Rixos Bab Al Bahr Appoints Ozgur Cireli as General Manager

Rixos Bab Al Bahr, the ultra-all-inclusive family resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ozgur Cireli as its new General Manager, strengthening the resort’s executive team as it begins an exciting chapter of growth. He joins the property after his tenure as General Manager at KeyUrla in Turkey, where he led its opening.

With an impressive career spanning over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Cireli has held numerous senior leadership positions across renowned global brands, including Hilton, Radisson Blu, Wyndham, Rotana, and Rixos. His extensive experience and knowledge cover diverse markets like Turkey, Kuwait, Ukraine, Germany, the UK, France, and the UAE.

Cireli began his career at Hilton Izmir in 1992 as a Bellboy and rose through the ranks to  become Front Desk Manager. He then progressed through various senior revenue and managerial roles at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Kuwait Resort, and Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa. Later, he served as the General Manager of several properties in the UAE and Turkey, including the BM Beach Hotel, Altın Yunus Hotel & Spa – Çeşme, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Çeşme, and La Quinta by Wyndham Bodrum. Meanwhile, Cireli is no stranger to Rixos, having been part of the opening team of Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites in 2012. He played a key role in driving performance, increasing guest satisfaction by 40%, and positioning the property in Dubai's competitive market, resulting in USD 190,000 in revenue within the first 10 weeks.

With his proven expertise and extensive experience in hotel operations, pre-opening, large-scale renovations, entering new markets, and engaging key partners, he will oversee and lead Rixos Bab Al Bahr as it undergoes a significant refurbishment. Additionally, he will be responsible for the overall strategy and guide the property towards key achievements and milestones, ensuring all KPIs are met, the guest experience remains at an excellent standard, and operations run smoothly.

Cenk Ünverdi, Chief Operating Officer at Rixos & All Inclusive Collection, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ozgur Cireli back to the Rixos family. His impressive track record in leading renowned properties and his passion for people and the industry assure us that, under his leadership, Rixos Bab Al Bahr will continue to set new benchmarks in guest experiences and brand excellence, leading the property to new heights.”

Cireli holds an associate degree in Tourism and Hotel Management from Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey, and is fluent in English and Turkish. His leadership style, rooted in people development, commercial insight, and guest-focused strategies, makes him invaluable in guiding the resort through this significant phase of transformation as he shapes its next chapter.