Over the course of this week (commencing today September 9) Hotelier Middle East will reveal the region's top 50 most influential hoteliers in the annual Hotelier Middle East Power 50, presented by Voglia. The first instalment of this five-part series of announcments names those ranking in positions 50 to 41 of the 2012 list.
In this fourth edition of the Hotelier Middle East Power 50, you will notice a few changes. This year for the first time, the list is entirely dedicated to hotel operators. Even those entrants who both own and operate hotels have been judged only on their managment merits. This has meant that we have had to omit the specialists in tourism and development as well as owners and investors, but rest assured, the Hotelier team is already hard at work planning a list to recognise these hotel industry partners.
As always, however, the rankings in the Hotelier Middle East Power 50 are subjective and the opinion of the editorial team. Decisions are made based upon portfolio and pipeline, activity over the past 12 months and plans for the coming year, along with the reputation of the individual among their peers and their dedication to developing the Middle East hospitality and tourism industry generally.
We are confident that each entrant deserves their place in the list and invite you to join with Hotelier in celebrating the achievements and accolades of so many hotel pioneers.
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50: Daniele Vastolo, group director of operations,. Nikki Beach EAME Hotels and Resorts Ltd
Seasoned hotelier Daniele Vastolo made a bold move when he left the familiarity of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts to join the Nikki Beach brand and deliver the group’s first ever hotel — planned for Qatar — in the Middle East.
The US $45 million property is located on The Pearl in Doha and, while the phase one summer opening of 24 Nikki Suites and most of the food and beverage offering has been pushed back, there is still plenty to keep Vastolo busy.
At the end of June, the company announced a second hotel for the region, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa and Nikki Beach Club in Beirut, Lebanon — which is where Vastolo is based — due to open in 2014.
Both hotels will feature interior design by Gatserelia design and the famed Nikki Beach combination of lavishness, lifestyle and luxury.
Seven more projects are slated to open within the next three to four years, in places such as Croatia, Greece and Abu Dhabi, although this one isn’t finalised. According to a statement from the company, 10 new projects totalling $400 million are now in the planning stages in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
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