Staff Appointments w/e 23 April 09

PHORNSIRI MANOHARN has been elected the new Chairman of PATA. Ms Manoharn retired from her role as Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in March 2009, and has also held a number of other executive and advisory positions in domestic and international tourism-related organisations.

MAROUN NASSAR has been appointed Human Resources Manager of the Al Murooj Rotana Dubai. Nassar has 10 years’ experience in the field of Human Resources. Prior to joining Al Murooj Rotana, Nassar held the post of Human Resources Manager at Rotana properties in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

ROLAND HENKEL has been announced as the new General Manager of the Amari Palm Reef Resort, Samui. German national Henkel has previously held managerial positions in international hotels and resorts in the USA, Germany, Egypt and the West Indies. He joined Amari in 2006 as Executive Assistant Manager Rooms Division at the Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok.

DUNCAN PALMER has been appointed Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong. In addition, UK national Palmer will also assume the role of Vice President, Design - The Langham Brand for Langham Hotels International. Prior to his move to Hong Kong, he served as Managing Director of The Langham, London.

REMKO KROESEN has been appointed General Manager of the VIE Hotel Bangkok, a member of the MGallery Collection. Australian national Kroesen will also oversee operations of the luxurious beachfront resort property, V Villas Hua Hin.
Prior to this new role he served as General Manager of the Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas Hua Hin.
 
WANIDA TARDIVEL also joins VIE Hotel Bangkok and V Villas Hua Hin as Director of Business. Having worked with international hospitality brands since 1992, Tardivel will be responsible for Sales, Marketing, Revenue, and PR. Previous positions have included Group PR Manager of Minor International.

BERNARD CHONG has been announced as Meritus Hotels & Resorts’ new Senior Vice President, Development. A 24-year industry veteran, Chong left Meritus in February 2008 to join The Ascott Group as Country General Manager for Singapore. Re-joining Meritus, he will now oversee both Business Development and Technical Services.

BENOIT AMADO has been announced as the new General Manager of the Grand Mercure Hongqiao Shanghai. With 10 years’ industry experience, Amado’s career has taken him to the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Tunisia, Senegal, and Indonesia. Prior to this appointment, he was Executive Assistant manager at the Grand Mercure Hongqiao.

SCOT TOON has been appointed General Manager of the Paresa, a new luxury resort in Phuket scheduled to open in summer 2009. Toon is taking over the pre-opening operation of Paresa, bringing with him a wealth of previous experience having spent five years managing the award-winning Per AQUUM group.