The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has appointed Richard Collins as general manager of its luxury Dubai beach resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai.

Collins takes the helm of the iconic property, comprising 294 rooms and suites, with immediate effect, bringing with him extensive resort and international operations experience from Ireland, the UK, USA and Switzerland.

Collins joins The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, with over 17 years’ experience as a hotel general manager, from his most recent position as GM for the JW Marriott Dubai, where in just two years he led the team to unprecedented success, and established a strong positioning for the hotel as the preferred outdoor caterer for many of Dubai’s most high profile city-wide events.

Prior to moving to Dubai, Collins was general manager and CEO at Marriott Druids Glen and Druids Glen Resort, Ireland, a role he held for almost seven years, driving significant occupancy, rate and Revpar growth. In addition, he restructured the entire resort, implementing new systems and sitting as an active member of the board of the parent company, PW Ireland.      

Collins started his hospitality career in food and beverage and worked his way up to his first leadership role in 1993 as outlets manager at the Sheraton Tara Hotel & Resort, Hyannis, before moving as rooms manager to the Sheraton Tara Hotel in Braintree, Boston.  

Ibrahim Barghout, area vice president, Middle East and Africa, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said: “Richard brings with him an exceptional skillset and a wealth of international experience in resort management, and I am thrilled to welcome him to our team of 90 general managers at our properties across the globe. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai continues to be a flagship property for the company, and I wish Richard every success in his new role at such an iconic hotel.” – TradeArabia News Service