Nominations

📆 Alberto Gutiérrez passes CEO role to Andrés Spitzer at Civitatis on January 1, 2026, after 18 years. Founded in 2008, Civitatis serves 750 million hispanophones and lusophones, showing 40% growth in Latin America. The platform offers 95,000 activities in 4,200 destinations across 160 countries, with 1.2 million monthly users. Vitruvian Partners, the main shareholder since June 2024, supports Spitzer’s tech-driven growth strategy. Enrique Espinel continues to focus on international expansion.

☕ Le 15 décembre 2025, chez Cafés Folliet, situé en France, Guillaume, le responsable de torréfaction, a obtenu la prestigieuse certification Q-Grader Arabica. Cette distinction rare marque une nouvelle étape pour la passion de l'entreprise envers le café de qualité.

🏨 Carlos de la Barra, with over 20 years in luxury hospitality, becomes the General Manager at Hôtel Sereno in Saint Barthélémy. His past roles include positions at Atlantis The Palm Dubai and Bulgari Hotels. Carlos is a Les Roches alum and has worked in Asia, Europe, and Mexico. At Sereno, he will oversee operations and enhance luxury protocols. Sereno is lauded for properties like Il Sereno Lago di Como, focusing on design and contemporary elegance.

🏨 En 2024, le Danemark atteint un record de 20 millions de nuitées hôtelières, avec Copenhague au cœur de cette dynamique. Meininger Hotels rebrand son hôtel à Copenhague, ouvert en 2015 sous le nom Urban House Copenhagen, en MEININGER Hotel Copenhagen Vesterbro. Cet hôtel de 235 chambres et 873 lits, initialement un concept hybride, s'aligne désormais avec l'architecture de marque européenne, renforçant la visibilité sur un marché nordique en croissance.

📅 Greg Webb will step down as CEO of Travelport on March 31, 2026, but remain on the Board. John Mangelaars, current COO, will succeed him as CEO on April 1, 2026. Travelport highlights continuity, with Webb having led since 2019. Chairman John Swainson praised Webb for elevating Travelport among global travel distribution leaders. Mangelaars joined Travelport recently, following roles at Skyscanner and Microsoft, and will leverage his tech expertise to further the company's progress.

📜 Accor, a global hospitality leader, appoints Karelle Lamouche as CEO for Europe and North Africa for its Premium, Midscale, and Economy brands. She will manage over 3,000 hotels across 40 countries, representing 40% of Accor's global network. Karelle joined Accor in 1998, has 30 years of experience, and was previously Director of Operations for Europe and North Africa.

📈 Pauline Duval, Directrice Générale du Groupe Duval, a été nommée Présidente du Groupe Magora. Elle succède à Laurent Dusollier pour piloter la stratégie du leader européen des résidences gérées. Le Groupe Duval opère dans plus de 20 pays, emploie 6 000 personnes et affiche un chiffre d'affaires de 1 milliard d'euros. Magora prévoit d'accélérer son développement en Europe, en Afrique et en Asie, en diversifiant ses activités.

🏨 Thomas Esnée is the third generation of a family hotel group established over 45 years ago. It began in 1981 in Rouen and was among the first Accor franchisees. The group continues expanding through franchising and has created its own brands, like YOU, and diversified into viticulture and third-party management. Thomas has been involved since childhood, joining the business full-time after completing his hotel studies, and started working at 22 or 23 years old.

🏨 Todd Williams, with over 20 years in premium hospitality, becomes General Manager at Peppers Seminyak, Bali's only Peppers resort outside Australia and New Zealand. The resort, featuring 52 private villas totaling over 160 rooms, each with a pool and terrace, is located in a tranquil yet vibrant area of Seminyak. Starting January 2026, Todd will lead a comprehensive enhancement program, renovating all villas and introducing a new concept to elevate guests' experiences.

📈 Arash Azarbarzin is appointed CEO of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, driving the brand's global transformation with a luxury-focused vision. Strategic growth includes partnerships with African Bush Camps in Zambia and Botswana and the Viceroy at Ombria Algarve in Portugal. A U.S. resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, is planned for summer 2026. New projects are set for Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Waikiki Beach, Puerto Rico, New York, and Hudson Valley. Four executives join the team to support this phase.