Michel Koopman Joins Anantara as Director of Operations - Middle East

 Michel Koopman has been appointed Director of Operations in the Middle East for Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, as well as General Manager for Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.

 A key role for Anantara in the Middle East, Michel’s responsibilities include overseeing the running of all of Anantara’s UAE based hotels and resorts – Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort and Desert Islands Resort & Spa, plus Al Yamm Lodge and Al Sahel Lodge (both set to open on Sir Bani Yas Island in 2012) alongside the General Managers of these properties who will work under his direction.

Michel will also spearhead the launch of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa which will be Anantara’s first city hotel in the Middle East and is set to open in 2012.

Michel joins Anantara Hotels & Resorts from InterContinental Hotels Group where he held the position of Regional General Manager for several of the group’s properties across China. Over a four year period, Michel was also responsible for a number of openings including the Holiday Inn Express Zhabei, Crowne Plaza Century Park and the 566-room InterContinental Shanghai Puxi Hotel.

A Dutch/Australian national, Michel’s experience in the hospitality industry spans 27 years at hotels in Europe, Australia and Asia.

Michel started his career at the Amsterdam Hilton in 1984 and continued to work with Hilton Hotels in Europe before moving to Jakarta in 1989. After several years in Asia working for the Hyatt Group, Michel moved to Australia in 1996 as General Manager for properties in Perth, Canberra and Melbourne.

Michel graduated from The Higher Hotel school in the Hague, Holland in 1984 and gained additional hospitality qualifications from the prestigious Cornell University in New York.

With a strong understanding of diverse cultures, Michel speaks a number of languages including English, German, French and Dutch.

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