Tag Archives: Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi

Millennium Hotels & Resorts announced the promotion of Kevork Deldelian to Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region effective immediately. Deldelian has been operating as the Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels & Resorts for the MEA region since March 2017, and under his strategic leadership, the company witnessed rapid growth and came closer to doubling its portfolio since he took over. He also played a pivotal role in implementing several strategies to enhance productivity throughout all its divisions to maximise the revenues. He has introduced three new brands to the Middle East region, namely Millennium Place, a modern hotel concept that caters to the new generation of business and leisure travellers; Studio M, a chic urban hotel brand; and Millennium Central, which caters  to the corporate and business requirements of travellers. Deldelian has been recognised amongst the top 10 most influential hotel professionals and ranked eighth in the 2019 edition of the Hotelier Middle East Power 50, the only list that recognises and celebrates the top 50 most influential hotel professionals in the Middle East hospitality industry. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, MEA, said, “Deldelian has efficiently managed the company’s operations since 2017 and has ensured ongoing success to the business. It is my pleasure to announce his promotion where he will be stepping into a greater role, and I look forward to working with him to continuously evolve Millennium Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Africa.”

Millennium Hotels & Resorts has launched the ‘TooMooH’ Internship Development tier as part of the ‘TooMooH’ programme, – a concerted programme to accelerate Emiratisation and promote regional talent and leadership development in the hospitality sector. This programme aims to integrate UAE nationals into the booming hospitality sector and boost their presence in the job market. According to Alpen Capital’s latest report on GCC Hospitality Industry 2018, the UAE hospitality market is expected to reach $7.6 billion by 2022 at a five-year CAGR of 8.5 per cent (2017-2022) and international tourist visits are expected to grow at a five-year CAGR of 4.3 per cent to 25.5 million while the hotel supply is expected to grow at a five-year CAGR of 6 per cent to 183,718 hotel rooms. These additional hotels will require a large hospitality professional talent pool. However, without the engagement and employment of local talent, hoteliers would find it difficult to manage such a large industry with just foreign professionals. The TooMooH Internship Development Programme (TIDP), part of the recently launched TooMooH initiative by Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, is aimed at increasing local employment in the hospitality industry and the overall private sector and designed for UAE national undergraduate students to gain work exposure. The duration of TIDP could range from three to six months. As part of the initiative, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA will partner with local colleges and universities to provide UAE national students with a comprehensive programme to support their enhancement of knowledge and skills, thus contributing positively to the hospitality industry and the country. “The Arabs are globally known for their warm hospitality tradition. However, the hospitality industry in the Arab world is …

Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East and Africa has announced plans to substantially expand its operating portfolio in the Middle East region over the next year with 12 hotels set to open in the next 12 months. The hotel openings for the global hotel operator will be in UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and its first property in Georgia. The new properties will add over 4,000 rooms to the Group’s existing operating portfolio of 26 hotels in the region, reinforcing its position as one of the fastest growing hotel operators and ensuring it stays on track to have 100 hotels by 2020. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President and CEO, Millennium & Copthorne MEA, said that they are entering a very exciting period in the group’s evolution which will see them extend their presence across the Gulf region as well as in new markets such as Georgia. They are building an enviable market share, with a unique portfolio of brands catering towards different audiences, from mid-scale through to luxury. They believe they are in a strong position to meet the needs of the market by offering global expertise alongside an understanding of the local market. These new openings bring them closer to realising their ambitious vision of having 100 hotels by 2020 and solidifying their position as a leading hotel operator in the region.