B&B Hotels has appointed Katja Jenne as the new Head of Marketing & Communications for Central and Northern Europe, effective November 1, 2024. Jenne succeeds Patrizio Iaquinandi, who is moving on to new professional opportunities.
Katja Jenne has been with B&B Hotels since 2022, previously serving as Team Lead for Brand Marketing, where she gained extensive experience in the company's marketing efforts.
In her new role, Jenne will report directly to Frank Seedorff, Chief Digital Officer, and manage a team of 13 professionals. Her responsibilities will include further developing the brand strategy, overseeing the implementation of marketing campaigns, and coordinating the associated public relations activities to support the company's objectives in the region.
Jenne's appointment reflects her proven track record within B&B Hotels and her ability to contribute to the growth and development of the brand. As the company continues to expand its footprint in the budget hotel sector, her role will be key in delivering strategic marketing initiatives that resonate with the target audience and strengthen the brand's presence in Central and Northern Europe.
Arlo Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand known for its vibrant designs and unparalleled guest experiences, is proud to announce the appointment of Jimmy Suh as the company president, effective immediately. Suh brings a wealth of knowledge and a visionary approach to leading Arlo Hotels into its next chapter of growth and success.
Suh steps into this position with over 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. His dynamic career has been marked by a series of executive roles at some of the most revered lifestyle hotel brands, including Kimpton, Loews, and The Standard hotels, where he envisioned and formed brand marketing, revenue, and guest experience strategies. In July 2021, Suh joined Arlo Hotels as its chief commercial officer, responsible for revenue maximization, profitability, marketing, brand value, public relations and stakeholders’ returns.
As Arlo Hotel’s chief commercial officer, Suh has continued his mark for performance excellence by creating forward-thinking, innovative programs to help establish Arlo as a recognized force in the lifestyle hotel space. His visions have led to some of the company’s most successful programs to date, which include the If You Arlo program, which turns social influencers into the next generation travel agent, and Arlo Means Business, an online marketplace for small to medium sized enterprises to enjoy the benefits traditionally reserved for Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Suh has guided his team to raise the hotels’ community value with elevated cultural and entertainment events for both locals and out-of-town guests to discover and enjoy.
In the past three years, Suh has been instrumental in launching three new Arlo hotels in Miami (Wynwood), Chicago and Williamsburg. As president, Jimmy Suh, will lead the next stage of company’s growth, overseeing the hotels operations and marketing, heightening guest experience, and maximizing the brand value for both guests and stakeholders, alike.
“We are thrilled to see Jimmy Suh take on the role of President at Arlo Hotels,” said Oleg Pavlov, founder of Arlo Hotels. “His exceptional work ethic, thoughtful and entrepreneurial approach to innovation, unwavering commitment to guest service excellence, while fostering a diverse and motivated workplace culture make him the ideal candidate to represent the brand and the company.”
Arlo Hotels currently operates six properties: four in New York City (Williamsburg, Midtown, NoMad and SoHo), one in Miami (Wynwood) and one in Chicago. Its seventh hotel, Arlo Washington DC, is slated to open on November 18. To learn more about the brand, book stays at any of the properties and stay up to date about upcoming openings, visit arlohotels.com And follow Arlo Hotels on Instagram at @arlohotels.
Khizer brings over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and great enthusiasm to his role DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad has appointed Khizer Khan as its new Hotel Manager. With over 17 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Khizer brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic leadership approach to the role.
Khizer has worked with some of the most esteemed brands in the industry, including Marriott in London Kensington, Hilton at London Heathrow Airport, and Hampton by Hilton in London Waterloo. His impressive career spans various leadership positions, providing him with a deep understanding of hotel operations and guest services and driving operational excellence across diverse environments.
"I love the challenge of overseeing the entire operation and ensuring everything runs smoothly. I thrive on building a strong team and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. It’s rewarding to develop strategies that enhance guest satisfaction while driving the hotel’s success,” says Khizer. “Each day brings new opportunities to innovate and improve, keeping my passion for hospitality alive and vibrant.”
In his new role, Khizer will oversee all aspects of operations at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, with a focus on enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the hotel’s reputation for exceptional service.
Khizer’s passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and staff complements his vision of building a culture of excellence. His strong commitment to collaboration and innovation makes him the perfect fit to lead the hotel into its next chapter.
Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island.
Nestled on the pristine coast between Da Nang and Hoi An ancient town, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang is the ultimate family-friendly beach holiday destination. Offering a range of stylish private pool villas and spacious hotel rooms featuring a unique “resort in the sky” concept, complemented by an enticing array of dining options and one of the largest resort spas in Vietnam, this tropical oasis promises an enjoyable and memorable wellness experience like no other.
Bringing in over a decade of experience in the hospitality sector, JW Marriott Goa announces the appointment of Annam Lubana as Director of Operations.
With extensive experience in luxury hotels, Annam began her career in the rooms division, where her strong leadership skills with a strategic guest focused disposition stood out. This propelled her ascent to the position of Director of Operations, rapidly advancing through roles at renowned properties such as JW Marriott Pune, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and The Oberoi Group of Hotels. Recognized for her inspiring leadership, Annam consistently garners the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders.
