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The Nautilus Maldives is excited to announce the appointment of Christopher Terry as Executive Chef, infusing its cuisine with a global flair and a passion for simple, authentic flavours. A native of Antigua and Barbuda, Chef Chris Terry’s culinary repertoire spans the diverse tastes of Mediterranean, French, Caribbean, European, and Asian cuisines, making him the perfect match for the eclectic and unscripted dining experiences at The Nautilus. With a career that spans over 15-years across the Caribbean, United Kingdom, and the USA, Chef Christopher has honed his craft in some of the world’s most esteemed luxury brands, including Aman, Rosewood Resorts, and Sandals Resorts. His exceptional skill has earned numerous accolades, such as the Artisan Award at the Antigua & Barbuda National Youth Awards and Young Chef of the Year by the Antigua Hotel’s and Tourist Association. Thyme restaurant Chef Christopher is a firm believer in working with the highest quality ingredients, focusing on local produce, and bringing out genuine flavours through simplicity. His culinary philosophy is a seamless fit with The Nautilus’s commitment to offering not only exceptional experiences but also true taste journeys. Under his guidance, The Nautilus’s guests can look forward to exploring Zeytoun’s focus on the aromatic herbs and spices of the Wider Mediterranean, Ocaso’s artful blend of Japanese cuisine and precision with a modern Latin American twist, and Thyme’s comforting international cuisine, from Asian to Mediterranean flavours. Chef Christopher’s creations promise to be a reflection of pure, unadulterated ingredients paired thoughtfully. Zeytoun restaurant Equipped with a degree in Culinary Arts and a Wines and Spirits certification, Chef Christopher brings a spirit of curiosity and passion for culinary innovation to The Nautilus. Inspired by the archipelago’s rich natural bounty and pristine ingredients, he aims to enhance The Nautilus’s menus with some of his signature Caribbean-infused creations.

Qatar Tourism announced the appointment of Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi as CEO of Visit Qatar as part of the establishment of the entity, which is considered the marketing and promotional arm of the tourism sector in Qatar.Engineer Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi was the Chief of Marketing and Promotion Officer at Qatar Tourism, where he supervised the launch of several successful promotional campaigns during his tenure, in addition to the launch of a number of events and festivals that contributed to achieving an increase in the number of visitors that reached 1.62 million visitors. during the first quarter of 2024.Appointing a CEO for Visit Qatar is considered the first step in establishing the entity, laying its governance framework, developing marketing and promotion strategies for the next stages, and attracting distinguished tourism competencies and cadres, in a way that suits the entity’s  needs and the strategic objectives of the tourism sector in Qatar

New Executive Chef William Ong brings precision and global flavours to the forefront of dining at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen

Marriott International has appointed company veteran Neeraj Govil as Chief Operations Officer for Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC). In this key senior leadership role, Neeraj will be responsible for driving the region’s performance and operations across all brands and markets. The APEC Area Vice Presidents, Managing Director of Luxury, and the Continent Lodging Services (CLS) Team will report to Neeraj.  Prior to his appointment, Neeraj served as Senior Vice President of Operations/CLS, APEC. He was instrumental in leading Marriott International’s CLS team while partnering with the Global Operations disciplines to develop and deploy operations programmes, products, and services to drive operational excellence.  “It is with great pleasure that I announce Neeraj’s promotion to the position of Chief Operations Officer, APEC. Neeraj has an impeccable track record of delivering results and talent development. As SVP Operations/CLS, APEC, he was instrumental in developing talent, improving customer satisfaction scores, elevating F&B’s reputation and supporting new hotel openings. Throughout his tenure, Neeraj has also been steadfast in his commitment to the personal and professional growth of young leaders and has been a strong advocate of the importance of sustainability in hotel operations. Neeraj’s deep experience, relationships, and results in the APEC region will serve him well as he takes on this important role for the region,” said Rajeev Menon, President, APEC, Marriott International.   Neeraj brings with him a wealth of experience, built from more than 20 years of operational roles across Marriott International in APEC. In 2001, Neeraj joined Marriott International in Mumbai. His track record of excellent performance, coupled with a passion for travel and guest service, has seen him grow through the ranks in operations in markets like Brisbane, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hong Kong. Neeraj also held successful General Manager roles in Beijing and Shanghai before returning to Mumbai in 2015 as Market Vice President to oversee South Asia. In 2017, he was promoted to Area Vice President of South Asia, where he oversaw unprecedented growth and the Starwood integration. In 2019, Neeraj was promoted to Senior Vice President of South Asia in recognition of the continued growth and scope of the area and his leadership contributions. “APEC is set to lead the charge for Marriott International. I am excited to be at the forefront of driving commercial performance while maintaining our uncompromising operational standards for the region,” says Neeraj.  Neeraj is based in Singapore, where Marriott International’s APEC office is headquartered. In APEC, Marriott International operates over 570 properties across 24 brands in 22 countries and territories.

