French hospitality giant Accor has named Ileshaa Nijhawan as Cluster Commercial Director for two of its luxury properties in Kenya, Fairmont the Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club.

Accor Kenya, the local subsidiary of the world’s second largest hospitality company Accor, has appointed industry veteran Ileshaa Nijhawan as Cluster Commercial Director for Faiirmont the Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club, in Nairobi and Masai Mara National Reserve respectively.

According to a press statement issued by Accor, Nijhawan is a seasoned hospitality leader with a career spanning over 15 years of luxury experience in the hospitality industry.

It says that in her previous roles Nijhawan has served as Director of Events Groups and Conferences at Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha, Qatar with multicultural experiences having lived across the globe including UAE, Qatar, India, UK, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Spain.

The statement adds that Nijhawan will lead the commercial sales and marketing strategy for both properties, focusing on enhancing revenue streams, strengthening partnerships and promoting Fairmont in Kenya.

“We are thrilled to have Ileshaa Nijhawan join our team. Her strategic vision, leadership expertise, customer-centric approach, and track record for driving revenue growth align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and maintaining our hotels’ differentiation,” says Nils Rothbarth, General Manager of Fairmont the Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club.

“I am honoured to join the Fairmont the Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club and the Accor family. I am looking forward to this new challenge and immersing myself in the African market,” says Nijhawan.

“My focus will be on leveraging my extensive hospitality experience to build and nurture relationships with key travel partners in Africa, developing strategic partnerships, leveraging the USPs of these iconic properties, and collaborating closely with the Accor MENA headquarters to leverage synergies and drive significant growth in corporate, leisure and MICE business,” she adds.

The statement adds that during her tenure at Waldorf Astoria Lusail, she led the preopening strategy for Waldorf Astoria’s flagship resort launch during the FIFA World Cup, positioning it as a premier VVIP events destination. 

The statement adds that she leveraged her personal relationships to penetrate the Indian destination wedding market, developing strategic partnerships with Qatar Tourism and globally renowned wedding and event planners. 

The statement adds that her leadership was instrumental in contributing to significant revenue milestones and securing leading MICE conferences such as the Institute of Travel & Tourism Conference and Destination Wedding Planner Congress in Qatar to name a few.

The statement says that Nijhawan’s career highlights include her role as multi-property Associate Director of Sales and Events for the cluster of six properties including Le Méridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, Le Méridien Fairway and leading the preopening strategy for Aloft and Elements Al Mina and Aloft and Elements Dubai Airport. 

The hotel company says that during her tenure she achieved a 237 pc increase in MICE business and elevated the cluster’s profile as a hub for luxury weddings and events in Dubai’s highly competitive hospitality market.