New appointments

MARK MEEHAN has been appointed managing director for Asia Pacific at Travelport. He brings with him over 15 years with the business. In his role as managing director for Africa, Meehan will based in Singapore, in early April and report directly into Jason Clarke, managing director – global sales.

SAMER HANNA has been appointed food and beverage manager at Ayla Hotel in Al Ain. He will be in charge of all food and beverage outlets and banquet operation in Ayla Hotel as well as Ayla Bawadi Hotel that is due to open. Hanna brings with him over two decades of experience across the GCC.

JAD BAAKLINI has been appointed food and beverage manager at Gefinor Rotana. He brings with him a wealth of experience and know-how to Rotana. Baaklini’s experience in the field has been cultivated from a career that began in 1996 in high-end Lebanese hotels and restaurants.

MARK SATTERFIELD, chief operating officer of Marriott International’s Middle East & Africa Continent organization, will be relocating to the Protea Hospitality Group’s head office in Cape Town. He will act as business leader overseeing integration of the two companies once the anticipated sale of the Protea Hotel Group (PHG) is concluded.

HANNY WAHYUNI has been appointed manager of public relations at Six Senses Zighy Bay. In her new role, she will oversee public relations strategies of the resort. Hanny brings with her more than 10 years of hospitality experience.

MAHMOUD EL KEIY has been appointed general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo. He is a hospitality veteran who has spent more than 12 years as a part of the Four Seasons family. He has extensive leadership skills and managerial insights.

FRANCESCO PICARO has been appointed as the Italian chef at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa. He has over 13 years’ experience in the culinary world gained from luxury hotels in Egypt, Libya, US and Italy.

JAMES MUELLER has been appointed senior vice president sales at Etihad Airways, He brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry. Mueller joins Etihad Airways from United Airlines, where he worked for five years in various senior roles, including Vice President Asia Pacific and Vice President Atlantic and Pacific Sales.

IVAN JOVALEKIC has been appointed senior business development manager at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai. He moved to Dubai and entered the hospitality industry with a post at Jumeirah Hotels looking after global and corporate sales, staying for four years and gaining a grounding in revenue management and reservations.