Arun Kumar is the General Manager of the Hospitality Division at Al Khoory Hotels. He started his career in 1991 as a Food and Beverage Manager for Taj Group of Hotels, India, and has since been a vital part of various hotel groups in Dubai, including Flora Group of Hotels (as Cluster General Manager), Safeer Group of Hotels (as General Manager of the Hotel Division), and Al Bustan Centre & Residence (as Resident Manager). His comprehensive experience in the industry has enhanced his core competencies of pre-opening operations, sales and marketing strategies, project coordination, and operational excellence. Arun has a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai (1991) and is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Driven to excel by taking up new challenges in marketing properties through diverse channels and emerging markets, Arun has developed a holistic engagement with Hospitality.
Ivo Tzvetkov is the General Manager of Operations and Quality Assurance at Al Khoory Hotels. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ivo has worked with a variety of international hotel groups, like Marriott International, UK (as Director of Operations and Acting General Manager), Zhongmao Haiyue Hotel and Hebei Grand Hotel Executive Apartments, China (as Resident Manager), and Flora Group of Hotels, Dubai (as Cluster Director of Operations). Driven by his need to excel and achieve results beyond his comfort zone, Ivo consistently hones his numerous core competencies. These include hotel operations, revenue management, sales and marketing acumen, human resources administration, training, mentorship, negotiation, project management and rebranding. Ivo graduated in Hotel Management from the College of Tourism and Hotel Management, Cyprus, in 1996. A dedicated and fast learner, he is fluent in Bulgarian and English, with a working professional proficiency in Russian.
Bijay Mahtani is the Head of Sales at Al Khoory Hotels. With a rich working experience of more than 15 years in sales and hospitality, Bijay has been an integral part of various companies and hotel groups, including Rishraj Filaments, India (as Senior Executive), MiNC Apartments, Dubai (as Sales Manager – Corporate & Leisure), and Citymax Hotels by the Landmark Group, Dubai (as a Cluster Director of Sales for Leisure and Corporate). Steadfast and dedicated, with an in-depth understanding of industry trends, he utilises his skills in the hospitality industry, leisure industry, management, and yield management to constantly strive for excellence. He is currently completing an Executive MBA in Business Administration and Management from the Cass Business School, UK.
Uday Shetty is the Financial Controller at Al Khoory Hotels. He brings with him 14 years of post-qualification work experience, with 10 years in Finance and 4 years in Group Internal Audit. Starting out as an Accounts Manager at Mahavir Decorative Products Limited, India, he moved on to become Finance Manager at Princess Hotel, Ramee Royal Hotel and Regal Plaza Hotel in Dubai. He has also been the Senior Manager – Finance and Internal Audit for Ramee Group of Hotels & Resorts in the UAE, Bahrain and Oman. Through his skills at system development and implementation, taxation, financial planning/analysis and reporting, and corporate treasury management, he enables management team efficiency, high economic value addition and superior organizational performance. A chartered accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (1999), Uday graduated from CPA Australia in 2010. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada and Tulu.
Sujith Narayanan is the IT Manager at Al Khoory Hotels. His professional experience of more than 12 years in System Development and Maintenance includes working on 4 pre-opening experiences with 2 hypermarkets, 1 hotel apartment and a hotel. Before joining Al Khoory, Sujith has worked as a Business System Engineer for the EMKE Group (UAE), and as IT Manager and Cluster IT Manager for Hospitality Management Holdings (UAE). Self-motivated and always excited by new challenges, he has a keen engagement with his core competencies, which he pursues with dedication and responsibility. Sujith completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, graduating with a first class in 1990 from Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu. He also has an Advanced Diploma in Client Server Technology. He is proficient in English and Malayalam, and has a basic understanding of Arabic and Hindi.
Sumit Kumar is a Corporate Executive Chef at Al Khoory Hotels. With over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Sumit has worked with Ananda In The Himalayas (as Corporate Chef), Max Healthcare (as Corporate Head for Food and Beverage), and Citymax Hotels, Dubai (running their flagship hotel). He also launched Balance Cafe, a health and wellness restaurant under the Landmark Group, in Dubai. A Diploma holder in Hotel Management, Sumit has trained at The Dorchester and The Ritz, in London. He has also been trained by the renowned Chef Michel Guerard, inventor of cuisine minceur (wellness cuisine). Sumit excels at Contemporary European, Indian, Asian, Macrobiotic, Ayurvedic and modern wellness cuisine. He is well-versed with all the statutory compliances in his field. His skill set also includes facility planning, formulating budgets and operating procedures, operating eco-friendly hotels, and conducting audits for Food and Beverage facilities.
