Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has appointed Amir Lababedi as Vice President for Development, Middle East and South Asia.  

Lababedi graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in hospitality and tourism management, and holds a master’s degree in global banking and finance from the European Business School in London, UK. 

His 20 years’ experience in the industry covers investment advisory services to many of the world’s leading hotel investment stakeholders. His operational experience is supplemented at an upscale level with management training at the-then Conrad International London. 

Lababedi has also produced extensive development strategies for hotels and other real estate asset classes for government-related funds.

The role of Vice President for Development is a new position created by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts as part of its efforts to grow in the region and solidify its position as a leading international hotel operator. 

In the Middle East Brand Ranking Index conducted in 2013 by BDRC, an independent research consultancy firm, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts ranked second in terms of brand recognition. 

“We’ve been operating hotels in the region for over 20 years now and have been fortunate to build strong and lasting relationships with our owners, many of whom continue to collaborate with us on future projects,” says Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Asia. “With the appointment of Amir, we now have a dedicated professional who is tasked with the very specific objective to drive growth and develop the Mövenpick brand in the region, with the right assets in the right locations.”

Although Mövenpick already has a significant presence in the Middle East with 29 properties currently in operation, it has previously highlighted its intention to grow by adding more destinations to its portfolio.

Amongst the new territories prioritised for future development are Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and the Dubai World Central (DWC) aerotropolis (all in the UAE); Muscat (Oman); Delhi and Mumbai (India); and Dhaka (Bangladesh).

Primary and secondary cities in Saudi Arabia including Jubail remain high on the company’s radar, as well as other locations in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 

An upscale hotel management company, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is represented in 25 countries with 82 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers in operation. The company is owned by the Mövenpick Holding (66.7 per cent) and the Kingdom Group (33.3 per cent).