Rezidor bolsters Saudi management team

With plans to open three new properties in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah by 2010, Rezidor, which plans to add 20,000 rooms to its global portfolio by end of next year, has bolstered its on-the-ground team in the Kingdom to better serve future expansion and to increase its overall service delivery capabilities.

"We are delighted to have Walid on board and his past experiences and knowledge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be a tremendous benefit to us as we continue to realise our sales and development strategies," said Craig Senior, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Rezidor.

"Saudi Arabia is a core market for the company, a fact clearly illustrated by our commitment to add three new properties by 2010. The Kingdom's geographical, economic and social attributes have a lot to offer tourists and we believe that our Rezidor properties will be an important addition to the country's inbound tourism appeal."

Mehiri, a Tunisian national, brings with him a solid understanding of the tourism industry and a wealth of knowledge cultivated from more than 12 years of hotel experience in sales and marketing and sustainable development. Prior to his appointment at Rezidor, Mehiri worked as Director of Sales & Marketing for Ramada Hotels & Suites - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With a strong educational background in hospitality management from New York's Cornell University, Mehiri has focused his career on servicing 4 and 5 star properties with international brand names. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of quality service development, brand identity awareness and strategic sales development, Mehri will be instrumental in solidifying Rezidor's local presence.

The Rezidor Hotel Group will open its first class full service brand, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts in Makkah by 2010 and its fresh and energetic mid-market Park Inn brand by 2009.

Al Diyafa Radisson Hotel will have 256 rooms, state-of-the-art facilities including a separate male and female spa, four restaurants, six meeting rooms and 1250 square metre ballroom for weddings and banquets.

The Al Diyafa Park Inn Makkah will be in the Al Zahir area approximately three kilometres from the Haram, with 221 rooms, a restaurant, a lobby lounge, a business centre, seven meetings rooms, two courtyards, a gym and 103 car parking spaces.

The Al Madinah Paradise Radisson SAS Resort will feature 212 luxurious guestrooms as well as 10 villas. Just seven kilometres from the Haram, the Al Madinah Paradise Resort will be surrounded by a beautifully landscaped hillside and open mountain views.