Bushtracks Africa has appointed Mike McNamara to the position of Group General Manager.
McNamara, who will be based in Bushtracks Africa’s offices in Zambia, has spent many years in the tourism industry.
"We are absolutely delighted to have McNamara on board as Group General Manager for Bushtracks Africa, and its group of companies. McNamara is no stranger to tourism and the Victoria Falls area, having managed or directed various companies for a span of 12 years within the region itself. McNamara has added to his wealth of tourism experience by operating in challenging environments like the Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and Golf Safaris in South Africa…We are very pleased to welcome him on board and have him as part of the Bushtracks Africa Team," says Christopher Tett, Managing Director of Bushtracks Africa.
Megan Conn, Digital Marketing Manager and Product Co-ordinator at Bushtracks Africa comments: "I am thrilled that McNamara has joined our team. I have known him for many years on a personal level and very much look forward to learning from him on a professional level.”
Preferred Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of John Watson as Regional Director for Africa, on August 1.
Caption: John Watson, Regional Director for Africa at Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
In this role, Watson is tasked with the retention and expansion of the brand’s sub-Saharan African portfolio and, supported by the Cape Town regional office where he is based, will lead development efforts in bourgeoning travel markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mozambique, targeting new and established independent luxury properties.
To date, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio in the region encompasses 21 member hotels, resorts, and residences based across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Tanzania, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Seychelles.
“With Watson’s appointment, our aim is to strategically cultivate our African portfolio of independent luxury hotels, resorts, and lodges by adding best-in-class leisure and business-orientated properties operating in primary and secondary destinations,” says Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President of South Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Australasia for Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted to welcome John to the team, and believe his collective experience in luxury hotel management, consultative business analysis, and operations, demonstrates a thorough understanding of the industry that will help foster mutually beneficial relationships with hotel owners and asset managers.”
Prior to joining the group, Watson spent more than six years in the United Arab Emirates, holding senior executive positions with Auris Group of Hotels and Habtoor Hospitality. His 35 years of industry experience embodies luxury resort and city hotel management, revenue management, sales and marketing, and food and beverage in South Africa, the UAE, UK, and The Netherlands.
Born in England, Watson speaks English, French, Dutch and Afrikaans.
“Africa is full of exciting growth potential, especially in the independent luxury sector, and I am excited for the opportunity to help Preferred Hotels & Resorts capitalise on all of the opportunities available as part of our quest to expand the brand’s global footprint in a thoughtful, strategic manner,” says Watson.
