Hyatt Increases Activity in China

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation has made strides in the China market with the appointment of Stephen Ho as president, Greater China, global operations, and an agreement to manage a hotel in the country.

Ho is responsible for the growth and operations of the hotel network, talent development and owner relations in the Greater China region. He will also refine and reinforce Hyatt’s China outbound strategy from a commercial and operations perspective.

Prior to joining Hyatt, he was CEO, Greater China region at Marriott International Inc., where he oversaw all hotels in operation and under construction in the region. He was Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Asia-Pacific president from 2012 to 2016, and winner of the CNBC Travel Business Leader Award (TBLA) 2014 in recognition of his leadership.

“China has been identified as one of the key priorities for Hyatt,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific. “We see great opportunities as it continues to rise as a global economic power and as the Chinese increase travel both domestically and globally. With over 35 years of experience in managing all aspects of hotel operations and development, and an intimate knowledge of Greater China, Stephen is the ideal leader for our Greater China region to boost Hyatt’s overall development and to bolster our strategy to better cater to the Chinese market globally.”

Hyatt has also come to an agreement to manage a hotel owned by Hui Xian REIT. Located in Jiefangbei, Chongqing’s Central Business District in western China, the hotel is currently under renovation and is expected to be rebranded as a Hyatt hotel in the first quarter of 2019.

Acquired by Hui Xian REIT in 2017, the hotel is currently being redesigned and integrated into the adjacent Chongqing Metropolitan Oriental Plaza, which is also under Hui Xian REIT’s ownership. With renovations expected to be complete in early 2019, the whole complex will be branded as Chongqing Oriental Plaza, and modeled after Beijing Oriental Plaza, encompassing the renovated hotel, a  shopping center, an office tower and serviced apartments.