Rotana appoints Ghassan Dalal as Country General Manager for Iraq, Turkey, strengthening regional leadership

IRAQ/TURKEY – Rotana, the Middle East’s leading hospitality management company, has appointed Ghassan Dalal as Country General Manager for Iraq and Turkey, while he continues his role as General Manager of Babylon Rotana in Baghdad.

This strategic move underlines Rotana’s commitment to deepening leadership in key markets poised for tourism investment and sustained hospitality demand.

With over 27 years of hospitality experience spanning the Middle East, Africa, North America, and the GCC, Ghassan Dalal brings a broad spectrum of expertise managing diverse hotel portfolios and navigating complex market environments.

His career includes senior leadership roles in Iraq, Qatar, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Canada, and Lebanon, reflecting his versatility and global outlook.

Ghassan has been part of the Rotana family for over a decade, serving in several senior roles such as General Manager of Al Salam Rotana Khartoum, Cluster General Manager of Erbil Rotana and Erbil Arjaan, and General Manager of Oryx Rotana Doha.

Since 2021, he has led Babylon Rotana in Baghdad, successfully positioning it as one of the city’s premier luxury hotels and a flagship of Rotana’s quality service commitment in Iraq.

His career achievements have been widely recognised, earning him multiple accolades, including Rotana’s General Manager of the Year, Achiever of the Year Award, World Tourism Star of the Year, and Best General Manager in Iraq at the Haute Grandeur Global Awards.

A graduate of Cornell University’s Hospitality Management Program, Ghassan is known for blending operational excellence with a people-first leadership style that prioritises guest satisfaction and team development.

In his expanded role, Ghassan will oversee Rotana’s properties across Iraq and Turkey, focusing on aligning operations with global standards and fostering growth in these vital markets.

His responsibilities include empowering local teams, enhancing operational efficiency, and embedding Rotana’s distinctive culture and service ethos.

Eddy Tannous, Rotana’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasised Ghassan’s resilience and leadership qualities, highlighting the strategic importance of Iraq and Turkey in the region’s hospitality growth.

Ghassan himself expressed enthusiasm about showcasing these markets globally by investing in people and setting high standards of service excellence.

Rotana currently operates four properties in Iraq and seven in Turkey, with new developments in progress, reflecting its sustained expansion across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey.

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