Human Resources

🏨 Thomas B. Meier, with leadership experience since 2021 at Jumeirah, steps up as CEO to double the luxury hospitality group's portfolio by 2030. Meier led Jumeirah's expansion into Africa, opening Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa. With 30 properties in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, Jumeirah aims for global growth, including upcoming Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the U.A.E. and Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland.

🏖️ CoralTree Hospitality, led by President Tom Luersen, now manages Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, Arizona, which offers 137 rooms and over 8,500 square feet of indoor meeting space. The resort, set among red rock formations, includes amenities such as a heated pool, tennis, and pickleball courts, and a spa. Soon to transform and rebrand as Outbound Sedona, it will join the Outbound Hotels collection, which includes Outbound Mammoth in California.

🎓 Keisha Smith appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer at Four Seasons on January 6, 2025. Based in Miami, she reports to President and CEO Alejandro Reynal. Smith's 20+ years of leadership experience includes roles at Tory Burch, News Corp, and Morgan Stanley, and as an Independent Director at Unity Software. Her role focuses on HR, Internal Communications, and ESG, pivotal to Four Seasons' culture and team empowerment. The company has over 50,000 global employees and prioritizes sustainable growth and social responsibility.

📌 Ryan M. Alpert joined Extreme Hospitality as chief commercial officer, bringing 25 years of hospitality experience. Alpert has held several senior roles, including executive VP of commercial strategy and senior VP of sales and revenue strategy. Eric Rubino, principal of Extreme Hospitality, commends Alpert's strategic vision and proven track record. Alpert is also co-founder and president of the KRW Foundation, aiding youth and community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

📌 Andrew Casperson promoted from COO to president of Coury Hospitality in spring 2023, overseeing operational strategies for its hotels, bars, and restaurants, including the new Concert Hospitality arm. Extreme Hospitality named Ryan M. Alpert, with 25 years of experience, as CCO. KSL Resorts rebranded as Peregrine Hospitality, led by CEO Greg Kennealey and an experienced team. Westgate Resorts announced leadership changes, promoting long-standing executives like Mitch Less (COO) and John Willman (CFO). Hospitality industry veterans like RJ Cooper and Alexandre Ariel appointed to lead culinary and hotel management at luxury destinations Kohler, Wisconsin, and Fairmont Monte Carlo, respectively.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016, is known for his coverage of food and beverage trends. He hosted the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" and wrote for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate, he also studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Thorn won the 2006 Neal Award, served as IFEC president in 2005, and has written for notable food encyclopedias. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

🏩 Andrew Casperson promoted to president of Coury Hospitality in Dallas, Texas. Previously COO, Casperson joined Coury in spring 2023, driving growth and operational efficiency. Under his leadership, Coury saw improved guest satisfaction and financial performance. The promotion will further impact the travel industry with a focus on reimagining guest experiences and operational standards in lifestyle hotels. Concert Hospitality also falls under Casperson's leadership, expanding the company's influence.

📌 Cycas Hospitality appoints Philip Steiner as COO for UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and Portugal. Steiner previously improved Bankside Hotel to top 10 on TripAdvisor, earning “Best of the Best” 2024 title with an 87% guest recommendation score. Since 2018 at Cycas, he's progressed through roles and led a complex with 244 rooms. His extensive career includes working at Rome Cavalieri and with Hilton and Starwood, and he serves on the Institute of Hospitality board and as an Ambassador for Hospitality Action. CEO Matt Luscombe commends Steiner’s results and leadership as he takes on the new executive role to support Cycas's European expansion.

🏖️ Tripadvisor will buy Liberty TripAdvisor for $435 million, aiming to simplify its ownership structure by settling debts and eliminating the holding company's stake. This deal could allow Tripadvisor, established in 2000 and once valued at $15 billion in 2015, to either expand or downsize as its market value has decreased to under $2 billion by December 18. Hindered by debt, competition, search engine changes, and the pandemic's impact, Tripadvisor sees this agreement as a strategic move towards flexibility and a wider range of potential transactions.