With the appointment of Asli Kutlucan as the new CEO for Europe, Adina Hotels will continue to realise its ambitious growth plans in Europe. As a professional seasoned hotelier with more than 30 years of experience in the global hotel industry, Kutlucan specialises in all aspects of hotel industry from operations to development and across numerous segments of the industry.
“With Asli’s appointment, we are solidifying our strong leadership base in Europe”, said TFE Hotels CEO, Antony Ritch.
“ I am confident that her skillset and experience, together with the combined expertise of the current Adina team, will build solid foundations for future growth.”
Kutlucan, who worked in her family-owned hotel from a young age, has held various management positions in resorts and with tour operators in Turkey, before starting her international career in 1999 as part of the US management team at Vanderbilt Hall, a luxury boutique hotel in Rhode Island. In the UK, Kutlucan went on to manage six London hotels for Frasers Hospitality and managed two independent country hotels in Warwickshire. Kutlucan was then a lecturer in hospitality and entrepreneurship in Rwanda, where she also developed and opened the country's first boutique hotel.
Kutlucan joined Cycas Hospitality in 2011 and was responsible for the growth of the portfolio in the UK and continental Europe.
“Hospitality has always been my calling, and I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Adina and TFE Group. It is not just about building and managing properties; it's about creating memorable experiences for guests and fostering a culture of excellence within the team. I am excited to contribute to the company's growth and elevate its presence in the European market,” said Kutlucan.
Kutlucan joins Adina Hotels in Europe at a time of immense growth – with seven new hotels opening since 2021 – including hotels in major German cities, as well as the first Adina Hotels in Austria and Switzerland. With the opening of Adina Geneva in 2023, the Australian company also celebrated its 18th Adina hotel in Europe, heralding a new phase in its expansion, which will include the launch of new brands in Europe. Adina Serviced Apartments opened in Vienna in 2023 and an innovative hotel lab, MM:NT, will open in Berlin in the spring of 2024 to redefine future hotel concepts.
“As a veteran hotelier, I consider the opportunity to shape or reposition a brand a distinct privilege, and with Adina we are going to be embarking a great new adventure to build upon its strong foundations. Adina has established a reputation for excellence that surpasses the conventional four-star benchmark. The pandemic has underscored the remarkable resilience of the extended-stay segment, positioning Adina Hotels as a robust player. As we embark on the next chapter of Adina's journey in Europe, I am confident in the significant growth potential I foresee over the next decades."
Kutlucan has complemented her international experience in the hotel industry with an MBA in finance from Liverpool University. She is fluent in English, French and Turkish.
