Dark/Light Mode
(25/04/23)
Fairmont Hotels has appointed Mark Willis as
Chief Executive Officer and Yigit Sezgin as Chief Brand &
Commercial Officer.
Mark Willis
As CEO, Mark Willis is responsible for the luxury
brand’s portfolio of more than 100 hotels in operation and
under development globally.
Mark has more than three decades of
high-level hospitality industry experience, working with
brands such as IHG and Sun International, as well as the Radisson Hotel
Group where he spent many years in senior leadership positions,
including Senior Vice President Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
Mark holds an MBA in
International Business from Oxford University in England and has completed several senior management programmes at
Cornell University, New York.
Prior to taking the helm at Fairmont Hotels &
Resorts Mark was CEO for India, Middle East,
Africa & Turkey (IMEAT) at Accor, overseeing a portfolio of more than 520
hotels in operation and development across 20-plus diverse brands.
As Fairmont's Chief Brand & Commercial Officer, Yigit Sezgin is responsible for leading the
entire brand and commercial strategy globally.
He has lived around the globe in 8 cities during
the last 25 years and held senior executive roles across
international luxury brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Carlson Rezidor and BLG Capital Fund.
Yigit joins the team after four successful years as
Chief Commercial Officer for Accor IMEAT, where he oversaw a
portfolio of more than 425 hotels across 42 brands in 41
countries, in charge of all commercial functions, mergers &
acquisitions, lifestyle platform and integrations.
Yigit holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard
Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management,
from Bosphorus University in Istanbul.
Marhaba Dubai!
Accor
relocated Fairmont’sglobal headquarters from Paris to Dubai earlier
this month, believing the relocation
will allow the brand to take better advantage of opportunities within
the region, chosen for its strategic proximity to Europe, Asia and
Africa.
The appointments of Mark Willis and Yigit Sezgin
also
follow parent company, Accor’s, move to consolidate its brands
into two divisions: a premium, midscale division as well as a
luxury and lifestyle division. The latter comprises a further four
divisions that manage the brands within it, including the Dubai
office,
which now manages Fairmont’s worldwide properties.
Fairmont has a pipeline of more than 30 hotels around
the world, with upcoming openings extending from the Red Sea to
Bangkok, La Paz Mexico to Prague.
Latest
exclusive video interviews : 16
HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark ;
9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia ;
Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video
Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman ;
9 Exclusive Video Interviews
from ASEAN Tourism Forum
2024
in Vientiane, Laos;
8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in
Vientiane, Laos ;
13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel
Market 2023 in London, England ;
5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France ;
15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye ; and
Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan - HD
Video Interview with CEO .
Headlines:
Singapore Airlines to Establish a Foundation
Plaza Premium to Open City Terminal Lounge in Osaka, Japan
ATR Appoints Andrea Coccetti as CFO and SVP Finance
Pegasus Airlines to Launch Flights Between Ankara and Dublin, Ireland
Hawaiian Airlines Launches Flights Between Honolulu and Salt Lake City
IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Resort in Nepalgunj, Nepal
Minor Hotels Appoints Puneet Dhawan as Head of Asia
Pegasus Airlines Launches Flights Between Istanbul and Bratislava, Slovakia
Amelia Appoints APG as Online GSA in Belgium and Offline GSA in Luxembourg
Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel in Dubai Appoints Nidal Shbat as Director of Sales
Cross Launches New Hotel Brand
Air Astana Warns Nomad Club FFP Members About Upcoming Upgrade
WTM London 2024 Opens Call for Papers
IndiGo to Launch Direct Flights Between Deoghar and Bengaluru
Travel and Tourism Industry Deal Activity Down 13.5%
Thai AirAsia Reports Q1 2024 Results
Greg Gubiani Joins World's Best Airport Hotel as GM
Passenger Security Charge at Hong Kong Airport to Increase in Phases
Hotel Management Japan to Upgrade Distribution with SynXis and Channel Connect
Trials on Use of Renewable Diesel for Airside Vehicles at Singapore Changi Airport
IHG to Expand Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection Brands to Vietnam
Pegasus Airlines to Launch Flights Between Istanbul and Edinburgh, Scotland
