Al Khoory Hotels makes two senior management appointments

Seasoned hotel operator Dhiraj Bagai and corporate hospitality stalwart Naji Moukhachen to join the Al Khoory team to drive the next phase of the operator’s growth 

Al Khoory Hotels, part of the Al Khoory Group’s hospitality division, has made two senior management appointments to drive the next phase of the company’s growth in Dubai.

Seasoned Hotel Manager Dhiraj Bagai will utilise nearly 20 years of hospitality experience to lead the recently launched Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel, where the focus will be on showcasing the quality accommodation, facilities and amenities twinned with exceptional value, and the Urban Al Khoory Hotel where he will underscore the brand’s innovative, vibrant and modern credential.   

An Indian national, Bagai has vast experience in Dubai and across Asia. He has held numerous senior management positions, most recently as General Manager of La Verda Suites & Villa in Dubai Marina. Before that, he spent five years in Seminyak, Bali, where he was Hotel Manager for the five-star Double-Six Luxury Hotel.

In his native India, Bagai held senior positions with a host of hotel operators, including Taj, Radisson, and Wyndham.

Arun Kumar, General Manager Hospitality Division, Al Khoory, said: “Dhiraj’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the hospitality scene in the UAE and India will be invaluable to Al Khoory as we look to strengthen our hospitality offering across the brand in what is an increasingly competitive marketplace.

“We look forward to working with Dhiraj as we consolidate our market position as a leader in leisure and business travel for visitors to the emirate and residents.”

As part of his remit, Bagai will be responsible for all hotel operations, from employee satisfaction and sales and revenue generation to exceeding guest expectations. 

Speaking about his appointment, Bagai said: “The Al Khoory brand continues to grow in prominence within the UAE tourism hospitality market. I look forward to continuing this upward growth trajectory by upholding the hotel’s high standards by working closely with our suppliers and increasing occupancy through excellent guest experiences.” 

Also joining the Group is Naji Moukhachen, who takes up the position of Head of Sales for the Hospitality group. A graduate of Cornell University and an MBA from the Swiss Business School, he has over 12 years of hospitality experience in senior sales positions, having established numerous successful strategies for a series of hospitality brands in the UAE and internationally. 

His career includes senior management positions within Rotana Hotels and Hilton, where he was most recently Commercial Manager for Hilton DoubleTree Al Jadaf. 

“Naji is extremely capable with a proven track record in driving commercial success within the hospitality industry. His understanding of the UAE market and results-driven ethos will be an asset to Al Khoory Hotels, particularly as we look to our next growth phase,” said Kumar.