LAURENT A. VOIVENEL, SVP OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT, SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL, SPEAKS ON NEW TRENDS EMERGING IN OWNER AND OPERATOR RELATIONS
Dubai – Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, was among the top speakers today at The Hotel Show being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 16 to 18th September 2018. Participating in a panel discussion at The Middle East Hospitality Leadership Forum, Laurent highlighted the new trends in owner and operator relations.
Laurent stated, “New patterns of ownership, finance and management are emerging. Contract terms are swinging in favour of owners who are primarily performance driven and are no longer satisfied with long-term capital appreciation. The bottom line is the yardstick that operators are being judged by. Therefore, operators need to understand better today’s owners and investors who are far more active and involved in all areas of hotel operations from selection of general managers to driving social media.”
Talking about the changing market dynamics, Laurent stated, “The business is becoming more complex and competitive for operators who are grapping with multiple challenges. The pie is shrinking with far too many hotel brands and regional operators. Market is being disrupted by new forms of competition such as Airbnb. Rates are constantly under pressure due to oversupply of rooms. Increasing costs of operations are adversely affecting profitability. Guests profiles and preferences are changing too who are looking for greater value for money along with better quality, greater convenience and unique experiences.”
So, what needs to be done to manage the gabs between owners and operators? Laurent stated, “Both parties have to look at the equation differently. There is need for greater communication to build lasting relationships. It is important for operators to understand and listen to owners, and react with solutions. Innovation is the key in every aspect of the business. We need to be inventive by outsourcing services, clustering roles and boosting efficiency by tapping into new technology. Alternative revenue generators should be developed. For their part owners must give operators a fair chance to implement new ideas with ample space and time.
For further information visit http://www.swiss-belhotel.com
For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
Mob: 00971 50 6975146
Tel: 00971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
About Swiss-Belhotel International
Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 150* hotels, resorts and projects located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Georgia, Italy and Tanzania. Awarded Indonesia’s Leading Global Hotel Chain for six consecutive years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world’s fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. www.swiss-belhotel.com
*Numbers may fluctuate
Designs Group Sets Up a New Plant in Turkey for Manufacturing Hotel Minibars and Safe Boxes
Saudi based Designs Group, a pioneer in providing integrated hotel solutions as well as construction and management services, has set up a new plant in Turkey for manufacturing minibars and safe boxes for hotels.
Making the announcement at The Hotel Show in Dubai today, Eng. Mohammad Al-Nadi, CEO of Designs Group, stated, “We are delighted to add this new plant to our well-established manufacturing lines specialised in catering to the diverse requirements of the hospitality industry. With an annual production targeted at 100,000 units the new company will be well-placed to meet the growing demand for such products in the region. We will be closely monitoring all aspects of engineering and manufacturing that will enable us to implement innovative product design, advanced technology and rigorous quality control processes to meet and exceed even the most stringent global standards.”
Each electronic safe will be fully motorised with two locking bolts and feature internationally compliant keypads, LED display, audit trail, and emergency openings by electronic override and high security manual key. The safes are easy to install and will be available in wide range of sizes and designs to fit the different types of cabinets and wardrobes.
With an emphasis on reliability and usability the minibar systems too are being developed to redefine hotel in-room convenience refrigerator technology with benefits for both guests and hotels. Incorporating advanced absorption techniques and energy saving technology they will greatly enhance the user experience and comfort.
Eng. Mohammad Al-Nadi, CEO of Designs Group, stated, “Demand for hotel interiors and other products is growing strongly across the Middle East and Africa region following the development of new hotels and renovations and at Designs Group we are eager capitalize on this buoyant market. Not only are a number of new hotels being built across the country, but existing properties are being refurbished to stay competitive.”
There are currently 618 projects under development in the Middle East’s hotel pipeline that once completed will yield a total of 238,963 new rooms. The two most active countries across the region are the UAE, which has 222 hotel projects amounting to 126,576 rooms and Saudi Arabia, which has 143 projects and 55,810 rooms.
