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EDDY TANNOUS, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS ON SAUDI'S TOURISM EVOLUTION KSA, to hear about the group’s upcoming developments in the kingdom. What impact is the growth underway KSA having on Accor?
Hodema Consulting Services sat with Eddy Tannous, vice president, operations – Accor
Tourism in Saudi Arabia is going through a very exciting time, and we are proud to be associated with many of its iconic giga projects. Several Accor hotel brands across all segments, from economy and midscale to ultra-luxury, are involved. There’s a very exciting plan to grow our new lifestyle brands under our Enismore umbrella. We are also proud to be
associated with many individual private owners in all parts of the kingdom. We have one of the strongest development pipelines, with over 40 projects in the active pre-opening phase and many more in the planning stage.
What expansion plans can you share with us? Accor is currently the largest hotel operator in KSA, with 40 operating hotels. We aim to keep our leading position in the years to come. Today, we have a committed pipeline of 39 projects and many more under serious negotiation. accor.com Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com
HOTEL ALBERGO: A GEM TO BEHOLD, WITH TONY W. GERGESS of luxury and the only Relais & Châteaux property in the country. Old-world charm meets high-end service at this Beirut landmark, as Tony W. Gergess, the newly appointed general manager, explains.
Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in east Beirut, a stone’s throw from downtown, the Hotel Albergo is a sanctuary
How will your hospitality experience help in your new role as GM of the Albergo? Having been fortunate enough to have diversified my experience between large luxury chain hotels and authentic boutique hotels, I can bring international
management standards to the role. I shy away from cookie-cutter management practices to bring an element of surprise to every guest experience.
What do you have planned for the Hotel Albergo? After the successful launch of our new cocktail bar, Swim Club, we recently opened the Lobby Café, with a lush outdoor terrace and an all-day casual menu. Our next focus will be on revamping the suites with soft touch-ups. The hotel is working on offering more services in the near future, such as a spa and an authentic Turkish hammam. albergobeirut.com Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com
A TALK WITH INFLUENTIAL HOTELIER THOMAS PERUZZO OF ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI What differentiates Armani Hotel Dubai from others in the emirate?
Thomas Peruzzo, general manager of Armani Hotel Dubai, is a seasoned hotelier and inspirational leader. In this interview, we uncover the secret behind his success and what makes Armani Hotel Dubai such a sought-after place to stay.
Located at the heart of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, our location sets us apart in an architectural sense, yet inside the hotel, across our guest rooms and suites, and throughout our award-winning restaurants and spa, it is the Armani philosophy that gives us our signature mark. The hotel was the first property built and personally designed by Giorgio Armani himself, and his philosophy was that guests would be welcomed to a home away from home. This is imbued across every element of Armani Hotel Dubai, from our facilities to our people, and this is what makes us stand out in a heavily saturated and highly competitive hospitality landscape.
You were nominated for the award of Judge’s Choice Most Inspiring General Manager of the Year by Hozpitality Middle East, alongside several others. What makes your leadership inspirational? You should really ask my team that question! If I were to describe my leadership style, I would say it is anchored in personal passion and driven by collaboration. An open-door policy is absolutely critical in my opinion, as this fosters a culture that is centered around employee empowerment coupled with a workplace environment where ideas are welcomed, innovation is celebrated and we all have each other’s backs. My success is very much dependent on that of my team, and the team at Armani Hotel Dubai is truly exceptional. armanihoteldubai.com Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | APR-MAY 2022
