Apo Demirtas, Ph.D.

Apo Demirtas, Ph.D., is the Chief Strategy Officer at The First Group, a prominent hospitality and real estate development company. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has held various leadership roles focusing on operations, strategy, revenue management, and business intelligence.

Professional Background

• Current Role: As Chief Strategy Officer at The First Group, Apo is responsible for shaping the company's strategic direction and enhancing its market presence.
• Previous Experience: He served as the Chief Commercial Officer for Jumeirah Group in Dubai, where he managed market strategy, sales, marketing, brand management, and revenue management. His career also includes senior positions at Hilton Hotels Corporation and InterContinental Hotels Group.1

Education

Apo holds several degrees:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management from Mersin University.
• Master’s Degree in Hotel Management from Florida International University.
• Ph.D. in Applied Economics from The Ohio State University.1

Entrepreneurial Ventures

He is also the Founder and CEO of Intelligent Hospitality, which focuses on providing innovative business intelligence solutions for hotels through its product, HotelIQ Business Intelligence®.1

Skills and Expertise

Apo's expertise encompasses:

• Revenue management
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Business intelligence and analytics
• Leadership development within the hospitality sector.12

His extensive background makes him a significant figure in the hospitality industry, particularly in strategic development and operational excellence.