Jumeirah Appoints GM for Jumeirah Hantang Xintiandi in Shanghai
JUNE 18, 2008. Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality management group and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced today the appointment of Akram Touma to the position of general manager for Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi in Shanghai.
"I am delighted to join a fast growing company like Jumeirah just as it enters the Chinese market," said Akram Touma. "I intend to set new levels of hospitality standards and service with the opening of Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi in Shanghai."
Akram, an Australian national, boasts over 25 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality industry with major chains in six countries and three continents. After starting his career in London, Akram soon moved to hotels in the Middle East, then Australia and Thailand. Since 1993, Akram has been managing hotels in several Chinese cities: Guangzhou, Guilin, Shenyang, Macau and Shanghai, mainly for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Prior to joining Jumeirah, he was the general manager of Le Royal M'eridien Shanghai since its pre-opening days in 2006.
"Akram brings a wealth of international and Asian luxury hospitality experience to the Jumeirah team," said Tony Cousens, senior vice president Asia Pacific, Jumeirah Group. "His deep knowledge of the Chinese market will help us to successfully position the Jumeirah brand in China."
Jumeirah is already managing prestigious hotels in Dubai, London and New York; Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi, scheduled to open in Shanghai in late 2008, will be Jumeirah's first hotel in China and its flagship property in the Asia Pacific region. The luxury hotel, designed by New York based Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects and Japanese interior design firm Super Potato, will feature 309 spacious guestrooms, suites and villas, extensive, state-of-the-art conference & banqueting facilities as well as the Talise Wellness Spa, Jumeirah's global spa brand.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
