Wyndham appoints chief development officer EMEA

Wyndham Hotel Group has appointed Philippe Bijaoui as its chief development officer for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA).

In this role Bijaoui will oversee the company’s expansion across the region, introducing additional brands to established markets and building on the 73 countries where Wyndham Hotel Group hotels can already be found.

Bijaoui has more than 20 years of hotel real estate and development experience in markets across EMEA and most recently served as vice president development Europe for InterContinental Hotel Group, where he developed and implemented strategy for the region.

He has also previously held senior development roles with Rezidor, Club Med, HVS International, City Hotels S.A. and Groupe Immobilière Hôtelière.

Wyndham Hotel Group president and managing director EMEA Daniel Ruff said: “Wyndham Hotel Group’s development strategy is bold but simple – we work with local partners to bring quality accommodation to a diverse number of locations, so that, no matter where adventure leads, our guests can find the hotel brands they know and love.”

He added: “Philippe has a stellar reputation in the EMEA development community, and I am confident he is the best person to lead our aggressive expansion plans for the region.”

Meanwhile, Bijaoui said: “I am looking forward to accelerating Wyndham Hotel Group’s growth in EMEA. Destinations across the region are in need of an international standard of hotel accommodation for growing inbound and domestic visitor numbers, and Wyndham Hotel Group has only begun to tap the potential in these markets.”

This year Wyndham Hotel Group has reached important development milestones in EMEA, including introducing the Super 8 brand to Europe, opening the 50th hotel in Turkey, expanding into Greece with the Wyndham Grand Athens and announcing new hotels in Oman, Iraq and Ethiopia.

Bijaoui has a master of business administration with a focus on hotel and catering management from I.M.H.I. Cornell.