Rixos Hotels appoints Sherif Kasseb to lead Qetaifan Island North resort

The hospitality veteran will now be the managing director overseeing Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, Meryal Waterpark, and Azure Beach Doha.Rixos Hotels has appointed Sherif Kasseb as Managing Director of Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, placing him in charge of the resort and its wider leisure and entertainment destination in Lusail.Kasseb brings more than 30 years of international hospitality experience to the role. He has previously held senior positions at Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Rixos Premium Seagate Sharm El Sheikh and Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha, before most recently leading Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah.His appointment marks a return to Qatar, where he previously helped launch the country’s first all-inclusive resort. With a focus on commercial growth, guest experience and team development, Kasseb has led hotel openings and brand transformations across the Middle East.Before joining Rixos Hotels, he held leadership roles with Marriott International, including at Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai and Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.Reflecting on the personal significance of his return, Kasseb said he looks forward to working with the destination’s teams and building on its existing foundation.“I am honoured to return to Qatar and take on the leadership of such a unique destination. Having previously been part of the journey that introduced Qatar’s first all-inclusive resort, this opportunity holds special significance for me. Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North represents an exciting evolution of hospitality, bringing together luxury, entertainment and unforgettable experiences in one destination. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to build on this strong foundation, continue elevating guest experiences and create lasting memories for travellers from around the world,” Kasseb said.Commenting on the appointment, Cenk Ünverdi, Chief Operating Officer of Rixos Hotels and the All-Inclusive Collection, pointed to Kasseb’s experience across the group’s flagship properties and his record of developing hospitality teams.“We are delighted to welcome Sherif back to Qatar and to the next chapter of his journey with Rixos. His extensive experience across several of our flagship properties, combined with his strong commercial understanding and passion for developing people, makes him ideally suited to lead Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, Meryal Waterpark and Azure Beach Doha. We look forward to seeing him build on the destination’s strong foundations and continue shaping one of the region’s most innovative hospitality and entertainment destinations,” Ünverdi said.Kasseb will now lead the three operations under one strategic direction. Together, Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, Meryal Waterpark and Azure Beach Doha form an integrated waterfront destination combining accommodation, dining, wellness, family entertainment and leisure experiences.At the centre of the destination is Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, which operates as part of the Rixos All-Inclusive Collection and offers guests direct access to Meryal Waterpark. The waterpark is home to Rig 1938, which holds Guinness World Records for the world’s tallest waterslide tower and the greatest number of waterslides on a single tower. Kasseb’s appointment places the wider destination under his leadership as Rixos works to strengthen its position within Qatar’s tourism and leisure sector.