Rising above Tokyo’s oldest neighbourhood and steps away from the Imperial Palace is the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi.
The hotel is housed on the highest floors of the new 39-storey tower, and offers 170 Jean-Michel Gathy-designed guestrooms and 20 suites including the 38th-floor Imperial Suite.
There is a total of 1,370m² of flexible event space across multiple venues, most of which can be directly-accessed on the third floor. Spaces include a naturally-lit Grand Ballroom with six-metre-high ceiling, and several additional function rooms and outdoor terraces.
Separately on the 39th floor, the Social Room is a residential-style venue for executive meetings or private cocktail receptions.
There are four restaurant and bar concepts here, ranging from Italian restaurant Pigneto to the Virtu cocktail bar. Several of the hotel’s restaurants and bars also offer private rooms for business and social events.
Lastly, the spa offers five treatment rooms, alongside additional facilities such as steam rooms, Japanese baths, gym, and a 20m-long indoor pool.
Laura Reddaway has joined the Centrepiece at Melbourne Park team as conference and event sales manager.
She will oversee bookings for Melbourne’s newest venue that is working towards an official opening next year.
Reddaway has over a decade of experience as an event specialist across international tradeshows and venues. It includes positions with AIME (The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event), and ICMS Australasia, a PCO.
During her time with ICMS Australasia, she worked on some of the largest international conferences in the country, including the World Congress on Public Health and World Park Congress.
Avani Hotels & Resorts has welcomed six new general managers to its team, who will head up properties in Asia and the Middle East.
Slated to open early 2021, Avani Doc Let Resort in Vietnam has welcomed Dennis Gordienko to the role of general manager.
From left: Dennis Gordienko, Beatrice Ellis, Michael Robinson
Gordienko first joined the Minor group in 2015 as cluster resident manager at Anantara Maldives. Prior to that, he was executive assistant manager leading the pre-opening of Amari Dhaka in Bangladesh. In 2019, he took the pre-opening helm at FCC Angkor by Avani prior to being reassigned to Avani Doc Let Resort.
The Ukrainian started his hospitality career as an F&B intern in Antalya, Turkey, with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in 2003. Since then, he has worked in London and also his native country within F&B and rooms departments with international brands such as Radisson, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
He then moved to YTL Hotels – Small Luxury Hotels, where he was general manager of Gaya Island Resort, before moving to Vistana Penang Bukit Jambul in the same capacity.
In another Vietnam appointment, Beatrice Ellis has taken the helm at Avani Hai Phong Harbour View Hotel.
Ellis joins the hotel in a newly-promoted role from Anantara Hoi An Resort, where she has been based since 2017, starting as executive assistant manager and, for the last year, as the resort manager.
The South African brings more than 18 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, spending the previous six years with Minor Hotels in both the Maldives and Vietnam.
Over in Cambodia, Michael Robinson has been named the new general manager of FCC Angkor by Avani.
Robinson’s decade-long career in hospitality has seen him work across the US, Middle East and Asia, starting with a trainee role with Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San Diego. In 2009, he moved to the Middle East as pre-opening assistant manager – front office with Grand Hyatt Doha in Qatar.
In 2011, Robinson joined Park Hyatt Dubai as assistant front office manager, followed by a promotion to the role of front office manager a couple of years later. The New Zealand national then relocated to Vietnam in 2016 to work as director of rooms for Caravelle Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. Later in the year, he was promoted to his first general manager role for the same property – his last assignment prior to joining Minor Hotels.
From left: Yogeswaran Veerasamy, BK Kwon, Georges Farhat
Moving onto Malaysia, Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort has welcomed Yogeswaran Veerasamy as its new general manager.
A Malaysian national, Veerasamy brings over two decades of hospitality experience across Asia and the Middle East. A seasoned hotelier with a strong background in F&B, he began his hospitality career in 1996 at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. Between 1999 and 2008, he held various F&B leadership roles at hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; The Fullerton Hotel Singapore; and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia.
Veerasamy was subsequently promoted to executive assistant manager of F&B at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace in India in 2008. Between 2012 and 2017, he held hotel manager roles at W Singapore Sentosa Cove and The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore, before taking on a general manager role in 2017 at The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
Before joining Minor Hotels, Veerasamy was general manager for M Social Hotel Singapore.