Annam has been pivotal in driving guest satisfaction, boosting loyalty program performance, and optimizing department profitability. Her commitment to excellence is highlighted by her wins as a Digital Guest Experiences Trailblazer, representing the Asia Pacific region and her recognition as the Operations Leader of the Year in 2023. At JW Marriott Goa, she will oversee key operations departments, including Food & Beverage, Culinary, Front Office, Housekeeping and Spa, with a focus on delivering the brand’s hallmark of exceptional service. She has been with Marriott International for the last several years and has a strong foundation and understanding of the JW Marriott brand.
Annam will focus on the revenue and reputation of JW Marriott Goa, helming a dynamic operational team and leading them to create exceptional moments for each guest. She will strategize with the team to achieve high guest satisfaction scores, drive Brand Standard audit performance, enhance and maximize operational profitability and productivity.
Armed with a Post-Graduate Diploma from the prestigious Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development and a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai, she is the proud winner of the T.R Oberoi Gold Medal in Academic Excellence as a Guest Services Management Associate. At JW Marriott Goa she will aim to work towards efficiency and consumer satiation.
Annam is passionate about visiting new destinations to explore diverse cultures and experience renowned dining Venues and Bars. She enjoys a spot of reading in her spare time and is an ardent animal lover.
Prakash Yadav has been appointed as the new executive chef at Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90. He has more than 16 years of experience tucked under his chef’s hat.
Yadav has more than 16 years of experience tucked under his chef’s hat with his expertise spanning kitchen operations, menu planning, food production and much more. He has also worked with renowned brands like Marriott International, One & Only Royal Mirage – Dubai, Devi Ratan Resort, Golden Tulip, Lemon Tree Premier, ITC Fortune Jaipur, Park Inn by Radisson, ITC Fortune Park Vapi, and Fairfield by Marriott Lucknow. Before joining the team at IHG Hotels & Resorts as an executive chef for Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, Yadav was with Marriott International where he served as a culinary head and was later promoted to executive chef.
Hyatt Regency Chennai proudly announces the appointment of Dinesh Sreevasudevan as the new Director of Sales.
Dinesh’s journey with the Hyatt family began in 2012 when he joined the pre-opening team of Park Hyatt Chennai as an Events Executive. Over the years, he ascended through various senior positions, including, Senior Sales Manager, Associate Director of Sales, and Director of Sales, proving to be an indispensable part of the team.
Most recently, Dinesh served as Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Hyderabad. With over 14 years of experience, his expertise encompasses sales funnel management, pricing strategies, and key account management, all of which have fueled the success of the properties he has led.
Dinesh embarked on his career after earning an MBA in Marketing Management from Annamalai University. His early roles included senior sales positions at luxury hotels, where he crafted and executed impactful sales plans while managing key partnerships. His leadership and agility in adapting to evolving market trends have been vital in achieving ambitious sales targets.
In his new role, Dinesh will spearhead all sales and marketing efforts at Hyatt Regency Chennai, ensuring the property not only strengthens its market presence but also continues to deliver unparalleled guest services.
James Overbaugh, a seasoned executive with over 16 years of dedicated service to The Peninsula brand, returns to California, where his journey with the brand first began in 2008. Overbaugh brings extensive global hospitality expertise and a personal passion for the culinary realm to Carmel Valley's cherished destination. After serving as an Executive Chef at an esteemed collection of hotels for the first 13 years of his career, Overbaugh joined The Peninsula team in 2008 as the Executive Chef of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Over the next nine years, he ascended to the role of Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Operations.
After his tenure at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Overbaugh was elevated to leadership roles at The Peninsula Hong Kong and The Peninsula Shanghai, culminating in his most recent position as Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for The Peninsula Hotels Worldwide at the brand's head office in Hong Kong. Under Overbaugh's leadership at The Quail, guests can expect an enhanced culinary experience at the Monterey County gem, while remaining true to the timeless California experience that has become synonymous with The Quail.
Fusion Hotel Group has announced several key appointments in Vietnam as the wellness-inspired luxury brand continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian region.
Taking over as Cluster General Manager at HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong and HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong New City in the outskirts of Saigon, Mr. Bui Duc Khiem has a Bachelor of Materials Science from the University of Natural Sciences Ho Chi Minh City and was a graduate in Information Technology at the University of Transport and Communication HCMC. Prior to joining the HIIVE brand, which is considered Fusion’s branch to the discerning business traveller, Mr. Khiem was the pre-opening Hotel Manager for a four-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and has more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality sector.
Fusion Group has also announced the appointment of Mr. Tran Huu Thanh, popularly known as Colin, as the new General Manager of Fusion Suites Vung Tau, effective August 5, 2024. Commanding spectacular vistas across a peninsula on the coastline south of Saigon, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, which opened in 2020, is a 19-storey property featuring 171 well-appointed suites and apartments, a multitude of dining options, a 12-treatment room maritime-inspired spa, a yoga studio, and a rooftop infinity pool.