B2B Hotel Furniture is well equipped to meet the demands of constantly evolving hospitality industry from small to large scale projects. With over three decades of outstanding experience and 13 specialized companies, Designs Group (ProArt Intl, PerfectTech, B2B Hotel Furniture, and other subsidiaries co.) has served a prestigious list of more than 10,000 clients across the Middle East and Africa region since the 1990s delivering some of the most complex and award-winning projects.
Eng. Mohammad Al-Nadi, said, “Based on our performance, we have built a strong reputation across the Middle East as a dependable company delivering exceptional value to our clients. With a highly skilled and experienced team of designers, project managers and site engineers, and a global procurement network, we are able to successfully meet the industry’s numerous challenges as well as budget and timescale constraints that gives us tremendous edge in the market.”
For more information about Designs Group please visit www.designs.sa
or www.b2bhotelfurniture.com
Visit Designs Group at The Hotel Show on Stand No. 5E219 from 16-18 September 2018 at Sheikh Saeed Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre.
For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
Mob: 00971 50 6975146
Tel: 00971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Royal Central Hotel The Palm Offers the Ideal Beach Escape
Summer is finally on its way out ushering in cooler days and balmier evening. The Royal Central Hotel The Palm enjoys the perfect coastal setting on one of Dubai’s most idyllic private beaches for the ultimate escape. Whether you are looking for a mid-week minibreak, a weekend retreat or a dream staycation, the Royal Central Hotel The Palm is the ideal choice for residents and visitors with unbeatable room rates.
Mohamed Hassan Youssef, General Manager of the Royal Central Hotel The Palm, said, “We offer the most stylish beachfront location overlooking the spectacular Palm Jumeirah with sweeping views of the world-famous architectural landmarks such as Atlantis The Palm and Burj Al Arab. Here guests can unwind and relax surrounded by peace and calm as they take in the beautiful scenery from their private beach cabanas or the sunbed lounges. At the Royal Central Hotel The Palm you wake up to serenity of the sea that glistens in the sun like a jewel and makes you forget you are in the middle of city.”
The stunning Royal Central Hotel The Palm features 207 elegantly-appointed rooms and suites, each beautifully designed to intuitively meet the needs of discerning travelers. The resort offers an array of recreational facilities ranging from water sports to an outdoor infinity pool, state-of-the-art gym and health spa. All this together with exciting dining options, allow guests to relax in a truly tranquil setting.
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@RoyalCentralAE
#RoyalCentralAE #CentralHotels #StayFresh
About Central Hotels
Central Hotels has very quickly established itself as a reputed hotel management group in the UAE with its flagship property First Central Hotel Suites located in Barsha Heights (TECOM) near Sheikh Zayed Road. Building up on this amazing success, the brand is now poised to expand its footprint targeting the UAE and Turkey as the primary markets for growth in addition to other lucrative destinations in the Middle East. The group has recently added to its portfolio spectacular new 5-star hotels such as Canal Central Business Bay and Royal Central The Palm followed by Central House Citywalk focused on millennials, Novotel The Palm, Diamond Central – Business Bay, and Island Central in Dubai, as well as Valley Central Bursa, and Valley Central Trabzon in Turkey.
For more information visit www.central-hotels.com
For Media Contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
M: +971 50 6975146 | T: +971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Meet and Celebrate at Canal Central Hotel Business Bay
Discover the superb meeting and event facilities at the Canal Central Hotel Business Bay. The newly-opened luxurious 5-star hotel offers a fabulous choice of premier meeting facilities with a refreshing approach to space design and layout. Equipped with the latest technology these are ideal for small to mid-size corporate and social functions. Complementing the beautiful venues are personalized menus and a highly professional and experienced team who is devoted to exceed expectations with their impeccable service.
Shady Dawad, General Manager of Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, said, “Demand for small to medium sized venues is particularly strong in Dubai, and at Canal Central Hotel Business Bay we are well-placed to serve this niche. Be it an intimate board meeting, a high-profile gathering, a simple seminar or a family celebration for birthdays, anniversaries or baby showers, we offer an excellent choice of multiple meeting venues and flexible spaces to match any expectation.Additionally, we can provide a cost-effective solution complete with overnight accommodation if required for companies look to incentivise staff through team bonding events.”
Take advantage of the special inaugural meetings offer at Canal Central Hotel Business Bay:
Rates start from AED 140 inclusive of coffee break and lunch, per person
Minimum 10 people, Terms & Conditions Apply.
For bookings and more information:
Call 04-873-2100 or Email info.cc@central-hotels.com
Canal Central Hotel Business Bay is a beautiful hotel strategically located in the vibrant Business Bay district only a few minutes away from The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa as well as Dubai’s other key business hubs and commercial centres such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Design District, and Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The stunning hotel reflects the neighbourhood’s energy and excitement serving as a gateway to the destination. Complementing its fabulous business facilities are outstanding leisure options where guests can take a dip in the pool, work out at the Gym or enjoy a relaxing treatment at Wellness Valley Spa. Equally enticing are its uniquely selected restaurants and bars providing exceptional dining and lounging experiences.
Follow Us on
@CanalCentralAE
#CanalCentralAE
#CentralHotelsAE #StayFresh
About Central Hotels
Central Hotels has very quickly established itself as a reputed hotel management group in the UAE with its flagship property First Central Hotel Suites located in Barsha Heights (TECOM) near Sheikh Zayed Road. Building up on this amazing success, the brand is now poised to expand its footprint targeting the UAE as the primary markets for growth in addition to other lucrative destinations within the Middle East. The group has recently added to its portfolio spectacular new 5-star hotels such as Canal Central Business Bay and Royal Central The Palm followed Central House Citywalk focused on millennials, Novotel The Palm, Diamond Central – Business Bay and Island Central in Dubai.
For more information visit www.central-hotels.com
For Media Contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
M: +971 50 6975146 | T: +971 4 5667355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Hala Matar Choufany, President HVS, MEASA, Highlights Challenges & Opportunities for Women in African Hospitality Sector at THINC Africa 2018
Hala Matar Choufany, President HVS, Middle East, Africa and South Asia, spoke with leading female executives at THINC Africa 2018 conference, hosted by HVS from 5-6 September at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town about ‘Women in Hospitality’. The main focus of the discussion was the challenges, opportunities and victories faced by women within the African hospitality sector.
Participating in the panel were Lee-Ann Singer, Marketing Director Singer Group; Talya French, Business Development Manager, Marriott International; Ronleigh Gaddin, CEO Amani Spas; and Simone Kuhn, Manager Business Development Radisson Hotel Group.
Emphasising on the progress women have made in the hospitality sector, Hala stressed, “In the last 10 years, more women have taken leadership positions and while we still have to catch up, governments and organisations are realising the key role women play in the workplace. We have seen remarkable change and growth for women in the hospitality industry where they have proven that they are every bit as capable and qualified as men. Development of detailed career plans as well as improvement in corporate practices and policies within enterprises continue to be instrumental in promoting equal opportunities for women in career progression.”
So, what is it that holds women back from taking the top management positions in the hospitality sector especially in Africa? What are the barriers to upward mobility or career advancement of women. Hala stated, “Challenges and issues around women and men work inequality are universal and not continent specific. There are many internal and external factors that could impact women’s career path such as their own motivation, skills, educational level, lack of support or equal opportunities. Balancing work and family is potentially a challenge at times, especially due to perpetuation of traditional gender roles. Hospitality industry demands long hours and a great deal of crisis management and problem solving and this could be quite exhausting for some women. Also, different kinds of cultural norms, values and stereotypes often act as constant barriers.”
Hala added, “To close the gender gap in the workforce and overcome societal barriers, women need support and training. Successful women should become more visible and support other women. Organisations too must go above and beyond to ensure women have a chance to work in positions that have been traditionally filled by men as well as have more opportunities to grow in their career.”
Hala’s message to all women out there is: “Be confident and believe in yourself. Have passion, empathy and be flexible. Don’t focus on what other’s think and the challenges out there, rather focus on where you want to be. Women have natural abilities to multi-task and that’s a big advantage. Remember there is a huge scope for you to shape your career.”
