Ugur Talayhan Named Country Manager for Türkiye, Eastern and Central Europe

Talayhan held senior leadership roles at IHG, Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, FRHI, and Accor

Rotana Hotels announced the appointment of Ugur Talayhan as Country Manager for Türkiye, Eastern and Central Europe, effective September 30, 2024.

As Country Manager for Türkiye, Eastern and Central Europe, Talayhan will oversee the operations of Rotana’s hotels in Türkiye along with a portfolio of properties in neighbouring countries. He will lead regional development efforts, focusing on increasing revenue and operational excellence to deliver on Rotana’s promise of “Treasured Time.” Reporting directly to Eddy Tannous, Chief Operating Officer, Talayhan’s appointment is pivotal to Rotana’s robust expansion plans in the region.

Eddy Tannous, COO of Rotana, expressed his confidence in Talayhan’s ability to lead the team in this critical market: “We are thrilled to welcome Ugur Talayhan to our leadership team. His extensive experience, particularly in driving revenue growth, and his innovative approach to enhancing the guest experience align perfectly with our ambitions for Türkiye, Eastern and Central Europe. Talayhan’s leadership will be key as we continue to strengthen our footprint in the region.”

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Talayhan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Having held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups, including IHG, Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, FRHI, and Accor, Talayhan has earned a reputation as a transformative leader in the sector with a customer-centric approach to growth and development and the ability to build high-performing, multicultural teams. Most recently, he held the role of Vice President of Operations at Accor in Türkiye and general manager of swissoterl the Bosphorus Istanbul.

Commenting on his new role, Talayhan said: “I am incredibly excited to join Rotana and lead the team in Türkiye, Eastern and Central Europe. This region has immense potential, and I look forward to working closely with our teams to continue Rotana’s legacy of operational excellence while pushing the boundaries of guest satisfaction and business development. Together, we will ensure our properties continue to set the standard for hospitality.”

Rotana currently operates 82 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye, with a robust pipeline of new projects in Türkiye and international markets.