Nominations

📍 Kasada cède l'Hôtel Ibis Douala au Cameroun avec ses 160 clés à Bocom, appartenant au milliardaire Dieudonné Bougne. L'acquisition initiale de l'hôtel faisait partie d'un portefeuille de 8 hôtels en 2021, une des plus importantes transactions transfrontalières d'hospitalité en Afrique à l'époque. L'hôtel, ouvert en 1985, dispose d'un restaurant, bar, piscine extérieure, salles de réunion et a reçu la certification écologique EDGE en 2022. Les détails financiers de la vente n'ont pas été révélés.

🏨 Australian Judd Rabbidge, with a background from Pacific International Hotel Management School (2008), is now General Manager at Avani+ Fares Maldives. Previously, he managed hotel operations for W Sydney and boosted W Bali – Seminyak’s luxury appeal from 2018 to 2022. His tenure included overseeing client satisfaction and profitability at two other Marriott properties. Stuart De San Nicolas of Minor Hotels Maldives endorses Rabbidge's sales and marketing expertise to drive revenue growth.

📍 Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) announces a strategic partnership with The MRS Group of Hotels, a leading Indian boutique hotel group. This partnership marks a significant development for SLH in the Indian subcontinent and positions MRS Group as a global player in contemporary hospitality. MRS Group's portfolio includes award-winning establishments like Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner, and Mary Budden Estate in Binsar, offering immersive heritage experiences. The collaboration will leverage SLH's global distribution network and marketing capabilities, expanding MRS Group's unique offerings to an international audience. MRS also gains from SLH's exclusive partnership with Hilton. Karan Singh Vaid, President of The MRS Group, expresses pride in being the first Indian independent hotel chain to partner with SLH.

🏨 Marie Bocquillon joins B&B Hotels as HR Director, previously holding the same position at Louvre Hotels Group and roles at ArcelorMittal, CGI, and Axa. Olivier Lucas is appointed Operations Director, bringing 30 years of experience from positions at Renault, Saint Gobain, Lapeyre, and Sonepar France. Marine Charles, General Manager of B&B Hotels Western Europe, emphasizes the importance of their expertise for growth and customer satisfaction.

🏠 Maison Breguet, located on rue Breguet in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, near Bastille and Marais, was acquired by Foncière Concorde in 2013. It was developed into a luxury living space by Foncière Concorde and TERLIA, featuring work from artisans and designed by English architecture studio Sagrada. Samuel Gelrubin, President of GROUPE TERROT, and Brice Errera, President of GROUPE GALIA, expressed pride in the establishment and its role in the community. Despite the decision to sell being difficult, they believe FMPL is the ideal partner to take the hotel to new heights.

🏨 The Crowne Plaza Macquarie Park, transitioning from Courtyard by Marriott, will open early 2025 with 196 rooms and undergo a full renovation. Crowne Plaza Sydney Airport, formerly Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, will rebrand in September 2024, following a $15 million renovation in 2022. With 252 rooms, it aims to move from mid-scale to upscale, enhancing its appeal to business and leisure travelers. Trilogy Hotels manages these IHG Australasian properties under Star Millennium Pty Ltd.

✈ Mohammad Lootah, based at Emirates' office in Zurich, will oversee the airline's entire operations in Switzerland, including sales and service for passenger and airport operations. Emirates currently operates two daily flights between Zurich, Geneva, and its global hub in Dubai. Lootah, a UAE national, has been with Emirates since 2016, holding leadership roles throughout the Middle East, and most recently was the Regional Manager for Israel. He reports to Thierry Aucoc, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Europe and the Russian Federation. Lootah replaces Juerg Mueller, who served Emirates for 16 years, supporting successful operations in Switzerland.

🍴 Yannick Branchereau, managing director of Tour d'Argent since 2018, announces his departure. Previously with Hédiard (1992-1997), he moved to Castorama (1997-2002), then entered the wine and spirits sector with his BTS Technico-commercial focused on those products. He co-founded Lavinia in 2002, rose to lead its holding company "Lavinia Seleccion" in 2014, before his last role at Tour d'Argent. Co-founder Thierry Servant passed away on December 28, 2015.

🏖️ Guillaume Brun, 40, appointed as Operations Director at French holiday specialist Azureva on June 1, 2024. Brun, with family ties to hospitality and a passion for skiing, managed Residence Le Belvédère aux Orres at 22 in 2005, and oversaw five tourism residences as Regional Director of Alpes du Sud at Noemys in 2008. He joined Indevho in 2011, handling 30 hotels nationwide. Now based in Aix-en-Provence, he ensures quality and performance for 14 holiday villages.

🍴 Chef François Gagnaire was elected president during the General Assembly of the Auvergne brand at Vulcania Park, Puy-de-Dôme. Known for his first gastronomic restaurant in Puy-en-Velay, awarded a Michelin star in 2006, Gagnaire opened ANICIA with his wife Isabelle in Paris's 6th arrondissement in 2015, focusing on bistronomic seasonal cuisine featuring Auvergne products. He emphasizes the brand's objective to showcase the region's assets and potential.