Nominations

👨 Stefan Reiter, with Hilton since 1993, returned in January as head of Hilton Sofia, which he previously led from 2012 to 2017. At 57, his notable career includes opening the Hilton Riyadh Olaya in May 2024 after a four-year preparation, making it a luxury symbol with 239 rooms and three restaurants. He also launched the Hilton Astana in 2017, achieving the country's best congress hotel in under two years, and opened the Hampton by Hilton Turkistan in 2020.

📖 The Oetker family, owners of the Bristol Paris, appoints a new chef with two Michelin stars and the title of MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France). The renowned Epicure restaurant at the Bristol, located on Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, offers a culinary journey through France under the new chef, previously known for serving at the Auberge du Jeu de Paume for the Aga Khan, and hosting Barack Obama and Bono at La Chèvre d’Or in Èze. This marks a significant move from his comfort zone in Nice, where he spent eight years and developed the "Rivyera" concept.

🏨 Tarek Beheiry, a hospitality industry veteran with over 20 years of experience across Asia, Africa, and Australasia, was appointed to lead INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit. The 208-room hotel spans 34 floors in Bangkok's trendy On Nut district, featuring a high-rise transparent infinity pool, a rooftop tapas bar, and integrated coworking spaces. Beheiry's role at Meliá Hotels International marks his first collaboration with the Spanish hotel group, known for its global presence and expanding footprint in Asia. Previously, he managed the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon in South Korea, W Koh Samui, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G in Thailand, and held operational roles at Sofitel in Egypt, Australia, and Singapore for a decade. Beheiry, a Helwan University Cairo graduate in tourism and hotel management, began his career at Sofitel and became General Manager of Hotel G Singapore in 2017.

📈 Jean-Jacques Morin, administrateur at AccorInvest, is tasked with selling Accor's 31% stake within a maximum of 18 months, as confirmed by Sébastien Bazin during a financial analysts' meeting. This move follows Accor's decision to discontinue its ownership in the real estate firm it established.

🚩 The Aqualud transformation project into a luxury hotel in Le Touquet, known as "Projet La Dune" (announced on March 4, 2023), is experiencing difficulties after NAOS's liquidation. Le Touquet revoked LB Investissements' management due to site security concerns, frequented by urban explorers and squatters. Vinci remains in charge of construction permits, but a new hotel group partner is needed to proceed.

🏡 Transaxio Hôtel finalized the sale of both property and business of the 3-star Hôtel des Châteaux, which has 27 comfortable rooms and a seasonal homemade cuisine restaurant. The hotel is strategically located near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area and the famous Azay-le-Rideau castle. The buyer, Immovation group, led by Alain Fournier, owns about 15 mid-range hotels, mainly in western France. The acquisition was facilitated by Fabrice Le Mouroux of Transaxio Hôtel and Sissel Thorstensen of Fan Worldwide France. Immovation plans to extend and upgrade the hotel to enhance customer experience.

📢 Nada Sheshtawy now leads the commercial strategies of Rotana, targeting strategic revenue growth, market share and profitability expansion across its portfolio of 82 operational hotels. Sheshtawy's career spans key leadership roles in global hotel brands and managing her own enterprise twice, with a focus on sales, revenue, marketing, and brand strategies in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Rotana currently operates 82 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, with a strong pipeline of new projects in the MENAT region and the international market.

🏨 Tobias Reinecke leads Choice Hotels' development team for the EMEA region, targeting the company's ambitious growth strategy and portfolio enhancement. He focuses on high-value investment deals, portfolios, partnerships, and individual franchises to drive sustainable profit growth. David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA, and other seasoned professionals including Mayella Ruijven, Dylan McCarthy, Corina Breban, Cedric Bartolini, and Marielle Vroemen, support the strategic vision and the region's continuous success.

💸 Valerio Duchini, with a 16-year tenure at B&B HOTELS, after roles in Vodafone Automotive and Compass Group Italia, has been appointed for Western Europe development. Duchini, 52, led B&B HOTELS to market leadership in Italy and opened the first 3 hotels in the US. Holds an economics degree, a master's in tourism management from Ca’ Foscari University, and an AMP from Harvard Business School. Fabrice Collet, President of B&B HOTELS, acknowledges his strategic vision for European market expansion.