Twelve CEOs from the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel chains, the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), met in Sydney during January to discuss their plans for expansion and how they are responding to the needs of business and leisure travellers in 2011 and beyond.
The alliance has just launched its GHA Discovery program in Australia, a multi-brand loyalty program and the first of its kind in the industry.
Locally, GHA welcomed Mirvac Hotels and Resorts during 2010 and has also seen the recent expansion of Pan Pacific and Parkroyal Hotels and Resorts in the region.
The CEOs were hosted by Mirvac and stayed and visited its properties including the recently flagged Q Station at North Head near Manly.
Pictured above are: (back row L-R) Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Anantara Hotels and Resorts; Stephen Burt, CEO Mirvac Hotels and Resorts; Chris Hartley, CEO Global Hotel Alliance; Bill Walshe, CEO The Doyal Collection; Steve Kleinschmidt, CEO Marco Polo Hotels; and Stefan Piringer, CEO Micros; (front row L-R) Vivek Nair, CEO The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts; Gary Flowers, Chairman, Mirvac Hotels and Resorts; Patrick Imbardelli, CEO Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts; and Alexandre Solleiro, CEO Tivoli Hotesl and Resorts.