Profile

Makram El Zyr

Corporate VP Development
Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC

Makram El Zyr is the Corporate Vice President – Development at Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye (MENAT). Appointed to the role in April 2012, Makram El Zyr has played an instrumental role in Rotana’s rapid expansion into new geographic territories. He is responsible for growing the company’s portfolio of hotels and product brands, and has led well-calculated forays into strategically important markets, including Rotana’s international expansion into the United Kingdom, Georgia, Senegal, and more. Under his leadership, Rotana has opened 72 properties across the Middle East and beyond, with an additional 30 planned openings expected by 2026. His extensive functional and industry expertise, combined with a deep understanding of market dynamics and investor needs, enables him to identify and effectively pursue emerging opportunities to drive growth. Makram El Zyr also oversaw the successful launch of Rotana’s latest brand, Edge by Rotana, in 2022, a collection of independent hotels that maintain their individuality while benefiting from Rotana’s extensive network and systems. Since its launch, Rotana has opened three Edge by Rotana-managed hotels in the UAE: Arabian Park and Park Apartments in 2022, and Damac Hills 2 in 2023. These openings support Rotana’s target to operate 30 Edge by Rotana properties by 2027.