Nominations

🏦 Thibaut Drege rejoined the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris in September 2024 after nearly two years as General Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest. Drege, with 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, first became part of George V in 2018 and managed a team of 600, started his journey with Four Seasons following his education at École Hôtelière de Lausanne (2000-2004). He left his position as Hotel Manager of the Parisian palace in January 2023.

📅 Sébastien Gea, a manager with Marriott International since 2003, was appointed as the head of Le Méridien N'fis Marrakech after more than four years at Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco. He started his career as Front Office Manager at Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport in 2003 for two years and worked at Renaissance Paris La Défense, restructuring the reception team and improving financial results and audits. In 2009, he became Director of Rooms Operation at Courtyard by Marriott Neuilly, where he implemented OPERA and GIVEX programs.

🏂 La Compagnie des Alpes (CDA) announced key executive appointments: Rémi Fournial as director of strategy and development, and Aymeric Noizet as head of information systems and digital. Fournial, previously with Caisse des dépôts, will focus on growth opportunities and project coordination, while Noizet, with past roles at Société Générale and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, will oversee information systems, joining after leading a fleet management of 100,000 vehicles. CDA reported a 10.1% revenue increase to €1.24 billion for 2023/2024, with an EBITDA close to €350 million.

💸 Preferred Travel Group announced promotions to global leadership positions: Christopher Ahlgrim as VP, East Americas; Renee Haddad as VP, Hotel Revenue Optimization – USA & Canada; Stephanie Calhoun as Senior VP, Operations – Historic Hotels; Priscilla Haryadi as Area Managing Director, Northern Europe. These moves aim to accelerate company growth and expand global influence across its diversified brands. Michelle Woodley, President of Preferred Travel Group, highlighted the importance of evolving with the industry and supporting partners.

🏦 Scott Woroch joined Mandarin Oriental International Limited as an Independent Non-Executive Director on November 4. With over 30 years in luxury hospitality, Woroch is co-founder and General Manager of Kadenwood Partners. Previously, he worked 15 years at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, holding various leadership roles, including Executive Vice President Worldwide. His appointment brings the board's independent non-executive directors to 50%.

L’Hôtel Pilgrim, un boutique-hôtel 4 étoiles de 53 chambres à Paris, change de mains et rejoint la collection du groupe Ginto Hôtels à partir du 4 novembre 2024.

📌 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.

💼 Trix van der Vleuten joined The Social Hub as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead the newly restructured Marketing & Performance team. The Social Hub, offering hotel facilities, student accommodation, long-term stays, co-working spaces, gyms, and event spaces under one roof, operates 18 sites in Europe. Daniel Hernández Lyon, former public affairs expert at Edelman, became Director of Global Communications at The Social Hub at the end of 2023. Anne Koning, former global brand and social media director at Netflix, joined as Global Director of Brand and Content in September. Nathalie Wilson, from the travel sector, started as Marketing Director in September. A new Commercial Director's recruitment is underway. The team aims to strengthen The Social Hub's integrated marketing and commercial operations, executing global and regional strategies.

📌 Bo Nylandsted Larsen, with over 20 years of commercial leadership experience, joins Kolpin Hotels after a career spanning Scandinavian Airlines, Cruise Baltic, and Cruise Copenhagen. He has a strong background in strategic sales, marketing, partnerships, strategy, and product development in fast-evolving industries like airlines, cruises, healthcare, and shipping. Kolpin Hotels' CEO, Karim Nielsen, notes Larsen's well-known status in the Danish hospitality sector and anticipates that his leadership will elevate the company to new markets and growth phases, stressing the importance of sales, marketing, PR, and partnerships.