49. Paul Arnold, Vice President Development — Europe, Middle East & Africa, Rosewood Hotels & resorts (New entry)
Rosewood Hotels & resorts focuses on building ultra-luxury business throughout the EMEA region.
The amicable divorce with Saudi-based Al Khozama Management Company reduced the footprint of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in the region from four properties to just two; albeit both high-end luxury properties — the Rosewood Abu Dhabi and the Rosewood Jeddah.
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However, as the hotel operator’s president Radha Arora and Hotel Group CEO Sonia Cheng were at pains to point out in an interview with Hotelier in January 2014, having the most hotel rooms, biggest ballroom or the most extravagant suite are not objectives for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
“Our philosophy is not to grow by quantity [against] other brands. What we are trying to do is create a collection of hotels that, while sizeable, doesn’t grow for the sake of growing,” remarked Cheng at the time.
“The success of Rosewood isn’t defined by how big it grows, but by the following we can create around the brand,” she added.
That said, the company does now plan to add a property in Dubai, while also extending its European reach with properties in London, Paris and Tuscany.
Leading Rosewood’s EMEA expansion strategy is Paul Arnold, vice president of development, Europe, Middle East and Africa and a veteran who has been with the company for four years.
“Quite simply, our vision is for Rosewood to be regarded as one of the world’s most respected, ultra-luxury hotel groups,” says Arnold.
By the numbers
Number of years in role: 4
Number of years with the company: 4
Number of operating hotels in the Middle East: 2
Number of pipeline of hotels in the Middle East: 1
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