About HVS
HVS is a leader in global hospitality financial consulting. Hotel owners, developers, investors, lenders, management companies, and public agencies around the world rely on HVS to make informed business decisions. HVS’s commitment to excellence and unrivalled hospitality intelligence is delivered by more than 300 people in over 50 offices throughout the world who specialize in a wide range of hospitality assets including hotels, restaurants, casinos, shared ownership lodging, mixed-use developments, spas, and golf courses, as well as conventions, sports, and entertainment facilities.
For more information about HVS visit https://hvs.com
Middle East Office
2102 North, Emirates Financial Towers
Dubai International Financial Centre
PO Box: 482068, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 (4) 354-4771
Fax: +971 (4) 354-4772
Email: hchoufany@hvs.com
https://hvs.com
Connect with HVS MEA on:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvsmea/
https://www.facebook.com/HVSMEA
https://twitter.com/hvsmea
https://www.instagram.com/hvsmea
#HVSMEA
For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
Mob: 00971 50 6975146
Tel: 00971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Canal Central Hotel Business Bay Installs Interactive In-room Digital Tablets
In keeping with Central Hotel’s paperless initiative designed to protect the environment and enhance the customer experience, Canal Central Hotel Business Bay has successfully installed digital interactive guest room tablets in all 278 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. All guests will now be able to experience 5-star convenience at their fingertips during their stay.
Shady Dawad, General Manager of Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, said, “Our smart digital in-room tablets have been very well received by both guests and staff since these are easy to use as well easy to update. They look great in rooms and are a fantastic environmental initiative. We are also noticing marked efficiency in terms of operations as it provides a wide range of services such as wake-up calls, restaurant reservations, dining menus, housekeeping requests, guest notifications, and guest feedbacks. It also has considerable cost-benefits that help drive increased ancillary revenue.”
Canal Central Hotel Business Bay is a luxurious hotel strategically located in the vibrant Business Bay district only a few minutes away from The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa as well as Dubai’s other key business hubs and commercial centres such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai Design District, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The stunning hotel reflects the neighbourhood’s energy and excitement serving as a gateway to the destination. Complementing its fabulous business facilities are outstanding leisure options where guests can take a dip in the pool, work out at the Gym or enjoy a relaxing treatment at Wellness Valley Spa. Equally enticing are its uniquely selected restaurants and bars providing exceptional dining and lounging experiences.
Follow Us on
@CanalCentralAE
#CanalCentralAE #CentralHotels #StayFresh
About Central Hotels
Central Hotels has very quickly established itself as a reputed hotel management group in the UAE with its flagship property First Central Hotel Suites located in Barsha Heights (TECOM) near Sheikh Zayed Road. Building up on this amazing success, the brand is now poised to expand its footprint targeting the UAE as the primary markets for growth in addition to other lucrative destinations within the Middle East. The group has recently added to its portfolio spectacular new 5-star hotels such as Canal Central Business Bay and Royal Central The Palm followed Central House Citywalk focused on millennials, Novotel The Palm, Diamond Central – Business Bay and Island Central in Dubai.
For more information visit www.central-hotels.com
For Media Contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
M: +971 50 6975146 | T: +971 4 5667355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
LAURENT A. VOIVENEL, SVP OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT, SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL, HIGHLIGHTS MID-MARKET OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTORS AT HOTELIER MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE
Dubai – Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, participated in a panel discussion today on ‘Balancing Supply & Bridging the Gap’ at the annual Great GM Debate held in Dubai. Attended by more than 200 leading hoteliers it is one of the industry’s most popular forums to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the hospitality sector on a day-to-day basis and to learn from the best practices of the peers.
Dispelling the common misconceptions that exist with regards to the return on investment and profitability of mid-market hotels, Laurent stressed, “There are many factors that make mid-market hotels a lucrative investment option for owners. The most important is that despite the strong demand only limited budget hotels inventory is entering the market, making the supply and demand dynamics far more favourable for mid-market hotels and, therefore, giving investors a great opportunity to capitalise on. Moreover, lower cost of construction, operations and staffing for mid-market hotels contribute to greater profitability of projects and faster ROI. A typical plot of land can accommodate 30-35% more mid-scale rooms than luxury or upscale rooms. Cost of construction per key for mid-market hotels too is 20-30% lower than 5-star hotels. Also, since there are limited facilities, such hotels require less investment and take less time to build.”
