MALDIVES—Ocean conservation is a core pillar for OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels and the newly appointed resident marine biologist at OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort, Danielle Stanley, has ambitious plans for guest interaction and participation. As part of OUTRIGGER Zone—the premier beach resort brand’s global conservation initiative on marine and environmental protection—guests can join in and learn about conservation activities at the resort. Stanley, a dual British-South African national, who grew up in Tanzania, took over her new post with OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort in March. Activities at the resort include coral planting, whale shark and manta excursions, showing marine-themed documentaries, holding arts...

NEW ORLEANS—New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Linda Baynham was recently recognized as one of five local Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) Champions by New Orleans and Company, the city’s destination marketing organization. Honored during the weeklong celebration, NTTW champions are individuals in the industry who are passionate about their chosen field and create positive impacts in the community. Each of the five champions represents a different sector of the hospitality and tourism industry. As Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Baynham establishes company-wide sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals for the Convention Center. She...

BERLIN—Torsten Loos is the new COO of Berlin-based budget group a&o Hostels. He has been with the company since 2002 and, as Director of Operations, has been responsible for the operation of the total of 40 properties with 35 general managers and more than 1,000 employees since 2014. During this time, he has developed and established a new management trainee program and the a&o Academy, among other things. The top issue and motivation for Loos as COO remains: “Budget yes, but the focus is on quality.” The key to this for Loos is “consistent employee qualification.” He shares, “Optimized cost structure is a basic...

GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA—Adrian Gardiner, well-known conservationist, entrepreneur and Founder and Chairman of the conservation-focused hotel group, the Mantis Collection, recently received a Global Humanitarian Award from American Humane—the United States’ first national humane organization, and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare. The Award is “in recognition of Gardiner’s dedication to wildlife conservation, to saving animals and their habitats that has laid a road map for other private entities to invest in conservation,” said American Humane CEO, Dr. Robin Ganzert. “He could apply his sharp business sense anywhere, yet he’s chosen to invest his talents in wildlife conservation. American Humane...

NASHVILLE, TENN.—1 Hotel Nashville, Nashville’s first mission-driven sustainable luxury hotel, announced the appointment of Onal Kucuk as General Manager. Kucuk will spearhead all operations and strategic goals for the property, and oversee the 178 guestrooms and 37 suites, as well as 1 Kitchen Nashville, Harriet’s Rooftop, Neighbors Café, and Bamford Wellness Spa. Most recently in the role of general manager at The Guild Hotel in San Diego, Kucuk brings extensive experience in luxury and lifestyle hotels. Previously, Kucuk spent several years with Hyatt, from Ventana Big Sur, a luxury coastal resort, to Thompson Chicago, a chic hotel in the Gold...

MIAMI—SH Hotels & Resorts, a sustainable hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Treehouse Hotels & Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, announced the hiring of Marco Selva as Executive Vice President of Operations. In this role, he will lead all operations for the company’s current portfolio consisting of three brands and a current total of 12 properties. He will also oversee operations for the robust pipeline of soon-to-open hotels, with 10 new openings expected over the next three to five years. Selva will be responsible for financial performance across the SH Hotels portfolio and will work closely with the...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of veteran hotelier Sayed Tayoun as General Manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park. With more than twenty years’ experience in hospitality operations and commercial leadership in the region, Tayoun has been leading and inspiring teams across different IHG brands to excel in operational standards and achieve rooms, F&B, and other revenue streams at optimum profitability. He is a graduate with a BA in Hospitality Management from Notre Dame University in Lebanon, and an achiever in online career enhancement programs from Cornell University and Harvard Business School. His career in IHG...

SINGAPORE—Accor, the largest hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand, announced the appointment of David Young to the role of Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of ESG for Accor Pacific. Young has extensive ESG, commercial and operational experience gained over many years from working in the travel industry in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the U.K. Prior to joining Accor, David worked with the oneworld alliance as Global Program Director Sustainability and was previously the Executive Manager of Sustainability and ESG at the Qantas Group. Over the last 20 years David has held senior operating roles with Qantas as Executive Manager Commercial at Qantas...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—James R. Hedges, IV has been appointed Curator of the Arts for The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air. In this position, he will oversee the art program across both hotels. With storied histories in the arts and cultural arenas, both The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air continue to offer guests the opportunity to discover art in an unexpected and intimate setting. In addition to seven planned exhibitions in 2023, Hedges will oversee a series of educational artist-focused events and will organize art experiences in partnership with local galleries and museums. As founder of Hedges Projects and with...

WILLAMETTE VALLEY, ORE.—Oregon Wine Country’s award-winning, The Allison Inn & Spa, welcomes Jack Strong as Executive Chef. In this role, Chef Strong leads all culinary programs at the 85-room award-winning boutique resort, including the resort’s signature restaurant JORY. Oregon-born Chef Strong comes to The Allison Inn & Spa with over 30 years of culinary experience under his belt and most recently held the position as Executive Chef at the 453-room JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. During his tenure, he was awarded the coveted Culinary Excellence of the Americas by Marriott. Chef Strong previously held positions at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel and the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa where...