Executive Appointments at Jumeirah

Jumeirah Group, a Dubai-based luxury international hotel management group and a member of Dubai Holding, has appointed James Erlacher to the position of Senior Vice President Development – Americas for Jumeirah Group.

James will play a significant role in driving Jumeirah’s expansion within the Americas region. To date, Jumeirah has two projects under development, the Jumeirah Botany Bay Resort in the US Virgin Islands and the Jumeirah Culu Culu Polo Resort, Argentina, in addition to managing Jumeirah Essex House in New York.

Prior to joining Jumeirah, James held senior development positions with several key companies in the USA and Canada, including Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, Tarragon Corporation, Marriott International, Inc. and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

With more than twenty years of hotel, resort and luxury residential development experience, he has played a significant role in developing the full-service and luxury portfolios of various hospitality brands. Project experience includes ground-up development of hotel and residential products and strategic acquisitions of full-service and luxury assets. His development  activities are international in scope, with a primary focus on gateway cities and resort destinations throughout the Americas and Caribbean regions.

Paul Macpherson, Chief Development Officer for Jumeirah Group, said, “The Americas represent an important region for us and this appointment signifies an important step forward in Jumeirah Group’s growth strategy.”

In a separate move, Jumeirah has promoted Thatcher Brown to the new position of Vice President Brand
Strategy and Management.

A graduate of Cornell University, Thatcher Brown has been Director of Sales & Marketing in Jumeirah Essex House since May 2006, where he has been responsible for the transition and repositioning of the New York hotel after a $90m refurbishment  programme as well as the launch of the South Gate restaurant.

With over 20 years of experience in the travel and  hospitality industry, Thatcher Brown has worked in the USA, Canada, Spain and the UK for companies such as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons and Condé Nast Publishing. In his new role, Thatcher will be responsible for Brand Management, Brand Marketing/Advertising, Partnership Marketing, Brand Sponsorships, Loyalty Marketing (Sirius) and Brand Product & Service Development.

“Our long-term goal is to be one of the top luxury brands of the world. We are keeping to our strategy of recognising the distinctiveness of luxury travellers and the importance of personal experiences in their lives,” explained Apo Demirtas, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of the Jumeirah Group. “To that end, the creation of a Brand Strategy & Management discipline  marks an important turning point for Jumeirah.”

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