Rezidor Expands Middle East Regional Office

The Rezidor Hotel Group – one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide – announces four new appointments in the Middle East Regional Office. The new additions to the regional team are, Stuart Allum as Purchasing Manager for the UAE, Stephanie Aboujaoude as Regional Marketing Manager, Aline Barhouche as Regional HR Manager and Ahmed Adam, Director of Sales for Saudi Arabia.

The substantial growth of the regional team is in-line with the current and future growth plans for Rezidor in the Middle East. The region is a crucial market for the hotel group; in 2011 key properties have opened across the region, including the first Hotel Missoni in the Middle East (Kuwait) plus three new properties under the core brand Radisson opened in the UAE.

“In-line with our growth plans in the region we recognise the importance of having a strong team in place. Each of the positions appointed will bring invaluable experience and knowledge to our team, which is crucial as we continue to aggressively grow our presence in the Middle East’, Marko Hytonen Area Vice President The Rezidor Hotel Group.

Stuart, who is British, joins Rezidor from Marketboomer International, a hospitality procurement solution provider, where he was Regional Operations Manager UK, EMEA. A highly experienced e-commerce and procurement professional with a successful track record in strategic operational management and large scale e-commerce project implementation. Stuart has successfully delivered over 10 international projects in the Middle East, Thailand and Singapore. During Stuart´s time with Marketboomer he worked closely with Starwood hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah.

Stephanie, who is half Lebanese half Canadian, has over 10 years experience in the hospitality industry. She first joined The Rezidor Hotel Group in 2006, during the group’s takeover of the former Intercontinental Hotel Dubai, now known as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek.

Stephanie played an instrumental part in the re-brand of the hotel and has established herself as a valuable member of the hotel’s team, working her way up from Public Relations Coordinator to Director of Marketing and Communications at the hotel, her most recent position. During her tenure at the hotel, Stephanie was also involved in initiating and coordinating various cluster marketing activities and programs.

Ahmed, a Sudanese national, also has over 10 years experience in the industry. He first joined The Rezidor Hotel Group in 2009, as Senior Sales Manager for the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. Ahmed is fluent in both English and Arabic and will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the KSA market to his new role. Ahmed will work closely with the ME Regional Sales and Marketing teams to develop initiatives to drive and establish brand awareness, maximize opportunities and increase profit in this crucial market. The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the first hotel chains to have a dedicated Director of Sales in the Kingdom.   

And last but not least, the newest member of the regional team is French national Aline. With over 12 years in the hospitality industry, she started her career as a Hospitality Management Trainee with Accor Hotels & Resorts back in 1999.

In early 2007 Aline made the move to the Middle East where she worked at the Middle East & Africa Headquarters Intercontinental Hotels Group before joining Abu Dhabi National Hotels as a Human Resources Manager, her most recent position.

Aline joined Rezidor’s Regional Office in Dubai in mid-November. Aline has expertise in all areas of HR including recruitment and selection, policies, procedures, performance management, employee relations, staff accommodation, compensation and benefits.

ENDS

About The Rezidor Hotel Group

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 415 hotels in operation and under development with more than 90,000 rooms in over 60 countries.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the Club Carlson loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand
Hotel Missoni.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, based in Minneapolis (USA), is the majority shareholder.

The Corporate office of the Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information on Rezidor, visit www.rezidor.com