Marriott International has announced the appointment of Alan Kodzasov as Regional Senior Director of Operations for its luxury division covering the Middle East, Qatar, Kuwait and Türkiye. Based in Doha, he has held the regional role since July 2026.
In this new position, Alan Kodzasov will oversee operational performance, service quality and brand standard compliance across Marriott International‘s luxury portfolio in these markets. His remit will be to support the growth and performance of the group’s luxury properties in a region where demand for high-end hospitality experiences continues to strengthen.
A career built at The St. Regis Cairo
Alan Kodzasov had served since January 2025 as Director of Operations of The St. Regis Cairo, Marriott International’s flagship property on the banks of the Nile. He had previously held the role of Executive Assistant Manager, between April 2024 and January 2025.
His time at the property spans several years: he joined The St. Regis Cairo as early as August 2021 as Director of Rooms, a position he held for nearly three years before moving into broader responsibilities. This internal progression, achieved at a single property over more than five years, formed the foundation of his candidacy for this regional role.
An international path across Greece, Cyprus and Egypt
Before joining Marriott International, Alan Kodzasov built the bulk of his career within the AccorHotels group, over a period of roughly ten years. There, he held a series of successive roles at the Novotel Athens Hotel, progressing from F&B through to Assistant Front Office Manager, with spells as Night Manager/Auditor and Front Office Team Leader along the way. In 2013, he was recognised under AccorHotels’ “Visa Programme”, receiving the Le Club AccorHotels Recruitment Award for Southern Europe.
His career then moved towards independent luxury hospitality in Greece and Cyprus. He held several positions at the Rocabella Mykonos Hotel, first as Front Office Manager and then as Operations Manager, before rising to General Manager of the property between August 2016 and November 2018. He subsequently joined the Azia Resort and Spa in Paphos, Cyprus, as Hotel Manager, from March 2020 to July 2021, immediately before joining Marriott International.
An academic background in economics and hospitality management
Alan Kodzasov holds an MBA in Global Hospitality Management from Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, on the Bluche campus in Switzerland, obtained between 2019 and 2020. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in international and European economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business, obtained between 2005 and 2011.
This dual academic background, combining hospitality management and economics, complements an operational profile built in the field, with declared expertise in international economics, financial econometrics and financial audit.
A strategic reinforcement for Marriott in the Middle East
This appointment forms part of the continued strengthening of Marriott International’s operational teams across its luxury markets in the Middle East. The American group, which operates several upscale brands in the region, places operational consistency and service quality at the heart of its development strategy in these high-growth tourism markets.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Marriott International appoints Alan Kodzasov as Regional Senior Director, Luxury Middle East
New role: Regional Senior Director of Operations, Luxury Middle East, Qatar, Kuwait and Türkiye
Based in Doha, Qatar, effective July 2026
Previously Director of Operations at The St. Regis Cairo (2025-2026)
Career built at The St. Regis Cairo since 2021, rising from Director of Rooms to Executive Assistant Manager
Holds an MBA in Global Hospitality Management from Les Roches Global Hospitality Education