Colin moves up from Executive Assistant Manager at Fusion Suites Vung Tau to the GM role. He previously worked for a five-star hotel in Saigon and a casino resort in Macau before joining the Fusion team.
Ms. Van Vu takes the role at the newly opened Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang. Fluent in Vietnamese, Spanish and English, Vietnamese-Costa Rican dual citizen Ms. Van brings 15 years of experience in luxury hotel management, operations, and revenue management, including 12 years at her previous post as a resort manager in Phu Quoc Island.
A fourth appointment is Mr Cang Lam, who now becomes Cluster Resort Manager at Maia Resort Quy Nhon and its newly opened next-door neighbour The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon. Cang had previously been Executive Assistant Manager at Maia during the pre-opening and opening periods from February 2020.
A native of Ho Chi Minh City, Cang started out as a Room Attendant at a 5-star hotel in Saigon in 2009, quickly working his way up the managerial ladder with experiences across the length of Vietnam, as well as spells in Macau and the Maldives.
Mr. David Roberts, COO of Fusion Hotel Group, emphasised that these appointments align with the company’s core values of nurturing and empowering local talents. “The dynamic Vietnamese managers appointed at our hotels and resorts will inspire team spirit and contribute to enhancing Fusion’s reputation as one of the region’s leading wellness-driven brands,” he said.
Blending an innovative ‘all-spa inclusive’ approach to wellness vacationing with their signature ‘breakfast anywhere, anytime’ concept, Fusion has won several prestigious awards recently – including accolades for its spas and wellness facilities, as well as sustainable practices.
Leading global hospitality group Minor Hotels has named industry veteran Omar Romero as its Chief Development and Luxury Officer, a newly-created position, as the group continues its rapid global expansion.
In his new role, Romero will drive the global development strategy of Minor Hotels, identifying new business opportunities, overseeing the planning and execution of projects, and managing relationships with key stakeholders. He will also play a pivotal part in shaping and supporting the curation of Minor Hotels’ luxury brands, ensuring the delivery of exceptional experiences in every project. Based in Bangkok, Romero will report to Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, and work closely with Minor Hotels’ senior leadership team.
Romero brings over two decades of experience to Minor Hotels. He most recently served as Chief Development Officer at Six Senses, leading the global development team for over half his tenure. During his career, Romero spearheaded the signing of more than 50 Hotel Management Agreements and multiple branded residence projects. His extensive global expertise will drive Minor Hotels’ expansion and strengthen its prestigious footprint worldwide.
Rajakarier commented on the appointment saying, “At Minor Hotels, creating iconic destinations is at the heart of our success, especially for our experiential luxury brand, Anantara. Omar’s extensive experience in identifying exceptional locations and his dedication to building lasting partnerships make him the perfect leader to drive our global development ambitions. We are confident that with his expertise, Minor Hotels will continue expanding its footprint and creating inspiring, memorable experiences for our guests around the world.”
Romero added, “I’m thrilled to be joining Minor Hotels, an organisation that delivers exceptional value to owners, guests, investors and our team. I’m particularly excited about the potential to grow our branded residential offerings alongside our hotel and resort portfolio, a space where I’ve seen incredible opportunities for value creation. I look forward to working with the team to develop iconic destinations and build strong partnerships that will shape the future of our brands.”
Romero holds a degree from the renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne and Les Roches Hotel Management School, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion to his work. A true globetrotter, he thrives on finding exciting development opportunities across the globe and delivering exceptional guest experiences in every completed project.
Romero’s appointment as Minor Hotels’ Chief Development and Luxury Officer follows a string of senior hires as the hospitality group ramps up its expansion. In recent months, Puneet Dhawan joined Minor Hotels in Bangkok as Head of Asia, and the group announced the appointment of Gonzalo Aguilar to replace current Europe & Americas CEO Ramón Aragonés following his retirement in January 2025. Dhawan and Aguilar bring a wealth of experience from major hospitality players to spearhead the group’s growth in their respective regions.
CMO Asia has recognized Soumitra Kundu, Deputy General Manager at The Orchid Hotel, Pune, with the prestigious title of Pune’s Best General Managers, Hospitality. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality sector, Soumitra Kundu has established himself as a leading force in driving operational excellence and elevating service standards.
Under his forward-thinking leadership, The Orchid Hotel, Pune has undergone significant transformation, particularly in its Food & Beverage (F&B) operations, where eco-friendly innovations and advanced technologies have been seamlessly integrated. His comprehensive approach to staff training programs has further enhanced guest satisfaction, aligning with the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and service excellence.
Soumitra Kundu’s expertise extends across hotel budgeting, forecasting, and staff performance development, ensuring that The Orchid Hotel, Pune continues to strengthen its position as a premier hospitality destination. His deep understanding of industry regulations and unwavering integrity has played a pivotal role in maintaining impeccable safety measures for both guests and staff, creating a secure and comfortable environment.
As he accepts this acknowledgement , Soumitra remains dedicated to The Orchid Hotel’s mission of delivering outstanding guest experiences, fostering operational efficiency, and championing sustainable practices. His leadership continues to inspire innovation and growth, ensuring the hotel's legacy as a leader in Pune’s hospitality landscape.
