Ignace Bauwens. Ignace Bauwens.

Ignace Bauwens has joined Wyndham Hotel Group's EMEA team in the role of regional vice president, Middle East and Africa.

Bauwens joins Wyndham Hotel Group with almost 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including senior operations roles at Accor and InterContinental Hotels Group.

Based in the Middle East since 2002, Bauwens served as managing director for BLH bvba Hospitality Consultancy and as CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH). He was also complex general manager of the Al Habtoor City complex of hotels which included a St. Regis, a W, and a Westin.

In his new role, Bauwens will oversee one of Wyndham Hotel Group’s fastest-growing regions and will also report into Dan Ruff and will be based at the company’s Dubai office.

Story continues below
Advertisement

Bauwens commented in a press statement: "Wyndham Hotel Group has a very bold development strategy – to ensure that wherever adventure leads, travellers can find our hotel brands nearby.

"Nowhere in EMEA is this strategy more evident than in the Middle East and Africa. I look forward to continuing in the remarkable work the team has done establishing our brands in some of the most exciting travel destinations on the planet."

This year in the region, Wyndham Hotel Group has opened the company’s 50th hotel in Turkey and signed new hotels in destinations such as Oman, Iraq and Ethiopia.