AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – (July 2, 2024) – Corendon Hotels & Resorts, an Amsterdam-based hospitality group with properties throughout Europe, Turkey and Curaçao, today announced the appointment of four seasoned industry executives to key leadership positions. Atacan Uslu has been promoted to managing director and will work alongside Niels Brugman, who has joined the team as sales director, overseeing all brand operations. Imre Heijboer has been appointed cluster general manager and will lead teams at The College Hotel, Autograph Collection, a recently renovated boutique property in Amsterdam’s vibrant Museum Quarter, as well as Corendon Amsterdam New-West, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a culturally inspired hotel in one of the city’s emerging neighborhoods. Lastly, Evgeny Vreijling has been named general manager of Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a premier hotel offering a convenient, unique gateway to The Netherlands.
“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional leaders as we embark on an exciting journey of brand growth and innovation,” said Atilay Uslu, chief executive officer of Corendon Hotels & Resorts. “Their combined expertise and passion for hospitality will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of providing unparalleled guest experiences and achieving sustainable growth. We are confident that this dynamic team will drive Corendon Hotels & Resorts to new milestones of success.”
Details on Corendon’s new leadership team appointments are as follows:
Atacan Uslu, Managing Director of Corendon Hotels & Resorts
Atacan Uslu is now responsible for all brand operations including financial management and overseeing Corendon’s general manager team. He will also place a special focus on strategic initiatives, such as enhancing sustainability efforts across the hotels and expanding the brand’s portfolio in Europe.
With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry and a background as a cluster general manager and food and beverage manager at Corendon Hotels & Resorts, as well as work independently as an entrepreneur and business owner, he brings a diverse range of experiences to his new role. His previous responsibilities for the brand included providing leadership oversight, managing budgets, and building a healthy workforce.
Niels Brugman, Sales Director of Corendon Hotels & Resorts
As Corendon’s new sales director, Niels Brugman will lead the sales team across the meetings and events, corporate transient, leisure, apartments, and extended stay segments. He is responsible for developing proactive and reactive sales strategies, as well as implementing strategic pricing programs. Brugman also is now responsible for leading the brand’s marketing team, including development and management of integrated marketing, PR, and social media strategies. With a strong sales and marketing strategy under Brugman, Corendon Hotels & Resorts aims to expand its market presence and reach new customer segments.
Brugman brings extensive experience to his role, having served as regional director of sales at Maritim Hotelgesellschaft GmbH, director of sales at Hotel van Oranje, and sales manager at WestCord Hotels. He is actively involved in the community, serving as a board member of the Netherlands Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and is the founder of the Clique Network.
Imre Heijboer, Cluster General Manager at Corendon Amsterdam New-West and The College Hotel
In his newly appointed role, Imre Heijboer will work to optimize overall performance and synergies between Corendon Amsterdam New-West and The College Hotel, while delivering outstanding service and operational excellence. He will ensure the properties consistently deliver top-tier service, solidifying the brand’s reputation in the hospitality industry.
Heijboer brings 30 years of experience in hotel management to Corendon, having previously served as cluster general manager at The Slaak Rotterdam, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, as well as similar roles at Holiday Inn Express, Odyssey Hotel Group and Apollo Hotel Amsterdam. He has extensive experience leading teams to achieve operational excellence and high guest satisfaction. He has been recognized with industry awards such as ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in 2009 while at the Wyndham Hotel Group Ramada Apollo and ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2014 for EMEA Wyndham Hotel Group Apollo Hotel.
Evgeny Vreijling, General Manager of Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Evgeny Vreijling oversees a wide range of essential functions at Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. His role involves analyzing and developing strategies to optimize business performance, focusing on key aspects such as hotel business analysis, and P&L management. With a strong emphasis on hospitality management and creating unforgettable customer experiences, he leads teams responsible for sales, revenue management, and food and beverage management. His expertise extends to various areas including operations management, process improvement, and budgeting, where he concentrates on retaining and attracting valuable customers and maintaining strong relationships with key accounts.
Prior to this position, Vreijiling spent a decade in hotel operations. His cumulative 25 years of industry experience includes roles at Courtyard by Marriott Curacao, ACOYA Curacao Resort, and Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach.
The expansion of Corendon Hotels & Resorts’ leadership team underscores the brand’s commitment to growth and evolution, and together, the team will work to support Corendon’s goals for the future, including a marked focus on innovation. In addition to elevating the guest experience, Corendon’s executive team will place an emphasis on sustainability, implementing cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices to simultaneously enhance operational efficiencies and reduce the brand’s environmental footprint.
“We are dedicated to setting new standards of excellence and innovation in the hospitality industry,” said Atacan Uslu. “I am excited to lead such a talented team and look forward to driving smart strategic growth for Corendon Hotels & Resorts in the years to come.”
For more information on Corendon Hotels & Resorts, visit CorendonHotels.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest news, by following on Instagram @CorendonHotels, Facebook @CorendonHotelsResorts, and LinkedIn @CorendonHotels&Resorts.