Philippines and Singapore Agree to Significantly Improve Air Connectivity
Lokesh Kumar Joins Minor Hotels as Vice President of Development - Middle East
Norse Atlantic Reports Strong Passenger Numbers for April 2024
Hong Kong to Host Routes World 2025
Emirates to Refurbish 71 More A380 and B777 Aircraft
Yotel Partners Frasers Hospitality for First Hotel in Japan
British Airways Holidays Reveals Results from 2024 Travel Trends Report
Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel Joins WorldHotels
Four Seasons Signs New-Build Luxury Hotel in Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Etihad Airways Offers Free Hotel Stays in Abu Dhabi Stopover Promotion
Shell Sells Energy and Chemicals Park in Singapore
SWISS Launches Flights Between Zurich and Seoul, South Korea
Marriott Opens First AC Hotel in Southwest China
High-Speed Fun in Denmark! HD Video Interview with Aarhus Sea Rangers
Dusit Signs First All-Inclusive Hotel
Scoot's First E190-E2 Enters Commercial Service with Flight to Krabi, Thailand
Pjey Mayandi Appointed GM of M Social Phuket Hotel in Thailand
Accor Takes Over Management of Hotel in Brisbane, Australia
16 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark
IndiGo to Double Number of Flights Between Delhi and Phuket, Thailand
Marasca's Second Hotel in Thailand to Open on Koh Samui in July
Over 400 Exhibitors Expected at ITB India 2024 in September
AirAsia Launches Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Ahmedabad, India
Korean Air to Launch Direct Flights Between Seoul Incheon and Portugal
Marriott's 150th Hotel in India is a Vegetarian Resort in Katra
Plaza Premium Expands Flight Club at Kuala Lumpur Airport with Restaurant in T1
Aviation: International RPK Increases 18.9% Globally; Asia Pacific Airlines +38.5%
Brunei Orders Six H145M Helicopters to Replace BO105s
Singapore-Based Lessor Orders 10 ATR 72-600s
AirAsia's Seventh Airline Launches Flights
Pattaya Airways Takes Delivery of First of Two ATR Freighters
Minor Hotels Opens Office in Bengaluru; Targets 50 Hotel Openings in India Within Decade
Marriott Opens Eighth Sheraton Hotel in Vietnam
IHG Signs Hotel in The Forestias Mixed-Use Development Near Bangkok, Thailand
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Reports March 2024 Traffic Numbers
Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Saipan Flights
Sabre Becomes First GDS to Provide NDC Content Through Zeno
FCM Appoints Siddharth Mehta as Vice President of Supply for India
Hong Kong Airlines Launches Flights to Vientiane, Laos
Air Astana to Resume Flights Between Astana and Seoul, South Korea
Airbus Expands Pléiades Neo Earth Observation Constellation with New Programme
ASM Global to Operate ICC Sydney for 10 More Years
SAS Signs Alliance Adherence Agreement with SkyTeam
OUE Awarded Tender for 255-Room Zero-Energy Hotel at Changi Airport, Singapore
Korean Air to Launch Seoul Incheon - Macau Flights
John Girard Joins Plaza Premium as General Manager Operations - Hong Kong
IndiGo to Order 30 A350-900s Powered by 60 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84s
Sabre Expands Lodging, Ground & Sea Team
Lodz Airport (LCJ) Central Poland - Interview with Robert Makowski, Commercial Director (CCO)
Greenland Airports - Interview with Jens R. Lauridsen, CEO
Glasgow (GLA), Southampton (SOU) and Aberdeen Airports (ABZ) - Interview with Christopher Tibbett, Aviation Director
Visit Aarhus - Interview with Pia Lange Christensen, CEO
Aarhus Airport (AAR) in Denmark - Interview with Lotta Sandsgaard, CEO
Visit Estonia - Interview with Kristina Kästik, B2B Team Lead, at Routes Europe 2024
Airsiders - Interview with Antonio Pascale, Commercial Director, at Routes Europe 2024
PDC Airport Solutions - Interview with Flemming Glyager at Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark
Hannover Airport (HAJ) - Interview with Prof. Dr. Martin Roll, CEO
Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) - Interview with Michiel Parent, Commercial Director
London Southend Airport (SEN) - Interview with Marc Watkins, RDM
Tallinn Airport (TLL) in Estonia - Interview with Eero Pärgmäe Board Member and CCO
Isle of Man Airport (IOM) - Interview with Gary Cobb, Airport Director
Visit Isle of Man - Interview with Deborah Heather, CEO, at Routes Europe 2024
OAG - Interview with Chelsea Waller at Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark
IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dehradun, India
Air Astana and Neos Sign MOU on Strategic Partnership
Fiji Airways to Use Assaia's TurnaroundControl Solution
AirX Signs LOI with Eve For Up To 50 eVTOL Aircraft
Executive Changes as bp Simplifies Organisational Structure
Thai AirAsia to Launch Daily Flights Between Suvarnabhumi and Hat Yai
Lufthansa's Brand New Long-Haul Allegris Cabin to Enter Service on 1 May
Bangkok Airways Extends Partnership with Sabre
IHG Expanding Garner Hotels Midscale Conversion Brand to More Countries
CWT Expands Access to Finnair NDC Content in Finland and the Nordics
Tourism Malaysia Extends Data and Market Intelligence Agreement with Travelport
Rajiv Bhatia Joins Sabre as Executive Director - Asia Pacific Market Expansion
Copenhagen Home to First Fairfield by Marriott Hotel in Europe
Hawaiian Airlines' New Flagship Aircraft Enters Service
Travelodge Opens Fourth Hotel in Seoul, South Korea
Sabre Partners South Korean OTA, InterparkTriple
British Airways Upgrading Weather Data Available to Pilots and Flight Planning Teams
Air Astana Increases Flights and Resumes Services to Select Destinations
Jean-Marie Le Gall Appointed General Manager of The Woodward Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland
IHG Signs Second Kimpton Hotel in Portugal
Scoot Takes Delivery of First of Nine E190-E2 Aircraft from Azorra
Finnair Updates Summer 2025 Flight Schedule
Delta Air Lines Launches Thrice Weekly Munich - New York JFK Flights
Japan Coast Guard to Expand Fleet with Three Airbus H225 Helicopters
EL AL to Implement NetLine/Ops ++
Sabre to Upgrade Japanese Hotel Company's Distribution and Retailing Strategy
Air Astana Upgrades Safety Training with CEET and RFFT Simulators in Astana, Kazakhstan
Dean Dimitriou Returns to The Murray Hong Kong as Hotel General Manager
ASM Global Appoints Matthew Lazarus-Hall as EVP Entertainment & Content
Thai Lion Air Launches Bangkok - Kochi Flights; Appoints Çelebi as Ground Handler
Onyx Hospitality Signs Shama Serviced Apartments in Rayong, Thailand
AirAsia X to Resume Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Changsha, China
IndiGo to Launch Kozhikode - Kochi - Agatti Flights
Neste Supplying Emirates with SAF at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; Changi Next
Amadeus Completes Acquisition of Vision-Box
AirJapan Enhances Operations with Radixx PSS
New Zealand Men and Women Win Final Sevens Tournament at Hong Kong Stadium
Korean Air to Operate Seasonal Charter Flights Between Seoul Incheon and Taichung, Taiwan
Pegasus Airlines Launches Flights Between Ankara and Lisbon, Portugal
Smiths Detection Appoints Jerome de Chassey as President
AirAsia X Resumes Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Xi'an, China
Cathay Cargo Resumes Freighter Flights from Saigon, Vietnam
SITA Publishes White Paper on Role of Biometrics in Air Travel
Cheval Collection Expands Global Hotel Alliance's Portfolio to Serviced Apartments
Langham Rebrands Hotel in Foshan, China
Aviation: International Passenger Demand Up 26.3%; Asia Pacific Airlines Report 53.2% Increase
International Air Cargo Demand Up 12.4% in February 2024; Capacity Up 16%
L'Occitane Group Appoints Green Yip as Regional MD - Travel Retail Asia Pacific
Le Bristol Paris Appoints Arnaud Faye as Executive Chef
Chris Kemlo Appointed General Manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane, Australia
Sabre Space Roadshow to Take Place in Delhi and Mumbai, India
Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo to Codeshare
Accor Expands Portfolio with 22 Hotels in Japan
Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Flights to Kagoshima, Japan
FlyArystan Receives AOC from Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan
Marriott Opens Resort on Perhentian Keci Island in Terengganu, Malaysia
AirAsia Malaysia Resumes Kuching - Penang and Kota Kinabalu - Penang Flights
Hong Kong Stadium Prepares for Final Sevens; International Fans Buy Over 40% of Tickets
ExecuJet Opens New MRO Facility at Subang Airport Near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Michelle Freyre to Join United Airlines' Board of Directors
Lloyd's Inn Kuala Lumpur to Open 1 April
Korean Air Unveils New Maintenance, Aerospace, Cargo and Ground Handling Uniforms
Nine Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia
9 Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos
8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos
13 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England
5 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France
15 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye
Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan - Video Interview with Co-Founder
Pictures from Miss International Queen 2023 Transgender Beauty Pageant in Pattaya, Thailand
Exclusive Video Interviews with 17 Miss International Queen 2023 Contestants
Living With One Eye - Six Years On by Steven Howard
HD Videos and Interviews
Podcasts from HD Video Interviews
RSS Feed - Travel Industry News
Ticker - Travel Industry News
Travel Industry News Archives
Travel Trade Shows
High-Res Picture Galleries
Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News