Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) has announced that Harry Bosschaart, area vice president for the Middle East & Africa, will retire on July 1 following 23 years of service and that Anton Najjar, currently vice president-development for the Middle East & Africa, has been named as Mr. BosschaartÁ?s successor.

In his new role, Mr. Najjar will be responsible for MarriottÁ?s lodging operations in the Middle East and Africa. Currently, this responsibility encompasses 19 operating hotels in nine countries offering almost 5,000 rooms and spanning three lodging brands.

“Harry Bosschaart leaves a legacy that will be very hard to duplicate,Á¬ said Ed Fuller, president and managing director for international lodging at Marriott. Á¤His enthusiasm, depth of knowledge, sensitivity and expertise about the Middle East is second to none. He has been an important catalyst for our expansion in the region. We are delighted that Harry will assist us in the future as a consultant.”
Speaking about Mr. Najjar, Mr. Fuller said, “Fortunately the depth of Marriott`s management ranks is formidable. Mr. Najjar brings to his new post an impressive base of experience in the Middle East. We are confident that this transition will be seamless.”

Mr. Bosschaart joined Marriott in 1979 as opening general manager of the Riyadh Marriott Hotel following a successful career with Sheraton hotels where he served as vice president & general manager for the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar, based in Dubai. In 1981, he transferred to the Cairo Marriott Hotel and served for 16 years as the general manager and vice president for this flagship Marriott property. In 1988, he assumed additional responsibility as MarriottÁ?s area vice president for the Middle East & Africa. He moved to Dubai in 1997.

Mr. Najjar joined Marriott in 1978 as an assistant to the international controller at MarriottÁ?s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Over the course of his career, he served in numerous capacities, including opening director of finance at the Riyadh Marriott and the Amman Marriott hotels. In addition, he was the opening general manager of the Jeddah Marriott Hotel. In 1984, he was named resident manager of the Charlotte Marriott City Center Hotel in North Carolina. Five years later, he was appointed general manager of the Charleston Marriott Hotel in South Carolina and, in 1990, he became general manager of the New York Marriott East Side Hotel. In 1994, he was named general manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Dubai. He was named vice president for Marriott international development in the Middle East in 2000 where he was credited with signing several future Marriott hotels in the region. Prior to joining Marriott, he served with Inter-Continental Hotels.

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