Dominic Arel, General Manager of Fairmont The Palm, stands out for his remarkable achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry. With over 26 years of experience in hospitality, luxury, and hotel pre-opening projects, Dominic has dis-played exemplary dedication and ingenuity. Under his leadership, Fairmont The Palm successfully opened the new Serenity Spa and is in the process of renovating and re-opening Flow Kitchen. The hotel’s restaurant, Little Miss India, has been featured in the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years, and the hotel itself has garnered numerous awards. Since joining Fairmont The Palm in September 2022, Dominic has significantly contributed to a record year for the hotel’s performance, solidifying its position as a landmark destination on The Palm. His visionary leadership has cultivated a culture of growth and learning within the hotel, fostering an accessible environment with an “open door” policy and empowering colleagues across all departments. This approach has led to the promotion of 57 employees in 2023 alone, reducing turnover by 15% compared to the previous year. Dominic’s strategic vision extends to talent acquisition, welcoming five key leaders from sister properties within the Accor Group, enriching the company with diverse talents. He has also spearheaded the hotel’s involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, averaging three CSR activities per month since the begin-ning of 2023. Under his stewardship, employee engagement has soared from 72% to 84%, contributing to long-term retention and higher performance. Financially, Dominic’s acumen has resulted in the hotel’s best September Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) growth index (RGI) in three years, with an impressive 21.4% growth and a record YTD Gross Operating Profit (GOP) since the hotel’s opening in 2012. The hotel’s Food & Beverage performance has also thrived, surpassing the previous year’s performance by AED 2.9 million, with all specialty outlets seeing significant improvement. Dominic’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the launch of the Single Use Plastic (SUP) strategy and the successful renewal of the hotel’s Green Key certification in 2024. Under his leadership, Fairmont The Palm was honoured as the Family-friendly Hotel of the Year at the prestigious Leaders in Hospitality Awards by Hotel & Catering News Middle East. Dominic has also enhanced the hotel’s online presence, with online travel agent booking scores rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. The hotel scored above 90% in a Luxury Collection (LQA) product audit in October 2023, and Mashrabiya Lounge was shortlisted for the Best Afternoon Tea by Time Out Dubai. Investing in guest experience, Dominic secured AED 15 million for the renovation of the hotel’s spa, introducing the Serenity – The Art of Well-Being concept. Key renovation plans for 2024-2025 include suite and guest room renovations and enhancements to the all-day dining and beach concepts, ensuring the hotel remains at the forefront of the industry. Dominic’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence have driven remarkable improvements across various facets of the hotel, positioning Fairmont The Palm as a beacon of success and innovation in the Middle East.