Ishraq Hospitality Announces Key Leadership Promotions to Drive Strategic Growth
Sylvia Matei Promoted to Cluster General Manager
Sylvia Matei has been promoted from Cluster Hotel Manager to Cluster General Manager, now overseeing Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport and Staybridge Suites Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport. Bringing over 15 years of hospitality leadership experience, Sylvia has played a pivotal role in raising operational standards and enhancing guest satisfaction.
Her tenure with IHG Hotels & Resorts has been marked by consistent performance in driving revenue growth, operational efficiency, and team development. Under her leadership, the hotels have earned accolades including the IHG Guest Voice and Loyalty Award and Best Airport Hotel at the World Travel Awards.
In her expanded role, Sylvia will also take on a strategic leadership position for the forthcoming launch of Crowne Plaza Batumi and Batumi Hotel Apartments in Georgia, a significant milestone in Ishraq Hospitality's international expansion.
Ahmad Najib Appointed as Commercial Director
Ahmad Najib has been promoted to Commercial Director, recognizing his strategic leadership and consistent contributions to commercial performance since joining Ishraq in 2019.
Overseeing sales and marketing across eight properties, Ahmad has implemented effective pricing, distribution, and partnership strategies that strengthened brand positioning in both leisure and business markets. With over 18 years of experience across brands like IHG, Radisson, Rotana, and Marriott, he now takes charge of commercial planning for Ishraq's upcoming openings in Georgia and Egypt, including Crowne Plaza Batumi, Holiday Inn Express, and The Five Hotel Apartments in Cairo New Capital.
Mohamad Negro Elevated to Senior Marketing & PR Manager
Mohamad Negro has been promoted to Senior Marketing & PR Manager, following his strong impact on brand visibility, digital performance, and campaign execution at Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira and Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah.
He has been instrumental in managing IHG's digital tools and platforms, directly supporting room and F&B revenue growth. In his new role, Mohamad will oversee marketing for all eight Dubai hotels, and support the launch of new properties in Georgia and Egypt, working closely with the commercial team and under the guidance of the Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group's Marketing team to ensure strategic alignment.
Joseph Karam, Chief Operating Officer of Ishraq Hospitality, stated: 'At Ishraq, we are deeply committed to fostering a high-performance culture by empowering individuals who consistently go above and beyond. Sylvia, Ahmad, and Mohamad have each demonstrated strong leadership, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to our company's vision. Their promotions reflect our trust in their capabilities to drive our growth ambitions across the UAE, Georgia, and Egypt.'
These promotions highlight Ishraq Hospitality's continued commitment to nurturing talent and elevating internal leadership. Each of these individuals brings a unique set of skills and strategic foresight that will fuel Ishraq's growth across the UAE, Georgia, Egypt, and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Radisson Blu named 'Africa's Leading Hotel Brand' for the fourth consecutive year
Radisson Blu has once again secured top honors at the World Travel Awards Africa, taking the title of 'Africa's Leading Hotel Brand' for 2025. This win marks the fourth consecutive year the upperupscale brand has claimed the region's most prestigious hospitality award, reinforcing its position as an industry leader across the continent. At the same ceremony, Radisson Hotel Group ( properties picked up 14 more trophies, led by Africa's Leading Conference Hotel for Radisson Blu Hotel&Convention Centre, Kigali and swept country awards in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal. A heritage of design, service, and growth The Group's journey began in 1960 with the opening of the world's first designer hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. That hotel, now the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, Copenhagen, is still operating successfully. Since then, Radisson Hotel Group has expanded to ten distinctive brands, with Radisson Blu at its core. In Africa, the Group entered in 2000 with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Waterfront in Cape Town. which has now transitioned to Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town. Accelerating across Africa Over the past fifteen months, the Group has signed eleven hotels and opened seven, bringing its African portfolio to 100 hotels in more than 30 countries and cementing its status as the continent's most active international operator. Radisson Blu continues to drive much of that momentum, from Casablanca to Cape Town. Recent highlights include the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Conakry, just three months after signing, as well as new signings, including the Radisson Blu Hotel&Apartments, Yaoundé. Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa is opening late 2026 'Our teams live and breathe purposeful hospitality, and this award shows how consistently they deliver,' says Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group. 'Winning four years in a row isn't luck. It reflects a clear strategy, strong local partnerships, and a brand culture that turns every stay into a memorable moment. We're already the most diverse hotel company on the continent, operating in more than 30 African countries, and we're just getting started. Africa sits at the heart of our growth plans, and guests can expect even more thoughtfully designed Radisson Blu hotels to open their doors soon.' Looking ahead Across its ten brands, Radisson Hotel Group, is on track to reaching 150 hotels by 2030 in Africa and will continue to pair global standards with genuine local insight. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group. MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Jonsson Area Manager, Corporate PR, Middle East, Africa, Mediterranean&Southeast Asia Pacific Radisson Hotel Group Connect with Radisson Hotels on: LinkedIn: Instagram: X: Facebook: YouTube: TikTok: RADISSON HOTEL GROUP: Radisson Hotel Group is a rapidly expanding international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with over 1,575 hotels in operation and under development in +100 countries. The Group's overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos. The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art'otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels. Radisson Rewards ( is Radisson Hotel Group's loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter, counting more than 20 million members. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. Radisson Meetings ( provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely Carbon Compensated. At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet ( and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as carbon compensated Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics. The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group's portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members. For more information, visit our corporate website (
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Holiday Inn owner IHG's global room revenue slows as cooling demand in US weighs
Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) on Thursday reported a slowdown in global revenue per available room in the second quarter as economic uncertainties dragged on travel demand in the U.S., its largest market. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on trade partners and rising geopolitical tensions have rattled the travel and hospitality industry as waning consumer confidence threatens to reverse the post-pandemic recovery. "While some shorter-term macroeconomic uncertainties remain, many are subsiding," IHG Chief Executive Elie Maalouf said in a statement, adding that the company remains on track to meet annual profit and earnings expectations. Amid recession concerns and tighter discretionary spending in the U.S., Marriott lowered its full-year revenue and profit guidance on Tuesday. In contrast, Hilton struck a more optimistic tone, raising its profit forecast for 2025 on the back of a stronger-than-expected recovery in U.S. travel demand. Despite trade tensions and elevated inflation that dampened spending among cost-conscious consumers, travel companies are now pointing to signs of a rebound in sentiment and bookings in July. The hotel operator said U.S. revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 0.9% for the three months ended June 30, compared to 3.5% growth in the first quarter. Sluggish domestic demand in its Greater China market continued with RevPAR falling 3% in the quarter. Global growth on the same measure for the second quarter came in at 0.3%, compared to 3.2% growth a year prior. (Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Lincoln Feast.)
Arabian Business
31-07-2025
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Emirates, IHG Hotels sign new deal targeting small business travel market
Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises across global markets. The signing ceremony was attended by Nabil Sultan, Emirates' Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Matthew Jones, VP-USA, Emirates; Ashraf Baytam, Senior Manager Global Business Travel, Emirates; and Ryan Plemmons, Vice President, Global Sales Strategy, IHG Hotels & Resorts. The partnership will see Emirates and IHG explore ways to reach and engage with SMEs through value-added benefits and rewards to facilitate business travel, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office. Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across global markets. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 30, 2025 Dubai airline Emirates partners with IHG Hotels for small business travel programme The hotel group will provide travel incentives and integration with its portfolio of hotels and resorts around the globe. 'With the SME segment playing a crucial role in fostering economic growth and creating jobs, Emirates is committed to supporting them with solutions and value-added propositions to meet their travel needs. We are pleased to collaborate with the leading hotel group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to explore programmes that will be mutually beneficial to our valued customers. Together we aim to extend valuable benefits to our customers in the SME sector, while expanding our customer base in this very important segment,' Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management said. The collaboration aims to support the SME segment through programmes that will provide benefits to customers whilst expanding both companies' customer bases in this market segment. 'We are thrilled to partner with Emirates to redefine business travel for Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value, seamless experiences, and exclusive rewards tailored to the unique needs of SMEs. By combining IHG's hospitality expertise with Emirate's global connectivity, we are unlocking new possibilities to empower businesses and drive growth across international markets,' Mark Sergot, SVP, Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts added.