Speaking on the key challenges holding back the development of mid-market hotels and how these can be overcome, Laurent stated, “There needs to be some sort of intervention from the authorities regarding land allocation because in areas where mid-market hotels should be to attract investors, the cost of land is prohibitively high or not available for budget hotels. Alternative construction methods such as modular construction should be considered, and approval process eased for these to make the project financially viable. To promote investment in mid-market hotel sector there is need for more flexible financial support infrastructure with increased lending from banks.”
It is widely accepted by the industry that in order to establish the UAE as a sustainable destination, it is imperative to balance out the supply gap. So how are hoteliers addressing the requirements of modern travellers? Laurent said, “The millennial travellers are the key target for mid-market hotels and their preference is quality-driven, trendy and technology friendly hotels. The range and intensity of the experience is important to the millennial travellers and hence they seek accommodation options that are different to stereotypical ‘hotels’ and offer unique experiences along with value for money. Soon we expect to introduce in the Middle East Zest Hotels which is a fun and fresh budget hotel brand voted this year as Asia’s leading budget hotel brand at World Travel Awards. We believe that savvy travellers shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort, convenience and style even when sticking to a budget and, therefore, created the Zest Hotels concept to fit that important gap in the market.”
For further information visit http://www.swiss-belhotel.com
For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
Mob: 00971 50 6975146
Tel: 00971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
About Swiss-Belhotel International
Swiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than 150* hotels, resorts and projects located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Georgia, Italy and Tanzania. Awarded Indonesia’s Leading Global Hotel Chain for six consecutive years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world’s fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Europe, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. www.swiss-belhotel.com
*Numbers may fluctuate
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai Partners with Latifa Hospital for Blood Donation Drive
In keeping with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai participated recently in a Blood Donation campaign organised in collaboration with the Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC) and Latifa Hospital.
Mr. Simon Moore, General Manager of Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, said, “We are extremely grateful to Latifa Hospital for having given us the opportunity to support this essential life-saving cause, that also serves to raise awareness for the need of blood donations. As part of our CSR policy, we are committed to support humanitarian causes such as these in the broader interest of our community. I would like to thank all Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai colleagues who responded to our call for blood and made this initiative a true success by collecting 34 bottles of blood”.
The Dubai Health Authority’s Blood Donation Center (DBDC) is the main blood donation center in Dubai and it is committed to providing a safe and adequate supply of blood to all DHA hospitals & private hospitals in Dubai.
Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. Every blood donation can potentially save up to three lives. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with higher quality of life and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during man-made and natural disasters. Today, only 62 countries get close to 100% of their national blood supplies from voluntary unpaid blood donations, with 40 countries still dependent on family donors and even paid donors.
For hotel marketing contact:
Sheryl Aquiatan
Assistant Marketing Managers
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
Mob: 00971 56 506 0983
Tel: 00971 4 702 8888
sheryl.aquiatan@millenniumhotels.com
For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
Mob: 00971 50 6975146
Tel: 00971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa
Millennium Hotels and Resorts is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and operates over 130 hotels worldwide. With almost 40,000 rooms and a portfolio of brands; including Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, Millennium Place, M Hotel, Copthorne, Kingsgate, Millennium Executive Apartments and Studio M, that serve different market segments, representing quality and value in every class.
Currently operating 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, the Group has an extensive expansion strategy in place, with 40 hotels in the pipeline. Each property in the region is unique, catering to the varying tastes and needs of the international business and leisure traveller but with a consistent promise to provide a first class service and a rewarding experience for guests. Millennium Hotels and Resorts is committed to differentiating itself by embracing the true spirit of diverse traditions, with a sincere respect to historical heritage and local culture.
With the motto “More than Meets the Eye”, Millennium & Copthorne is committed to a customer-centric philosophy and complete guest satisfaction.
