Establishing a sturdy begin to 2020, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the vicinity with hotels throughout the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, declared that Guy Hutchinson, Acting Chief Executive Officer, has been promoted to serve as the everlasting President CEO to lead the companys subsequent phase of growth.

Hutchinson has held the position of Acting CEO from January 2019, when the previous President CEO stepped down from the role. With 30 years of experience working in the hospitality industry, the seasoned executive joined Rotana as Chief Operating Officer in January 2014. Previously, he served a variety of roles with Hilton Worldwide in markets as various as Japan, Australia, China, India and the UAE.
Under the leadership of Hutchinson, Rotana has reached new milestones that bolstered its preeminent position in the industry. The company sustained revenue growth, deepened its presence in the area and globally, improved product providing and reinforced commercial efforts and partnerships in the course of last year.

Commenting on this development, Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana, said: On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate Guy Hutchinson on his promotion to President CEO. Leveraging his huge industry experience, as well as his innovative and dynamic management skills, he led the crew at Rotana to deliver a fantastic year in 2019 regardless of difficult market conditions. I am assured that Rotana will proceed to go from energy to energy beneath his tenure, as we proceed to push in advance with our vision to be one of the leading hospitality management companies globally.

On affirmation of the new role, Guy Hutchinson, President CEO, Rotana, said: I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity. It is really interesting to work alongside such a proficient and devoted team, and collectively we look ahead to leading Rotanas subsequent phase of growth. Certainly exploring new avenues to deliver added value to our guests, partners and stakeholders will continue to be our top priority, and we will try to understand the companys ambitious goals while persevering with to uphold the values and excessive standards for which Rotana is so well known.

During 2019, Rotana similarly developed its international footprint by bringing the Companys signature hospitality to new markets. In February, the hotel operator took over management of Baghdads famed Babylon Hotel, now named the Babylon Rotana Baghdad, and in August an agreement was signed to operate the iconic Palmeraie Resorts in Moroccos primary economic centre Marrakech, with rebranding entire in Q1 2020.

Outside the Middle East and North Africa region, Rotana opened the Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana in Bosnia and Herzegovinas capital Sarajevo in August, making its first foray into Southeast Europe, and in October, the company opened the Johari Rotana in Tanzanias key commercial city of Dar es Salaam, which marked the brands entry into the East African market.

The introduction of a franchise model has also been another key success of Hutchinson, to similarly assist Rotanas business diversification strategies. The company has efficiently carried out five franchise agreements in 2019.

Similarly, Rotana has persisted to reinforce its commercial delivery below Hutchinsons leadership, via expanding its network of Global Sales Offices (GSOs). The company opened new offices in Paris, Milan, Turkey, and Amsterdam to drive business from these key feeder markets.

Furthermore, Rotana additionally sharpened its concentration on investment in technology and innovation final year to improve guest comfort and alleviation at its hotels, as well as intensify industrial delivery throughout digital platforms. Significantly the Company implemented a new Central Reservations System (CRS) to enhance technical, functional and service guide as well as elevated performance and offerings.