Next up in South Korea, Avani Central Busan Hotel has appointed BK Kwon as the property’s general manager.
The South Korean has worked across Europe, Asia and Australia over a career spanning 15 years. Starting as a trainee with Conrad Hotel Bangkok in Thailand, he was promoted to assistant F&B manager in 2006. Between 2008 and 2011, he was based at Parmelia Hilton Perth Hotel in Australia serving as conference & banqueting operations manager, before being promoted to executive housekeeper, and finally, hotel operations manager.
In 2011, Kwon relocated back to South Korea to join Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort as director of operations, followed by a stint at Haevichi Hotel and Resort Jeju as general manager from 2014. Prior to joining Minor Hotels, he was executive director – hotel business division for Haevichi Hotel & Resort Corporation.
Lastly, in the UAE, Georges Farhat has been appointed as general manager for the Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites, slated to open in 4Q2020.
With more than 25 years of hospitality experience and a strong background in operations, Farhat brings a wealth of knowledge to this role from his previous positions with InterContinental Hotel Group.
Farhat’s first foray into hospitality was in 1994 with the Crown Plaza Dubai Hotel as a management trainee, and he rose through the ranks in both commercial and rooms division. In 2007, he was appointed the property’s hotel manager, followed by his first general manager assignment in 2014. Most recently, Farhat was the opening general manager for the Crown Plaza Dubai Marina.
The AirSpace Khao Takiab in Hua Hin is a brightly-lit space that welcomes corporate clients
Even as Thailand’s once thriving business events industry takes a harsh beating from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has remained in the thick of the action to ensure the Kingdom maintains a presence in the minds of decision-makers.
In the last few months, the convention bureau has implemented a Covid-19 Information Cente to help keep industry professionals up to date on government measures, infection count in Thailand and worldwide, and other critical developments; launched a MICE Venue Hygiene campaign backed by industry associations to certify venues; and unveiled initiatives such as Virtual Meeting Space and Covid-19 Free Meeting projects to help bring events online and equip suppliers with appropriate technology.
The AirSpace Khao Takiab in Hua Hin is a brightly-lit space that welcomes corporate clients
To further stimulate the industry, TCEB has additionally unveiled a new marketing campaign, I M PEOPLE FOCUSED, that gives event organisers access to US$500,000 worth of financial support and an equivalent value in complimentary products and services from participating partners.
The campaign is underpinned by the EASE UP Recovery Campaign, which will also include up to five million baht (US$158,843) in grants to industry members.
At press time, domestic business events are gradually resuming, instilling a sense of cautious optimism among industry players who have made changes to operations to ensure a safe return of activities.
Vitanart Vathanakul, CEO of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, which owns four hotels and the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, is encouraged by the resumption of domestic events across the country and at his properties.
“We had to lock down temporarily like everyone else in Pattaya (during the height of the pandemic) for health and safety reasons, but we used that time to prepare ourselves.
“Now, we have launched the special Protection-C meeting package tp conform to hygiene standards, and we are encouraged to see the confidence our clients have in us to resume events at our venues,” he elaborated.
Herman J Ehrlich, general manager of Conrad Bangkok, said domestic meeting planners can be assured of cleanliness standards – pegged Hilton CleanStay and HiltonEventReady – that Hilton has implemented.
Ehrlich also highlighted the launch of the Thai Chana app which helps to track the spread of Covid-19.
“(It) is an excellent initiative that is easy to use. The entire country has embraced the efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19 in an exemplary fashion which in itself is comforting and inspiring to visitors,” he remarked.
While Thai event planners and hoteliers will only have the domestic market to serve for the time being, until international borders are reopened for all travel purposes, and it is positive to note that both the capital, and its surrounding regions, offer numerous options for small corporate meetings and teambuilding sessions.
Creative dining in and around the Thai capital
Post-lockdown, Bangkok is humming again with many wonderful dining experiences, suitable for smaller-sized team gatherings or company meetings.
These include Neo-Indian fine dining restaurant and urban farm Haoma, suitable for groups that are looking for a sustainable eating experience; as well as the Local Aroi dining experience by Local Alike.
Local Alike is a collaboration between Bangkok chefs and chefs from local communities around Thailand that hopes to inspire visitors to visit other regions in the country by tempting them with delicious food. Its eight-course meals are hosted in private local community venues and suitable for groups of 20 or less.
