Nominations

🏡 Marcus Hanna, formerly with Accor for nearly two decades, joins La Vie Hotels & Resorts. He has experience in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, London, Malta, San Francisco, and Singapore. His career began at Sydney's The Regent during his hotel management studies and competitive rowing, where he won multiple Australian championships and represented the country internationally. In 1995, Hanna moved to InterContinental Sydney and later worked at various international locations. He returned to Australia after a decade abroad, continuing his career at Sofitel Melbourne and participating in the opening of Qantas first-class lounges. Hanna's move coincides with La Vie's expansion, including the recent addition of Adge Hotel and Residences and the launch of NOOE Hotels and Restaurants, highlighted by a flagship resort in the Maldives.

🏢 Magnicity, a global leader in high-altitude urban leisure activities, appoints Caroline Biros as Marketing and Communications Director and Nelly Floriach as Customer Experience and Innovations Director. These nominations come as the company, headquartered in Paris, aims to support its growth and forthcoming opening of new sites. Magnicity operates attractions like the Montparnasse Tower Observatory in Paris, Berlin's TV Tower, Rotterdam's Euromast, and 360 Chicago. Biros, with 12 years at Philips and a dual background from ESTP and HEC, reinforces the executive committee's expertise.

🏠 Over 50% of the portfolio to be modernized under a new investment plan, increasing room numbers and implementing major renovation programs. The launch coincides with Robin Leahy's appointment as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions, overseeing the growth strategy.

🏨 Veteran hotelier Dagmar Lyons joins Raffles following her role as Hotel Director at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver, where she achieved Forbes Five-Star distinctions for the hotel and spa in consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. With a career spanning North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Lyons now oversees Raffles Hotel Le Royal, an iconic luxury hotel in Southeast Asia, renowned for its rich history, exquisite dining including the Khmer restaurant Le Royal, French-style brasserie Le Phnom 1929, celebrated Elephant Bar, and an award-winning spa. The hotel continues to garner accolades, recently named best city hotel in Cambodia by Travel + Leisure and recognized by the UK's Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.

📈 Jonathan Damani, with a 15+-year career in tourism and a marketing degree from UQAM, has been appointed as the Development Director at Aya Voyages. He co-founded Light Trip in 2019 and has held key roles at Valdys, Suntrade, and Croisière Jaune. Damani's digital expertise and innovative vision aim to position Aya Voyages as a leader in bespoke travel experiences worldwide.

🏦 Cordillera Capital, a strategic real estate advisory firm specializing in hospitality, has expanded its expertise by attracting renowned professionals. Xavier de Saqui de Sannes, with nearly 25 years of experience and having served as the Director of Asset Management France at AEW from 2020 to 2024, joins the Executive Committee. Arnaud Viotte, aged 65 with a background from EPFL, and Marc Vieilledent as Senior Advisor also reinforce the team.

🍰 Benoît Castel, renowned artisan baker-pâtissier, joins Groupe Delineo as an independent board member, bringing his expertise to foster culinary innovation and new product strategies. With a career spanning top establishments like Hélène Darroze's first restaurant and Le Bon Marché, Castel ventured into entrepreneurship in 2012, now owning four Parisian locations and his grocery store, l'Alimentation. Castel aims to enrich the group's growth, impacting both French daily life and international markets.

🏠 William Numa appointed as General Manager of the Gstaad region, bringing extensive luxury hospitality experience from France and most recently as General Manager of the Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf in St. Barths. His leadership is expected to enhance Ultima Hotel Gstaad's success and the launch and positioning of Ultima Gstaad Promenade. The announcement was made by Petar Krstic, General Manager of Ultima Capital.

🏨 Isabelle Bouvier appointed Resort Director in La Baule and General Manager of Hôtel Barrière L'Hermitage, effective from September 30, 2024. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Bouvier's career began at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, later joining Concorde Hotels & Resorts as Marketing Director (2007), and The Peninsula Paris as Sales and Marketing Director (2013). Led the reopening and elevation of Hôtel Lutetia to "Palace de France" status (2019).

🏦 Isabelle Bouvier joined Groupe Barrière on September 30, under Romain Meiran, to enhance La Baule establishments, ensure quality, service excellence, and profitability, and manage staff well-being and customer satisfaction. With over 20 years in luxury hospitality, she's held leadership roles at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Concorde Hotels & Resorts, and was pivotal in the Peninsula Paris opening.