments to foster operational efficiency and contributing to the resort’s continued reputation for excellence his years of expertise in the field of finance.

 

Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel

Dubai

Shady Dawad has been appointed as the General Manager of Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel. With a successful tenure as General Manager of Copthorne Hotel Dubai, Dawad brings over 21 years of experience and expertise in hospitality management’s multiple fields, particularly in operations. His proficiency in overseeing daily operations and enhancing guest experiences, combined with his strong leadership skills, highlights his exceptional capabilities. Moving forward, Dawad is dedicated to driving innovation and maintaining the highest standards of service quality at Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel, creating memorable experiences for every guest and the team. The management wishes him a successful stint with Millennium Place Mirdif Hotel.

 

BEONx
Spain

BEONx has appointed Ricardo Sereno as its new Pre-Sales Director. In his new role, Sereno will lead the pre-sales efforts at BEONx, working closely with hoteliers to tailor tech solutions that optimise profitability using the company’s platforms. He will leverage his diverse skill set to craft tailored tech propositions for each client, with the aim of maximising their profitability through the utilisation of BEONx platforms. He will collaborate with various departments, including Product Development, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success, to ensure that hoteliers receive expert guidance from a seasoned Revenue Manager throughout their journey with BEONx. Before joining BEONx, Ricardo held various key roles at prominent Portuguese hotel companies, including Tivoli Hotels, Vila Galé, SANA, and Altis Hotels.

 

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar
Oman

Yousuf Abdullah Juma Al Amrani, a seasoned professional with an impressive 25-year track record in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and Operations, has been appointed as the new Director of People and Culture at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar. An Omani national from Al Musanna, Yousuf brings a wealth of experience garnered from various prestigious organisations. In his most recent role as the Director of Human Resources at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Yousuf played a pivotal role in the pre-opening phase. He demonstrated strategic foresight by developing a 5-year HR Strategic Plan aligned with the company and department goals. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged with government authorities.