The bordering provinces of Bangkok also have much to offer.
For instance, the province of Nakorn Pathom, 2.5 hours away, is worth a look. In Nakorn Pathom – which means first city – domestic visitors can view the world’s biggest Buddhist stupa and have a feast at the epic street food market next door; as well as visit the European-style Sanam Chandra Palace.
Groups can also choose to stay at, or pay a day visit to Suan Sampran organic farm, which offers numerous sustainable and group-friendly workshops for teambuilding purposes.
Cultural heritage in Pattaya
Pattaya is more than a worn beach and party scene, as the coastal city is also home to some fascinating local experiences.
With Hivesters, visiting groups can delve into the area’s coconut industry by visiting the Takhian Tia community, located in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi, approximately 30 minutes from Pattaya’s city centre.
There, visitors can bike through the local coconut plantation, pick coconuts from coconut trees, try their hand at breaking open the freshly-harvested fruits, and sip coconut lattes while chatting with the farmers who know the fruit inside and out.
The Takhian Tia community is also home to the Hundred-Pillar House, a cultural site that preserves the community’s history. Workshops such as vegetable and herb gardening, as well as the making of a mahotara (a hanging bouquet made of kite or coloured paper used to decorate temple and houses), can be arranged.
Also not to be missed is the Sanctuary of Truth Museum. The gigantic all-wood construction, created by Thai craftsmen without using a single nail, stands at the Rachvate Cape of Naklua in Pattaya City. All these open-air experiences are social-distancing suitable.
Moving further afield Hua Hin
Hua Hin has risen to popularity post-Covid as a self-drive destination that travellers can easily reach from Bangkok.
Although it is known as a gentle resort town housing the Klai Kangwon Palace, the city is also a suitable meeting destination, offering the Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin which features 950m2 of flexible event space, including five function rooms and a large ballroom, all named after marine animals in Thai. The property also works for business guests with families, as it is linked to the Vana Nava Water Park and offers a kids’ club.
Also in Hua Hin is Air Space Khao Takiab, a restaurant that pays tribute to the aeronautic heritage of the beachside town. Prince Purachatra Jayakara, King Rama V’s 35th son, was the first Thai to fly on an airplane. He founded the air transportation system in Thailand, and also built the first hotel in Hua Hin and the famed Chatchai Market.
Today, a wooden model of the airplane he built – reminiscent of the Wright brothers’ creation – hangs from the ceiling of the restaurant. The greenhouse-style venue allows lots of natural light, and is a suitable bookout venue for corporate lunches and meetings.
Hua Hin also sits next to Keang Krachan National Park, the country’s most extensive national park, which would appeal to more adventurous groups. Activities such as river rafting can be arranged, to foster teambuilding and work off lockdown-imposed steam. There are epic views to be had from the top of Kaeng Krachan Dam.
Accommodation-wise, Keang Krachan offers many riverside hotels and resorts which are suitable for small corporate groups.
A sceenshot from the landing page of the UIA Round Table APAC conference, hosted by Seoul Tourism Organization
Covid-19 is one of the largest challenges associations are currently facing and ensuring one doesn’t become a casualty of the pandemic will be a long and uphill task, opined association heads.
Speaking at the virtual UIA Round Table Asia-Pacific 2020 last week, hosted by the Seoul Tourism Organization, association leaders said current pressing problems include declining revenues, cash flow shortages, weak membership demand and retention, uncertainty about business continuity, and the need to adapt service delivery to an online model.
A screenshot from the landing page of the UIA Round Table APAC conference, hosted by Seoul Tourism Organization
Octavio B Peralta, secretary-general of both the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations, and Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, shared that the impact of Covid-19 has hurt the associations sector in several ways.
“These are difficult times. It’s not only about revenue now, because engagement has also become more important than ever, and finding ways to communicate and engage with your members during this time is crucial,” he stated.
Zar Gomez, regional coordinator, Caritas Asia, said: “We are used to responding to hurricanes, typhoons, or earthquakes in a certain area, but this time, the situation is on a global scale. It makes resource mobilisation (to help other communities affected by Covid-19) even more challenging.”
Caritas Asia’s 2020 budget was also cut by 70 per cent due to the pandemic. However, even before Covid-19, the organisation was already dealing with dwindling resources for funds at some of the offices.
