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MEMBERS of the hospitality sector gathered at Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain to bid farewell to the kingdom’s first female general manager in sparkling style.
For the past three-and-a-half years, Anna-Marie Dowling has used her vast experience and upbeat personality to keep The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre in top form and up to date in the kingdom’s competitive market.
During the event, the 53-year-old complex general manager, who will be moving onto a new role in Muscat, Oman, shared her appreciation for her team and the relations that she built.
She said: “There has always been great camaraderie amongst the five-star general managers in Bahrain.
I think it is often an anomaly for other businesses that hoteliers are often each other’s greatest competitors but also can be each other’s greatest friends. I think I was the first female five-star general manager here but I am sure I will not be the last!
“It is always an emotional experience for a general manager to say goodbye to a hotel. Well, it is for me anyway. As a team we spend so much time together, often more that we do with our families. The teams in the complex have been phenomenal to work with and I will definitetly leave a piece of my heart here. I am going with some fantastic memories of working and living here and I will be back regularly to visit and stay in touch.”
As people sipped their drinks and reveled in an assortment of food from the seafood and BBQ stations and cheese corner, Anna-Marie shared a moving presentation of her time in Bahrain.
She also revealed major projects that are underway for the remainder of the year such as soft renovations being done at The Westin and how Baharat restaurant in Le Méridien will also be getting a facelift.
The Nasmat pool area will also be revamped with new furniture and beIN Sports.
