Bahrain's Crowne Plaza welcomes new Sales and Marketing Director

The appointment is a welcome move up the corporate ladder for Bassila, who joined the InterContinental Hotels Group in 1997 as sales manager at the Crowne Plaza Dubai, before becoming the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai in 2001.

Moving into the new role in Bahrain after a short-term stint at the Crowne Plaza Beirut, Bassila said: "It is wonderful to witness first-hand an organization delivering on its promises. From the very start of my career with InterContinental Hotels Group I was told that hard work and dedication would be rewarded. This appointment further reinforces my belief that the company is committed to inspiring and driving its staff."

The Canadian national - who is a hotel management graduate from Vancouver - looks forward to developing the hotel's marketing strategies and action plans, while leading the sales team on its drive to greater success.

In promoting the 246-room Crown Plaza Bahrain, currently undergoing a thorough refurbishment throughout many rooms as well as the health facilities, Bassila will also in be focusing on the development of two authentic restaurants, currently in the pipeline.

"The Crowne Plaza Bahrain is a beautiful property that currently attracts many visitors from Europe and North America, but it is also a destination of choice for weekend GCC travellers and corporate customers from around the Middle East," said Bassila. "Based on the strong mix of clientele that we are servicing, it is at the core of our understanding to provide an array of options that will suit all of our guests' tastes."

Commenting on the appointment of Bassila, Denis Johnson, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa, said: "The Crowne Plaza Bahrain is a very important and popular property within the group and it is wonderful to see that its' sales and marketing aspect is in the hands of a hotel professional."