To manage the pandemic, Gomez said that many Caritas organisations in Asia are now mobilising local resources to provide assistance in their respective countries, or are working with other faiths and faith-based organisations to maximise available resources. Others cope through networking and liaising with their governments.
Internally, a task force was also created to check on staff and their well-being, to help manage the side effects of Covid-19.
Peralta advised associations to quickly pivot to digital if they haven’t already, as it is tough to engage members without the help of webinars and videos. Associations also need to think about whether they can afford to monetise these online resources, because without physical conferences, revenue has fallen. In addition, the content must be relevant, so that it will continue to engage and stimulate conversations among members.
“Aside from pivoting to digital, forming partnerships with other associations, upskilling and developing your staff professionally, and planning ahead for the turnaround – although not too far in advance as situations can rapidly change – is also necessary now,” Peralta added.
Both Gomez and Peralta also stressed the importance of managing an association’s reserves and ensuring it stays healthy, to help associations weather this unprecedented storm.
ICCA president James Reed (left) leading the press conference live in a studio with his regional colleagues dialing in
To combat travel challenges presented by the pandemic, the 59th ICCA Congress will be delivered in a hybrid format that takes in six weeks of Global Hybrid Congress Experience across key regions worldwide from September 22, culminating in the main ‘hub’ event in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from November 1 to 3.
The ‘spokes’ will emerge in seven regional satellite locations: Latin America; North America; Cape Town in South Africa; Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia; Luxembourg in Luxembourg; Malaga in Andalucia, Spain; and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
ICCA president James Rees (left) leading the press conference live in a studio with his regional colleagues dialing in
The regional events will involve “detailed discussions and debate around the pathway on the road to Kaohsiung, beyond Kaohsiung, and into the future of our industry”, shared ICCA president James Rees during an online press conference.
“Key to all of these is the culmination of the gathering together of that knowledge in what we have termed The Kaohsiung Protocol…which is a framework identifying major trends and strategies in the meetings industry, and help the international meetings industry to thrive now and into the future,” he detailed.
The decision to turn the Congress into a hybrid event was taken as early as March this year.
“The ICCA Congress should be a beacon of excellence that we all aspire to attend. It is vital that ICCA continues to run its congress this year, despite the (current circumstances). Many of my colleagues on the board felt we needed to be brave, show leadership, and demonstrate that events both face-to-face and in the new digital format can be harmonised and brought together in a way that allows its stakeholder community to do what it does best and loves to do – sharing knowledge, networking and building trust and business relationships,” said Rees in his opening remarks.
To conceptualise and deliver the event’s unique ‘hub and spoke’ format, the association draws on the expertise of Maritz Global Events and its Design Studio Team.
“The theme, Transforming Global Events Together, we chose then for our Congress is perfect today, as we have seen so many aspects of our world transforming,” commented ICCA treasurer Gregg Talley.
“This is an opportunity to show a case study. We’re going on a journey together, doing something that we have never done before, that so many in our industry are just learning to do,” he added.
According to Ben Goedegebuure, enterprise vice president, global and industry, Maritz Global Events, everything that is being done to prepare and execute the Congress will be documented and made available to members for reference at the conclusion.
“There will be a huge amount of data and knowledge that can be shared,” Goedegebuure said.
In response to a question by TTGassociations about the business benefits of the ‘hub and spoke’ format, Rees said it allows ICCA to attain “a connectivity with a wider audience than we’ve ever been able to before”.
Compared to the Congress’s usual three or four days of activities, this year’s version will be “elongated” with greater opportunities for dialogue online at the regional events and face-to-face in Kaohsiung, which translates to “greater ROI for all members”.
The application of The Kaohsiung Protocol for at least 12 months after the Congress will be a legacy of the event, added Rees.
A purpose-built platform has also been designed and constructed for the Congress, allowing one-on-one connections “across space and time” between participants that mirror that of face-to-face gatherings, said Talley.
When asked how would the Congress’s invaluable networking functions overcome the physical disconnect online, Ben Goedegebuure, enterprise vice president, global and industry, Maritz Global Events, told TTGassociations: “We are experimenting with a number of tools (that would facilitate interaction) so that personal connections can still be made. That’s also why the regional hubs have been chosen; they will enable us to bring as many people who want to get together as possible.”
