New appointments to support Rotana's expansion

Announcing the new appointments, Omer Kaddouri, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Rotana, said the moves come in the light of the brand increasing its footprint across many vibrant markets in the region in 2013 with the launch of several new properties across the Middle East, which will take the number of rooms under its management to more than 14,500 by the end of the year. The properties in the pipeline include the 119-key Majestic Arjaan by Rotana in Bahrain, the 257-key Hili Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Ain, UAE, and the 444-key Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa in Salalah, Oman.

Also on the list of 2013 openings are two properties of great significance in Rotana's history: the 427-key Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana in Amman, which will be Rotana's first foray into Jordan; the 200-key Karbala Rayhaan by Rotana, its second property in Iraq.

"The rapid expansion that Rotana is going through necessitates the best use of our human resources and rapid upskilling of our managerial talent," Omer said. "Bringing the top talent in the industry to Rotana from outside the company and enabling our colleagues to expand their experience and knowledge base will reap rich dividends for the company in future."

Speaking about the new appointments, Omer said Mr. Mohamad Haj Hassan is Rotana's new Area Vice President for Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Sudan. With more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry and an in-depth knowledge of the countries he will be responsible for, Mohamad is an old Rotana hand who is returning to the fold after two years.

Omer also announced the appointment of Francisco Giles as the General Manager of the Park Rotana and Park Arjaan Complex. Francisco, a new member of the Rotana family, is a British national with more than 23 years of international experience within the hotel industry. "This wealth of experience that Francisco brings is what Rotana needs at this juncture in order to improve even further and offer the best of world-class facilities at the properties he will be managing," Omer said.

The Rotana COO also announced the promotion of Eleni Tsolakou to the post of Hotel Manager of the Centro Barsha, Dubai. She was serving as the Executive Assistant Manager at Yas Island Rotana and Centro Yas Island. "At Rotana we have a policy of rewarding performance and enabling our colleagues to grow and learn by taking on bigger responsibilities. This further enhances their skills and experience, and increases their suitability to take on higher management roles in the future as we grow and expand," Omer said.

Three transfers were also announced of Rotana colleagues at the General Manager level to newer locations across the brand. Sherif Madkour who was the General Manager at Centro Barsha, Dubai, has been posted to the Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi as the new General Manager there. Mostafa Tantawi, who was the Geneal Manager at Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi, will now take charge at the Al Marwa Rayhaan, Makkah. Meanwhile, Hany Khorshid will take over as the General Manager of Coral Beach Rotana Resort - Tiran, Sharm El Sheikh, from his previous posting at the Al Marwa Rayhaan, Makkah.

"Transfers are an integral part of our management and personnel development policy," Omer said. "They enable Rotana colleagues to work in various new properties and markets with their unique sets of challenges that need to be met. This enables our colleagues to develop more creative thinking and gain a rich variety of experience, which is all part of our policy for enabling our colleagues to grow professionally and realize their full potential."