Emaar Properties has appointed Marc-Francois Dardenne as the Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hotels & Resorts. Emaar Hotels & Resorts will steer the development of luxury projects in key cities and emerging markets globally. The flagship of the company is the Armani Hotels & Resorts and Armani Residences, a joint venture with haute couture major Giorgio Armani S.p.A.

The Armani Hotels & Resorts and Armani Residences - unsurpassed in quality, innovation and service - are planned in several international cities with the first properties to open in Dubai and Milan. In Dubai, the Armani Hotel and Armani Residences will be at Burj Dubai, on its way to become the world’s tallest tower.

“Deriving growth impetus from the tourism boom, Emaar Hotels & Resorts is undertaking several prestigious developments across the region,” said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties. “Mr Dardenne has over 28 years of experience in the hospitality sector, and will guide the company’s growth through strategies that are based on experience and foresight.”

“Emaar Hotels & Resorts has a strong roster of projects including the Armani Hotels & Resorts and Armani Residences in Burj Dubai, which will serve as a point for reference for the hotel industry,” said Mr Dardenne. “Our approach is to bring in a radical difference to developing hotels and resorts by redefining the standards of luxury and service excellence.”

Currently the CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group, Mr Dardenne has been instrumental in providing a new direction of growth for Emaar Hospitality Group. Owing to his years of experience and expertise, in a short span of time, he has managed to build a world-class team across various disciplines of the Group while continuing to establish it’s extensive roster in the UAE and beyond.

Previously, Vice President & Area General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels in the Middle East, overseeing the operations of four Ritz-Carlton hotels in Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Sharm EI Sheikh, he has also worked with the Hyatt group, spending 11 years in Asia in various properties in Bali, Jakarta and Manila.

A Belgian national, Dardenne’s global work experience also covers West Africa and Europe. He holds a diploma in hotel studies from the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.
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