Mathieu van Alphen has returned to InterContinental Hotels Group to lead the company’s properties in Dubai Festival City.

As a stalwart of the brand, van Alphen has worked within IHG for 28 years.

Beginning his career in 1987, he has worked across Europe, Russia and the Middle East in the luxury arena.

His career ladder has seen him move from his start in accounting and progressing to financial controller roles, before assuming the position of hotel manager at the InterContinental Frankfurt.

van Alphen went on to accept his first general manager post at the InterContinental Köln and subsequently held several other general manager positions in different InterContinental properties across Europe.

His strong financial background, his many years as a hotelier with IHG, with a focus on customer experience and team excellence, has paved the course for the operational success of the various properties he has managed.

His calling to the Middle East took him to Abu Dhabi where he was the cluster general manager of Beach Rotana’s flagship location since 2015. 

In his new position van Alphen will be responsible for InterContinental, InterContinental Residence Suites, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn at Dubai Festival City as well as the 6,000 sq. m events venue Festival Arena.

Bastien Blanc, IHG vice president, Middle East & North Africa, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mathieu back to the IHG family, where he brings over 28 year of InterContinental Hotels experience, and look forward to the continued success of our flagship properties in Dubai Festival City with our partner Al Futtaim Group.”