Nominations

🏖 Jos Vranken managed the Dutch tourism and conventions office (NBTC) for 17 years, collaborating closely with educational institutions and initiating the National Data Alliance for the hospitality sector. Previously, he directed NBTC operations in the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia from London and held directorial roles at Avenance Netherlands and Stayokay.

🏨 Jos Vranken will become President of the Board of Directors at Hotelschool The Hague from April 1, 2025, succeeding Regine von Stieglitz who has led since 2018. Vranken has over 17 years as General Director of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) and contributed to the national vision Perspective 2030. Roeland Vos, Chair of the Supervisory Board, values Vranken's strategic vision and deep industry connections for guiding the institution's future.

🏨 Sébastien Mariette appointed as General Manager of the upcoming Kempinski Hotel Harbour Heights Bahrain, set to open in Manama's port in summer 2025. He will also serve as Vice President of Operations for Kempinski hotels in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the Levant, and Morocco. Mariette, with a tenure at Kempinski since 2007, has managed properties in Bulgaria, Djibouti, China, Jordan, and Dubai. 🏨

🏕 Hyatt Hotels Corporation forms a 50/50 strategic joint venture with Grupo Piñero, headquartered in Palma de Majorca, Spain, to manage Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts' 22 hotel complexes with approximately 12,000 rooms across the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Spain, including the exclusive Cayo Levantado Resort. Julio Pérez, CEO of Bahia Principe, leads the venture, with Encarna Piñero, CEO of Grupo Piñero, serving as the board chair. The partnership aims to leverage Grupo Piñero's all-inclusive expertise and European clientele to expand opportunities for World of Hyatt members.

🏡 L'Isle de Leos MGallery, envisioned by owner Patrick Bruel, will feature 49 rooms, including 11 suites and junior suites, a cocktail bar (Nego Chin), restaurant (La Roue), wine cellar (Augusta), spa (L'Olivier de Leos), fitness room, art gallery, interior patio, outdoor pool, and seminar/meeting rooms. The Provence-themed hotel celebrates local art and materials, offering olive-based wellness treatments and products. Managed by Emmanuel Borla, it will open in June 2025.

🏨 Wissem Souifi has led the Laico Tunis Hotel, Spa & Conference Center since 2017, overseeing its conversion to Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center Blu in 2021. With 20+ years in luxury hotel and resort management, Souifi directed Vincci Helios Beach Djerba (354 rooms) from February to July 2017, managed Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Resort in Tanzania (2012-2017), and held leadership roles at LTI Djerba Holiday Beach and The Orangers Beach Resort & Bungalow in Hammamet.

📌 Julien Narbonne, with over 15 years of experience in hotel management, has been recognized for his work at Valotel France as General Manager, supervising establishments like Mercure Valence and Ibis Budget Valence. Under his leadership, his team won "Best Team" and "Best Accor Midscale Breakfast" in 2021. Previously, he secured a 5th star for Miramar La Cigale Hôtel Thalasso & Spa and managed F&B operations for Valotel France (2016-2020), Sofitel, and Hilton International. William NUMA has begun a new role as Resident Manager at Cheval Blanc Saint-Barthélemy.

🏨 L’Hôtel Boileau, situé près de la Porte d’Auteuil et Roland-Garros, est acquis après plus de 20 ans par une nouvelle famille propriétaire. Avec 31 chambres, des rénovations visent à le faire monter en catégorie. L’Hôtel Le Compostelle, au cœur du Marais, possède 25 chambres classées 3 étoiles et est géré depuis plus de 40 ans par la même famille; il subira une transformation pour devenir un hôtel 4 étoiles. Des conseillers ont accompagné ces transactions hôtelières.

📅 Nathalie Delattre, active in politics since the 1990s as a parliamentary assistant, became a Senator for Gironde in 2017 and Vice-President of the Senate from 2020 to 2023. Formerly Minister in charge of Relations with Parliament in Michel Barnier's government, she succeeds Marina Ferrari as Minister of Tourism and Laurent Hénard as President of the Parti radical valoisien. Delattre also served as a municipal councilor and deputy mayor in Bordeaux. 🏛️

💰 Scott Schenkel appointed as CFO of Expedia Group, starting after the 10-K report filing around February 7, 2025. He previously served as interim CEO of eBay from September 2019 to April 2020 and as eBay's CFO from 2015 to 2019. Schenkel brings over 30 years of experience in global commercial and financial leadership across e-commerce, healthcare, and technology sectors. His expertise includes corporate leadership, business unit and functional leadership with deep knowledge in financial planning, analysis, strategy, audit, M&A, integration, and process improvement. Julie Whalen to assist in the transition until February 2025.