10 MIN WITH A LEADER: Karim Abdelhamid

ME by Meliá Dubai, the iconic hotel designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, proudly announces the appointment of Gyunay Alieva as the new director of sales and marketing. With an impressive background in luxury hospitality and a proven track record of driving significant growth, Alieva brings with her over 15 years of experience and is poised to further drive the hotel's position in the competitive market with her fresh perspective and strategic vision. As the new director of sales and marketing at ME by Meliá Dubai, Alieva is focused on driving the hotel's strategic vision, enhancing its market positioning, and elevating its reputation as a premier luxury and lifestyle destination. Her responsibilities encompass leading a dynamic team in developing and executing innovative sales and marketing strategies, fostering key partnerships and collaborations, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. With a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Public Relations, Alieva's journey began in 2009 as a sales executive at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa, followed by her role as senior sales manager at Meydan Hotel & Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa. Alieva has excelled in diverse roles, including business development manager at The First Group, and she was part of the preopening executive for Meraas, where she served as Sales Manager, consistently delivering exceptional results within her position. Prior to her role at ME by Meliá Dubai, Alieva held the position of global director of sales at Rixos Hotels, Accor ALL Inclusive Brand. In this role, she oversaw multiple properties and played a pivotal role in the successful preopening and launch of new projects across the UAE, Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Vietnam. Here, she demonstrated remarkable expertise in launching new projects, managing financial structures, and building vital partnerships to ensure each venture's operational success and financial viability. Her tenure at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island & Club Prive and Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites as director of sales saw operation growth with Alieva's proven track record in revenue generation and team leadership, highlighted by achieving record-breaking revenues and exceeding annual budgets. Her creative approach has positioned the properties at the forefront of competitive markets, fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai's tourism boards and government organisations. Alieva aims to build on ME by Meliá Dubai's renowned symbol of style and sophistication, leveraging its architectural excellence and cultural distinction to attract discerning travellers across the globe. Her goal is to deliver sustainable growth through tailored initiatives that highlight the hotel's unique brand positioning while nurturing a collaborative and results-driven team culture.

Pendry West Hollywood is pleased to announce the appointment of Mgeni Mpolo as the new director of sales and marketing. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Mpolo brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role where he will oversee all aspects of sales and marketing, while heightening brand awareness and driving revenue goals across guestrooms, banquets and catering. “Mgeni’s impressive background, coupled with his proven leadership and commitment to guest satisfaction, makes him the ideal candidate to spearhead our sales and marketing efforts,” said Anne Marie Doyle, general manager of Pendry West Hollywood. “We are excited to welcome him to our team and look forward to the innovative strategies and contributions he will undoubtedly bring to the hotel.” In his most recent role as managing director at The Brilliant Advice Company in Zanzibar, Mpolo orchestrated the company’s successful market entry while developing guest experiences that drove profitability. Prior to this, he held leadership positions at W San Francisco and The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. His experience also includes a successful tenure with Marriott International. Mpolo earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership from Fresno Pacific University. For more information on Pendry West Hollywood, visit www.pendry.com/west-hollywood/ or follow @pendryhotels and @pendrywesthollywood.

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Stuart Birkwood as the cluster GM for Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City and Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City.