TIME Hotels has appointed William Costley as chief operating officer (COO). The new COO moves from Minor Hotels, where he was SVP in Bangkok for almost two years. Before that, he was at Hilton for 32 years, rising to SVP Operations for the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey before leaving in 2022. In his capacity as COO, Costley will oversee the day-to-day operations of all TIME Hotels properties, working to enhance the brand's operational efficiency, drive revenue growth and maintain high standards of personalised guest service. Costley's appointment comes as TIME Hotels continues to expand globally.

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), Goa's foremost hospitality operator and leader in the tourism sector appoints Mr. Ranjit Phillipose as Senior Vice President – Operations, Goa. A celebrated visionary for his outstanding achievements in opening new hotels and rebranding initiatives across the world, Mr. Phillipose brings a wealth of experience in exceptional hospitality leadership spanning three decades with IHCL. An award-winning hotelier with extensive global experience in hotel management, strategic leadership and brand development, Mr. Phillipose embarked on his professional journey in 1993 with IHCL at Taj Coromandel, Chennai.  Over the years, he has showcased versatile skills and remarkable leadership acumen by spearheading pre-opening task forces in Mumbai, Seychelles and Mauritius. Building on his international portfolio, he has held key positions in London, as well as the United States, including Director of Rooms at The Pierre, New York and Hotel Manager at Taj Boston. Mr. Phillipose undertook his first general management role as General Manager – Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad and thereafter went on to lead Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives as the General Manager. In his subsequent role, as Area Director – Goa and General Manager – Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa, he provided strategic leadership to the operations in the region. With his extensive experience across the organization, Mr. Phillipose took on the role of General Manager – Taj Dubai and was promoted to Area Director UAE & Africa and General Manager - Taj Dubai. He played a crucial role in opening Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers in 2019 and effectively positioning Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai in key markets prior to being re-designated in 2022 as Area Director - Middle East & General Manager – Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai. Mr. Phillipose has garnered prestigious global recognition for his noteworthy initiatives throughout his career. He was featured in the esteemed Forbes Middle East Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders 2023, strengthening his reputation as a key influencer of the travel and tourism sector in the region. For seven consecutive years, he has been recognised by Hotelier Middle East in the Executive Power 50 List. His recent achievement of International Achiever of the Year – Hospitality at the 2023 PATWA International Travel Award at ITB, Berlin further reinforced his rank as a distinguished professional in the global hospitality sphere. Notably, Mr. Phillipose has also received esteemed honours including the JRD Tata Award for Quality and Excellence. As Goa's tourism landscape continues to evolve, Mr. Phillipose stands at the helm of it all with a portfolio of over 30 units and a mammoth workforce of 2500 personnel, steering the brand toward new horizons of success. His people-centric approach reflects a profound belief in the power of human capital and underscores his genuine commitment to nurturing meaningful relationships within the organization and the communities it serves.

With the progressive worldwide expansion, global hospitality management group The Lux Collective is pleased to announce the appointment of Oliviero Cassini as Chief Development Officer - EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), based in Dubai. Oliviero joins The Lux Collective with over two decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. An eclectic and well-versed professional, his expertise includes Development Management, Private Equity, Asset Management and Strategy Advisory across the globe. Oliviero's distinguished career showcases his exceptional business acumen and keen ability to operate in a multitude of countries. He has undertaken hospitality development projects across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America and contributed to some of the world’s most prestigious and ground-breaking real estate developments including AMAALA in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Lusail City in Qatar.  Prior to joining The Lux Collective, Oliviero was the Director of Development at Red Sea Global, a leading real estate development company owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Company (PIF). He has also held senior roles in the UAE, Qatar and Europe. Through his deep understanding of the development process, strong network and awareness of the latest hospitality trends, Oliviero will spearhead and accelerate the expansion of The Lux Collective’s four distinctive brands in the EMEA region, in line with the Group’s success in the Indian Ocean and Asia. An Italian national, Oliviero is proficient in five languages and holds a British-German bachelor’s degree in European Business Administration. Paul Jones, Chief Executive Officer of The Lux Collective said, “Oliviero has a proven track record in conceptualising and delivering luxury hospitality developments. We are confident that under his leadership, The Lux Collective will further cement its commitment in this growing region and continue to expand its global footprint as a leading world-class hospitality group.”  “I am excited to join The Lux Collective, a truly trendsetting hospitality company, which has created and is managing some of the world’s most innovative and successful brands. I am confident that the introduction of LUX*, SALT, TAMASSA and SOCIO in the EMEA region will receive the interest and recognition these brands deserve,” comments Oliviero Cassini, Chief Development Officer - EMEA of The Lux Collective.

