Dubai’s First Collection Jumeirah...

Onur Avkan brings international expertise to the 491-key lifestyle hotel

Dubai-based First Group Hospitality has appointed Onur Avkan as General Manager of The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle.

In his new role, Avkan will oversee the 491-key property, which was the first hotel to debut under The First Group’s lifestyle hospitality brand and the first in the Middle East to join Marriott’s esteemed Tribute Portfolio.

Nestled in Dubai’s dynamic JVC community, the 40-story property provides premium amenities, including a stylish business lounge, expansive swimming pool, multiple dining options and a spa.

As well as overseeing day-to-day operations, Avkan, a Turkish national, is tasked with strengthening the property’s market position and enhancing the guest experience.

With more than a decade of international hospitality experience, Avkan has held multiple senior leadership roles at properties in Dubai, London and Istanbul, including at Hilton London Metropole, Sofitel London Heathrow and Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Centre, where he led the property’s pre-opening and operational launch.

He started his career with Swissotel, The Bospherous, in Istanbul.

On his LinkedIn profile, Avkan describes himself as “driven and accomplished” with a proven track record of “propelling hotels to exceptional results while consistently delivering exceptional levels of service”.

The First Group has an extensive Dubai-based portfolio that includes four properties in its award-winning First Collection brand, as well as other upscale properties, including Tryp by Wyndham Dubai and Millennium Place Marina.

For more information, visit www.thefirstgroup.com/en/hotels

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