Veteran developer to join world’s largest hotel company as Chief Development Officer.
LONDON – Wyndham Hotel Group announced the appointment of Philippe Bijaoui to the role of Chief Development Officer for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA). In this role Bijaoui will oversee the company's rapid expansion across the region, introducing additional brands to established markets and building on the 73 countries where Wyndham Hotel Group hotels can already be found.
Bijaoui has more than 20 years of hotel real estate and development experience in markets across EMEA and most recently served as Vice President Development Europe for InterContinental Hotel Group, where he defined and implemented the development strategy for the region. He has also previously held senior development roles with Rezidor, Club Med, HVS International, City Hotels S.A. and Groupe Immobiliere Hoteliere. Bijaoui has a Master of Business Administration with a focus on hotel and catering management from I.M.H.I. Cornell, and speaks multiple European languages.
"All around the world a rapidly growing middle class is discovering the excitement of international travel. Wyndham Hotel Group's development strategy is bold but simple – we work with local partners to bring quality accommodation to a diverse number of locations, so that, no matter where adventure leads, our guests can find the hotel brands they know and love," said Daniel Ruff, President and Managing Director EMEA for Wyndham Hotel Group. "Philippe has a stellar reputation in the EMEA development community, and I am confident he is the best person to lead our aggressive expansion plans for the region."
"I am very much looking forward to accelerating Wyndham Hotel Group's growth in EMEA. Destinations across the region are in need of an international standard of hotel accommodation for growing inbound and domestic visitor numbers, and Wyndham Hotel Group has only begun to tap the potential in these markets," said Bijaoui. "In addition, the breadth of brands ranging from economy to luxury, as well as the power of being part of Wyndham Hotel Group and Wyndham Worldwide, gives us tremendous opportunity to introduce new innovative products in markets where certain segments may be currently under represented."
This year Wyndham Hotel Group has reached important development milestones in EMEA, including introducing the Super 8 brand to Europe, opening the 50th hotel in Turkey, expanding into Greece with the Wyndham Grand Athens and announcing new hotels in emergent destinations such as Oman, Iraq and Ethiopia.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