Minor Hotels announces the appointment of Ammarawadee Cheowit as the General Manager of NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, the first NH Hotel brand in Thailand and Asia. Situated on the east coast of Phuket, within the vibrant Boat Lagoon, Phuket’s first full-service marina just 20 minutes of Phuket Town, the resort boasts 271 rooms and suites. Amma brings over 13 years of hotel management experience to her new role, having effectively led teams in various hotel types, including boutique hotels and luxury properties, across Thailand’s prime tourist destinations such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Hua Hin. Notably, her previous role as General Manager under ONYX hospitality at OZO Chaweng Samui has further solidified her expertise in managing all aspects of hotel and people management. Amma’s academic achievements include a Micro MBA in Marketing from Chulalongkorn University, an MBA in Marketing from Ramkhamhang University, and a Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics and Minor in English from Thammasat University. In addition, her engagement in academia, as a part-time lecturer for master's degree students in the Information Technology Management Faculty at NIDA University, Bangkok, where she specializes in teaching Marketing Management., underlines her dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering future talents. Amma’s career before hospitality, which included pivotal roles in banking, customer service, and sales and marketing, provided her with a unique perspective and foundational skill set that she expanded upon in the hospitality industry. She has developed a comprehensive understanding of social network marketing, e-commerce, revenue management, budgeting, and P&L management, alongside demonstrating creativity and innovation in her approach. NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort feature a mix of rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, lobby café, swimming pool with a bar, gym, tennis court and a kids’ club. The resort also caters to the MICE market, offering extensive meeting and event facilities, including a 1,000-square-metre marquee or large events, a business centre and ample on-site parking. For long-stay guests, the Boat Lagoon marina offers a range of local shops and conveniences, as well as restaurants and entertainment facilities including an ice-skating rink. This comprehensive background, combining practical experience with strategic insights, brings a well-rounded expertise to her new leadership role at NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort.

Hospitality veteran Candice D’Cruz will spearhead strategies for Hilton’s three luxury brands across the region to further solidify its esteemed premium positioning

Pratiti Rajpal has been appointed as the General Manager for Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel. Located on the iconic Calangute Baga Road in North Goa, this boutique resort will be the first five-star hotel on this bustling stretch and is well connected to key tourist attractions as well as upscale shopping and entertainment areas.

Tyrone Lodder has been named the new general manager of Novotel Muscat Airport. In this role, he will oversee the hotel's daily operations and management, with a focus on maintaining high standards for stakeholders. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Lodder brings a wealth of knowledge in areas such as food and beverage, staff development, and enhancing guest satisfaction. His career with Accor spans 11 years, including positions as cluster general manager at Grand Mercure Dubai City and Ibis Styles Dubai Airport. Lodder's journey in hospitality began in South Africa, igniting his passion for the field. Lodder expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Novotel Muscat team, aiming to contribute to the growth of Oman's hospitality sector. He plans to lead with positivity and transparency, prioritizing customer satisfaction and guest experiences. His goals include forging strong relationships with hotel owners, stakeholders, and the team to support the local community and advance the national hospitality industry. Novotel Muscat Airport, which opened in January 2020, caters to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features 215 rooms and suites, three unique dining options, six versatile meeting spaces, a ballroom, and the In-balance Fitness & Wellness Club. This appointment marks the third venture of Accor Hotel Management Corporation in Oman.

International Hotel Investments plc, trading as the Corinthia Group, and owners, developers and operators of luxury Corinthia Hotels and real estate, is pleased to announce two key appointments with the promotion of Simon Naudi to Group CEO and Managing Director, and Simon P. Casson succeeding him as CEO of the group’s operating arm Corinthia Hotels Ltd (CHL). In his new role, Mr Naudi, who has also been nominated as a board member of Corinthia’s parent company, IHI, will focus on corporate, investment, ownership, financial and development matters while continuing to oversee all Corinthia’s companies. Mr Casson, who distinguished himself over three decades at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts – during which he oversaw an unprecedented period of growth and served as EMEA President for seven years – heads Corinthia’s hotel operating company as it enters an exciting year which will see the opening of several luxury landmark hotels. Corinthia founder and chairman Alfred Pisani, said: “These appointments will further augment Corinthia’s position in the luxury hotel sector. Simon Naudi personifies the Spirit of Corinthia, and possesses the right mix of talent, commitment, passion and values to continue driving our company forward. I am also especially delighted to welcome Simon Casson to our family. He comes with a reputation as an inspirational people leader and driver of luxury guest experiences, and I look forward to seeing him bring these qualities to Corinthia.” Mr Naudi said: “I feel privileged to have been entrusted with this responsibility at this juncture, and am eager to work with Simon Casson and our highly talented and dedicated colleagues on our shared vision for an expanded and successful CHL.” Mr Casson said: “I am indebted to the Chairman and Board for their vision, trust and confidence in me, and am humbled and delighted at my appointment as CEO at this important moment for Corinthia Hotels as we boldly embark on a new era. Building on the great success of the corporate leadership and dedicated teams in each hotel, I will work tirelessly to both elevate and grow the brand, ensuring that the experience and outcome for all our stakeholders – employees, guests, shareholders and business partners – is truly world class and defines the Spirit of Corinthia.” Mr Naudi joined the Corinthia Group in a senior executive role in 1997 and most recently served for 12 years as CEO of CHL. In that time, he has also been responsible for hotel and real estate acquisitions and development as well as the expansion of CHL’s hotel operations in major cities, including landmark hotel projects in cities such as London, Brussels, New York and Rome. In his previous role, Mr Casson, a seasoned hotelier, was responsible for 42 hotels in 26 countries, and oversaw the opening of new properties in London, Athens, Madrid, Casablanca, Taormina, Doha, Kuwait and the Seychelles. He will be based at Corinthia’s London office and assume his duties on April 6, 2024.