Hyatt recently announced the appointment of two General Managers (GM) for the Hyatt branded hotels at The Red Sea Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both set to commence their operations by the end of 2025.
According to Industry sources, Jean-Francois Durand has been appointed General Manager of Grand Hyatt The Red Sea – a luxury property with 430 rooms, and the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island, occupying a prime position within the innovative tourist destination.
On the other hand, Juan Paolo Alfonso has taken on the role of General Manager of Miraval The Red Sea. This highly anticipated luxury wellness resort is set to mark the international launch of the Miraval brand outside the U.S. The resort will boast 180 rooms, suites, and luxury villas as well the island’s largest spa complemented by extensive fitness and wellness facilities.
Industry sources further added that Jean-Francois is a seasoned General Manager with over 30 years of expertise with Hyatt. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held various positions at properties across numerous regions, thereby garnering numerous awards and recognitions, particularly for his expertise in successfully opening hotels and resorts.
Industry sources further confirmed that Jean-Francois brings a wealth of expertise to the Kingdom, spanning sustainability, people’s career development, creative food and beverage concept development, and unparalleled guest experiences and initiatives. After an extensive and impactful career in Russia, Jean Francois returned to the Middle East to power the operations of Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla in Jordan in 2019 and most recently shifted his base to Saudi Arabia to overview and monitor the exciting launch of the upcoming, Grand Hyatt The Red Sea.
Industry sources further confirmed that Juan Paolo is an accomplished General Manager, who is tasked with bringing Miraval’s life-in-balance ethos to the Kingdom. He started his hospitality career in 2003, and progressed his way across various departments, including Front Office and Housekeeping, before advancing to leadership positions.
It was also believed that his career spans iconic resorts in multiple destinations, comprising the US, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Oman. Juan Paolo has a proven track record of leading award-winning properties, most recently serving as General Manager of Alila Hinu Bay in Salalah, Oman. Before that, he was at the helm of Alila Ubud in Bali, where he began his journey with Hyatt in 2019.
