Shangri-La to enhance gulf sales with Amr Dwidar appointment

BAHRAIN/SAUDI ARABIA – Shangri-La Group has appointed Amr Dwidar as Account Director for Global Sales in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, leveraging his 18 years of hospitality expertise.

Strategic Hire Targets High-Growth Markets

Riyadh-based Dwidar oversees government, corporate, travel agency, and luxury partnerships in Vision 2030 hotspots where tourism FDI surges 25%.

His Marriott and Saudi Tourism Authority experience delivered RFP wins and MEA revenue growth, now driving data-led Shangri-La strategies for 15% booking uplifts amid 85% occupancies.

Recent Appointments Strengthen Leadership

Shangri-La named Denis Glibic Director of Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La Dubai (December 2025), harnessing 15 years EMEA prowess for MICE surges.

Ashwin Mathur was promoted to General Manager at Shangri-La Toronto (September 2025), maintaining Forbes Five-Star excellence while Lydia Abela as Area Director of PR for Southeast Asia Pacific (November 2025), boosting narratives across 20 sites.

Rajit Sukumaran as Cluster General Manager for Qatari properties (October 2025), targeting 20% RevPAR gains.

Investments Fuel Expansions

Capex includes SAR 2 billion (US$533 million) for Jeddah’s 200 keys by 2026; Bahrain Marina’s 250-room opening; US$300 million Oman resort groundbreaking for 400 suites; Phnom Penh debut; Melbourne 2026 launch; and US$150 million Palawan Sentosa precinct with wellness hubs.

New Shangri-La Signatures Brand Debuts

In July, Shangri-La unveiled ultra-luxury Shangri-La Signatures with The Silk Lakehouse opening in Hangzhou on West Lake’s UNESCO shores, featuring 68 refined rooms blending Eastern heritage and modern elegance like private estates.

Highlights include The Living Room by Alan Yu fusing Western techniques with local flavors, Golden Silk showcasing Hangzhou specialties, and Personal Host Programme curating bespoke itineraries in tea rituals, incense crafting, and silk artistry to immerse guests in cultural legacies.

These appointments are meant to strengthen these new additions, positioning the hotel chain as a preferred global brand.

Revenue Focus Through Personalized Engagement

Dwidar prioritizes innovative sales for loyalty in Bahrain’s 10 million visitors and Saudi giga-projects. Nature-inspired Asian hospitality shines in MICE/leisure, commanding 20% premiums in 650 MENA pipelines.

Broader Impacts on Hospitality Landscape

Moves fortify 12% GDP travel drivers, linking Africa-Asia via AfCFTA while sustaining 10 million jobs, countering supply gaps for dynamic destinations.

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