Nominations

📌 B&B Hotels appointed Katja Jenne as Head of Marketing and Communication for Central and Northern Europe, starting November 1, 2024. Jenne, with the company since 2022, succeeds Patrizio Iaquinandi and reports to Chief Digital Officer, Frank Seedorff. She'll lead a team of 13, focusing on brand strategy, marketing campaigns, and PR to support the company's regional goals. Jenne aims to enhance brand trust through targeted, creative communication and a strong focus on customer needs.

🏖️ Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Tourism Development Fund (TDF), joins the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Bringing over two decades of investment and corporate banking experience, Al-Fakhri has held top positions such as investment advisor to the Saudi Minister of Tourism, co-founder of Tiraz AlArabia, and CEO of Al Ajial Holding. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, welcomed his extensive expertise.

🏨 Paul Mulcahy, with over 20 years of experience in commercial strategy and corporate restructuring, has been appointed as the Commercial Director for The Lux Collective, a hotel management group, as part of its global expansion. Based in Mauritius, Mulcahy holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Leicester and an MBA from the University of Lancaster. Formerly a Senior Vice President at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, he significantly contributed to their global revenue and led a successful commercial and digital transformation.

🏢 Richard Ginioux appointed on November 4, 2024, as Director of Excelia Tourism School and head of development for specialized Excelia schools. Formerly the General Manager of FERRANDI Paris, Ginioux succeeds Pascal Capellari. His role includes driving strategic repositioning, establishing a distinctive brand in line with the school's purpose, and overseeing development to diversify Excelia's initial training offerings.

🍴 Nicolas Le Tirrand, chef of Sources* in Lorient since summer 2020, sold his Michelin-starred restaurant to lead the kitchens at Les Mouettes hotel in Larmor-Plage, his hometown, starting March 2025. Partnering with owner Gérard Le Faouder and associate director Frédéric Avignon, Le Tirrand will introduce two new dining areas: a seasonal bistrot in spring 2025 and a sea-focused gastronomic restaurant after extensive renovations ending late 2025.

🏌️ Thomas Benassayag marks one year as General Manager at Opio-Valbonne Golf Resort with a focus on enhancing the resort experience and positioning it as a European leader. His tenure is highlighted by a new dynamic reflecting values of conviviality, wellness, and nature connection. Benassayag's strategy involves improving synergy between golf and hotel teams, resulting in smoother operations and exceptional customer service. Opio-Valbonne Golf Resort now embraces a "lifestyle" golf vision to meet modern golfer expectations.

🏨 Paul Mulcahy has joined The Lux Collective as Commercial Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in business strategy and corporate transformation in hospitality and tourism. Previously, he was the General Manager for North America at RCI, focused on growth and operational efficiency, also serving at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and Pierre & Vacances - CenterParcs Group. Mulcahy's new role will enhance the brand's market presence and support team development, crucial for the company's expansion in the luxury hospitality sector.

🏠 Juliette Granon appointed as the Director of Communication at Rosewood São Paulo, bringing over 15 years of luxury, fashion, and media experience. Previously involved with elite brands like Lanvin, ELLE, and Air France Media, Granon also founded a consultancy between France and Brazil. She aims to enhance the hotel's reputation as a luxury icon in São Paulo through strategic communication and branding, targeting discerning international clients.

📈 Krispy Kreme France announced key additions to its leadership team as part of a major development plan. Cladie Olivier, with seven years of experience in digital solutions for the restaurant industry from Otter and Melba (formerly FoodMeUp), is appointed as Director of e-commerce. Laura Sixou, with Retail experience from McKinsey and an MBA from Harvard, takes over as Director of Retail Operations. This strategic move comes one year after Krispy Kreme's launch and aims to lead the company to manage nearly 20 stores by the end of 2024.

🏨 Minor Hotels has appointed Omar Romero as Chief Development and Luxury Officer, a new role aimed at furthering global expansion. Romero, a veteran with over two decades of experience, previously served as Chief Development Officer at Six Senses. Based in Bangkok, he will report to Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Minor International, leading global development strategy and managing key stakeholder relationships. Romero's focus will include identifying new business opportunities and supporting the creation of luxury brands for Minor Hotels.