Nominations

???? 🏨 Céline Bressot Meyer remains AFA President, a position she first held in 2023, and also serves as General Manager of Compagnie Française d'Hôtellerie. Jérôme Schibler named Vice-President, co-founder of Atypio Hotels & Resorts. Stéphanie Rollin joins AFA as Treasurer; she co-leads Hively Hospitality, established in 2023 and participated in last year's Hospitality Awards.

🏨 Laetitia Barchewitz has been appointed as the General Manager of Canopy by Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower. With over 30 years in the hospitality industry and a significant career at Hilton, her responsibilities include the strategic direction and performance optimization of the hotel. Barchewitz aims to enhance the hotel's services, increase local and international renown, and create a collective synergy within the establishment. She plans to eventize significant moments and improve overall offerings to establish the hotel as a flagship of the Canopy brand. Her priorities also involve boosting hotel occupancy by leveraging iconic spaces like the rooftop Eylau Paris and the l’Esprit Nouveau restaurant, as well as revising dining options to elevate the customer experience.

🍴 Marketing sensoriel key to distinguishing restaurants by engaging all five senses for memorable experiences. Techniques create emotional connection, crucial for customer retention and response to online reviews, transforming mere thanks into an evocative journey. Visual allure, scent evoking memories, taste promises, texture descriptions, and ambiance sounds enrich client interactions and enhance restaurant appeal in a saturated market.

🏨 Philip Ward, former CEO of Hotels & Hospitality at JLL for the EMEA region, has joined the board of technology-driven hotel operator Bob W as an independent non-executive director. With over three decades of experience in real estate, investment banking, and hotel consultancy, Ward's appointment comes amidst Bob W's rapid expansion across Europe, including in Greece. His role will involve guiding the strategic direction and acting as an independent voice for shareholders.

🏠 Thérèse Blay appointed as Director of Business Unit Hotels & Wellness at Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, a leading luxury hospitality reference in Marrakech known for its Palace, historical hotel, private villas and ksars, and award-winning Spa. With over 60 years of heritage, Blay's role effective from April 1, 2025, will focus on overseeing the hotel's global strategy, enhancing the wellness offerings, and advancing customer experience. Previously, Blay served as General Manager at Groupe Millésime and led iconic establishments in Southern France.

🏠 Baptiste Orlandini appointed as the new General Director of Choose Paris Region, enhancing the agency’s efforts to promote the Île-de-France area internationally. The agency acknowledges Lionel Grotto's seven-plus years of service. Orlandini's experience includes directing economic, innovation, and employment policies in the Île-de-France President's office and a role at the Cercle des économistes. His mission: to boost the region’s appeal by highlighting its economic, cultural, and tourist strengths, focusing on international investors and talents.

🏨 Philippe Leboeuf has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Dorchester Collection, effective June 2025. Leboeuf, an awarded hotelier with extensive luxury sector experience across several continents, will leverage his strategic vision and operational expertise to keep Dorchester Collection a top luxury hospitality brand. He has previously held significant roles, including General Manager at Concorde Hotels, overseeing 19 owned and 70 affiliated hotels, and executive positions at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Rosewood, and Claridge's. Most recently, he successfully led the opening of Raffles London as General Manager.

🏦 Philippe Leboeuf appointed as General Manager of Dorchester Collection, starting June 2025, succeeding Eugenio Pirri. A Cornell and HEC Paris alumnus, he previously held leadership roles at Raffles London, Concorde Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood, and Claridge's. Leboeuf's appointment is expected to bolster the global presence of Dorchester Collection, with his polyglot proficiency and industry-wide respect solidifying the group's culture and values.

📓 MAGORA has announced a restructuring to support development goals, focusing on market segments including managed accommodation and real estate services under brands like Odalys Vacances and Flower Campings. Johanna AMBIL is now General Manager of Odalys Vacances, previously overseeing Marketing, eCommerce, and Communication. Christian LETIENNE is appointed Deputy General Manager of Odalys Vacances and General Manager for Africa, tasked with upcoming openings in Kigali and Abidjan. Odalys Vacances operates 105 locations in France and markets over 110 properties across France, Spain, and Portugal.

🏦 Nicolas Kipper has been appointed as the General Manager of the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels, bringing over 30 years of hospitality experience from the Americas to Central and Southeastern Europe. Starting his career at Hyatt International, Kipper honed his luxury hospitality skills and later held key management positions at Marriott International, including General Manager roles at the Ritz-Carlton Budapest in Hungary and the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul in Turkey. Most recently, he served as General Manager at the Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, Turkey, within Accor group. His appointment aims to strengthen the hotel's reputation for Belgian art and refined hospitality.