Global Commercial Strategy Leader

Centaurus Hospitality ManagementClass of 1997

Julien Bonafous graduated from Vatel Paris in 1999.Barely ten years after the end of his studies and a careercrowned with success, he has been appointed the HiltonGroup International Sales Executive for the United ArabEmirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and has movedto Dubai with his wife and two children.

Interview :

Julien Bonafous’s new postis to spearhead internationalmarketing strategyfrom the Arabic peninsula to allHilton group hotels throughoutthe world. His main responsibilitiesconsist of managing anddeveloping the regional accountsportfolio for Hilton, as well as pricingpolicy and positioning strategieswith the group’s partners.His role is extremely important,as he is in charge of enhancingHilton brands at an international level.

“The hotel industry in the region is taking off,” Bonafous says, “and is generating enormous global interest. With a major product range, development strategies for new destinations and promotion programs with great added value, 2008 looks to be a promising year for us, and we envisage an 25% rise in trips outside the region. I have hastened to take up my new functions with all the new hotels and the new destinations of the world portfolio that we will be promoting.”

Julien Bonafous began his careerwith Hilton in France in 1999. Itwas in his last post as Paris SalesManager in charge of MiddleEastern and Indian marketsthat he developed his extensiveknowledge of this region of theglobe and learned to create andmaintain lasting relations with themajor customers. A graduate ofVatel in Paris, Julien Bonafous isperfectly bilingual in French andEnglish, and has a command ofSpanish.

A star-studded path in the skies of Paris

“Vatel made me more open-minded and allowed me to meet people who contributed to making me who I am today.”

Aurélie Ponce - Operations manager for the Cheval Blanc Paris Hotel / 2006 Alumnus