MAY 2023 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION Ennismore’s Gaurav Bhushan on building a hotel group for the future LIGHT-YEARS AHEADSTOMP! – exclusive novelty 2023 WWW.ZIEHER.COM Catalogue 20233 May 2023 hoteliermiddleeast.com In this issue Features 10 A tribute to the late Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, regional president of Hilton, who passed away in April 16 Ennismore’s co-CEO discusses what sets his group apart and its role in shaping the future of hotels 22 The Marketing Power List 2023 looks at the region’s nest in-house hotel marketeers THIS MONTH Fatma Kurt makes the Marketing Power List 2023Fatma Kurt makes the Marketing Power List 2023 Gaurav Bhushan is looking aheadhoteliermiddleeast.com May 2023 4 In this issue Regulars 6 Trending 8 Careers 16 In Conversation 48 Checking Out 50 Secret Hotelier Checking in to voco Dubai The Palm Checking out the Carlton Cannes In conversation with Peter Roth5 May 2023 hoteliermiddleeast.com The word Hello, This note was going to be very different. But, just as this issue was being finalised, word reached us of the passing of Jochem-Jan Sleiffer had passed away came through. His sudden death at the end of April came resonated deeply with the Hotelier team, as it did the whole industry. JJ, as he was known to many, played a huge part in the success of the Middle East’s tourism sector over the past two years. The regional president of Hilton moved to the region as the pandemic kicked off, and was instrumental in Dubai’s re-emergence as a travel destination, working with peers and the government to safely re-open the city to guests. In doing so, he also lifted Hilton to new heights in the UAE, and the wider region. But his legacy is not built solely on his expertise as a hotelier, though he was indeed an expert. Instead, the tributes you will read inside this issue talk of a man whose impact on people was immense. The biggest names in the Middle East describe him as an inspiration, a mentor, and a champion for those who need their voices to be heard. At Hotelier Middle East, we are proud to have known JJ and will continue to hold his memory and legacy in high regard. Josh Corder, Deputy Editor Published by and © 2023 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Editorial Director Holly Sands Editorial Group Editor Paul Cliff ord Tel: +971 4 444 3777 email: paul.cliff ord@itp.com Deputy Editor Josh Corder Tel: +971 4 444 3358 email: josh.corder@itp.com Advertising Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Advertising Director Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 4 444 3592 email: richard.mobbs@itp.com Senior Sales Manager Shrief Ali Tel: +971 4 444 3989 email: shrief.ali@itp.com Commercial Admin Executive Janet Comia Email: janet.comia@itp.com Art Head of Design Rita Ghantous Designer Hannah Perez Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Video Editor Hana Morsy Videographer Ajith Narendra Production & Distribution Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Balusubramanian P Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Marketing Events & Marketing Manager Eleanor Ashton Events & Marketing Executive Kate Galaktionova Events Administrative Assistant Aronn Pureza ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davieshoteliermiddleeast.com May 2023 6 More than 13,000 people expected at the industry event Dubai will host the 2023 Hotel Show, as Middle East tourism looks for multi-billion dollar growth by the end of the year. Major worldwide players will gather from May 23 to 25 for The Hotel Show at Dubai World Trade Centre. Hotelier Middle East is headline media partner for the industry event. Elaine O’Connell, vice president of design and hospitality at event organiser dmg events, said: “Saudi Arabia alone needs to accommodate the 100 million tourists it hopes to attract by 2030 with a hotel pipeline valued at US$110bn while the UAE hospitality market is expected to expand by 25 per cent over the same period adding a further 48,000 rooms to its room stock. “This offers an unprecedented opportunity for developers, equipment and product suppliers, designers and for operators”. The scale of opportunity has attracted major players from throughout the Middle East, Europe, the Far East and Americas, all with an eye on winning new business with innovative products and services. The major upscaling of the region’s hospitality potential has seen the show organisers, dmg events, expand the event’s pro le with new content, features, and inspiration across three key industry verticals – Hospitality Technology, Operating Equipment and Supplies, Food and Beverage Equipment and HORECA. The event will also dig deep into the regional hotel prospects through conferences, seminars and features. “For years, the Middle East has been a change in uencer for the sector and its willingness to quickly address game- The Hotel Show returns to Dubai World Trade Centre this month changing issues signals that it intends to retain that mantle,” said O’Connell. “Coupled with the excitement around ongoing regional developments, the growing regional drive to net zero, increasing data regulation and the need to meet rising consumer demands for greener facilities and services, the region, and The Hotel Show Dubai, is again at the fulcrum of sectoral change”. Knowledge sharing is a key event focus. More than 100 experts will take to the event’s conference stages. Pressing sector issues will be aired at The Hospitality Leadership Forum. More than 13,000 industry-related professionals from investors and owners, F&B specialists, procurement decision- makers, designers and speci ers are expected to attend the show at DWTC this time around. TRENDINGTrending 7 May 2023 hoteliermiddleeast.com Rosewood is the third hotel to be announced for Amaala, Saudi Arabia’s wellness-focused giga-project along the Red Sea. Rosewood Amaala is envisioned to be an ultra-luxury-level