Advisory Boards | HSMAI Middle East

What is the role of Advisory Boards?

The Advisory Board is crucial for shaping the strategic direction, ensuring its initiatives align with industry needs and trends. They form the working group that curates strategies and plans. Together, they deliver agreed activities to serve the needs of the commercial community, across all discipline of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management.

Additionally, the board connects professionals, encourages collaboration, and strengthens the organization’s influence by driving membership growth, securing sponsorships, and inviting guest speakers to the annual conference. Their expertise helps create impactful, market-relevant solutions, enhancing the value provided to the community.

Words from the Chair

As chair of the HSMAI Sales, the teams focus is on bring together a dynamic group of professionals from diverse hotels to collaborate on shared goals. We have already starting to address key priorities like talent; retain, attract and develop. Additionally, we aim to strengthen partnerships with key tourism boards and enhance the specialization in market segmentation. By working together we are able to strive innovation and progress in our exciting hospitality sector.

Vice President Global Sales Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Jumeirah
We are excited to expand the board, welcome new members, refine our meeting and event calendar, and introduce engaging initiatives that will drive our mission forward. I'm thrilled to continue serving on the HSAMI Marketing & Communication Advisory Board throughout 2025, collaborating with esteemed colleagues from the industry. This year, I am honoured to step into the role of Chair of the Board, a position that offers a wonderful opportunity to build upon the successes achieved by the team and my predecessor. We are excited to expand the board, welcome new members, refine our meeting and event calendar, and introduce engaging initiatives that will drive our mission forward.

Vice President, Brand & Marketing Communications Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | Accor Group
I really enjoy being part of the advisory board, meeting with industry peers and discussing ideas and topics that will benefit our industry. In 2025 I would like to bring new ideas and perspectives that will help improve our business environment , explore new opportunities with AI and discuss the challenges that we are facing as an industry today

VP Revenue and Distribution, Rotana Hotels

COMMERCIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Mark Flower VP Commercial Market Strategy, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye, Accor
Ahmed El Meligui Regional VP Sales Revenue & Business Development, Hyatt International
David Garner Vice President Commercial, Minor Hotels
Tarek Labib Head of Commercial - IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts®
Alexander Lee Chief Growth Officer, Jumeirah Group

REVENUE ADVISORY BOARD

Chair: Sam El Asmar VP Revenue and Distribution, Rotana Hotels
Sathis M. Aravinda, CHBA HSMAI MEA Advisory Board
Nicola Buckley Regional Director of Revenue - MEA, Minor Hotels
Judith Cartwright, CRME, CHBA Founder & Managing Director, Black Coral Consulting
Valentin Crepieux Regional Director of Revenue – Middle East, United Hospitality Management

David Debeule Director Account Management Middle East & Turkey, Expedia Group
Clare Dooner Senior Director Revenue Strategy - Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Marriott International
Craig Donaldson Senior Commercial Director Arabian Peninsula, Hilton
Titus Hanke SVP, Topline Performance and Business Intelligence – MEAPAC Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor
Natalie Kouyoumdjian, CRME RO Advisory Board Member, HSMAI MEA

Scott Nicholas Regional Director of Revenue Management - MEA, Hyatt International
Thibaut Paquet Regional Director of Revenue Management, AEMEA | Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Imad Sawaya Vice President Commercials, MEA - Kempinski Hotels
Ashish Sharma, CHBA Director of Revenue & Distribution, HMH Hospitality Group
Akshay Sood Senior Director Revenue & Sales, Damac Hotels & Resorts Management LLC

Marieke Siefers Vice President, Revenue Management, Jumeirah Group
Caroline Thissen Senior Area Director of Sales & Revenue Optimization, Middle East, Africa & Southeast Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group

SALES ADVISORY BOARD

Chair: Linda Lewis VP Global Sales Middle East and Asia Pacific, Jumeirah Group
Vice Chair: Ryan Morris Director of Regional Sales MEA, IHG
Sathis Aravinda, CHBA HSMAI MEA Advisory Board
Rola Chakroun Regional Director of Sales – Middle East, United Hospitality Management
Sahiti Gaddam Corporate VP - Sales, Rotana Hotels

Nader Hamarna Director of Global Sales Organization - MEA, Kempinski Hotels
Marc-Antoine Lesage Director of Sales, MEA, Hyatt International
Manish Singh Cluster Director of Sales, Minor Hotels
Jan Siddiqi Cluster Director of Sales, HMH
Akshay Sood Senior Director Revenue & Sales, Damac Hotels & Resorts Management LLC

Caroline Thissen Senior Area Director of Sales & Revenue Optimization, Middle East, Africa & Southeast Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group

MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD

Chair: Loay Nour Vice President, Brand & Marketing, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Amal Harb HSMAI MEA Marketing Advisory Board
Stephanie AbouJaoude Senior Area Director of Marketing & Communications - MEA, Radisson Hotel Group
Hana Fuchs Regional Director of Marketing Communications MEA, Minor Hotels
Robyn James-O’Connor Vice President Marketing, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

Kiran Kumar, CHDM Regional Director of Marketing, United Hospitality Management
Robert Singleton Director, Loyalty Performance Strategy IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts