Pattaya, Thailand, April 20, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / A French national with more than ten years of experience in senior food and beverage management positions in Asia, Europe and the Middle East has been appointed Food and Beverage Director of the Meliá Pattaya Hotel.

Paul-Edouard Gillard joins the team at the 234-room Meliá Pattaya, where he will be responsible for the commercial F&B strategy, restaurant revenue management, GOP cycle, and cost structure optimization. He will also develop culinary concepts and menus and ensure first-class service across the hotel's entire gastronomic offerings through training and analysis. These include the Yitong Chinese Restaurant & Sky Bar, the all-day dining restaurant Sanehh Sarae, the Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei restaurant Den, the LAY Beach Club, the Chon Lounge, and the Lula Pool Bar.

Previously, he worked at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit in Thailand, where he began as a management trainee. After completing his Master's degree in International Hospitality Management at Emylon Business School and the Institut Paul Bocuse, he was promoted to Deputy Manager and Revenue Analyst of the hotel's Belga Rooftop Bar, thus becoming part of the opening team. Before joining the Meliá Pattaya, he worked as a Regional Category Manager and Brand Manager for the premium food service distributor Bidfood Middle East, where he oversaw tea and coffee brands such as JING Tea and illy Caffè.

He also served as F&B Manager on the opening team of Carton House, a Fairmont Management Hotel in Ireland. In Dubai, he co-founded the AI-powered platform Shiftly, which quickly connects employers in the hospitality industry with pre-selected professionals for fixed or flexible shifts. AI-assisted interviews and psychometric tests are used to assess candidates' skills, reliability, and suitability for the position.

“Paul-Edouard is a business-savvy executive in the hospitality industry with a proven ability to transform restaurant concepts into thriving businesses,” said Javier Gimeno, General Manager of the Meliá Pattaya. “From opening luxury hotels to large hotel chains, his profound experience provides valuable insights into our revenue optimization, guest retention, and team development.”

“I am very excited to be joining Meliá Pattaya; with such a diverse range of restaurants, this is a great opportunity to work with the team to develop distinctive concepts for both guests and the local community,” Gillard added.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited: Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), Thailand's leading integrated lifestyle real estate group and a member of the TCC Group, is reshaping Thailand's hospitality, commercial, and lifestyle destinations with its diversified portfolio located in prime locations across the country. AWC is committed to creating groundbreaking new projects that not only set new industry standards but also strengthen Thailand's position as a global destination for sustainable tourism. Working in partnership with world-renowned companies such as Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Nobu Hospitality, Okura Hotels, Banyan Tree, Melia International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Accor, and Hyatt, AWC delivers unforgettable experiences. Its portfolio includes flagship commercial properties such as The Empire, Athenee Tower, Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, and Phenix, as well as world-class dining establishments like the "EA" Rooftop at The Empire, which offers world-class fine dining. AWC is committed to delivering exceptional experiences while promoting sustainability across all business areas. Through initiatives built on the three pillars of "Better Planet, Better People, and Better Prosperity" (3BETTERs), AWC aims to create long-term, sustainable value for all stakeholders. Innovation and responsibility are being driven to inspire millions and propel Thailand's tourism and real estate industries to new heights. For more information, please visit www.assetworldcorp-th.com/en/home.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts: Meliá operates 125 hotels in Europe (56), the Americas (18), Cuba (16), Africa (5), and Asia (30). We have a presence in 32 countries and are currently developing 21 hotels in 11 countries. Meliá Hotels & Resorts is characterized by its unique Spanish style in the hotel industry, as well as by warmth, personal attention, and a passion for service. In this way, we offer our guests a unique wellness experience. Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and shape the Meliá experience. This experience is enhanced by thoughtful additional services. We pay attention to every detail and offer each guest a personalized experience. How do we understand wellness within the MELIÁ brand? We view wellness from an innovative perspective. Wellness is not limited to nutrition or spa treatments, but is holistic well-being. We want to convey wellness that includes everyone. It can be found in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical well-being, spiritual well-being, leisure well-being, social well-being, professional well-being, ecological well-being, financial well-being, and nutritional well-being.

About Meliá Hotels International: Founded in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1956, Meliá Hotels International operates over 400 hotels in more than 40 countries, either already open or in the process of opening. Its portfolio comprises nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The company is one of the world's leading leisure hotel chains and has successfully established itself in the growing market of leisure-oriented city hotels, thanks to its long-standing experience in this sector. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led to Meliá being recognized as the most sustainable European hotel company worldwide (honored as a "Sustainability Yearbook Member" by S&P Global in 2024) and as a "Top Employer 2024" in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, and Vietnam.