Human Resources

🏨 Hospitality America celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, founded in 1995 by Chris Cargen, and now led by CEO Ben Campbell. It ranks #22 among South Carolina’s fastest-growing companies and was recently recognized by USA Today as a Top Workplace. New additions include hotels in Charleston, Rogers, Springdale, and Murrells Inlet. The company plans to enhance operations using enterprise technology and recognizes the importance of a supportive work environment for its associates.

📍 In 2027, IHG® Hotels & Resorts plans to open a 45-key Garner hotel in Bhiwadi, India, developed by Modest Structures Private Limited and managed by United Hospitality Management. This marks the fourth Garner signing in India, reflecting confidence in its midscale brand. IHG currently operates 51 hotels across six brands in India, with 80 more in the pipeline over the next 3-5 years, targeting India's high-growth, tier-two cities.

📈 Jean-Yves Minet, Global Brand President at Accor, manages ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget, Novotel, and Mercure Hotels, representing nearly 70% of the group's global portfolio with over 3,500 hotels worldwide. He emphasizes mastering purpose, value proposition, and brand personality to ensure future-proof brands. Minet's approach focuses on delivering consistent, valuable experiences globally, shaped by his non-hospitality background. His full interview on brand strategy is available on Hospitality ON.

📈 Aimbridge Hospitality appoints Alex Fiz as president of its LATAM and All-Inclusive Divisions, effective March 2. Leandro Castillo will retire but will serve in an advisory role. Alex brings 34 years of experience from Marriott International, where he led strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The All-Inclusive Division started in 2025 and focuses on significant growth opportunities in Latin America. Aimbridge Hospitality serves major global brands and independent properties across Mexico and Latin America.

🏨 Minor Hotels announced Winston Gong as General Manager for Avani Kota Kinabalu, set to open in Q2 2026. Winston, experienced in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, previously led Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay. The 352-key hotel features 22 suites, diverse dining, and meeting facilities. Located in Luyang, it is 13 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, aiming to cater to leisure and corporate guests with seamless connectivity.

💻 Peter Buerger is appointed CEO of Kayak by Booking Holdings, replacing co-founder Steve Hafner after 22 years. Hafner transitions to Executive Chairman, focusing on AI innovation for the group. Buerger, who joined Kayak in 2016 as CFO and became COO in 2021, previously led international expansion and business travel platform growth. Under Hafner, Kayak launched and achieved industry-leading results post-2013 acquisition by Booking Holdings. Hafner will ensure strategic stability and focus on AI development.

📈 Nathan Reynolds has been named Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at RMS, a global hospitality platform, leveraging his experience from MYOB Enterprise and RL Datix. Louise Lysaght joins as Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) from Employment Hero, after five years at HotDoc. CEO Adam Seskis highlights their roles in scaling revenue and enhancing customer journeys as RMS expands globally across hotels, motels, and more.

📈 UK, 2026: Focus Travel Partnership appoints Francesco Deluca, Omega World Travel's EMEA regional director, to its Board. Deluca, boasting over 30 years of global corporate travel management experience, joins as a Non-Executive Director. The move aims to diversify expertise and reinforce innovation as Focus enters a growth phase. Focus chair, Adrian Parkes, anticipates Deluca's industry insights will enhance strategy. Deluca expresses enthusiasm for supporting Focus's community-driven model and mid-sized TMC leadership.

📈 Hans Ritten is the new general manager at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, CA. With over 30 years of experience, Ritten previously opened The HALL Park Hotel in Frisco, Texas, in 2024 as its general manager. He has also managed several hotels in Chicago and worked with Marriott International and Interstate Hotels & Resorts. His expertise spans sales, financial management, F&B, and hotel operations.

🏨 Jeff Bzdawka became CEO of Hapi, succeeding founder Luis Segredo, who shifts to chief strategy officer. Bzdawka joined as president in October 2024, bringing over 30 years of industry experience. Hapi, founded in 2017, supports over 15,000 hotels, enabling real-time data use. Bzdawka's aim is to scale and deliver value. Hapi’s clients include major brands like IHG and Wyndham.