MINOR HOTELS EUROPE & AMERICAS NAMES NEW CEO
Gonzalo Aguilar has assumed the role of chief executive officer at Minor Hotels Europe & Americas. He joined Minor Hotels in October 2024 and succeeds former CEO Ramón Aragonés, who retired at the end of 2024 and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and non-executive vice president.
Aguilar will focus on strengthening international integration of Minor’s brand portfolio and accelerating hotel openings in key markets, particularly in the luxury and resort segments. With more than three decades of hospitality experience, including his most recent senior leadership role as COO for Europe at Marriott International, he brings a proven track record in driving growth and profitability to the Minor Hotels team. His leadership was instrumental in integrating the AC Hotels brand into Marriott.
JAVIER ÁGUILA’S NEW ROLE AT HYATT
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has appointed Javier Águila as president of its Inclusive Collection, effective March 1, 2025, in addition to his current role as group president, EAME, overseeing Hyatt’s Europe, Africa and Middle East region.
In his expanded role, he will oversee all aspects of Hyatt’s global all-inclusive business, including development, operations, branding and commercial performance, working closely with global teams.
Águila’s appointment comes on the heels of Hyatt’s launch of five brand portfolios – Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics and Essentials – as well as the formation of a dedicated Lifestyle group, led by Amar Lalvani.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors of Marriott International have elected Sean Tresvant, Chief Executive Officer of Taco Bell Corp. as an independent director of the company, effective February 12, 2025. With the election of Tresvant, the Marriott International board will expand to 13 directors, 10 of whom are independent.
Tresvant drives growth strategies, franchise operations and overall company performance. He also serves as vice chairman of the Taco Bell Foundation and is a founding member of the Black Executive CMO Alliance, where he advocates for opportunity and access for Black marketing professionals. Before joining Taco Bell, he spent more than 15 years at Nike, culminating in the role of chief marketing officer for the Jordan Brand.
MORE MOVES
Hotel Equities (HE) has announced the appointment of Adrienne Jubb as senior vice president of business development for the Western U.S. She will play a pivotal role in driving HE’s growth initiatives and expanding its portfolio in the region.
She will work closely alongside Ryan McRae, HE’s SVP of business development – Pacific Northwest U.S. and Canada. Corbin Tipton, regional director of business development for the Western U.S., will work under Jubb’s leadership and guidance. She joins HE from Aimbridge Hospitality, where she worked for nearly 10 years with Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Adrian De Gortari has joined Remington Hospitality as its new executive vice president of revenue. He will play a key role in enhancing the company’s revenue management strategies and supporting its ambitious growth, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
De Gortari will focus on creating an agile and standardized revenue management platform, empowering the company’s teams to optimize profitability and streamline processes. His leadership will emphasize interdepartmental collaboration and skill development, ensuring long-term value creation for owners and stakeholders alike. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of revenue management for a private equity firm and his career includes pivotal roles at Magna Hospitality Group.
The Lodge at Spruce Peak, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel has appointed Beth Allen as its new director of sales and marketing. With over 35 years of experience in sales, marketing and communications in luxury travel and hospitality, Allen will oversee this luxury mountainside property’s overall sales and marketing efforts.
Prior to joining The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Allen was the area director of sales and marketing at Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Previously, she held the role of director of sales and marketing at The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte in North Carolina and Capella Hotel Group’s Solis Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has promoted Nabil Moubayed to regional director of operations. Moubayed will lead operations for several properties within the company’s Luxury & Lifestyle division, including InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Kimpton Gray and Kimpton Journeyman
Moubayed’s career spans more than two decades in the hospitality industry. Before joining IHG, he held key roles with Wyndham International and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Most recently, he served as regional vice president of hotel operations, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas at IHG, where he oversaw hotel operations across the Americas.
Andrew Hedley has joined Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas in Antigua as director of business development. He brings over three decades of experience in luxury resorts and hotel development.
Hedley’s journey in the hospitality industry began in 1985 with ITT Sheraton, where he honed his expertise in operations, sales, marketing and revenue strategies. He has led many properties across the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the transformation of Jumby Bay Island into one of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ flagship properties, serving as vice president of Caribbean operations.
Salamander Collection has appointed Allie Wishart as director of leisure sales for its Salamander Middleburg in Virginia. She will be responsible for positively impacting business and cultivating relationships across various leisure market segments.
Previously, she served as the resort’s director of front office operations, playing a pivotal role in managing key departments, including front desk, concierge and guest services.
The Oaklander Hotel in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood has named Kelly Giger as director of sales and marketing.
Giger brings almost two decades of hospitality experience to her new role. She has held leadership roles at several hotels in the Pittsburgh region, most recently working as general manager at The Industrialist Hotel.
Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha in Qatar have welcomed Andrew Steele as managing director.
With over three decades of global experience in luxury hospitality, Steele has built a career marked by his strategic vision, operational expertise and commitment to sustainability. His legacy includes leadership roles at international brands such as Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La and Fairmont. Most recently, he served as general manager at Raffles Istanbul.
NEW GMs
Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel has welcomed Ron Carter as the new general manager for the recently rebranded and reimagined hotel. Carter will be responsible for ensuring seamless daily operations, developing and leading the management team and driving initiatives to elevate the guest experience through engaging events.
Bringing over 25 years of experience to his new position, Carter joins Red Cliffs Lodge Zion from Heritage Senior Communities in Hurricane, Utah, where he served as owner and administrator. Prior to that, he served as general manager at the Embassy Suites Palmdale.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has named Oliver Eller as general manager. With a career spanning more than 32 years in the travel, hospitality and ultra-luxury sectors, Eller will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations, ensuring the delivery of seamless guest experiences that align with The Ritz-Carlton’s luxury standards. He will lead a dedicated team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and personalized service.
Eller has held leadership positions with many established hospitality brands worldwide and has been part of the Ritz-Carlton journey, having served as the opening general manager for The Ritz-Carlton properties in Moscow, Wolfsburg and Schloss Hotel, Berlin. He also brought his expertise to the pre-opening committees for several Ritz-Carlton properties, including Berlin, New Orleans, Sharm El Sheikh and Buckhead.
Nina Hospitality has appointed Charis Yim as general manager of Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West in Hong Kong. She will also continue her role as group deputy general manager – commercial.
Yim will assume full responsibility for the hotel’s operations and lead the team in delivering hospitality experiences to guests. She brings over 30 years of experience in international luxury hotel management. She joined Nina Hospitality in 2020. Prior to that, she has served senior leadership positions at hotel brands, including The Peninsula Hong Kong, InterContinental Hong Kong, Mandarin Oriental Macau, JW Marriott Hong Kong and the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
