Kempinski Hotels has announced that Ulrich Eckhardt, president of the Middle East & Africa region since 2007, has retired.
The hotel group also said that Bugra Berberoglu, senior vice president of operations Middle East & Africa, has decided to step down and consider other career opportunities.
With over forty years’ experience opening and operating hotels internationally, Eckhardt joined Kempinski Hotels in 1995 as SVP Latin America & Caribbean, based in Brazil, before overseeing the final months of construction and preopening of Kempinski Hotel Ajman.
Under his leadership, Kempinski Hotels embarked on a strategy of expansion in key markets in the Middle East and Africa and today the group manages 19 hotels in the region and India, with a further 15 under development or construction.
Flagship properties managed by Kempinski include the iconic Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Marcus van der Wal, chief operating officer, said: “Ulrich Eckhardt spearheaded the group’s impressive expansion in the Middle East and Africa, which allowed the group’s portfolio to become more geographically balanced and position the Kempinski brand as an important player in the region.
“We thank Mr Eckhardt for his contribution to the group’s success, and wish him an enjoyable and well deserved retirement.”
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