UAE-headquartered JA Resorts & Hotels has appointed two experienced international hoteliers to the top roles at its popular Dubai Marina-situated properties, the JA Oasis Beach Tower and JA Ocean View Hotel.

Torsten Obermann has been promoted to General Manager at the JA Oasis Beach Tower, while Otto Kurzendorfer returns to the UAE, and to JA Resorts & Hotels, to take over the general management reins at the JA Ocean View Hotel.

In their new roles they will have responsibility for the overall day-to-day operation at their respective hotels as well as playing a key role in the development of long-term strategic direction for the two high profile beach-facing properties.

“Torsten has been with us for a number of years and is a fantastic custodian of the JA brand. His promotion to general manager recognises his individual contribution to the overall success of the company,” said David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer of JA Resorts & Hotels.

“Otto’s extensive experience in Asia, where he opened several internationally branded hotels, plus his intimate knowledge of JA Resorts & Hotels gained during his time at the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Bateaux Dubai, made him the obvious choice for our new Dubai Marina property. With the two of them at the helm of their respective hotels, we know that our strategic brand vision is in capable and proactive hands,” Thomson added.

A German national, Obermann has been with JA Resorts & Hotels for four years, formerly working as Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms for the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort before moving across to the JA Oasis Beach Tower as Resident Manager in 2012.

He has more than two decades’ experience in the hospitality sector, and has worked with a slew of leading international brands including positions with Accor (Mercure) in Germany, Crowne Plaza and Marriott in the USA, and The Dolder Grand, one of Switzerland’s legendary properties.

“The role of an hotelier is multifaceted, but guest satisfaction alone drives revenue, motivates both management and staff and through online comments becomes your most effective marketing tool. We were named in Trip Advisor’s 2013 Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Middle East Hotels listing for service excellence and as general manager it is my responsibility to ensure that the hotel’s quality benchmarks are maintained, if not exceeded,” he said.

Otto Kurzendorfer, who is also a native of Germany, comes from a food and beverage background with experience across all hotel departments, and a 24-year career spanning several continents and companies with positions in the Bahamas, Germany, Seychelles, Damascus, Qatar, UK and the Chinese main hotel locations, Shanghai and Sanya working mainly for Starwood and InterContinental Hotels Group.

As General Manager of the newly opened 338-room JA Ocean View Hotel, Kurzendorfer will focus on building on the property’s initial successes, which include recognition as the ‘Middle East’s Leading New Hotel’ at the 2013 World Travel Awards and an average occupancy of 83% since opening in January this year.

“The challenges of operating in an extremely competitive market environment, is something that I relish. With our prime promenade location and the support of our renowned brand, I am looking forward to cementing our position as the place to be on The Walk,” he said, referring to the much sought after residential area of Dubai Marina, which is also extremely popular with overseas visitors.