As much as ICCA will attempt to stimulate interaction and networking opportunities, Goedegebuure pointed out that participants must do their part to engage themselves.
More corporate itineraries with varying themes such as adventure and food are in development; The Wind Cave in Kuching pictured
The Sarawak State government, through Business Events Sarawak, is working to increase its corporate meetings and incentives segment to account for at least 20 per cent of the total business events contribution to the state by 2025.
The increased contribution is in line with the objectives of the Sarawak Economic Action Council. As such, more attention will be placed on developing the particular segment starting from next year.
More corporate itineraries with varying themes such as adventure and food are in development; The Wind Cave in Kuching pictured
Currently, the bureau is currently developing incentive itinerary programmes for Kuching, Miri and Sibu, the state’s three main business events destinations. The itineraries will play to Sarawak’s diverse culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals. Programmes are expected to be ready by this year-end.
Sarawak’s minister of tourism, art, culture, youth and sports Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, shared: “The corporate meetings and incentives segment of business events is not new for Sarawak but needs further development to unleash its potential.”
He added that with the help from both private and public stakeholders, Sarawak will be “just as successful” in winning more corporate meetings and incentives as it has been for conventions and exhibitions.
Last year, Sarawak had a bidding success rate of 94 per cent by securing 99 business events worth an estimated RM122.7 million (US$29.9 million) in direct delegate expenditure.
Since the bureau’s establishment 2006, the total economic impact from Sarawak’s business events industry stands at RM1.6 billion, of which conventions make up about 80 per cent of the economic impact.
IBTM World 2020 will transition to being a virtual event this year, from December 8 to 10, following close consultation with partners.
A press statement from IBTM Events revealed that the online version will incorporate bespoke one-to-one meetings between exhibitors and buyers as well as a knowledge programme.
IBTM World will be held online this December
A selection of gated and live content will be available on all three days of the event. The final day of the event will include a full schedule of live and pre-recorded education sessions taking place on IBTM TV, available to all registered attendees. Speakers will include keynoter Pancho Campo, who will speak about his lessons learnt from working with former US president Barack Obama; Isabel Bardinet, CEO, European Society of Cardiology, who will deliver her thoughts on going digital; Mikael Ek, managing director EMEA, BCD M&E who will discuss the future of meetings and events; and Patrick Rush, senior regional director, head of Asia Pacific, American Express Meetings & Events, who will run a session on 2021 meetings and events trends.
David Thompson, event director, said: “While we have been planning positively for a live event in December, and we know that people want to get back to meeting face-to-face, the situation across Europe and the wider world remains very changeable. Therefore, even though the show is still some months away, we believe we have a responsibility to provide clarity to enable our partners, exhibitors, buyers and visitors to plan for the future.”
Thompson described the decision as a “difficult” one, noting that it would be the first time since 1988 that IBTM World would not “be able to bring the industry together in person”.
With safety, hygiene and personalised care taking the front seat in the new normal, budget and mid-range hotel brands may find themselves in a more advantageous position. Horwath HTL’s Robert Hecker, managing director, Pacific Asia, asserts that the segment’s traditionally low-touch approach can now work in hotels’ favour.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five questions video series, Hecker talks about how brands must now pay even closer attention to their messaging and identity, in order to grow confidence in consumers. This is especially pertinent in Asia, where a plethora of family-owned hotels and local brands are scrambling for survival.
Marriott has opened the Sheraton Kunming and Delta by Marriott Kunming, marking the debut of Sheraton Hotels and Delta Hotels by Marriott in the capital city of China’s Yunnan province.
Both hotels are located in the commercial hub of Kunming Economic & Technology Development Zone with proximity to Falcon mall, the newest commercial complex in the Free Trade area.
Sheraton Kunming and Delta by Marriott Kunming
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Sheraton Kunming offers 427 guestrooms, while Delta Hotels by Marriott Kunming features 639 rooms.
Together, Sheraton Kunming and Delta Hotels by Marriott Kunming boast 3,000m² of shared conference and banquet spaces, including a 1,352m² pillarless grand ballroom, eight multifunction rooms and a rooftop garden.
Recreational facilities include a fitness centre, heated indoor swimming pool and a spa, as well as five F&B options ranging from the all-day diner Xiu to Yun Chinese restaurant.
The hotels are located 25km away from both Kunming Changshui International Airport and Kunming South Railway Station and can be reached with a 40-minute drive. A car trip to Kunming Dianchi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Centre takes 30 minutes.