For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com
ICAI – (Dubai) Chapter NPIO inaugurated office in DIFC
Dubai Chapter of ICAI was formed 36 Years ago to promote the professional
interest of its members, by providing a forum to Chartered Accountants
residing in Dubai and Northern Emirates. Dubai Chapter is the largest and
most active award-winning Chapter of the 32 overseas chapters of ICAI.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (Dubai) Chapter NPIO with 3
First Founding Members CA. Nimish Makvana, CA. Naveen Sharma and CA. Pankaj
Mundra got provisional approval from DIFC to incorporate Non
– Profit entity Under the Chairmanship of CA. Nimish Makvana and his team in
year 2015-16.
After completing all the necessary formalities by CA. Naveen Sharma and his
team The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (Dubai Chapter)
announced the opening of its new office in Dubai International Financial
Centre (DIFC), the leading international financial hub for the Middle East,
Africa and South Asia region. To celebrate this opening, Mr Arif Amiri,
Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority inaugurated the new office in the
presence of 3 First Founding Members, Past Chairmen, Managing Committee and
dignitaries. This mark yet another landmark for ICAI as it integrates itself
further into the financial space of the UAE. The DIFC is the foremost
financial hub for Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The registration with
an organization of this magnitude puts the ICAI into the very heart of the
financial activity in the region.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is having its Overseas
office in Dubai registered as a branch of ICAI with license issued by Dubai
Creative Clusters Authority and located at Dubai Knowledge Park since 2004.
CA. Prabhdeep Singh Baweja, Regional Director of ICAI heads the Overseas
office which caters to the needs of the members and students in the Middle
East and African Region. ICAI has 16 chapters in these regions which include
10 in Middle East and 6 in Africa and with presence of large number of
members in these regions, the Overseas office acts as coordinating and focal
point for working with the chapters and achieving the objectives of the
organization in these regions.
La Ville Hotel & Suites Welcomes New Executive Chef
The charming 5-star boutique hotel, La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK,
welcomes Moritz Neumann as the Executive Chef. Chef Moritz with over 16
years of experience is bringing his culinary expertise to create new
flavors for the hotel and its outstanding dining venues.
“It is a great honor for me to join the team of this lifestyle boutique
hotel. I am focused on updating the gastronomic landscape to ensure that
the culinary experience is just as remarkable as the hotel itself,” says
Chef Moritz “To best describe my cooking style, I would call it simple
cosmopolitan, where the main ingredients take center stage and the
techniques and flavors come from different global influences collected
over the years. I enjoy enhancing natural flavors, ensuring our guests
leave feeling nourished, well fed and looking forward to come back for
more in no time.”
The German Chef started his career with the Marriott International when
he joined Munich Marriott Hotel as apprentice in 2002. Over the past
decade, Moritz has worked in leading hotels and restaurants in Germany,
United Kingdom, United States of America, Qatar, and the United Arab
Emirates. Most recently, he worked as the Executive Sous Chef
overlooking the opening of the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai and its
f&b concept Outlets.
At La Ville Hotel & Suites, he is mandated with the all-around
management and operations of the property’s beautiful dining venues
including GRAZE, a gastro-grill serving a social culinary experience,
focused on prime beef cuts, Grapeskin, a standalone grape bar and
kitchen, Chival, a social eatery and LookUp lounge, overlooking the
rooftop pool.
Cooking since a young age, Chef Moritz focuses on using fresh regional
produce for his dishes, which significantly influenced his style of
cooking. It is more and more important for customers to understand where
their food was sourced from to enjoy their meal with us. Cooking rustic,
homely food paired with creativity highlighting the original texture and
flavors of the main ingredients constantly shines through his dishes.
Bringing unconventional flair to typical meat dishes, he has curated a
new menu for GRAZE, which offers an array of modern dishes with urban
bold flavors, staying true to the restaurants roots. The new menu is
focused on high-quality beef from Australia. “We have been very
fortunate to work with well-established farms that produce the best
meats available in the market and worldwide,” says Moritz. His next
focus will be to work on developing new menus for Chival and Grapeskin,
inking lingering flavors to every aspect of the hotel.