Rixos Hotels has appointed Sherif Kasseb as Managing Director of Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North, marking a significant management restructuring at one of Qatar's flagship all-inclusive resorts. The appointment places Kasseb in charge of the resort and its integrated leisure and entertainment destination in Lusail, including the Meryal Waterpark and Azure Beach Doha. Kasseb brings more than 30 years of international hospitality experience to the newly expanded leadership role, which consolidates management of three distinct operations under a single strategic direction.
The appointment reflects Rixos Hotels' strategic focus on strengthening its position within Qatar's tourism and leisure sector. Cenk Ünverdi, Chief Operating Officer of Rixos Hotels and the All-Inclusive Collection, emphasized Kasseb's qualifications for the role, noting his extensive experience across the group's flagship properties, strong commercial understanding, and track record in developing hospitality teams. Ünverdi stated that Kasseb is ideally suited to build on the destination's strong foundations and continue shaping one of the region's most innovative hospitality and entertainment destinations. No search firm involvement was disclosed in the appointment announcement.
Kasseb previously served as General Manager of Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha, where he oversaw the property through its pre-opening and launch ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, establishing it as the country's first all-inclusive hotel. Prior to that role in 2022, he held senior positions at multiple Rixos properties, including Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Rixos Premium Seagate Sharm El Sheikh, and Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha. His career also includes leadership roles with Marriott International, including postings at Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai and Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel. He holds a degree in Hotel Management from Helwan University in Cairo and has previously overseen five hotel openings for major hospitality brands.
Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North operates as part of the Rixos All-Inclusive Collection and has become a flagship property showcasing the brand's capabilities in delivering integrated resort experiences. The resort comprises a 345-key hotel offering direct access to Meryal Waterpark, described as Qatar's largest waterpark with 53 slides and 69 total attractions. The property features the Rig 1938, which holds Guinness World Records for the world's tallest waterslide tower and the greatest number of waterslides on a single tower. The consolidated destination, now under Kasseb's unified leadership, combines accommodation, dining, wellness, family entertainment, and leisure experiences across multiple operations, positioning Rixos as a major player in Qatar's growing hospitality market as the region continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and premium destination offerings.
Kasseb's appointment suggests Rixos is consolidating management of its Qatar operations at a more senior level, moving from property-specific general managers to cross-property leadership, which may indicate the company's confidence in the destination's maturity and focus on optimizing operational synergies. His return to Qatar, where he previously helped launch the country's first all-inclusive resort, suggests continuity of strategic direction at a property that has become central to Rixos's regional expansion plans. The move also reflects broader trends in luxury hospitality where integrated entertainment and leisure complexes increasingly require unified operational oversight rather than siloed management approaches.
