New Leadership Changes at Anantara, InterContinental, and Al Zorah Beach Resort: What These Appointments Mean for Guests

15 Sep 2025 By travelandtourworld

The Middle East has recently seen a plethora of major appointments from top hotel brands which comes from a large number of changeovers in the regionÃ¢Â€Â™s hospitality sector. This area also has new leadership changes from Anantara World Islands Resort, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, The Ned Doha, Bab Al Qasr Hotel, Al Zorah Beach Resort, and other strategic hotels in the region. With this new batch of hires, it expected to change the luxury travel landscape in the region through their valuable insights, adept skills, and abundant innovations geared toward making these brandÃ¢Â€Â™s guests happy and taking their brand to the next level.

In the latest round of appointments, high-profile hotels are investing in leadership to drive growth, refine operations, and boost their competitive edge. One of the most significant hires comes from Anantara World Islands Resort, which has named Suresh Ferdinandusz as its new Director of Operations. Ferdinandusz brings more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, making him an ideal fit to lead the operational vision of the resort. Under his guidance, the resort is expected to further its evolution as an exclusive island retreat, offering curated experiences and impeccable service to its guests.

While, at Bab Al Qasr Hotel and Residences, the latest hire is Naureen Youssef, who steps into the role of Director of Marketing. With over a decade of experience in international hotel brands, Youssef brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position. Her career, which includes senior marketing roles at prestigious properties such as Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi and The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa, will be instrumental in amplifying Bab Al QasrÃ¢Â€Â™s brand presence in the region. Youssef is tasked with enhancing the hotelÃ¢Â€Â™s marketing strategies, positioning it as a top choice for both regional and international visitors.

Similarly, InterContinental Abu Dhabi has appointed Erika Anggreini as the new Cluster Assistant Director of Marketing. Anggreini will play a pivotal role in boosting the marketing and branding strategies for both InterContinental Abu Dhabi and its Residences. Her focus will be on digital engagement, strategic partnerships, and strengthening the hotelÃ¢Â€Â™s position in Abu DhabiÃ¢Â€Â™s competitive luxury market. Her extensive background in hospitality marketing will help further elevate the resortÃ¢Â€Â™s profile, particularly its renowned food and beverage offerings.

Moreover, Al Zorah Beach Resort has appointed Krystel Irani as its new General Manager. Irani, with over two decades of international luxury hospitality experience, will oversee the resortÃ¢Â€Â™s transformation as it prepares for its rebirth as Four Seasons Resort Ajman at Al Zorah in 2026. Her leadership style combines strategic thinking with a people-first philosophy, making her an ideal fit for this highly anticipated project. IraniÃ¢Â€Â™s experience in leading world-class resorts will be essential in shaping the guest experience and ensuring the resortÃ¢Â€Â™s success upon its grand reopening.

Another notable development is at The Ned Doha, which has strengthened its commercial team with two senior appointments. Abdullah Al Atari has been named Director of Sales & Marketing, while Raja Ben Naceur joins as Director of Marketing & Communications. These two strategic hires will be crucial in enhancing the propertyÃ¢Â€Â™s market presence, further establishing The Ned as one of DohaÃ¢Â€Â™s most distinctive hospitality destinations. With their combined expertise, they will continue to position the hotel as a leader in the region, focusing on exceptional guest experiences and innovative marketing campaign.

In a further boost to the regionÃ¢Â€Â™s hospitality industry, Jumeirah Beach Hotel has announced the appointment of John Brown as its new General Manager. Brown joins the iconic hotel with more than 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality and will focus on enhancing the guest experience and solidifying JumeirahÃ¢Â€Â™s position as a leader in DubaiÃ¢Â€Â™s competitive hotel market. Known for his innovative leadership and deep industry knowledge, Brown is expected to drive Jumeirah Beach HotelÃ¢Â€Â™s continued success.

These leadership shifts are more than just personnel changes; they reflect the broader trends in the hospitality industry, particularly in the Middle East, where luxury tourism is on the rise. The region has seen significant investments in the hospitality sector, with both new developments and upgrades to existing properties. With experienced leaders at the helm of key resorts, these hotels are well-positioned to remain competitive, offering world-class service and experiences that meet the evolving demands of modern travellers.

Travellers will benefit from these leadership changes, as the new appointments bring fresh insights into service excellence, marketing strategies, and guest experience. As the industry focuses more on personalised services, unique experiences, and innovative offerings, the result will be a more tailored and memorable stay for visitors across the region.

Hospitality leadership is a key driver in determining the hospitality industryâ€™s future in terms of travel and tourism. The recent recruitment of new leadership figures at top hotels in the Middle East, such as Anantara World Islands Resort, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, and Al Zorah Beach Resort, is a reflection of increasing attention to highly competent leaders for their contribution toward optimizing operations and creating unforgettable guest experiences.

To travellers, these developments will see the luxury hotels in terms of offering excellent services that blends tradition with contemporary outlook. As the hospitality sector keeps growing and improving, solid leadership will be at the core of delivering outstanding experiences that draw people from all over the globe