Nominations

📰 Fabien Martinez took over as General Manager of Hilton Yaoundé in June 2025, celebrated alongside Maurice Enama Fouda of Cameroon Hotels Corporation. With a background in operations at top hotels in Shanghai, Dubai, Cairo, Lisbon, and Doha, Martinez has held roles such as Chef Exécutif, Director of Dining, and General Manager. An alum of Cornell University and recipient of the 2007 Master Chef of France, he managed hotels in Abidjan, Accra, Lagos, and Cape Town.

🏨 Juillet 2025, Miami Beach, FL: L'hôtel Balfour, un chef-d'œuvre Art déco inauguré en 1940, rouvre après rénovation, rejoignant la collection Morgans Originals. Situé dans le quartier South of Fifth, il offre 82 chambres au design contemporain. Son offre culinaire inclut le restaurant Cleo de la cheffe Camila Olarte. Le Balfour allie éléments historiques et modernité, proposant bar carts en chambre et service Lavazza, tout en préservant son charme architectural.

💰 Kevin Keogh has been appointed Director Europe for easyJet holidays as of July 15, 2025, in London. He will lead operations in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Kevin brings extensive experience from NEOM Tourism in Saudi Arabia and DER Touristik Deutschland, where he was SVP of Marketing & Sales. He aims to strengthen easyJet holidays' European position, enhance product offerings, and ensure seamless travel experiences, leveraging easyJet's broad flight network and value-focused model.

💻 easyJet holidays has appointed Kevin Keogh as Director for Europe, overseeing operations in Germany, Switzerland, and France. With extensive experience in travel, including senior roles at NEOM Tourism and DER Touristik Deutschland, he has a proven track record in marketing, sales, and customer service. Kevin aims to enhance easyJet holidays' market position and product offerings. His deep understanding of the French market and commitment to exceptional vacation experiences make him an ideal fit.

📈 Leeny Oberg, a key leader at Marriott since 1999, played a pivotal role in boosting shareholder value and outperforming the S&P 500. Recognized for her strategic investment in growth and cost competitiveness, she significantly impacted Marriott's success, including during the pandemic. Her leadership extended to roles at Ritz-Carlton and as Global Sales and Marketing VP. As she retires, Anthony Capuano, CEO, credits her with fostering talented leadership for Marriott's future.

💰 CFO Leeny Oberg, aged 65, will leave her executive role at Marriott International, having served since 2016. Oberg was pivotal in Starwood's integration and pandemic management. She focused on strategic investment optimization and global hotel development since February 2023. Oberg joined Marriott in 1999, previously serving as CFO for The Ritz-Carlton. Marriott plans for her departure by announcing successors internally. 🌍

🛥 Four Seasons Yachts appoints Ben Trodd, with 25 years of experience, as General Manager starting July 2025. The luxury yachting division launches in 2026, co-owned by Four Seasons and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. Trodd offers extensive operational expertise and a customer-focused vision from his luxury hotel background. This marks a key development in Four Seasons' experiential luxury ecosystem.

📈 Emilie Couton becomes the new Managing Director of Accor Plus, Asia-Pacific's leading subscription loyalty program, bringing over 24 years of experience with Accor and D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions. She's spent more than 20 years in Thailand and Singapore, understanding the region's dynamics. Mehdi Hemici, Accor's Chief Loyalty & E-Commerce Officer, highlights her visionary, data-driven approach. Accor Plus has offered unparalleled value for over 30 years, aiming to enhance member experiences under Emilie's leadership.

📁 Daniel van der Heijden, an experienced hotelier, resumes leadership of Radisson Collection Bamako after a sabbatical involving an Executive MBA and ventures like Stroom Advisory and Lekker Enterprises. With over 25 years in luxury hospitality across diverse locations such as Djibouti and Abu Dhabi, he is known for restructuring struggling hotels, like The Boma Nairobi. His new role in Bamako is seen as a challenging yet exciting opportunity.

🇺🇸 Ce vendredi, Charles Kushner, père de Jared Kushner, a été accueilli chaleureusement par l'Ambassade des États-Unis à Paris pour son premier jour officiel en tant qu'Ambassadeur des États-Unis en France et à Monaco. Il succède à Denise Campbell Bauer, en poste de 2022 à 2024. Kushner arrive avec une solide expérience dans les affaires et l'immobilier, et se concentrera sur les relations bilatérales, incluant la transition énergétique et la coopération scientifique.