Big interview


A passion for


people W


andplaces


With over 30 years working in hospitality, Dimitris Manikis has had the opportunity to cover a variety of roles across the world before becoming president, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, of Wyndham Hotel & Resorts in 2018. Phoebe Galbraith speaks with Manikis to find out his experience in the industry as he explains Wyndham’s commitment to embracing sustainability and development.


ith most of his life spent working in hospitality, Dimitris Manikis doesn’t think of his career as merely a job but rather a life choice. Starting off as an intern for an internationally-branded hotel in his hometown of Athens, Manikis fell in love with the industry. “I loved the people, the passion and the difference hospitality can make to people’s lives,” he says. “From there, I decided to do my master’s degree in tourism, I travelled and worked abroad, and the rest is history.”


Having been associated with Wyndham for most of his career, Manikis spent over 25 years at the hotel group’s former sister company RCI – prior to its spin-off from Wyndham Worldwide – before joining Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in 2018 as president, Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA). “I joined Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in April 2018 and I am responsible for the development of all of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ brands in Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa as well as maximising the performance of all new and existing franchise and managed hotels in the region,” Manikis explains. “My role is to grow the business, ensuring our franchisees are supported and engaged, keep our


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Hotel Management International / www.hmi-online.com


Wyndham Hotel & Resorts


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