PEAKLIFE

Belmond Ltd, appoints new Senior Director for Development in Middle East, Africa & India

Established almost 40 years ago, Belmond owns and operates 47 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations.

With the global portfolio of luxury travel experiences the company opened new development office in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), in the United Arab Emirates.

To take care of the Middle East, Africa and India Developments, Belmond announced the appointment of David Grossniklaus as Senior Director of Development.

Kenneth Hatton, Senior Vice President for Global Development commented, “David joins Belmond at an exciting time of growth, as we move forward with the strategic plan to double the footprint of the Company by 2020. We are keen to pursue acquisition and management opportunities across the Middle East and Indian Ocean and the experience and expertise that David brings to the role will be valuable assets to this endeavour, and a tremendous spring board for the launch of our first office in the region.”

With more than 16 years of hospitality industry experience, David Grossniklaus joins Belmond from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he held the position of Associate Director Acquisitions and Development for the Middle East and Africa. During the course of his three years at Starwood, he closed a number of prominent deals across the GCC, Ethiopia, Lebanon and South Africa.

“I am very pleased to be opening Belmond’s development office, contributing to the expansion of the Belmond brand in the Middle East, Indian Ocean, Africa and India. I believe Belmond is well recognised by both travelers and investors as the leading luxury owner and operator of hotels, trains and cruises and our future developments will continue to create memorable and unique travel experiences for our customers”, Grossniklaus said.