Dominic Arel appointed GM at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai

Beaumier, one of the fastest growing European boutique hotel groups, today announced the appointment of hotel industry veteran Billy Skelli-Cohen as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025.  Originally from France, Mr. Skelli-Cohen is a lifelong hotelier, specialising in high-end hospitality and international hotel development. Most recently, he was Chief Executive Officer of Zien Group, the owner and operator of leading hospitality businesses including the Eden Hotels brand. Prior to Zien, Mr. Skelli-Cohen founded and led Lore Group, which was responsible for creating hotels such as Sea Containers London and repositioning iconic properties including Pulitzer Amsterdam and Riggs Washington DC.   “Beaumier is an incredible collection of properties in exceptional European locations. I am truly honored to join as CEO and help lead a team of passionate and dedicated professionals.  In 2021, Les Hôtels d’en Haut became Beaumier which has since developed into a best-in-class brand of hotels dedicated to their unique location and culture with a strong commitment to sustainability and nature preservation. The company is poised to continue its impressive growth in new and exciting destinations, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead the company in this exciting next chapter,” said Mr. Skelli-Cohen. This appointment comes at a time when Beaumier is continuing to strengthen its European position with the forthcoming opening of its first property in Wengen, Switzerland. This marks a significant step for the group, which aspires to offer ever more immersive experiences in exceptional settings. Beaumier currently owns and operates 11 hotels in France, Spain and Switzerland. 

Otelier, a leading SaaS provider transforming the hospitality industry with its suite of innovative solutions, is excited to announce the appointment of Rob Lawrence as its new Chief Executive Officer. Lawrence, a highly accomplished software executive, will lead Otelier through its next chapter of growth and customer-centric innovation. Ali Moloo will remain the Executive Chairperson of Otelier and will continue to play an active role with the Company. Otelier is known for empowering hospitality brands with comprehensive technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and unlock revenue growth. Otelier continues to be a trusted partner for hotel, resort, and vacation property operators globally with products like Intellisight for data-driven insights, as well as DigiPay, DigiAudit, Rec, and TruePlan for streamlined financial and operational management. Rob joins Otelier with a proven track record of scaling SaaS companies and leading organizations to achieve exceptional results. He has held executive leadership roles across both publicly-held and privately-held software businesses, where he has driven significant revenue growth, product innovation, and customer delight. Lawrence’s strategic vision, combined with his deep understanding of the SaaS landscape, positions him well to accelerate Otelier’s mission of delivering unmatched value to its customers in the hospitality industry. “I am honored to join Otelier at this pivotal time,” Lawrence said. “Otelier’s commitment to redefining hospitality technology and enhancing operational excellence is truly disruptive. I look forward to working with the talented team here to build on our successes, deliver transformative solutions to our customers, and set new benchmarks for innovation in the industry.” The appointment of Lawrence as CEO comes as Otelier continues to experience strong growth, fueled by the increasing demand for technology that optimizes hospitality operations and guest engagement. His leadership will further enhance Otelier’s ability to deliver seamless solutions that empower hotels to navigate the complexities of a dynamic industry landscape. “Rob Lawrence’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Otelier,” said Ali Moloo, Founder and Executive Chairman of Otelier. “Rob’s expertise in driving growth, along with his passion for customer success, aligns perfectly with Otelier’s vision to become the industry leader in hospitality technology. We are confident that under his leadership, Otelier will achieve new levels of impact and growth.” As the hospitality sector embraces digital transformation, Otelier remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable clients to thrive in a competitive marketplace. With Rob Lawrence at the helm, Otelier is poised to expand its product offerings, enhance customer partnerships, and continue leading the industry with innovative, value-driven technology.

Orient Express announces the appointment of Yannick Alléno, one of the most innovative and prestigious chefs on the international culinary scene, as Executive Chef of the legendary Orient Express Train and the world's largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. This collaboration marks a milestone in the history of Orient Express, combining the brand's timeless heritage with the very best of French culinary art. A renowned signature for unparalleled experiences and emotions With two three-star Michelin ratings and a resolutely avant-garde career path, Yannick Alléno transformed the prestigious Pavillon Ledoyen into the world's most starred independent gastronomic establishment in 2014. Chef Alléno is world-renowned for his mastery of traditional French techniques combined with a modern and innovative vision of gastronomy. By joining Orient Express, he redefines the culinary experience for travelers, offering them a journey of the senses that celebrates elegance, sophistication and a passion for taste all in the heart of unforgettable destinations. A culinary journey designed for excellence and escape Aboard two restaurant cars of the Orient Express Train and on the sailing yacht Orient Express Corinthian, which wil house five restaurants, including La Table de l'Orient Express by Yannick Alléno, Chef Alléno offers an exceptional gastronomic experience, with exclusive menus inspired by the terroirs crossed and the unique landscapes of each journey. Driven by an insatiable quest for creativity and innovation, his cuisine promises to sublimate every moment of the voyage, plunging passengers into a universe of unprecedented flavors, textures and aromas. Yannick Alléno's unique culinary creations, created using the finest techniques and ingredients, will allow passengers to be transported by a universe where excellence and creative audacity know no bounds. Each dish will tell a story, echoing the spirit of travel and escape, while honoring the excellence of Orient Express, where every detail counts.