Australian group EVT has appointed Shannon Craig to lead Atura Oran Park in south-west Sydney. She retains her role as Area General Manager for New South Wales. Her appointment comes in the midst of the pre-opening phase, with the hotel due to open in late October 2026.

Maria Strati has joined Shedir Collection, the Rome-based luxury hotel group, as Chief Commercial Officer with effect from 1 October 2026. The former General Manager of J.K. Place Roma and Casa J.K. Place Roma arrives as the group opens a new chapter under Simone Giorgi, CEO and Executive Asset Manager.

On 1 October 2026, Oetker Hotels announced a series of internal promotions at the top of its leadership: Duarte Bon de Sousa becomes Chief Operating Officer and joins the Executive Committee, Virginie Saint-Laurent is named Chief People & Culture Officer and Simon Neggers Chief Commercial Officer. The reshuffle comes as the collection, which entered the US market this year, prepares to open Le Mas Bellevue in Saint-Tropez in June 2027 and launch its first branded residences.

Joelle Edwards-Tonks takes up her role as CEO of Sunlife Mauritius on 1 October 2026, succeeding François Eynaud, who led the group for seven years. She also becomes the first woman to head a hotel group in Mauritius, in an internal succession that hands the top job to an executive with a background in sales and revenue management.

On 30 September 2026, Hyatt Hotels Corporation appointed Amar Lalvani to the newly created role of Chief Creative Officer, effective immediately. The President and Creative Director of the Lifestyle Group sees his remit extended across the group's entire global portfolio, as Hyatt sets out its ambition to make each of its brands more distinctive for guests and owners alike.

Ewan Taylor took over as General Manager of Wildhive Eshott Hall in September 2026, a Northumberland country house whose original building dates back to 1680. After nearly two decades in Asia, including two years at the helm of Oriental Residence Bangkok, he returns to the UK to lead the property's reopening following an extensive refurbishment.

Kempinski Group announced from Dubai on 30 September 2026 the appointment of Andrea Vanni as Chief Financial Officer. A member of the Supervisory Board of Kempinski A.G. for more than three years, the luxury real estate finance specialist takes charge of the group's finances with a clear mission: to improve returns for owners and support the next phase of the group's transformation.

🔎 Trend of the day: the Gulf, a land of conquest for operators. The opening of Tivoli LA VIE in Muscat, Aleph Hospitality's takeover of the Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan and new cluster leadership for Accor between Dubai and Sharjah: the region remains one of the most active markets in the hotel world.

Compagnie Hôtelière et Immobilière du Congo (CHIC) has broadened the remit of Willy Walter Youbessi, who becomes Cluster General Manager of the Novotel Kinshasa La Gombe, the Ibis Styles Kinshasa and the Novotel Lubumbashi. Having led the opening of the Novotel Lubumbashi in May 2024, he now also takes charge of the two properties in the capital, in a Congolese market where the international hotel supply is growing steadily denser.

PRIMESTAR Group is broadening its executive team with two appointments to its management board (Geschäftsführung), effective 1 October and 1 November 2026. Anke Bogansky takes charge of Finance and HR, Björn Wilkens of Development and Asset Management, while Martin Gotschewski brings Operations and Technology together under one remit. The Berlin-based operator is positioning itself to continue growing its portfolio in Germany, Austria and Poland.

Four Seasons has named Hervé Fucho General Manager of its future resort at Tropicalia. He is a French-born, kitchen-trained hotelier who has spent nearly three decades with the group. The resort is due to open in 2027 on the island's north-east coast. Developed by Cisneros Real Estate, it will be the brand's first property in the Dominican Republic.

Minor Hotels has appointed Patrick Manthe as General Manager of Avani+ Luang Prabang, a 53-room property in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Laotian city. The Swiss hotelier, previously at the helm of Amari Pattaya, takes up the role as the group strengthens its presence in Laos, following the opening of Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane in July 2026.