The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has appointed Amit Arora, a hospitality industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, as the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach.
The two properties mark the debut of the brand in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Arora has had experience working with several regional and global brands such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Armani Hotels & Resorts, Emaar Hospitality Group, and SKAI Holdings to name a few.
His new role will mark his return to The Ritz-Carlton, having worked with the brand in the early stages of his career as a front office executive at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston. He worked his way up the ladder, taking on the roles at The Ritz-Carlton International sales office in Frankfurt and The Ritz-Carlton Schlosshotel Berlin.
Arora moved to the Middle East with the brand, taking on the role of director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai.
“We are delighted to welcome back Amit Arora to The Ritz-Carlton family. With his proven credentials in leading and inspiring opening teams as well as his expertise in nurturing talent, driving commercial strategy and working collaboratively with partners, Amit is a valuable asset to the opening team and will be instrumental in establishing the identity and position of the new properties from the start line,” said Ibrahim Barghout, area vice president of the Middle East and Africa, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, in a statement.
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Arora also has extensive experience in successfully managing transitions, including new openings and reflagging. Over the course of his career he has managed the launch of eight properties across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Milan and has helmed the rebranding and reflagging of five properties across the Middle East and Europe, including The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa and The Ritz-Carlton Schlosshotel Berlin.
As the new general manager, Arora will drive all lead-up activities to the official unveiling of both properties under The Ritz-Carlton banner in 2017.
He will oversee the renovations to the Al Hamra beach property, a 32 all-villa luxury resort and drive operations at the 101 all-villa desert property, which will welcome guests as a partner hotel - Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah, a Ritz-Carlton Partner Hotel.
Speaking about the new role, Arora said: “Through our work over the next few months, we hope to set the benchmark in intuitive service, top-of-the-line amenities and rich experiences.”
Arora graduated from Modul University’s International College of Hotel Management in Vienna, Austria. He has a diplomatic background and was raised in four different continents including Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe, and is fluent in German.
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