The Cove Rotana Resort in Ras Al Khaimah has appointed Karim El Ghandour as its new Director of Human Resources, a move that signals the property's continued investment in people strategy as part of its operational growth. El Ghandour brings more than 25 years of hospitality and HR leadership experience across the Middle East and Africa, with a mandate to strengthen colleague engagement, talent development, and workplace culture.
El Ghandour's career includes over 15 years with IHG Hotels & Resorts, where he most recently served as Cluster Director of Human Resources in Kuwait, overseeing a workforce of 800 colleagues. His background spans hotel operations, training, and senior HR leadership, giving him a broad understanding of how people strategy drives property performance.
Focus on talent and culture
In his new role at The Cove Rotana Resort, El Ghandour will oversee the full human resources function, with priorities including talent acquisition, performance management, and leadership development. His appointment is expected to align the resort's people strategy more closely with its business objectives, supporting high-performing teams and enhancing the guest experience.
Commenting on his appointment, El Ghandour said: “I am pleased to join The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah and become part of the Rotana family. I look forward to working closely with our colleagues and leadership team to build a strong and supportive workplace.”
The Cove Rotana Resort, known for its blend of Arabian charm and Mediterranean elegance, offers 349 rooms and private villas, along with multiple dining venues and leisure facilities. The property is part of Rotana's portfolio in the UAE, which continues to expand across the region.
This appointment follows a series of leadership changes across the hospitality sector, including Jo Boundy's new role leading resorts and lodges at Journey Beyond and Vipul Misra's appointment as acting CEO of SriLankan Airlines. Such moves underscore the industry's focus on strong people leadership as hotels and resorts compete for talent.
For Rotana, the emphasis on HR leadership is part of a broader strategy to maintain service standards across its properties. The group operates hotels in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with a reputation for Arabic hospitality and operational excellence.
El Ghandour's experience in managing large teams in Kuwait and his earlier roles in training and development position him well to drive the resort's people initiatives. His understanding of hotel operations, gained from starting in operational roles, is expected to help bridge the gap between HR and frontline performance.
The Cove Rotana Resort is a key property in Ras Al Khaimah's growing tourism landscape, which has seen increased investment in recent years. The emirate has been expanding its hospitality offerings, and the resort's focus on colleague engagement is seen as a way to differentiate itself in a competitive market.
As the hospitality industry continues to recover and evolve, appointments like this highlight the importance of human capital in delivering quality guest experiences. With El Ghandour at the helm of HR, The Cove Rotana Resort aims to build a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent, ultimately benefiting both staff and guests.
