Cristal Group CEO Peter Blackburn passes away

Cristal Group and Cristal Hotels & Resorts CEO Peter Blackburn passed away on Saturday night (July 2), the company said in a statement.

“The Cristal Family deeply regrets the loss of our founding father Peter Blackburn. Unfortunately the Middle East hospitality industry lost one of its Icons. His memory will live on in our hearts and minds,” Cristal Group COO Kamal Fakhoury commented.

The Crystal Group posted a message to its official Facebook page saying: “The Cristal Group is saddened by the death of a great man, Peter Blackburn who passed away last night. Peter started his career in property development and eventually moved on to a more challenging path – hospitality. For 20 years he travelled around London, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China and the UAE looking after renowned properties including Intercontinental, Thistle, Peninsula, and Rotana Hotels.

“He spent his years mastering the arts and science of facilities management and building well-structured hotels. After successfully opening 23 hotels for Rotana, he finally realised his dream of setting up a new hotel brand – Cristal.

“As we celebrate the life of a hospitality icon, the Cristal Group board of directors, management and staff join the family in mourning a departed hospitality icon in the UAE.”