CBRE grows regional Hotels & Tourism team with multiple senior hires
Over the last year, CBRE’s Middle East Hotels & Tourism team has valued over 75 hospitality assets totaling over 20,000 keys and $15 billion in value
CBRE has announced two senior appointments to its Hotels & Tourism team, as part of its growth in the Middle East. Ali Manzoor is joining as head of Hotels & Tourism – Middle East, while Ben Parkins is joining as associate director.
Based in Dubai, Manzoor will lead the Hotels & Tourism team to advise investors, developers and operators on their hospitality development projects and market entry strategies throughout the MENA region, with a specific focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia, CBRE said in its statement. Parkins will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise, leading market research and financial analysis across hospitality and tourism related assets, the statement said.
Manzoor joins from Knight Frank where he was partner and head of Hospitality & Leisure – Middle East. With over 15 years’ experience, including 10 years in the Middle East, he has worked with developers, investors and governmental institutions on feasibility studies, hotel valuations, pricing strategies and optimum site use for both large-scale multi-use projects and stand-alone assets, CBRE noted.
Parkins also joins from Knight Frank Middle East, where he was associate partner within the Hospitality & Leisure team. He brings over 15 years’ experience in real estate advisory and in global luxury hotel operations across a wide variety of progressive roles. He has provided advice to investors, developers and government clients across MENA working on the highest and best use studies, market and financial feasibility studies, operational reviews and operator search and selections, the statement said.
“Ali’s strong regional experience and his seniority in the market will be a key addition to CBRE. Bringing him and his talented team on board forms part of our long-term strategy to further expand our leading real estate advisory practice in the Middle East and bring strategic support to our clients,” said Nicholas Maclean, managing director of CBRE Middle East.
Parkins notes, “I am thrilled to have joined CBRE at a time of significant growth. CBRE’s extensive offering and reputation provides an outstanding platform for us to leverage opportunities in the region and I look forward to working with the team and contribute to the continued success of the business.”
Manzoor remarks, “After having been tasked with creating the hospitality division in my previous role, I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to come across to CBRE with the entire team. Combined with the existing in-house hotel specialists and CBRE’s leading regional platform, I am confident that we will further grow our hospitality business substantially in the coming years.”
The firm’s Hotels & Tourism team is also welcoming Paul Pham Arnald as manager and Jean Diaz as administrator, both joining from Knight Frank Middle East. The team also comprises Vaughan Sears, senior manager, Christopher Robson, senior manager, and Cyril Oberson, analyst, the statement concluded.
