With heightened interest in the hotel franchise model, particularly in Asia, La Vie Hotels & Resorts has moved to appoint highly respected hospitality leader, David Wray to the position of Senior Director, Growth & Development, ASIA.
With a strong history of strategic acquisitions and growth in brand development across Asia Pacific, David brings more than three-decades of industry experience and an extensive network across South East Asia to the newly created role.
Previous to La Vie, David was Senior Vice President – Acquisitions & Development at Travel + Leisure Co (formerly Wyndham Vacations Resorts) for 19 years, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the group’s timeshare model and entering hybrid operations. Previous to this, he was at Choice Hotels where he was Franchise Director.
As Senior Director, Growth & Development, ASIA, David’s key priority will be driving significant growth in the region by working closely with owners to procure franchise agreements with major hotel brands with a particular focus on building the portfolio in Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea and China. David will be based in Singapore but will travel regularly between La Vie’s Head Offices in Bangkok and Sydney.
Commenting on his role, David said, “I’m really looking forward to working with the team at La Vie Hotels & Resorts and was attracted to the new position as a result of their owner centric model which gives owners more of a choice. I believe this is a real game changer for any property that wants a brand and independent management.”
Chris Batterham, Chief Development Officer, La Vie Hotels & Resorts said “Asia is a relatively new market for the franchise model but a market that we are now seeing significant inquiries from Owners. This presents an incredible opportunity for La Vie as the region’s leading full service owner centric hotel management company. With our full service operating platform, we are able to add real value to current and future partners.
“As we continue to grow our presence in the region, we’re thrilled to have someone of David’s calibre join us to drive our development strategy in Asia where he has a proven strong track record of growth and profitability. Together with myself and Alan Christie, who is charged with growth across AMEA, we have an exceptionally strong and talented team driving development for La Vie and we’re looking forward to a big 2024”.
For media information, contact
Angela Cowley
Eight Communications
E: angela@eightcommunications.com.au T: +61 430 321 200
Christina Atherton
Eight Communications
E: christina@eightcommunications.com.au T: +61 418 428 177
About La Vie Hotels & Resorts
La Vie Hotels and Resorts is an owner centric independent hotel management company that offers a tailor-made, cohesive and strategic approach in response to our clients’ real estate objectives within Hospitality. We are the region’s leader in third party hotel management partnering with major international hotel brands. The portfolio represents a collection of diverse properties from hotels in bustling downtown cities, resorts in popular tourism destinations and boutique hotels in sought after locations. The group currently operates hotels and resorts across Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Greater China, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Ukraine and Vietnam including those underdevelopment.
Visit www.laviehotels.com for more information