IHG Hotels & Resorts proudly announces appointments Said Tayoun As the new cluster general manager InterContinental Abu Dhabi and Intercontinental Apartments Abu Dhabi. With more than 20 years of distinguished experience in the hospitality industry, Tayoun is known for his visionary leadership, innovative approach to enhancing the guest experience, and operational expertise. Known for his unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to guests, he is the ideal candidate to lead two of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious hotels. Tayoun is also committed to driving business success, optimizing technology, building high-performing teams and engaging with local communities, further solidifying his reputation as a forward-thinking and results-driven leader.
Abu Dhabi’s tourism boom and success as a premier global tourist destination are due to the government’s strategic initiatives to create a positive, high-quality visitor experience. In his new role, Tayoun will be responsible for managing two prestigious properties. The InterContinental Abu Dhabi is a historic hotel built in 1981 to host the first GCC Summit and is known as one of the first five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi. The hotel is known for its timeless charm and seven signature dining venues, including the iconic Fish Market, Michelin-selected Byblos Sur Mer and the popular Belgian Café. Beyond this, InterContinental Abu Dhabi Hotel Residences is the latest addition to the city’s upscale hotel landscape, offering travelers and residents sophisticated living spaces tailored to their needs. Tayoun envisions elevating the status of these hotels by combining upscale properties with historic charm, improving service standards and creating memorable experiences that resonate with international travelers and local communities. His goal is to establish both hotels as leaders in innovation and create extraordinary, unforgettable moments for guests.
Tayoun’s most recent successes as General Manager of Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Dubai Science Park included an exemplary pre-opening phase during which he established the hotel as a vibrant community-focused hotel. His dedication to sustainable practices has led to groundbreaking initiatives such as an in-house bottled water plant and a no-single-use plastic policy. These sustainability measures, coupled with Tayoun’s focus on innovation and community involvement, set the bar high for eco-friendly hotels in the area.
Tayoun’s achievements and contributions to the industry have earned him widespread recognition. In 2024, he gained a prominent place on Hotelier Middle East’s General Manager Power List, was named a Top 40 Hotel Industry Heavyweight 2024, and was shortlisted for the inaugural General Manager of the Year Award at Hotelier Middle East Awards 2024 . These honors underscore Tayoun’s reputation as a transformational leader known for his commitment to improving guest satisfaction, optimizing operational standards and spearheading sustainable growth in the industry.
His career with IHG began in 2005 at the InterContinental Hotel Doha and has since held various senior positions in the region. At Dubai Festival City, Tayoun served as Cluster Hotel Manager, successfully managing a multi-brand complex with over 1,500 rooms, launching innovative food and beverage concepts and leading over 20 projects to enhance the guest experience. Tayoun is a graduate of Notre Dame University in Lebanon and has also participated in professional development programs at Cornell University and Harvard Business School. Fluent in Arabic, English and French, he brings a comprehensive, multicultural perspective to the hospitality industry.
“Joining InterContinental Abu Dhabi and InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi is an incredible privilege and a great responsibility,” Tayoun shared. “These hotels are the cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s hospitality industry and I am excited and fully committed to leveraging my experience and passion to further enhance the guest experience, drive business and best hospitality practices, and support our team of professionals. Together we will Continuing to make a lasting impact on the community and setting new service standards of sophistication and excellence, solidifying our position as a leader in the hospitality industry.”
Post IHG Hotels & Resorts appoints General Manager of InterContinental Abu Dhabi and InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi first appeared in Hotels and Catering.
Source link
