El Achcar to Lead Kempinski Sales
MARCH 10, 2008. Kempinski Hotels has announced the promotion of Samer El Achcar to the Director of Global Sales, managing the new outbound sales office.
In his new position, Samer will oversee the outbound sales office based in the UAE, developing the Kempinski brand within the GCC, to further increase market awareness about the existing and upcoming properties throughout the region and internationally.
"As Kempinski's presence in the region continues to expand, we recognised the need to create a dedicated sales arm, committed to the integration of our Middle East and international sales efforts," said Ulrich Eckhardt, President of Kempinski Middle East and Africa, "With his outstanding results in consolidating the group's regional business, Samer was the ideal candidate to lead this new division, which will also seek to increase outbound traffic to our superb collection of hotels throughout the world," he ended.
Responsible for steering the sales team in its efforts to explore new markets and penetrate existing areas of operation, Samer will lead Kempinski's tactical promotions and road shows, working closely with travel agents, airlines and other key partners to boost sales.
Samer has eagerly embraced the opportunity to spearhead the fledgling Global Sales Office, saying "These are dynamic times for Kempinski, as the hospitality industry both regionally and internationally becomes increasingly sophisticated, it is essential for us to keep abreast of the latest trends and sales opportunities. As a market with massive potential for regional and outbound sales, the Middle East deserves a focused effort, and I greatly look forward to leading this initiative".
Prior to his new appointment, Samer was the Area Director of Sales for the Middle East for two years, where he was instrumental in attracting new business and driving consistently high occupancy throughout Kempinski's portfolio of hotels in the region.
Backed by more than a decade of experience in the Middle East hospitality industry, he has held a number of sales positions within the Kempinski, Intercontinental and Jumeirah hotel groups, where he was actively involved in the launch of a number of landmark properties as well as re-branding activities.
Samer graduated with a Business Marketing and Management degree from the Lebanese American University in Beirut. He is an active member of the Swiss Business Council which continuously promotes trade relations between Switzerland and the UAE.
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