PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

FARES YACTINE APPOINTED REGIONAL VP AT GULF HOTELS GROUP IN MANAMA

With a career spanning more than two decades, Fares Yactine is the new regional vice president at Gulf Hotels Group, 15 years after he originally joined the iconic Bahraini property.

In his previous role, he oversaw the owned and managed properties of the group in Bahrain and Dubai.

LUIGI VESPERO PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF F&B AND CULINARY AT WALDORF ASTORIA DIFC

Luigi Vespero has been appointed director of F&B and culinary for Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He joined the property in 2019 and has played a visionary role in the strategic planning of the hotel’s food and beverage, and culinary function, supporting the entire team to deliver unforgettable and seamless gastronomic experiences to guests.

CONRAD DUBAI APPOINTS A NEW GENERAL MANAGER

Conrad Dubai has appointed Michael Schmitt as its new general manager. Schmitt joins the hotel with a multiaward-winning background, with much of his career spent working with Hilton and its luxury hotel portfolio.

Prior to joining Conrad Dubai, Schmitt was the general manager of Waldorf Astoria Chengdu, China. He also won the 2020 Asia Pacific Hotel General Manager of the Year award by Stelliers Asia.

TIME HOTELS EXPANDS ITS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Uae-headquartered hospitality company TIME Hotels has announced new senior appointments to support the company in its expansion plans across MENA region.

Toufic Tamim joins as vice president – commercial. With over three decades of experience in the hospitality

NEW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR FAIRMONT DUBAI

Fairmont Dubai announced the appointment of Nawaf Abdelaziz Nayef Hassan as its director of operations. He will play a key role in overseeing the operations of the hotel across all functions and ensuring the highest levels of guest satisfaction. Hassan will also be responsible for leading the team to ensure full compliance with the hotel operating controls, SOPS, policies, procedures and service standards. sector, Tamim is an industry powerhouse who will be leading TIME Hotels’ sales, marketing, e-commerce and revenue department.

Mary Joe Estiphan

is Time Hotels’ new business development manager. She joins the team from the U.S. and has eight years of professional experience in the hospitality industry.

PREFERRED HOTEL GROUP WELCOME NEW DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL SALES AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

PHG Consulting, has welcomed Kirk Mcdonald as director of global sales and development in the Middle East. Mcdonald brings over 20 years of industry experience to this strategic role and has spent more than 11 years working in UAE. Prior to joining Preferred, he held progressive senior sales positions and consultancy roles for prestigious brands such as Flight Centre, Intrepid Travel, Visit Britain and Emirates.

NEW AREA RESTAURANTS AND BARS DIRECTOR FOR MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA AT RADISSON

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Joseph Chalfoun as area restaurants and bars director, Middle East and Africa.

Based at Radisson’s support office in Dubai, Chalfoun will lead the company-wide food and beverage transformation across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) to drive greater value for its guests, partners and owners.