Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel has appointed Yann Decaix as its new General Manager. 

 

Decaix brings over 20 years of experience from around the globe, including working with brands such as Novotel and Guoman & Thistle Hotels, to take the hotel into its next phase.

 

Paris-born Decaix got a taste for the hotelier life when he started his career in F&B, working part-time in Singapore during high school at the iconic Raffles Hotel, following in the footsteps of his father.

 

Soon after, he travelled to Switzerland to start his hotel education at the Hotel Institute de Montreux which took him to positions around the world, including the US, UK and UAE and in 2020, he gained certification from Cornell University in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management.

 

With a background in revenue management, Decaix has progressed through the ranks across the fields of operations, sales and e-commerce, before taking his first General Manager position at the Ibis Styles Dubai, in 2017.

 

“Now, with broader experiences from different aspects of the business and a variety of cultures, I look forward to working with the team to take Avani Ibn Battuta into its next phase as a thriving lifestyle hotel within an amazing location in Dubai,” he said.

 

Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai was the brand’s first new-build hotel in the Middle East region, located adjacent to Ibn Battuta Mall and Ibn Battuta Metro Link, close to Dubai Marina and the site for upcoming Dubai Expo 2020.

 

Decaix has big hopes for the 360-key hotel to take it into its next phase. “Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai is a great destination for both business and leisure guests and we have a lot to offer, but I want to make sure we are doing all we can to position ourselves well in what is a very competitive market. Dubai has come out of the pandemic as one of the world’s leading destinations, so it means we all need to work hard to keep that momentum going.”

 

The Avani brand has been expanding globally in recent years, with its portfolio reaching far and wide, including Thailand, Australia, South Korea and the Middle East region. Part of a growing portfolio in the UAE, Avani now has three properties in Dubai, with a new hotel also under development in Oman.

 

“Seeing the brand grow and being part of a young, dynamic concept is really exciting,” added Decaix. “It is an exciting time to be joining the Avani team and showcasing what we have to the world, as well as what’s to come.”

 

Designed with new travel trends in mind, the Avani experience emphasises contemporary and functional features, carefully considered social spaces and genuine hospitality. The focus is on the details that matter, ensuring guests feel welcome and taken care of in go-to global destinations, from city hotels to beach resorts.

 

Avani Hotels & Resorts currently operates 30 properties in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The brand has a strong pipeline of new properties under development, including in such new destinations as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Maldives. - TradeArabia News Service