Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) has put in place a range of initiatives that will ensure the smooth and safe passage of pilgrims through the airport during the forthcoming Hajj season. Among these are measures to safeguard pilgrims’ health and security. In order to handle the four extra Etihad Airways’ flights (chartered specifically for Hajj), along with Saudi Arabian Airlines’ scheduled flights to Mecca and Medina, dedicated check-in counters have been put in place. Opposite these counters, space has been allocated to the Ministry of Health to provide pilgrims with personal Hajj kits and safety booklets, and a fully equipped Hajj clinic has been established in Terminal 1 to tackle any emergency diagnosis or treatment of pilgrims, should the need arise. In collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE), several Mufties will be available at the airport to assist pilgrims, attend to their queries, and advise them on religious and Hajj matters. In addition, AUH has worked closely with all its stakeholders such as airport police, Immigration and Customs departments, to provide a hassle-free airport experience for all passengers. Pilgrims will also be offered free food and beverage vouchers to enjoy at Abu Dhabi Duty Free while they wait to board their flights to Saudi Arabia. The airport is also implementing special arrival procedures to handle pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia with Zamzam water. Mohammed Al Katheeri, Acting Chief Operations Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports said: “It is an honor to provide support to pilgrims as they embark upon their journey from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Saudi Arabia. Hajj is a highly significant occasion that can also be physically demanding. We hope that the measures …

Ramy Khairallah has been appointed as the new General Manager of Grand Excelsior Hotel – Al Barsha. With his expertise in revenue management, sales and marketing, he is now entrusted by Bin Haider Hospitality division of Mohammed Omar Bin Haider Group to oversee the daily successful operation of this 230 rooms property as the leading hotel branch of its brand. His previous appointment includes Louvre Hotels Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts-The Luxury Collections where he stemmed the passion in developing sustainable environment through sharing his ideas of green initiatives.

Binu S. Varghese joins Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai as the new Director of Sales to further develop their growing portfolio of international, regional and national accounts. Varghese served as Executive Assistant Manager of Operations at Wyndham Dubai Marina. His 19 years’ of experience includes seven years with the Wyndham Hotel Group. He has vast experience over the EMA region as well as pre-openings in Bahrain, Tanzania and Ethiopia for the Wyndham Group.

Meliá Doha, the first five-star Spanish hotel in Qatar, has appointed Sherief Abouelmagd, an American Egyptian, as its new General Manager. After graduating in December 1988 with a Masters degree from Florida International University, US, in Hotel Management and Food Service, Abouelmagd started his 28 years’ career with Marriott Hotels International in the USA where he held several managerial positions including opening and managing as General Manager the North and South Carolina Courtyard by Marriott hotels.

Mahmoud Tabbara has joined Corinthia Hotel Khartoum as Director of Sales and Marketing to lead their team in affirming the property’s position as a leading five-star luxury hotel in Khartoum. A Lebanese national, Tabbara has gained experience within the hospitality sector while holding several senior positions with international hotel chains around the world including, Rotana, IHG, Ritz Carlton and Warwick. Having previously worked in Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Baghdad, he brings with him an extensive knowledge of sales and marketing in the Middle East.

International Swiss hospitality company Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R) has appointed Olivier Chavy, as new CEO. Chavy will take over the leadership from Jean-Gabriel Pérès in September 2016. Chavy is a veteran of the hospitality industry with a 28-year track record in hotel operations and brand management. He served as International Head, Global Brand Performance of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton Worldwide. His experience in brand building and development in the hospitality industry has led him to his current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Associates, the leading global interior architectural design firm. Chavy received his Master in Business Administration from Cornell University, a postgraduate diploma from ESSEC Business School and a BA in Hotel Management from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Hotel Management School in France.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Guenter Gebhard as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. Guenter Gebhard joined the Group in January 2016 from One & Only Hayman Island. Gebhard brings with him over 20 years of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, with senior management roles at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco, Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, St. Regis, Bangkok and a global role as Director of Operations, Restaurants & Food and Beverage Operations at Jumeirah Group, together with other assignments in the Middle East, Germany and New York. A German national, he speaks a variety of European languages and has a good understanding of Arabic.

Shahzad Butt has been in the hotel industry for 25 years. He was the Cluster General Manager of Chelsea Tower Hotel Apartments and Chelsea Gardens Hotel Apartments, and Group Director of Business Development for Chelsea Group of Hotel and Hotel Apartments in Dubai before joining Ramada Downtown Dubai. He started his career in hospitality with Hilton Worldwide, and later worked with Renaissance and Avari Hotels International, both in Pakistan and the UAE, where he served various positions including Assistant Manager, Regional Sales Manager, and Sales & Marketing Manager. In his role as General Manager, Butt will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 181-key property, ensuring high standards of quality and service in all aspects of guest experience.

Wyndham Hotel Group has now entrusted Rogier M. Hurkmans as Cluster General Manager for two of its hotels in the UAE. Hurkmans who was earlier the opening GM at the Wyndham Dubai Marina will now oversee TRYP by Wyndham located in Barsha Heights as well. In his new role, Hurkmans will be responsible for the opening of TRYP by Wyndham property located in Barsha Heights, which is due in the first half of 2017, as well as continuing to oversee operations at Wyndham Dubai Marina. With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Hurkmans brings a wealth of expertise and experience with reputed hotel chains including InterContinental, Hilton, Steigenberger, Swissôtel and Bilderberg working on a number of hotel openings, renovations, and rebranding projects.

Rana started his career in the sales discipline at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel in 2003. Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi will be his fifth hotel opening with Marriott across five different countries and three distinct Marriott brands. Nicholas will be responsible for Sales & Marketing for both properties and in seeing through the launch of the first Marriott Hotel in the capital.