Destination Mina Seyahi welcomes new...

Ugur Lee Kanbur takes the helm at Dubai resort complex

Destination Mina Seyahi encompassing three resorts – W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark – has announced the appointment of Ugur Lee Kanbur as its new Cluster General Manager.

In his new role Kanbur will oversee the operations and customer experience of all three resorts, drawing on his 35 years of experience in operational and management roles across Asia for Marriott International.

His position at the helm Destination Mina Seyahi marks the Australian-Turkish professional’s first role in the Middle East.

W Dubai Mina Seyahi

Kanbur, who speaks English, Turkish and basic Chinese began his hospitality career at Hilton Melbourne as a waiter and then bar manager. After nine years, he took up a role at Hyatt Istanbul, before returning to Melbourne where he worked across independent food and beverage outlets to hone his skills.

His Asian journey began in 1999 with a move to Singapore. He has since worked across several operational roles at hotels including The Westin Stamford and Westin Plaza Hotel Singapore, The Westin Shanghai Hotel and Residences China, Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen China, and the Westin Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kanbur became Hotel Manager of The Westin Mumbai Garden City in India in 2008 and took up his first General Manager role in 2011 in Central China at The Westin Wuhan, which marked the opening of the first Westin hotel in the region. In 2013, he went on to become General Manager of Westin Tianjin China before taking on his most recent role as the General Manager of the W Suzhou.

Commenting on his new role, Kanbur said: “I'm delighted to start a new chapter in my career in the Middle East with brands I have loved and devoted my career to for many years. I aim to inspire and empower our colleagues so that they become solution providers and feel valued by the company. Marriott International has always adopted a people-first culture which I always try to embody because you win when your team wins.”

For more information, visit www.marriott.com

FIND OUT MORE