Wyndham Hotels Appoints New Market Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe

Wyndham Grand Athens

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel franchises with 9,200 hotels in more than 95 countries, recently announced the appointment of Murat Yilmaz as Market Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe.

With more than 35 years of experience in the hotel industry, Yilmaz has worked in various positions for large hotel groups such as Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Deutsche Hospitality and Dorint Hotels, specializing in business development, asset management, real estate development, finance, hotel openings and operations.

As Vice President of Business Development at Deutsche Hospitality, he managed and signed projects in Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic, among others. Most recently, as Executive Advisor Business Development, he led the global hotel development activities of the FTI Group.

“I believe that I can make an important contribution with my extensive network and experience in hotel development,” said Murat Yilmaz.

With his extensive international industry experience and insider knowledge, Murat Yilmaz will lead the implementation of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ operational strategies for a growing hotel portfolio in Central and Eastern Europe. He will also develop strategic relationships with existing and new Wyndham partners.

“This is not only about expanding Wyndham’s market presence and supporting our franchise hotels in the best possible way, but also about building long-term and trusting relationships with our owners, investors and hotel partners,” Yilmaz added.

According to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts President EMEA Dimitris Manikis, the DACH market and the Central European region have great potential and are among the company’s absolute growth and focus regions, both for existing brands and for our acquired and newly announced brands.

“As Market Managing Director Central & Eastern Europe, Murat Yilmaz therefore takes on an important role as we enter the next phase of expansion with Wyndham,” Manikis said.

Yilmaz has complete studies in hotel management and holds a certificate in Hotel Real Estate & Asset Management from Cornell University. He is fluent in English, German and Turkish.