Atlantis Resorts & Residences COO Serge Zaalof passed away on Friday, July 20, after losing a fight against cancer, according to a company spokesperson. He was 62.
Zaalof first joined the brand at Atlantis, The Palm as president and managing director in September 2009, and took his most recent position, as COO, in September 2016. In his role as COO, he headed operations for all Atlantis Resorts & Residences worldwide, which includes Atlantis, The Palm and The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences in Dubai; Atlantis, Sanya Hainan in China; Atlantis, Ko Olina in Hawaii; and Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
From his first position with the company, he had actively been involved as a key member of the executive management team, contributing to its development and strategic growth. He was instrumental in strengthening the position of the resort as an entertainment destination and led the resort to win numerous awards.
"Whilst it is Serge’s achievements we will remember, it is his giving spirit and energy that we will miss. We say goodbye to a leader in hospitality, a mentor and above all, a good friend," Atlantis' official statement said.
Zaalof previously spent 10 years with the Jumeirah Group, where he worked as general manager at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah, as well as senior vice president for Asia Pacific. Prior to that, Zaalof spent a year as general manager for resorts in the Caribbean and Tunisia with Allegro International. He began his career in hospitality with The Ritz-Carlton in Paris in 1978 with various positions throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. He then spent seven years with Hyatt International, gaining experience in food and beverage in Mexico, Morocco and the U.K. Zaalof also served as general manager of the Hyatt Regency in Casablanca in 1995.
Related Stories
The Latest From Bahamas Hotels
Need-to-Know United Arab Emirates Travel
Travel Agents React to News of Hawaii’s First Atlantis Resort
Debut of Atlantis’ Coral Towers Renovation Delayed Until Late Summer