Nominations

📑 David García Blancas has been appointed CEO of B&B HOTELS IBERIA, enhancing the group's presence in Iberia and boosting growth. With over 25 years of experience in aviation, entertainment, and hospitality, his previous roles include CEO of PortAventura (since 2019), CCO of Vueling Airlines (2015-2019), and CEO of LOT Airlines (2013-2015). His international experience spans Spain, France, Poland, the UK, China, and Australia.

🏡 Brad Berry et Philip Leighton rejoindront l'équipe de développement de Mandarin Oriental en juin 2025. Berry, avec 25+ ans d'expérience en développement résidentiel, sera Responsable des Résidences et Maisons, tandis que Leighton, expert avec 20+ ans dans le voyage de luxe, dirigera Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes. Berry a travaillé chez Rosewood Hotel Group et autres, tandis que Leighton a dirigé Villas by Bailey Robinson. Ces nominations renforcent le focus sur les résidences de luxe.

🏨 Coury Hospitality, an independent hotel operator from Dallas, will manage the 420-room Hard Rock Hotel San Diego starting July 1, 2025. This marks their largest asset to date. The company is expanding its portfolio with projects like the 105-room Seahaus Hotel in Atlantic City and managing the 150-room AC Hotel Bentonville in Arkansas. A full renovation of the San Diego hotel is planned for 2026. Coury now oversees 11 hotels in California, strengthening its presence in the lifestyle and luxury segment.

📆 Anders T. Dimblad has been appointed Cluster General Manager for Banyan Tree Dubai and Delano Dubai. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience across Singapore, Malaysia, Seychelles, Phuket, and now Dubai, Dimblad joined Banyan Group in 2003. He is renowned for his human-centric approach and operational excellence. Previously overseeing Laguna Phuket, he aligns well with Banyan Tree and Delano Dubai’s goals, operated by Ennismore. Dimblad aims to elevate these hotels as premier lifestyle destinations in the MENA region.

✈️ Brigitte Hidalgo appointed as director of the Tourism Innovation Global Summit on June 20, 2025. The next summit is in Seville from October 22-24, 2025. Airbus and MTU Aero Engines partnered on June 18, 2025, for hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. Visit Group acquired Iceland's GODO to expand in Northern Europe. Avionics market to grow from $48.84 billion in 2024 to $85.29 billion by 2030, with a 9.7% annual growth rate. Vivotek deploys 92 cameras in Chiba, Japan for taxi management.

🏨 Julien Michelot, with over 20 years in luxury hospitality, is now the General Manager at Villa Sahrai, Casablanca. Previously with Four Seasons George V and others, he transitions from La Tour Hassan Palace, Rabat. Villa Sahrai is set to open soon, featuring 56 rooms, two signature restaurants, a refined bar, advanced fitness center, and exceptional spa. This strategic move aims to establish Villa Sahrai as a luxury benchmark in Casablanca.

📦 Eurofragance, based in Barcelona, appoints Oumayma Tabet as General Manager for the Middle East starting January 2026. Tabet, with over 21 years in the fragrance industry, succeeds Antoine de Riedmatten, who served over ten years. This change follows exceptional growth in the Middle East in 2024 and accelerated dynamism in India, now under Mayur Kapse's leadership. Tabet has led Dubai's Creative Center for two years, a regional innovation hub.

🏨 Virgin Hotels Collection appoints Chris Stevens as COO and Rayhan Arif as CCFO to enhance its global reach and premium lifestyle hospitality offerings. Stevens, with nearly 25 years in hospitality, brings solid operational expertise from Hilton and Blackstone's BRE Hotels & Resorts. Arif, a key figure at Virgin Group with experience at Virgin Mobile LATAM and Virgin Orbit, knows the brand well, having served as Board Observer at Virgin Hotels.

🍻 Xavier Jaffret will assume the role of director general at Société des Brasseries du Gabon (Sobraga) on July 1, 2025, succeeding Fabrice Bonatti. The announcement was made by Grégory Clerc, CEO of the Castel group, on June 19, 2025, in Libreville. Sobraga, a key player in Gabon's brewing industry, manages a portfolio of 38 brands. This leadership change comes at a strategic time for the company.

🍳 Matthieu Pasgrimaud became the executive chef at Domaine des Étangs in Massignac in spring 2024. Previously, he earned a Michelin star and a Bib Gourmand at Domaine de la Brûlaire, Maine-et-Loire, in 2022. After the American group Auberge Resorts Collection acquired Domaine des Étangs a year prior, Pasgrimaud aims to elevate the culinary offer with a focus on French epicurean cuisine, blending tradition with innovation. The restaurant Dyades emphasizes regional ingredients.