Omer Kaddouri takes over his new position as Senior Vice President - UAE Operations for Rotana

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Imad Elias, Executive Vice President & COO for Rotana, said:

"It gives me tremendous pleasure to announce the progression of Omer who will be based at the Corporate Office in Abu Dhabi. His new responsibilities include the successful opening of our new properties in the UAE and the creation of a synergy among his regional hotels in all aspects of our operations."

Moving consistently forward with our rapid expansion, and only in the UAE, 2009 will see the opening of Eight new properties into the Rotana fold; with the Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Rose Rotana Dubai, Amwaj Rotana Jumeira Beach Dubai, all opening during the first quarter of 2009. Whilst Khalidiya Palace Rotana Resort, Park Rotana, Tourist Club Arjaan and two properties on Yas Island will be opening towards the last quarter of 2009.

Omer has worked with Rotana for over 10 years and he has achieved a great deal particularly in respect to opening properties as well as successfully running our existing ones. Previously Area Vice President For Dubai & Northern Emirates as well as being the General Manager of the Al Bustan Rotana, he is definitely ready for the new challenge of running our existing UAE properties as well as overseeing the new openings that we have planned for the area in the near future.

Upon leaving Les Roches in 1986, Omer Kaddouri joined the Hilton International Kensington in London as a 'Banquet Head Waiter' and made his way up until he transferred in 1989 to the Hilton International in Abu Dhabi as 'Assistant Banquets Manager' which was an ideal location for him due to him being able to speak Arabic and having experience in the Middle East. Omer became 'Banquet Manager' within a year and transferred to the Hilton in Dubai two years later as 'Asst. Food & Beverage Manager' and then 'Food & Beverage Manager' until he decided to join Shangri La Kuala Lumpur as 'Director of Food & Beverage'. Omer believes that working in Asia opened his eyes to so many new creative, innovative, cultural and entrepreneurial focuses. He stayed in Kuala Lumpur for two and a half years, and then joined the Al Bustan Rotana in Dubai as 'Resident Manager'.

Omer was offered the opportunity to manage the Beach Rotana in Abu Dhabi, a Leading Hotel of the World, as 'Hotel Manager' with the main goal and objectives to prepare for the $68m expansion of the Beach Rotana and in July 2003, he became General Manager of the Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers.