Fairmont The Palm appoints two new directors
Born and raised in Greece, Stavros brings over 15 years of international experience in high-end hospitality, with a career spanning Europe and the Middle East.
Growing up in Greece, where tourism and hospitality are pillars of the economy, Stavros first entered the industry during his student days.
A seasoned professional with deep roots in both hotel and standalone restaurant operations, Stavros began his leadership journey in 2011 as Bar Manager at The Westin Resort in Greece. Shortly after, he moved to the Middle East to join W Doha, where he took on the role of Assistant General Manager at the Spice Market. He later led Market by Jean-Georges for over two years. By 2015, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, overseeing multiple venues and driving operational excellence across the hotel's dining portfolio.
Stavros relocated to Dubai in 2017 to lead BB Social Dining in DIFC as General Manager, where he spearheaded the pre-opening and development of one of the city's most celebrated dining spots. He then took on the role of Concept Developer for Hellenika in Saudi Arabia. Before joining Fairmont The Palm, Stavros returned to W Doha as Director of Food and Beverage, where he led a team of over 240 front-of-house colleagues across 11 venues, banquets, and catering units - delivering standout events including Formula 1, MotoGP, AFC Cup Hospitality, and WEB Summit Qatar.
His career is decorated with multiple industry accolades, including Best Newcomer Restaurant, Best European Contemporary, and Best Individual Restaurant Awards by Time Out, as well as Best Hotel Restaurant in the Middle East by Condé Nast. In 2024, Stavros was awarded the Ambassador of Excellence by Qatar Tourism during Hospitality Qatar, recognising his outstanding performance and high standards of excellence - an honour bestowed on the top Director of Food and Beverage in the country.
Dhaval Patel
With more than 15 years of global experience in luxury hospitality revenue strategy, Dhaval brings a data-driven mindset and a proven track record of commercial success to the leadership team.
Originally from India, Dhaval's hospitality journey began in 2008 with a management training role at The Delamar Greenwich Harbor. His passion for optimizing performance through analytical precision quickly propelled him into roles with industry-leading brands such as The Armani Hotel, Address Hotels & Resorts and JA Resorts. He later expanded his impact through senior revenue management roles at Marriott International and Hilton Corporate Office in Dubai.
In his most recent role as Revenue Lead at Hilton Worldwide, Dhaval oversaw strategy for flagship properties including Waldorf Astoria DIFC and Conrad Etihad Towers. He has been instrumental in driving market share growth and delivering record-breaking ADR performance, earning accolades such as the top ranking in RevPAR Index change across Hilton EMEA Luxury.
Dhaval holds an MBA in Hospitality Finance from Les Roches Swiss Hotel School, and combines his commercial acumen with a collaborative leadership style that develops high-performing teams and fosters innovation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Talabat Forecast Upgrade Follows Strong Quarter
TDT | Manama Talabat Holding plc has raised its full-year growth forecasts after a second quarter surge powered by post-IPO expansion and the rapid uptake of its talabat pro loyalty programme across GCC and non-GCC markets. The Dubai-headquartered delivery platform posted a 32 per cent yearon-year rise in gross merchandise value (GMV) to USD 2.4 billion for the quarter, with revenue up 35pc to USD 982 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 31pc to USD 166m, maintaining a margin of 6.8pc, while net income climbed 33pc to USD 119m, or 4.9pc of GMV. Citing continued momentum in customer acquisition and order frequency, the company lifted its GMV growth target for the year to 27-29pc, up from 17-18pc. Revenue growth is now projected at 29-32pc, compared with an earlier 18-20pc. Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected at 6.5pc, net income margin at 5pc, and adjusted free cash flow at 6pc. Talabat credited its performance to both core GCC markets – including Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Oman – and faster growth from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. The UAE remained its largest market, while Kuwait delivered over 20pc growth for both the quarter and first half. The company also reported robust performance in its Food vertical and faster gains in its Grocery & Retail segment, supported by a higher share of subscription and tMart revenues. The GCC accounted for 83pc of GMV in Q2, with non-GCC markets making up the remaining 17pc.
Trade Arabia
4 days ago
- Trade Arabia
Mycrane Trading raises $50m to launch UAE operations
Mycrane Trading, a newly established crane sales, leasing and maintenance services provider, based in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, has announced the successful closing of a $50 million investment deal with a DIFC-based investment holding company. In partnership with Mycrane, the first global platform for online crane rental, Mycrane Trading will integrate physical inventory and digital reach to deliver seamless access to sales and rentals in the Gulf region. By leveraging the existing platform, both companies will enhance their joint offering through this strategic alliance. Their combined sales and rental portfolio will include all-terrain, crawler, rough-terrain and tower cranes, each accompanied by certified inspection and safety reports. "We've seen rising global demand for both new and used cranes, and growing appetite from asset owners to monetise surplus equipment," remarked Andrei Geikalo, the founder of Mycrane and CEO of Mycrane Trading. "With Mycrane Trading as a key partner, we can now respond directly to this demand by instantly connecting sellers with the rental platform's thousands of fleet-owning users, many of whom have urgent purchase needs," he explained. Whether purchasing locally or internationally, Mycrane Trading customers can access genuine machines at the best possible prices, supported by expert sourcing, rigorous checks and a dedicated customer service team," he stated. Mycrane Trading will leverage its partner's established network of global crane buyers and sellers, as well as its digital reach and market data, to provide competitive and transparent equipment sales. The business will serve customers worldwide, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Africa, CIS and Asia. A dedicated management team has been recruited to run the new operation, including the appointment of Sudheesh Mohan as Head of Sales and Marketing, and Mina Asham as Head of Tower Cranes, both based in the UAE. Ashishkumar Tiwari, Mycrane Sales Director, said: "Mycrane Trading combines the efficiency and reliability of our digital Marketplace with a physical base at Jebel Ali Free Zone. Every crane is carefully sourced, with full documentation and inspection available, giving customers trusted access to verified equipment at competitive prices." "This partnership follows a series of Mycrane growth milestones, including ongoing international expansion, new platform features, and three separate industry award wins in 2025," he noted. Geikalo said: "Our mission has always been to simplify crane procurement. This new collaboration allows us to do that — not just for rentals, but for ownership too." Mycrane Trading is a full service provider of crane solutions, specialising in the purchase, lease and sale of heavy construction equipment, spare parts and accessories.-TradeArabia News Service
Gulf Insider
01-08-2025
- Gulf Insider
Emirates Adds 5th China Route Daily Dubai-Hangzhou Flights
Dubai-based carrier Emirates officially launched its new daily service to Hangzhou, China. This would be the 5th route to the Chinese mainland and the second new destination added to the airline's roster in under a month, following Shenzhen. The launch took place on 30th July with a debut flight from Dubai to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Passengers aboard the new flight EK310 were welcomed by local dignitaries, airport officials, a ceremonial water cannon salute and received memorabilia from the airport. The inaugural flight carried passengers from across Emirates' global network, including key markets like the UAE, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, as well as a VIP delegation led by Emirates' senior management and members of the international media. 'China has become one of the world's leading aviation markets, and Emirates is proud to have played a role in its development. Adding two new gateways within just one month is a major milestone that underscores our deepening commitment to the Chinese mainland,' said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, regarding the launch. Kazim explained that the expansion demonstrated the conviction of the company's East and Southeast Asia growth strategy, which has gained momentum over the past year. With rising demand, Kazim is optimistic that its global network will continue connecting people, businesses, and economies across Asia and beyond. Emirates remains committed to delivering seamless, reliable connectivity between this dynamic region and the world. 'We extend our sincere appreciation to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and all our local partners for their invaluable support in enabling the successful start of this route,' said Kazim. The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER (EK310) is scheduled to depart Dubai at 09:40 AM and arrive in Hangzhou at 22:00 PM. The return flight, EK311, departs Hangzhou at 00:10 AM, landing in Dubai at 04:55 AM. Emirates is said to offer optimal connectivity for customers from 40 destinations in Europe, 21 in Africa, 13 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina, to Hangzhou via Dubai. The airline also offers convenient two-way connections from Hangzhou to key cities including Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg via Dubai. The Boeing 777-300ER wide-body aircraft is said to offer up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight, enabling the transport of time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce goods, pharmaceuticals, smart devices, and other high-value products. With a well-defined digital infrastructure in place, Hangzhou serves as a key international gateway for Chinese brands. With Emirates SkyCargo's expansive network spanning six continents and high-speed connectivity through its Dubai hub, goods from Hangzhou and the broader Yangtze River Delta can reach emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America faster, reducing delivery timelines and enhancing supply chain performance. Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. Its signature complimentary chauffeur-drive service for First and Business Class passengers is also available to passengers flying to Hangzhou. With the addition of Hangzhou to its growing Chinese mainland network, Emirates is building a powerful air corridor for trade, tourism, and digital exchanges between China and the Middle East, as well as beyond. The new route will further open new opportunities for Chinese brands to reach a global audience while offering customers from across Emirates' global network better access to this powerful tech hub. Through interline and codeshare agreements with China Southern Airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, Emirates provides enhanced connectivity to destinations beyond its network across China. Travellers from the UAE and other GCC countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, making both business and leisure travel to the Chinese mainland even more convenient. Also read: Facing Low Pay and Rising Rents, a Quarter of Young Brits Weigh UK Exit – Australia and Dubai Most Favoured
