Hotel group Rotana has announced the appointment of Philip Barnes as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2024.
Selim El Zyr, Vice President of Rotana, expressed his pride in welcoming Mr Barnes, highlighting his extensive leadership experience and knowledge of the global hospitality industry. Mr Barnes, who has nearly 25 years' experience with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is expected to strengthen the brand and operational quality of the Rotana hotel group. His innovative vision should help shape Rotana's trajectory and strengthen its presence in key markets.
During his tenure at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Mr Barnes held a variety of executive positions in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Most notably, he held the position of Regional Vice President, Southern California (2020 - 2022). Barnes brings a wealth of industry expertise to Rotana, having previously worked with leading brands such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Shangri La Hotels & Resorts.
In the Middle East, Barnes was Regional Vice President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for the United Arab Emirates (2009-2011), overseeing operations at several properties including Fairmont Palm Dubai and Fairmont Bab al Bar Abu Dhabi. He also held Vice President positions for the Middle East region (2007-2009), overseeing developments and planned openings in several countries.
Rotana's portfolio currently comprises 19,602 keys and six brands. In the United Arab Emirates alone, the group has 36 hotels with 10,159 keys, while in Saudi Arabia it operates eight hotels with 2,183 keys. Mr Barnes' appointment demonstrates Rotana's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the hospitality sector.
“I am privileged to join Rotana – a homegrown brand synonymous with providing guests with the highest service levels across the region. I look forward to working closely with the wider team to grow Rotana’s legacy and firmly position it as one of the leading hospitality players in the region. Together, we will embark on a journey to redefine hospitality, creating Treasured Time for our guests and setting new benchmarks for the industry.” - Barnes.
United Arab Emirates
