NATIONAL REPORT—With the Labor Day weekend over, hospitality companies are moving forward with personnel shifts. Some of the top changes we’ve found include the following companies: Apple Leisure Group, Hilton and Alamo Drafthouse.
Apple Leisure Group Names CEO
Apple Leisure Group has appointed Alejandro Reynal as CEO. In a planned transition, Reynal will succeed Alex Zozaya, who will serve in a full-time capacity as executive chairman and lead the board of directors. Both appointments are effective immediately.
In his new role, Reynal will oversee ALG, which comprises a collection of subsidiary companies including AMResorts, a resort brand management company with 66 branded resorts; destination management service providers Amstar DMC and Worldstar; a portfolio of vacation brands including Apple Vacations, Travel Impressions, CheapCaribbean.com and Funjet Vacations; the Unlimited Vacation Club loyalty program; and technology provider TriSept Solutions.
Reynal has a long-standing international professional career, having worked in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Previously, he served as CEO of Atento, a global provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing services, where he led the company to an initial public offering in 2014. Earlier in his career, Reynal held management positions at Telefonica, The Coca-Cola Company and The Gap Inc.
Hilton Appoints Global Head of Newest Luxury Brand
Hilton has appointed Feisal Jaffer as global head of LXR Hotels & Resorts. He will oversee Hilton’s newest luxury collection brand, which launched in 2018 and is made up of independent hotels for the world’s most seasoned luxury travelers. LXR offers guests enriching, uncommon experiences tailored to each distinct hotel and traveler, according to the company.
Jaffer joins Hilton from Capella Hotel Group (part of Pontiac Land Group), where he most recently served as SVP of business development. Based in Singapore, he was responsible for originating and executing new hotel management and investment opportunities. Moreover, he was part of the core team that incubated a new premium lifestyle brand and forged strategic partnerships to augment guest experiences. In addition to this role, he also served as SVP, acquisitions & development at Pontiac Land Group, where he led the international expansion of marquee hotel developments in Australia, the Maldives and the U.S. Prior to Pontiac Land Group, Jaffer held investment and business development roles with Host Hotels and Fairmont-Raffles Hotels International, respectively.
Alamo Drafthouse Names Chris Drazba SVP of Franchise Development
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has named hotel industry veteran Chris Drazba as SVP of franchise development. With 14 years of experience in hotel franchising, Drazba will lead the growing cinema brand’s efforts to expand its business model via new franchise opportunities all across the country.
“Booking a theater seat for a couple of hours or a hotel room for a night are very similar since a brand can enhance the value of that experience with an appropriate mix of hospitality, service and amenities aimed at increasing guest satisfaction,” Drazba said. “Hotels and theaters are increasingly co-located near one another since guests want to ‘stay, play and eat’ in lifestyle centers that offer all of these options. Alamo Drafthouse offers a good opportunity for hotel developers and operators to explore other hospitality-oriented business models that can both complement their hotels and keep them focused on markets where they have established operating knowledge and relationships.”
