Dubai, UAE: The First Group Hospitality is delighted to announce the appointment of Khaled El Sharbatly as Director of Guest Engagement.

An experienced business leader with over 25 years in customer engagement, sales, reservations, and front office roles with leading hotel brands across the Middle East and Africa, El Sharbatly joins The First Group Hospitality after 15 years with Marriott International, where he held multiple leadership positions. Most recently, he led the company’s Dubai Customer Engagement Centre (CEC), overseeing central reservations operations for nearly 70 hotels in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Throughout his tenure at Marriott International, El Sharbatly received numerous accolades, including the Reservations Team of the Year Award and the Associates Engagement Survey Award. He guided the Dubai CEC team to achieve 135% of their enrollment targets, ranking first globally in 2024 across the entire hotel group, and drove Forbes Luxury Properties Audit scores up to 98%.

In his new role, El Sharbatly will work closely with The First Group Hospitality’s reservations teams, as well as revenue management, sales, marketing, finance, and food & beverage divisions, alongside property general managers, to streamline collaboration and sustain the highest service standards as the group expands its footprint in and beyond the Middle East.

Commenting on the appointment, Tom Stevens, The First Group Hospitality’s Senior Vice President - Operations, said: “Khaled brings to this new role a remarkable knowledge of operations, including process optimisation, customer service strategies, and performance metrics. I am confident Khaled’s knowledge will be invaluable in implementing best practices to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across our portfolio of diverse hotels and dining outlets.”

About The First Group Hospitality

The First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-headquartered, full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. With a team of industry veterans and a proven track record, the company delivers tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, optimise revenue, and maximise asset value for investors and hotel owners. As a trusted third-party hotel management provider, The First Group Hospitality partners with leading global brands to drive operational excellence and long-term profitability, thanks to an expertise spanning property performance optimisation, cost management, and guest experience enhancement. Beyond management, The First Group Hospitality develops and operates a dynamic portfolio of upscale hotels, residences, and award-winning restaurants, creating high-value hospitality assets that stand out in the market.

For more information, visit tfghospitality.com 

Media Contacts
Brendan McCormack
Vice President of Marketing – The First Group Hospitality
Brendan.McCormack@tfghospitality.com