Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the promotion of Edwin Wijkhuys to area manager for the Starwood Hotels managed properties in Jeddah and two new properties under construction in Madinah (Sheraton Jeddah Hotel, Le Meridien Jeddah, The Westin Jeddah, Sheraton Medina Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Medina). Wijkhuys has a long career in the hospitality industry taking him to 4 continents and 9 countries over the last 20 years. Most recently he has been general manager of Sheraton Jeddah Hotel, and he will remain in charge of the day-to-day operation of this hotel. Starwood Hotels also announced the appointment of Mohamed Hawash as general manager of Sheraton Medina Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Medina. Both properties are slated to open in July 2012 and are at close proximity of the Prophet’s Mosque. Hawash rejoins Starwood after a period with Saudi Brothers Commercial Company overseeing the initial development of the two hotels. Previously, Hawash was general manager of the Sheraton Makkah Hotel and deputy general manager of the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel.
Sabre Travel Network has appointed Harald Eisenaecher to senior vice president of Sabre Travel Network, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Eisenaecher, who has already assumed charge, replaces Martin Cowley who is returning to his hometown of Australia to rejoin his family. Cowley will remain with Sabre and help drive the company’s growth in Asian markets. Eisenaecher joins Sabre from Deutsche Telekom AG, where he most recently held the role of senior vice president, personal and social networking. Prior to that, Harald was managing director and vice president, marketing and sales at eBay Germany, and vice president, marketing with Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Lufthansa Cargo AG. In his roles at Deutsche Telekom AG and eBay, Eisenaecher successfully managed a portfolio of leading Internet businesses and oversaw strong market growth and the delivery of strategic innovations in the fast moving online industry. At Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Eisenaecher was instrumental in enhancing the premium positioning of the brand, implemented a variety of product innovations and significantly expanded the customer base of its loyalty program, Miles&More.
