John Rogers has joined Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, recognized by Conde Nast Traveller in the magazine’s Gold List 2010, as General Manager. He will work closely with Didier Tourneboeuf who will assume overall responsibility for all Anantara’s Middle Eastern properties.John began his hospitality career 25 years ago in his native UK as a management trainee in Chester, swiftly moving to London’s Athenaeum Hotel to become Assistant Food & Beverage Manager.
Since then he has worked around the world: for Shangri-La in Hong Kong, Vancouver and Shanghai, Le Royal Meridien in Bahrain and the Lanka Oberoi in Colombo, in a variety of senior food and beverage positions.
From 1999 until 2001, John was General Manager at The Tresantion Hotel in St Mawes, Cornwall, ensuring acclaim in Top 100 Conde Nast “Best of the Best” with an award in October 2000.
Subsequently, John moved to La Residencia Hotel in Mallorca, as Director and General Manager, orchestrating the successful transfer of ownership from Sir Richard Branson to Orient Express Hotels.
During his tenure at La Residencia, John oversaw a series of major refurbishments and won annual recognition for the hotel in Conde Nast Traveller’s UK magazine as well as ensuring a place on the gold list in US Travel & Leisure Magazine top 500.
Commenting on his new role John Rogers, General Manager, Desert Islands Resort & Spa said, “I am delighted to join Anantara, a company that offers its guests an exciting and indigenous experience. Located on Sir Bani Yas Island, the resort is testament to the company’s philosophy, offering for visitors a unique opportunity to explore the natural wonders and wildlife of Arabia. I am honored to be part of this award winning project working closely with TDIC and look forward to continuing this success and in turn strengthening Abu Dhabi as an immerging destination on the worldwide tourism map.”