Wasim is a certified HR professional with in-depth organizational development Knowledge with certification courses from IIM-Bangalore and JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand) with progressive experience over a period of 10 years in the HR domain with commended performance and proven results. He currently leads the HR Functions at Al Khoory Hotels, having worked with various reputed companies in UAE and India. Wasim has an Extensive background in HR generalist affairs, hotel pre-opening, employee recruitment, conflict resolution, performance appraisal, compensations and benefits and the development of HR policies. In addition, he is also adept at handling general HR-related workplace issues. A passionate and result-oriented professional, he is an effective facilitator, process coach and leader. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Kashmir (2007) and holds an MBA in Human Resources and Marketing from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (2011). Fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi and Kashmiri, Wasim is skilled at initiating, managing and optimizing a range of HR functions across hierarchies, while also resolving performance management issues.
Mohammad Assi is a General Manager at Al Khoory Hotels. Adept at balancing operational efficiency and business growth with client satisfaction, Mohammad Assi has worked for nearly 10 years as a General Manager for world-class hotels, including the Cassells Al Barsha Hotel, Cassells Hotel Apartments, and Reflections Hotel in Dubai. A firm believer in employing proactive management and strong leadership techniques to create a result-driven workplace environment, he is able to inspire employee loyalty and customer satisfaction at all levels. He is also able to establish strategic business relationships with C-level executives, creating client loyalty and resulting in increased revenues and bottom-line profitability. Mohammad graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ajman University, UAE. He enjoys effectively combining corporate objectives and values with personal and professional goals and work ethics.
Leslie James is the Hotel Manager of Al Khoory Executive Hotel. Skilled in negotiation, budgeting, sales, hotel management, and sales management, Leslie has worked with world-class hotels in Dubai, including Imperial Group of Hotels (as Senior Sales and Marketing Manager), London Crown Hotel and Apartments (as Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing), Sea View Hotel and Royal Ascot Hotel (as Director Of Sales Marketing at Khamas Hospitality), and Omega Hotel (as Director of Business Development). With over 18 years of experience in sales and marketing, he has negotiated high-profile RFPs and government contracts. Leslie has also worked with travel trade partners for European and Asian markets, participating in trade shows and exhibitions in collaboration with the Dubai Tourism Board. Leslie completed his BASc in 1994 from Christ College, Bangalore, and is fluent in English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu.
Nidal Saloum is the Hotel Manager of Al Khoory Hotel Apartments. He joined Al Khoory Hotels Group since 2018. His reputation as a commercially astute and energetic leader is built on 15 years’ worth of remarkable experience and achievements in a fiercely competitive global hospitality milieu. Prior to this assignment, Nidal had a successful four-year stint at Roda Hotels Group, where his strategic and operational skills were further honed. He was heavily involved in managing diverse pre-opening properties, such as Hotel Apartments, Boutique Villas, and a Beach Resort, as well as spearheading pilot initiatives as a member of the company’s pre-opening management team. In addition, he had spent the earlier days of his career with Rotana Group, wherein his strong industry framework and rigid foundations were built. Nidal completed his studies in Hotel College in Aleppo, Syria, with a degree in Hotel Management and is fluent in both Arabic and English. He is adept in revenue strategy and management, quality enhancement, guest satisfaction and has established a robust background in multiple pre-opening hotel properties. He is an ethical team leader who influences change positively and builds great teams.
Graham Jeff Isaacs is a Cluster Hotel Manager at Urban Al Khoory and Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel. Having started his hospitality career in 2000 as a Duty Manager at JAIC Hilton Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jeff went on to work with Coral Deira Hotel (formerly Safir Deira Hotel), Dubai, in 2002. He then joined the pre-opening team of Al Khoory Atrium Hotel in 2008 as an Assistant Front Office Manager and progressed to his current role by being one of the successful pioneers and pre-opening team members of Al Khoory Hotel Apartments in the same year. His wide range of experience in the hospitality industry has honed his extensive skills in hotel operations, revenue management and running pre-opening projects. Jeff has a Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality from CTH (the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality), UK. An astute strategist and manager, he is highly committed and result-oriented, with a strong passion for his field of work.
Vikram Adetya Tanwar is the Hotel Manager of Al Khoory Inn. He has worked in the hospitality industry for more 18 years as a significant part of many renowned hotels, including The Beatle Hotel, Mumbai (as a General Manager), Ramee Group of Hotels, Dubai (as a General Manager), and Louvre Hotels Group, Dubai (as Operations Manager of Golden Tulip). Well known for his problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and cheerful personality, he has a focused and result-oriented approach that helps him exceed expectations at goal setting, motivating employees, ensuring guest satisfaction, and directing and managing property operations to enable optimum performance. Vikram completed his Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics from Jai Hind college, Mumbai, in 1997 and was later awarded an Executive Master’s degree by the National Institute of Management in 2008. He is fluent in English and Hindi.
Wenlove Jasnaik is a Corporate Marketing Executive at Al Khoory Hotels. Her comprehensive skills at sales, marketing and communications have been enhanced by in-depth engagement at a range of renowned companies, advertising firms and hotel groups, including City Seasons Hotels, Dubai (as Cluster PR and Marketing Coordinator), Key Point Advertising FZ LLC, Dubai (as Administrative Assistant), and Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai (as Marketing and Communications Secretary). Wenlove’s core competencies include search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing and display advertisement. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Accountancy from Cebu Institute of Technology, Philippines.
