Kym Barter, Managing Director, Atlantis Dubai. Image Courtesy: Atlantis Dubai

Atlantis Dubai has promoted Kym Barter to managing director, placing him in charge of both flagship resorts, Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, as well as the destination’s Aquaventure World waterpark.

In his expanded role, Barter will oversee the strategic direction and operational performance of Atlantis Dubai’s integrated resort portfolio, which includes two of Dubai’s most prominent luxury resorts and one of the region’s leading entertainment destinations.

Barter joined Atlantis Dubai in May 2021 to lead the resort’s extensive food and beverage operations, overseeing concept development, product strategy and execution across one of the region’s most diverse culinary portfolios.

In July 2023 he was promoted to general manager and senior vice president of Atlantis, The Palm, taking responsibility for the operational and strategic performance of the resort. During his tenure, the property reached record performance levels while gaining significant global recognition. Atlantis, The Palm was named Dubai’s Leading Resort 2025 and World’s Leading Landmark Resort 2025 at the World Travel Awards, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most iconic integrated resort destinations.

The resort also secured a Four-Star rating in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, contributing to Atlantis Dubai achieving a record 31 stars across its hotels, restaurants and spas. The wider Atlantis Dubai destination was also recognised among the Top 10 Integrated Resorts globally in the Forbes Travel Guide 2025 rankings.

Barter brings more than three decades of international luxury hospitality experience to the role, having worked across North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. His career includes leadership positions across a range of premium hospitality brands, with a focus on operational excellence, culinary innovation and guest experience.

Barter’s appointment also reflects Atlantis Dubai’s continued focus on operational excellence, innovation and talent development as the destination evolves. The promotion highlights the company’s commitment to nurturing internal leadership and creating long-term career growth opportunities across its teams. As the Atlantis brand continues to expand its integrated resort portfolio and guest experiences, strengthening leadership across its properties remains central to delivering world-class hospitality and maintaining its position among the region’s leading luxury resort destinations.

Atlantis, The Palm, located at the centre of the crescent of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, opened in 2008 as the region’s first entertainment resort destination. The ocean-themed property spans a 46-hectare site and is home to Atlantis Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest waterparks, featuring more than 100 waterslides and attractions powered by more than 23 million litres of water. The resort also houses one of the largest open-air marine habitats globally, with more than 65,000 marine animals across lagoons and exhibits including the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

The destination also features Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point, conservation and education habitats designed to offer guests close encounters with marine mammals. Alongside its entertainment attractions, Atlantis, The Palm offers extensive retail, meeting and convention facilities and has established itself as one of the region’s leading culinary destinations. The resort features dozens of restaurants including Michelin-starred venues such as Hakkasan and Ossiano, alongside celebrity chef concepts such as Nobu and Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by Gordon Ramsay. The destination’s culinary reputation has been further strengthened in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide, with FZN by Björn Frantzén at Atlantis, The Palm awarded three MICHELIN stars, while Ossiano and Hakkasan at Atlantis, The Palm both retained their one MICHELIN star. In addition to these culinary highlights, Atlantis, The Palm continues to receive significant international recognition across the hospitality sector. In 2025 the resort was also named Middle East’s Leading Resort and United Arab Emirates’ Leading Family Resort at the World Travel Awards. Its dining and wellness offerings were further recognised by the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, with Ossiano earning a Five-Star restaurant rating, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar receiving a Four-Star rating and AWAKEN Spa awarded Four Stars, reinforcing Atlantis, The Palm’s reputation as one of the region’s leading luxury resort and dining destinations.

Atlantis The Royal, the newest addition to the portfolio, has quickly become one of Dubai’s most recognisable luxury landmarks. Designed by leading architects and designers, the resort features 760 rooms, suites and signature penthouses overlooking the Dubai skyline and Arabian Gulf, including a collection of accommodations with private infinity pools. The property also offers a series of destination dining venues led by internationally renowned chefs, alongside distinctive attractions such as elevated sky pools and large-scale entertainment features.

The resort has also earned a number of global accolades, including World’s Leading Iconic Resort 2025, as well as recognition for its luxury accommodation and guest experience. Its flagship penthouse was named World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Penthouse 2025, while its executive lounge secured both World’s Leading Executive Club Lounge 2025 and Middle East’s Leading Executive Club Lounge 2025. The property’s premium accommodation has also been recognised with United Arab Emirates’ Leading Hotel Suite 2025 and Dubai’s Leading Hotel Suite 2025.

The resort has also received widespread recognition from several of the world’s most influential travel authorities. Atlantis The Royal was awarded Three MICHELIN Keys in the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection, alongside the MICHELIN Architecture and Design Award. Its acclaimed restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal holds one MICHELIN star, further strengthening the resort’s culinary reputation. It also secured a Five-Star Hotel Rating in the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards. In The World’s 50 Best Hotels rankings, Atlantis The Royal was placed No. 6 globally, while also being named Best Hotel in the Middle East and receiving the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award, further cementing its status as one of the world’s most celebrated luxury resorts.

Barter’s promotion comes as Atlantis Dubai continues to expand its luxury hospitality offering while strengthening leadership across its integrated resort portfolio.