Aimbridge EMEA appoints European director of Operations & Quality

Aimbridge EMEA, a division of global hotel management leader Aimbridge Hospitality, has announced the appointment of Xavier Etcheberrigaray as its new Director of Operations and Quality – Europe. Etcheberrigaray joins the third-party management company from Aimbridge Hospitality’s American division, where he worked as a general manager of multiple properties. In his new role he is tasked with overseeing hotels in Western Europe, reporting to Nicole Turnhout-Ammerlann, VP Operations. He’ll be based at Aimbridge EMEA’s Amsterdam office and brings more than 15 years’ hospitality experience with him to the role, including roles with Kempinski Hotels in the Middle East and Africa, Rixos Hotels in the UAE, Caesers Entertainment Corporation in Las Vegas, and HEI Hotels & Resorts in destinations including Fort Lauderdale and Georgia in the United States. Additionally, Etcheberrigaray holds an MBA in Hospitality from the prestigious Glion Institute of Hospitality Management. Aimbridge said his appointment demonstrates its “continued commitment” to growth within the EMEA region, as well as developing talent and fostering progression within its team. Etcheberrigaray said: “I’m so excited to have made the move to Europe, while staying a part of the Aimbridge Hospitality family. There is so much opportunity in the hotel sector throughout the EMEA region and, as the largest third-party operator in the world, we’re in a strong position to capitalise on this. “I’m looking forward to demonstrating operational expertise to both new and existing owners in Western Europe and drawing on our scale as a global management company to deliver outstanding experiences for guests, too.” The appointment follows several developments in Europe for Aimbridge EMEA in recent months, including the signing of its first Spanish property – the Grand Luxor Hotel and Village resort on the Costa Blanca, owned by Santa Maria Group. David Anderson, divisional president at Aimbridge EMEA, said: “Xavier joins us at a very exciting time for the division, with a lot of development work underway in the region and more European properties in the pipeline. “One of our key objectives is to attract and retain top talent, so it’s a pleasure to welcome Xavier to the EMEA division from our US business, and we are looking forward to drawing on his skills and experience for the benefit of our owners here in Europe.” The Aimbridge Hospitality global portfolio, inclusive of managed and pipeline properties, includes approximately 1,500 hotels in 20 countries around the world.