Nominations

🍷 Célia Debatty, aged 22, joins the Hôtel Bleu as sommelier at the L’Oursin, a gourmet restaurant led by chef Ilane Tinchant. With substantial gastronomy experience, Debatty has worked at prestigious establishments including Alain Bianchin 1* in Brussels and La Mère Germaine 1*, a century-old French culinary institution. A graduate from Institut IPES Wavre with a "Jockey" specialization, her skills in balance, precision, endurance, concentration, sensitivity, and a passion for living earth enhance her wine expertise.

🏥 Anna Nash joins Explora Journeys' executive team, bringing over two decades of experience from top ultra-luxury hotel brands. Formerly the Commercial Director at Aman, Nash played a key role in global commercial strategies and brand expansion. She held positions in sales, brand development, marketing, digital, PR, and business intelligence. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC's cruise division, believes Nash's expertise will help position Explora as a leader in luxury travel.

📢 Arno Schwalie, previously CEO of Lindner Hotel Group since 2022, succeeds Max C. Luscher, who led for 8 years. Schwalie now oversees over 200 hotels across Germany, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. His past roles include Executive VP at Korian (2017-2021) and Senior Area Vice President at Radisson (2015-2017). He aims to double the presence in Central and Northern Europe in the next five years. Luscher praised the team's accomplishments in client and employee satisfaction.

🏦 Michael Pouyer began his career at Hôtel Champs-Élysées Plaza, climbing the ranks from Agent to Director of Accommodation. He became the Operations Director at Hôtel Les Théâtres and then General Manager at Padam Hôtel, overseeing the opening and operation. By summer 2024, Pouyer will lead as General Manager of the prestigious Roch Hôtel & Spa. La Compagnie Hôtelière de Bagatelle, since 2010, now runs seven boutique hotels totaling 287 rooms in Paris.

🏨 Cécile Benoit-Cattin, appointed VP Hotel Sales Relation & Business Development for Accor Europe & South Africa in early July. Began career at California Paris under "Les Hôtels du Roy". Joined Accor and Pullman Paris Bercy (formerly Sofitel) in 2003 as MICE sales executive, became Deputy Director of Sales in 2007. In 2009, named "Director of Leisure Sales" at the Pullman cluster and by 2015, Director of Sales for Major Meetings & Events Accounts at AccorHotels France.

🍴 Lionel Levy, renowned chef of Marseille's IHG, has joined LJ Hôtels & Co as Director of Catering and Events. LJ Hôtels & Co, based in Béziers, includes L’hôtel Particulier, L’hôtel In Situ****, l’hôtel café glacier le XIX***, l’hôtel Imperator***, restaurant Pica-Pica, with Château de Lignan and restaurant Cocci as upcoming projects. The news was reported by Bouillantes.

🏨 L'Hôtel Kyriad Colmar Centre Unterlinden devient l'Hôtel Gustave dès le 4 septembre 2024, à Colmar. Renommé pour mieux refléter son identité et valeurs uniques, l'hôtel offre 48 chambres inspirées de la Belle Époque et de personnalités comme Gustave Eiffel et Auguste Bartholdi, un salon convivial, et un buffet petit-déjeuner mettant en avant les saveurs alsaciennes.

🍴 Romain Henry is appointed the new Director of Restaurant Services at Domaine de Verchant in Castelnau-le-Lez, Hérault. He oversees the gourmet restaurant Marcelle, the brasserie La Plage, pool offerings, room service, breakfast, wine cellar, and sommelier services. Henry previously held positions at Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme and Maze Restaurant by Gordon Ramsay in London. He was a finalist in the "Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" contest in 2022 and won "Meilleur Sommelier 'Sud de France' 2009" in the UK. Henry also founded bistros in Béziers and Nébian and is a trainer at Purple Campus Béziers.

🍾 Berta de Pablos-Barbier left the presidency of LVMH champagnes (Moët & Chandon) in 2023, succeeded by Sibylle Scherer. Thomas Moradpour joined Dom Pérignon and Julien Morel headed Mercier. Despite new governance, LVMH faced a global drop in champagne consumption, complex geopolitics, and luxury tariffs, notably from China. Laurent Boidevezi, president of Moët Hennessy's Asia-Pacific and travel retail for over 20 years, is set to leave amid these challenges. Moët Hennessy confirmed as LVMH's weakest division in July report.

🏨 Nicole Braendle, first woman to lead HotellerieSuisse and appointed just 6 months ago, resigns to avoid conflict of interest due to her husband's recent appointment as President of the Swiss National Bank. The executive committee of HotellerieSuisse must now restart the selection process, initially assisted by a consulting firm, to find a suitable successor.