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
The five-star property excels in backing its expansive facilities with seamless service and personalised attention, setting the benchmark for luxury in Bangkok.
Avani Hotels & Resorts has welcomed six new general managers to its team, who will head up properties in Asia and the Middle East.
Slated to open early 2021, Avani Doc Let Resort in Vietnam has welcomed Dennis Gordienko to the role of general manager.
Gordienko first joined the Minor group in 2015 as cluster resident manager at Anantara Maldives. Prior to that, he was executive assistant manager leading the pre-opening of Amari Dhaka in Bangladesh. In 2019, he took the pre-opening helm at FCC Angkor by Avani prior to being reassigned to Avani Doc Let Resort.
The Ukrainian started his hospitality career as an F&B intern in Antalya, Turkey, with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in 2003. Since then, he has worked in London and also his native country within F&B and rooms departments with international brands such as Radisson, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
He then moved to YTL Hotels – Small Luxury Hotels, where he was general manager of Gaya Island Resort, before moving to Vistana Penang Bukit Jambul in the same capacity.
In another Vietnam appointment, Beatrice Ellis has taken the helm at Avani Hai Phong Harbour View Hotel.
Ellis joins the hotel in a newly-promoted role from Anantara Hoi An Resort, where she has been based since 2017, starting as executive assistant manager and, for the last year, as the resort manager.
The South African brings more than 18 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, spending the previous six years with Minor Hotels in both the Maldives and Vietnam.
Over in Cambodia, Michael Robinson has been named the new general manager of FCC Angkor by Avani.
Robinson’s decade-long career in hospitality has seen him work across the US, Middle East and Asia, starting with a trainee role with Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San Diego. In 2009, he moved to the Middle East as pre-opening assistant manager – front office with Grand Hyatt Doha in Qatar.
In 2011, Robinson joined Park Hyatt Dubai as assistant front office manager, followed by a promotion to the role of front office manager a couple of years later. The New Zealand national then relocated to Vietnam in 2016 to work as director of rooms for Caravelle Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. Later in the year, he was promoted to his first general manager role for the same property – his last assignment prior to joining Minor Hotels.
Moving onto Malaysia, Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort has welcomed Yogeswaran Veerasamy as its new general manager.
A Malaysian national, Veerasamy brings over two decades of hospitality experience across Asia and the Middle East. A seasoned hotelier with a strong background in F&B, he began his hospitality career in 1996 at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. Between 1999 and 2008, he held various F&B leadership roles at hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; The Fullerton Hotel Singapore; and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia.
Veerasamy was subsequently promoted to executive assistant manager of F&B at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace in India in 2008. Between 2012 and 2017, he held hotel manager roles at W Singapore Sentosa Cove and The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore, before taking on a general manager role in 2017 at The Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.
Before joining Minor Hotels, Veerasamy was general manager for M Social Hotel Singapore.
Next up in South Korea, Avani Central Busan Hotel has appointed BK Kwon as the property’s general manager.
The South Korean has worked across Europe, Asia and Australia over a career spanning 15 years. Starting as a trainee with Conrad Hotel Bangkok in Thailand, he was promoted to assistant F&B manager in 2006. Between 2008 and 2011, he was based at Parmelia Hilton Perth Hotel in Australia serving as conference & banqueting operations manager, before being promoted to executive housekeeper, and finally, hotel operations manager.
In 2011, Kwon relocated back to South Korea to join Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort as director of operations, followed by a stint at Haevichi Hotel and Resort Jeju as general manager from 2014. Prior to joining Minor Hotels, he was executive director – hotel business division for Haevichi Hotel & Resort Corporation.
Lastly, in the UAE, Georges Farhat has been appointed as general manager for the Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites, slated to open in 4Q2020.
With more than 25 years of hospitality experience and a strong background in operations, Farhat brings a wealth of knowledge to this role from his previous positions with InterContinental Hotel Group.
Farhat’s first foray into hospitality was in 1994 with the Crown Plaza Dubai Hotel as a management trainee, and he rose through the ranks in both commercial and rooms division. In 2007, he was appointed the property’s hotel manager, followed by his first general manager assignment in 2014. Most recently, Farhat was the opening general manager for the Crown Plaza Dubai Marina.