Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of its new Vice President for the Arabian Peninsula, Essam Abouda, who will steer the company’s growth from the regional head office in Dubai.
The move sees Abouda taking over from Rudi Jagersbacher, who moves on to become Vice President of the Benelux region.
Born in Egypt, Abouda sees considerable growth opportunity in the region and has already begun taking the steps to ensuring a productive year for Hilton by adopting a fresh voice for the company’s expansion plans.
“There is no doubt that this region is one of the fastest growing in the world. Hilton aims to build its presence in the Gulf, and part of my role will be to ensure that this is achieved step by step, market by market. As an Arab speaker and having worked in the Middle East previously, I have tremendous understanding of the region, its sensitivities and requirements,” said Abouda.
“We have a number of openings lined up for the next two years that will build on our 15 existing properties in the region. As a result of the unified company, we can now consider introducing the new Hilton Family of Brands where demand allows it, which will undoubtedly strengthen our position as a leading hotel brand in the region.”
Abouda has 26 years of experience with Hilton, and was previously the Vice President for France, Africa and the Indian Ocean where he successfully directed the company in the region for three years.
Elsewhere in the Emirates, Hassan Ragab has joined Hilton Baynunah and Hilton Corniche Hotel Apartments in Abu Dhabi as General Manager.
Ragab was previously the General Manager of the Hilton Cairo World Trade Centre and Egyptian Business Club in Egypt. With 14 years of experience with Hilton, Hassan is also the recipient of the Hilton International Chief Executive Award for 2004.
“Hassan is an experienced hotelier and a strong addition to our two residences in Abu Dhabi. We’re confidence that his varied experience and able understanding of the Hilton brand will add great value to our product offering, levels of service and ultimately customer satisfaction,” concluded Abouda.
Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,800 hotels and 495,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide.
The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection®.
The company currently operates 34 hotels in the Middle East – 19 hotels in Egypt, nine hotels in the UAE, four in Saudi Arabia and one each in Oman and Kuwait. Hilton's heritage in the Arabian Peninsula stretches back over 30 years, when it became the first international hotel brand to open a property in the UAE - the Hilton Al Ain in 1972.
The 46-suite Qasr al Sharq, or ‘Palace of the Orient’ which opened last year is now a member of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection®. The first phase of a Worldwide Resort in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE opened in January this year with 151 villa suites right on the beach.
New Hilton properties are also under development in Doha marking the company’s first foray into Qatar, Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula’s first Conrad hotel in Dubai, in addition to a Residence and Beach Club, also in Dubai.
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton’s philosophy that, “It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.” The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all ten brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity (www.behospitable.com)
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