Hilton Worldwide announces the appointment of Haitham Mattar as regional vice president of sales for Middle East & Africa, Eastern Europe, Turkey & Russia.

In this newly created role, and based out of Dubai, Mattar will lead the company’s sales teams across the region and spearhead the sales strategy for more than 80 hotels.

“Haitham has the right regional experience and an extensive understanding of the hospitality industry,” said Michael Prager, senior vice president, sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide. “In this role Haitham will lead the sales teams to ensure we’re focused on source markets, growing revenue and developing and implementing regional growth strategies that are aligned with the company’s commercial objectives.”

Mattar added, “My goal is to strengthen the presence of Hilton Worldwide’s brands by developing talent and ensuring strategic alignment in key areas of the business. There are a number of great opportunities and I am looking forward to supporting hotels in realising their growth potential”.

Mattar, a U.S. citizen, brings with him 23 years of regional and international experience, having worked in the United States, Lebanon and the U.A.E. He joins Hilton Worldwide from IHG, where he worked for more than a decade where he held a number of roles including area general manager and commercial director for Lebanon and the Near East countries.

Mattar holds a post graduate degree in marketing from the University of Liverpool, U.K.