Human Resources

🍴 Rajiv Erinjery is appointed executive chef at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane in Mayfair. With over 25 years’ experience, he will oversee culinary operations at Lanes of London, focusing on seasonality and innovation. Previously head chef at Park Plaza County Hall, he contributed to its AA Rosette recognition in 2024 and 2025. Recent accolades include Tilda Team Chef of the Year 2025 and Best in Class at Salon Culinaire 2025. Hotel manager Varun Nigam praises his anticipated contributions.

💻 Alan French, appointed as Chief Product & Technology Officer at Sunweb Group, will start on 11 May 2026. Sunweb, founded in 1991 in the Netherlands, serves 1.3 million annual travelers and generates €1.2 billion in revenue. French, with experience from Thomas Cook and eSky Group, aims to leverage AI and data for growth. Sunweb, acquired by Triton in 2019, emphasizes aligning technology with commerce to enhance customer experience across its European hubs.

🏨 FORTH Atlanta, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, appointed Danielle Gilligan as general manager on April 17, 2026. Gilligan brings over 25 years of experience to her new role.

🏨 FORTH Atlanta, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, appointed Danielle Gilligan as general manager, leveraging her 25+ years of luxury hotel leadership. Previously, Gilligan led the 143-room Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan, overseeing a multi-million-dollar renovation. The 16-story FORTH Atlanta, located in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, boasts 196 hotel rooms, 39 residential suites, and multiple amenities including a rooftop lounge, poolside restaurant, wellness center, and private social club.

📅 In India, businesses are enhancing loyalty programs to boost customer retention and growth. Marriott International, through its marketing VP, Khushnooma Kapadia, emphasizes partnerships as key to increasing penetration and relevance. Marriott Bonvoy recently partnered with Swiggy, aiming to increase visibility through the popular platform. In 2024-25, Swiggy had 17.7 million average monthly transacting users. This collaboration reflects a broader trend in India's travel and hospitality sectors to expand loyalty offerings.

🛑 Frank Fuentes has been appointed as senior vice president for the Americas at HotelREZ, following a 15-year tenure at InterContinental Hotels Group. HotelREZ reported an 18.6% year-on-year revenue growth, supporting over 2,500 independent hotels globally. The company’s portfolio includes about 222,500 rooms, with a 9.8% global RePAR improvement. Portfolio retention exceeds 90%. Fuentes will focus on expanding in North and Latin America amidst a rising investment climate.

🏨 On April 15, 2026, Henning Matthiesen joined RLA Global as a non-executive director. He brings 20 years of luxury property management in Prague and Germany, including overseeing significant renovations at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa. RLA Global, having completed over 100 projects across six continents, anticipates Matthiesen will enhance its consulting services, especially in operational continuity during refurbishments. His appointment aims to bolster advisory services for luxury hotel and resort developments.

📅 Maribeth Bisienere retired in 2025 after over 30 years with The Walt Disney Company. She held senior roles in resorts, transportation, and food & beverage. Starting in 1995 as GM at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, she later managed Disney Institute and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Bisienere served on the Central Florida Hotel Association and Johnson & Wales University boards and joined the AHLA Board post-COVID-19.

🏨 PM Hotel Group has taken over management of the 234-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner in Tysons, Virginia. Positioned advantageously between Washington, D.C. and Washington Dulles International Airport, the hotel benefits from proximity to the Silver Line Metro. PM Hotel Group aims to boost performance by aligning sales, revenue management, and marketing strategies. This addition enhances their presence in the D.C. metro area, complementing existing properties like The River Inn and Hotel Hive.