Four Seasons new EMEA head to oversee growth

The new senior vice president, hotel operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has been tasked with overseeing four key openings for the group in 2014 alone — Moscow, Johannesburg, Dubai and Bahrain.

Based in Dubai, Christian Clerc, previously regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, said he was “privileged” to oversee the EMEA portfolio, which currently represents 30% of the portfolio for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

“I look forward to the opportunities ahead as we further enhance the guest experience in our properties, support future growth and strengthen the brand’s leadership position across the region,” says Clerc.

“It is privilege to oversee such a remarkable group of properties and talented people. It is through the passion and commitment of our exceptional people that we are able to bring our properties to life, delivering the extraordinary service and guest experiences that characterize Four Seasons.”

Expansion will be marked in 2014 by new openings in Moscow, the company’s second location in Russia, and Johannesburg, where the Westcliff hotel will be reflagged as Four Seasons.

In the Middle East, Four Seasons will enter new markets in Dubai, with a luxury resort on Jumeirah Beach, and Bahrain, where an H-shaped tower featuring a two-story sky bridge will be focal point of a dynamic development project in Bahrain Bay.

Looking further ahead, projects at various stages of development across the region include, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Madrid and two new Moroccan properties — Casablanca and Taghazhout Bay.

In his new role, Clerc replaced Christopher Norton, who was promoted to the newly created role of executive vice president, global product and operations.