hotel, with rock SRROVEHDFKFOXEVQHGLQLQJVSRWVDQG buy-out residences. The property will have 110 rooms and suites, along with 25 residences. Rosewood Amaala will be surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest reef and the Hijazi mountains. It is being developed by Red Sea Global, a PIF-backed company ardently supporting “regenerative development” above all else. The entire destination will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and aims to have zero-carbon footprint—with SODQVWREHERWK]HURZDVWHWRODQGOO Additionally, the endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles have many nesting 5RVHZRRG$PDDODFRQUPHGLQ6DXGL$UDELD To impress your customers go to mytico.franke.coffee Experience the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern automation. Designed in Italy and made in Switzerland, Mytico offers an unparalleled coffee experience. Our attention to the smallest detail ensures that you can prepare a delicious cup of coffee every time. DETAILS MATTER ra ma tz ee m re e. aditional ation. zerland, e mallest e a FRANKE_Mytico_Ad_Hotelier_Middle_East_Details Matter_180x115.indd 124.04.2023 15:44:15 sites around the Rosewood Amaala beaches, meaning all construction and design work has been centred around ensuring the turtles are left uninterrupted. Other Amaala hotels include Jayasom and Clinique La Prairiehoteliermiddleeast.com May 2023 8 Appointments CAREERS Paul Stevens appointed Accor’s regional COO Georges Farhat has been appointed as cluster general manager of Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites and La Suite Dubai Hotel & Apartments. With almost 30 years of industry experience and strong operational, interpersonal, and commercial expertise, Farhat is well- equipped to continue driving record performance in his new role overseeing the management and operations of these two properties. Paul Stevens is the new chief operating of cer for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, running premium, midscale and economy properties. The move follows Accor’s split into two separate divisions for luxury and non-luxury. In his new role he will oversee a portfolio of over two hundred hotels, the equivalent of 52,000 keys, across eleven brands. His responsibilities include new hotel developments, alongside the conceptualisation and execution of operational and commercial strategies. “This is an exciting time to be heading up operations for the premium, midscale and economy division in the region, with countries like Saudi Arabia opening up to tourism, and the Middle East and Africa becoming a hugely popular destinations for both business and leisure travel” said Stevens. His previous role was CEO for Accor’s loyalty programme, in which he spent six years. Stevens’ his remit will include the Accor brands including Swissotel, Pullman, Movenpick, Novotel, Ibis, ibis budget, ibis styles, Adagio, Grand Mercure, Movenpick and Novotel Suites. One of his main objectives is to grow the footprint of the brands across the MEAT region. Minor Hotels promotes Georges Farhat to cluster general manager Farhat joined Minor Hotels to lead Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites through pre-opening in the midst of the global pandemic. Since then, he has successfully positioned it as one of standout properties in the city, delivering record numbers for two consecutive years. In 2023, the property is set to open new facilities, including exible meeting rooms, an exclusive Avani club, and a Lebanese- inspired restaurant, La Sirene.Partner Content 9 May 2023 hoteliermiddleeast.com Why the Technogym Run treadmill is the ultimate tness solution for hotels Hoteliers understand the importance of providing guests with the best possible experience. With the new Technogym Run treadmill, guests will have access to the ultimate running experience all year round, regardless of the weather outside. Born from Technogym’s 30 years of experience in tness and sport, Technogym Run is the perfect solution for a hotel’s tness needs. Whether guests are amateur runners, marathon runners, triathletes or tness enthusiasts, Technogym Run offers a single solution that guarantees the highest level of quality and technology found in the best gyms. With the 27-inch Technogym Live console, users can choose from a wide range of training programs and modes, including cardio, strength, or high-intensity workouts. They can also access the library of on-demand video workouts, including trainer-led sessions, routines that follow speci c objectives, and virtual immersive outdoor workouts that adapt to users’ speed and adjust the incline according to the chosen route. The console also offers endless entertainment options, such as Net ix, YouTube, TV channels, and social media. Technogym Run is the only treadmill that offers the same reactivity and elastic response of an athletic track thanks to its slat-belt technology. Your guests will experience the ultimate running feeling while utilising Technogym Run’s large running surface, suitable for longer strides and the ability to move freely for better performance. For the rst time ever on a treadmill, users can also train all parts of the body that are most important to running performance – legs, abdominals, and glutes – with the push mode, which adjusts the resistance to replicate a sled with a load of up to 55 kg – 121 lbs. This improves overall muscle tone, ef ciency, and stability. In addition to running and strength training, your guests can also enjoy bootcamp workouts on the Technogym Bench, with high-intensity workouts that alternate running, resistance, and oor exercises. Bootcamp offers the ability to automatically adapt to users’ level for the most effective high-intensity session ever. Designed following Technogym’s vast experience as Of cial Supplier of the last eight Olympic Games, Technogym Run is ideal for any hotel tness space. The new treadmill has a host of features and modesNext >