Bateaux Dubai's executive team gears up for October launch

The establishment of this team is the latest in a series of moves to boost the company's pre-launch operations, on the eve of the launch of their flagship, the Al Minsaf.

"We have designated an executive management team that has the experience and skills necessary to grow our mantle of being the Middle East's only floating entertainment venue and five-star boat based in Dubai," said Patrice Douce, General Manager, Bateaux Dubai. "The team has an exceptional track record, having achieved tremendous success with dynamic service and hospitality companies around the world, and we are excited to have their expertise on board," he said. "Their collective experience and skills will strengthen the Al Minsaf's position upon its launch, as an 'international destination within a destination', and address varying audiences with ease," he added.

Spearheading the new team is Patrice Douce himself, a veteran in the hospitality and food services industry with over 30 years of international work experience. A former CEO of the French Sodexho Alliance, Douce has worked at senior positions in Algeria, France, Gabon, Saudi Arabia and the US. He has also been running President of the French Business Confederation for the Arabic Peninsula (MEDEF) since 1999.

Amal Oumasse has been appointed as Director of Sales, and her key accountabilities include market segmentation; corporate and tourism marketing; the development and allocation of marketing, advertising and promotions budgets; and monitoring effectiveness of spend. Oumasse has several years of experience in the hospitality industry gained with Sheraton Deira Hotel and Towers, Globe Trotters Travel & Tour Operators, Blue Arrow Voyages, Jet Tours and Meridien Hotel, in the UAE and in France. Oumasse is fluent in Arabic, French, English and German, and also speaks Spanish and Italian.

George Mathew, Operations Manager, will be responsible for the day-to-day formulation and execution of tasks on board the Al Minsaf; the development of operational mechanics; staff management and training and adherence to core brand values. Mathew's last position was as manager at Dubai-based Boston Foods, prior to which he was employed at the Taj Group of Hotels in India.

The executive team will be further assisted by a 10 member multi-cultural team, working towards the imminent launch of Al Minsaf, who will assist them in various sales and marketing functions. Bateaux Dubai's sales and marketing currently encompasses awareness building programmes, direct marketing, media communications and promotions focussing on local, regional and international audiences around the world, with a strategy based on an original, consumer-interactive approach.