The Clarks Hotels and Resorts is delighted to announce the appointment of Gabriel David Gunesekere as Head Development Hotels & Resorts – Sri Lanka, Maldives & International; with over 30 years of experience in tourism and hospitality management. He will be responsible for negotiating management contracts, branding, recruiting the teams in certain geographical locations with a focus on the expansion of properties in Sri Lanka & the Maldives with representations internationally.
He has worked with international brands such as Accor Hotels, Swiss-Belhotel International, Bahrain, Millennium hotel, Abu Dhabi. Jebel Ali Resorts Dubai, The Kingsbury Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka, The Rose Garden Hotel Yangon, Myanmar. Before joining the Clarks Hotels and Resorts group, he was working as Director of Sales & Marketing for The Kingsbury Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka and The Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar. He plays a significant role to build a good relationship with the corporates, MICE & leisure segment to boost the sales of the hotels and resorts.
Further negotiations are in discussion for new property tie-ups with The Clarks Hotels & Resorts Network both in Sri Lanka & the Maldives. Gabriel also has a key interest in continuous education having followed many Tourism studies and workshops, especially with the World Tourism Organization (WTO) in Qatar, Accor Academy Dubai. Currently, he is pursuing MBA from The Staffordshire University UK.
Gabriel Gunesekere shares, “I must say that I am indeed excited to join The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, especially when the group has planned to focus on an expansion drive overseas. Due to my prior work experience in hospitality which is spread across internationally, I can understand the intricacies of different cultures and business segments similarly. Considering the post-pandemic period we can certainly see a huge shift taking place, especially in the hospitality sector. Travelers are now looking for safer protocols in health-related areas that include up-market properties. Customers are also more demanding and tech-savvy and select properties with international standards and quality properties. We are delighted to tie up with properties that align together with our brand values. We want to ensure these properties provide the same level of hospitality for which The Clarks Hotels & Resorts share and portray.”
The Clarks Hotels & Resorts filled an important gap between luxury and economical hotels. At The Clarks, they aim to provide guests with progressive hospitality. By 2023, the brand will comprise about 150 properties within its chain.
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