Hyatt makes two major Dubai-based appointments in the Middle East

Jul 30, 2018

Kurt Straub (R) as thevice president of operations Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia and Ludwig Bouldoukian (L) as regional vice president of Development, Middle East and North Africa.

Hyatt has appointed Kurt Straub as the vice president of operations Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia and Ludwig Bouldoukian as regional vice president of Development, Middle East and North Africa.

Hyatt is building a team, spearheaded by Straub to handle the expansion of the hotel group in the region. The company is set to double its portfolio of hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2022. Straub is responsible for the operations of Hyatt's hotel network, talent development and owner relations in the Middle East and Africa, extending to the wider Asian portfolio including Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

His responsibilities also encompass overseeing and executing of the company's operational strategy and driving strategic growth for Hyatt's brands in the region, as part of Hyatt's global expansion plans. With the recently announced Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, marking the lifestyle brand's entry into the Middle East and the anticipated openings of Hyatt Centric The Palm Dubai, Hyatt Place Riyadh Sulaimania and Hyatt House Jeddah/Sari Street, which will mark the debut for the select service brands in Saudi Arabia, Hyatt plans to bring three new brands to the Middle East by 2019.

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"We're introducing new brands and innovative concepts; and as such, we are making sure we have the right people and resources in place to pioneer our expansion. Through a dynamic team, new vision, constant loyalty and quality of service we intend to not only continue, but heighten this journey of excellence," Straub said.

Straub joins Hyatt's regional team in Dubai with more than 25 years of experience from Hyatt brands across the world. His most recent assignment was vice president of Operations for India, responsible for executing the company's operational and growth strategy in the country. He has previously been named Hotelier of the Year in Switzerland for his notable outstanding services in and contributions to the hospitality industry.

As regional vice president of Development, Middle East and North Africa, Ludwig Bouldoukian will support the senior managerial department by recognising key areas of progress in the region.

Bouldoukian will also be working to expand and diversify the organisation's resources in the region, through creating and implementing strategic development plans. Accumulating more than a decade of hospitality experience, he has worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and Marriott across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and most recently held the role of senior director of Development and Acquisitions, with Marriott International in Dubai.

Hyatt currently operates 15 full service and three select service properties across the Middle East and North Africa.

Anticipated openings in the Middle East & Africa by 2022 include: