Ileshaa Nijhawan joins Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club as their new Cluster Commercial Director. In a career spanning over 15 years, Ileshaa has had multicultural experiences across the globe in countries including the UAE, Qatar, India, the UK, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Spain. She joins the Accor Group from her previous role as Director of Events Groups & Conferences at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha, Qatar.
In her new role, Ileshaa Nijhawan will lead commercial sales and marketing for both properties, enhancing revenue streams, strengthening partnerships, and reinforcing Fairmont’s reputation as the preferred choice for luxury hospitality experiences in Kenya.
“We are thrilled to have Ileshaa Nijhawan join our team,” said Nils Rothbarth, General Manager of Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club. “Her strategic vision, leadership, expertise, customer-centric approach, and track record for driving revenue growth align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and maintaining our hotels’ differentiation.”
Ileshaa Nijhawan said, “I am honoured to join the Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont Mara Safari Club, and the Accor family. I look forward to this new challenge and immersing myself in the African market. My focus will be on leveraging my extensive hospitality experience to build and nurture relationships with key travel partners in Africa, developing strategic partnerships, leveraging the USPs of these iconic properties, and collaborating closely with the Accor MENA HQ to leverage synergies and drive significant growth in corporate, leisure, and MICE business.”
In her tenure at Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Ileshaa led the preopening strategy for Waldorf Astoria’s flagship resort launch during the FIFA World Cup, positioning it as a premier VVIP Events destination. She penetrated the Indian destination wedding market and developed strategic partnerships with Qatar Tourism and globally renowned wedding and event planners. Her leadership was instrumental in contributing to significant revenue milestones and securing leading MICE conferences such as the Institute of Travel & Tourism conference and Destination Wedding Planner Congress in Qatar, to name a few.
Ileshaa’s career highlights include her role as Multi-property Associate Director of Sales & Events for the cluster of six properties, including Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Le Méridien Fairway, and leading the preopening strategy for Aloft & Elements Al Mina and Aloft & Elements Dubai Airport.
Ileshaa has been recognised with multiple awards, including the ‘Marriott Award of Excellence for Sales Excellence Leader in the MENA region and the Hotelier Middle East Awards for Best Sales Person—Highly Commended consecutively for two years, in recognition of turning around business for the properties post-COVID-19.
