Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong welcomes Federico Balzarini as the new Beverage Manager. With his appointment, Federico will be heading ARGO and leading the beverage program of the award-winning bar.
Marriott International is pleased to announce the return of Yibing Mao, a 24-year Marriott veteran. Ms. Mao has been appointed President, Greater China. A native of Beijing who calls Hong Kong home, Ms. Mao joined Marriott in 1996. She held positions of increasing responsibility during her tenure with the company and before she stepped down in 2020, held the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel, Asia Pacific.
The Australian will be responsible for implementing sales and marketing strategies for both hotel and residences operations, including managing their overall sales and distribution strategies, marketing programmes, annual budgets and revenue generation.
Christian Poda makes the move from Four Seasons Hotel Beijing to Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong as Regional Vice President and General Manager. His move marks the start of an exciting chapter at the iconic Hotel as he will be overseeing the completion of the Hotel renovation, debuting the new look for its signature suites and enhancing the food and beverage portfolio to provide a holistic experience to guests. In addition, he will also be overseeing operations at Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, Shenzhen and the upcoming opening of Four Seasons in Suzhou.
Notwithstanding the dampened buyer sentiment in the residential market, Hong Kong’s real estate investment market witnessed a surge in en-bloc hotel transactions. While 2021 was considered an active year for hotel investment, 2022 is set to become substantially more dynamic. In the first five months of 2022 alone, two en-bloc hotel deals have been closed, while three others are reportedly underway.
Langham Hospitality Group has announced the appointment of Ms. Sherona Shng as Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong and Regional Vice President, Operations - Asia, overseeing hotels from Hong Kong to Tokyo and Jakarta.
Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Christopher Chia as General Manager of Island Shangri-La with immediate effect.
On 17 December 2021, the Second GBA Smart Tourism Forum was successfully held online and offline at the SHTM. The Forum was organised by the SHTM and its Hospitality and Tourism Research Centre together with STR, and was supported by the School of Tourism Management of Sun Yat-sen University and the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies and sponsored by the University Grants Committee, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Pacific Asia Travel Association. The Forum was run by a group of talented undergraduate students from the SHTM's Special Events Class.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Amanda Hyndman as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, Area Vice President of Operations and Group Director of Quality & Rooms.
Surviving hotel quarantine, whether for a mandated seven, 14, or 21 days, is no easy feat. But amid challenging times for the hospitality industry, government-enforced hotel quarantine schemes all over the world – perhaps most notably in Hong Kong – have offered opportunities for hotel companies to demonstrate what “hospitality” truly means for their brand.
A candid but in-depth discussion between Terence and Richard Hatter, GM of Hotel ICON Hong Kong, and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Hospitality Tourism Management – SHTM PolyU, about how Hotel ICON came to be and how it continues to live up to its name in the Hong Kong landscape. They cover a wide range of topics from putting people first and understanding the needs of the customer [CRM], EVs, CSR amid a contactless environment, and the importance of design. James Bond even gets a look-see in their discussion as they entertain thoughts of a nice Cigar to cap the session.
If ever a hotel could lay claim to such a brave name - not to mention bold strapline - it would be one designed by Terence Conran, Rocco Yim, William Lim, Vivienne Tam, Barney Cheng and Patrick Blanc. It would also house one of the world's only integrated teaching facilities, with over 2,000 students, and it would be an unrivalled showcase for Hong Kong's culture. From the unequivocal brand statement – Unlike any other – to the sleek identity system and engaging guest items, Richard Hatter’s creative vision is very much in evidence at Hotel ICON. Starting from the ground upwards, Richard spent 24 months helping to strategise, design and build the ICON brand. Since its opening Hotel ICON has enjoyed considerable critical acclaim and business success.
Conrad Hong Kong has hired Jan Jansen as its general manager.
Kristina Snaith-Lense began her career with Swire Hotels as Assistant Director of Guest Experience of The Upper House Hong Kong in 2012 and was promoted to Director of Guest Experience in 2014.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Timothy Tan as Director of Sales and Marketing, effective 1 March 2021. In his new position, Timothy will oversee and develop the Sales & Marketing division of the luxury hotel featuring 542 rooms and 22 event venues, the flagship Grand Hyatt hotel in Asia.
Local people may be the best ambassadors for tourism in their home towns and cities, according to Ph.D. graduates Dr Philipp Wassler and Dr Liang Wang, and Dr Kam Hung of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Building a brand for a destination is an effective way of attracting tourists, but destination marketers rarely consider the needs of residents - the biggest and potentially most influential group of stakeholders in any destination. The researchers note that local communities can make or break a destination brand, and their marketing may be far more cost-effective, authentic and persuasive than traditional advertising. Surveying residents from Hong Kong, famously branded as "Asia's World City", this pioneering study offers important empirical insights into how residents' voices can help tourism destinations to differentiate themselves in an increasingly globalised and competitive market.
Mr. Alfred Chan, bringing over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including leadership roles in Metropark Hotel Kowloon and Kew Green Hotel Wanchai, and management positions in various sizeable hotels, assumes the position of Group General Manager - Hotel Operations & Brand Development of Hotel Ease, Hotel Ease Access and Minimal Hotels (total 10 hotels with 930 guestrooms). Alfred has joined Tang's Living Group as the General Manager of Hotel Ease‧Tsuen Wan and Hotel Ease Access‧Tsuen Wan since 2018, and has been assisting actively in enhancing brand awareness and development. Hotel Ease‧Tsuen Wan has become the first hotel in Asia to receive the Certified B Corporation® Recognition (B Corp™) in 2019. And Hotel Ease Access will expand its portfolio with a new property opening in 2021 - Hotel Ease Access‧Lai Chi Kok.
Mr. Henry Tse, current General Manager of Hotel COZi, is now appointed as the Group General Manager - Hotel Operations & Brand Development of Hotel COZi, Bay Bridge Lifestyle Retreat and Commune (managing 5 hotels and a co-living space, 2,382 guestrooms in total). Henry's commitment to Tang's Living Group extends back to 2017, when he first joined Hotel COZi as Hotel Manager and was part of the hotel's pre-opening management team. Prior to joining Tang's Living Group, Henry had gained over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and served various management positions at hotels such as Dorsett Tsuen Wan Hong Kong and Silka Far East Hotel. With his extensive experience and in-depth insight, he helped steer the team to a successful opening and led Hotel COZi to greater heights in terms of hotel performance, service standards and positive brand reputation.
The Langham, Hong Kong appoints Michael J Donlevy as Culinary Director and Ng Tzer Tzun in his right-hand position as Executive Sous Chef. Together, they will lead the hotel's culinary brigade in overseeing dining operations at the 498-room luxury hotel with six restaurants and bars, private dining for guests in residence, The Langham Club Lounge, as well as catering for various creative events.
Mr. Michael Moriarty has been appointed as Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL), effective 27 December 2020.