Laurent Voivenel gets Swiss-Belhotel senior VP job

Swiss-Belhotel International has appointed Laurent A. Voivenel as its senior vice president, operations and development for the Middle East, Africa and India.

The announcement comes a week before the Arabian Travel Market, and gives perspective to Voivenel’s sudden departure from UAE-founded Hospitality Management Holding where he served as its chief operating officer for little over three-and-a-half years.

Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 145 hotels, resorts and projects worldwide, and is targeting the Middle East, Africa and India region as a key growth market.

Swiss-Belhotel International chairman and president Gavin M. Faull said: “With an outstanding portfolio of globally-recognised brands, we are aggressively expanding our footprint across the world, and the Middle East, Africa and India region is big on our development plans.

“We are delighted to welcome Laurent who will spearhead our operations and development in the Middle East, Africa and India. We are confident with his impressive track record, vast experience and extensive local network, he will be instrumental in strengthening and accelerating our expansion in the region.”

Voivenel will be based in the group’s regional office in Dubai. He said: “It is an enormous privilege to join the Swiss-Belhotel International at this pivotal point when it is one of fastest growing hospitality groups.

“I am very excited to take up this new challenge and truly grateful to Swiss-Belhotel International. I look forward to working closely with Gavin M. Faull and other team members to capitalise on the opportunities in the region in order to build on the group’s strong presence in the region.”

Voivenel has over 30 years of international hotel and asset management experience with hospitality groups such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Hotels & Resorts. He has worked in the Middle East for the past 16 years