Accor has announced the appointment of Omar Souab as general manager of Sofitel Dubai Wafi scheduled to open at the end of 2019.

Formally with Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, within the Accor portfolio, Souab will lead the strategic direction and manage the pre-opening operations of Sofitel’s largest property in the Middle East.

Commenting on the appointment, Ayman Gharib, managing director for Raffles Dubai & Sofitel Dubai Wafi, said: “I am confident that Omar’s expertise will be inspirational for the opening of Sofitel Dubai Wafi. His wealth of experience, strategic market insight and strong leadership skills will fulfil a challenging role and exciting role.”

Souab brings a wealth of hospitality experience with an in-depth background in operations and sales following a 15-year career with Accor in Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. He first joined Accor in 2004 as a sales manager with Sofitel Thalassa Marina Smir. Shortly after, he transferred to Sofitel Royal Golf El Jadida as rooms division manager in charge of sales before joining Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf and Spa El Jadida as deputy manager in 2009. In 2011, he moved to the UAE as operations manager of Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre and Residences before joining Fairmont Dubai in May 2014 as director of operations and was promoted to hotel manager a year later. Appointed general manager of Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort in May 2016, Souab has successfully opened the resort in January 2017 and drove the strategy and operations of the property.

Souab holds a Bachelor in International Business from Santa Monica College in Los Angeles, USA, a Bachelor of International Business majoring in Marketing from Schiller International University in Madrid, Spain, and a Masters in Hospitality from Accor’s International Hospitality Management Program in Paris, France.