Human Resources

🏨 Dave Montrose, First Hospitality's new COO, brings 30+ years of expertise. He will oversee operations, commercial strategy, and senior leadership. Previously, Montrose held roles at Highgate Hotels, White Lodging, Brush Creek Ranch, and InnVentures, managing 85+ hotels. First Hospitality, a 40-year-old company, operates throughout the U.S. Montrose’s experience with full-service, independent, and luxury hotels in Austin, Nashville, and Indianapolis is pivotal as the company scales its portfolio.

📈 William Gibbs, appointed Senior Advisor for strategy and growth at roomangel Foundation, will lead the global expansion of hive, an AI platform for hotels. With a background in hospitality management, he aims to optimize hotel data usage for better decision-making. Previously, Gibbs was a board member at Sir Richard Sutton and held roles at The Hotel Collection and Westmont Hospitality Group. Hive, already analyzing billions of data points daily, aims to transform hotel asset management.

🏨 Claudia Rodrigues is appointed as the new general manager of Nusfjord Village & Resort in Norway, effective February 2026. Nusfjord, located in the Lofoten Islands, is a historic boutique hotel renowned for its 400-year history. Rodrigues, with nearly 20 years of global hospitality experience, previously worked in Spain, Fiji, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Botswana. Nusfjord offers restored 19th-century cabins and is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection.

📅 Remington Hospitality appointed Travis Burns as EVP of business development. White Lodging promoted David Cirincione to RDO. Montage Big Sky appointed Christian Maeder as GM. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa named Richard Taylor director of sales and marketing. JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort appointed Brittany Matthews director of sales and marketing. CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa appointed Eden Cambell director of brand marketing. Condado Vanderbilt Hotel appointed Ciaran Elliott executive chef. Montage Los Cabos appointed Alejandro Euroza chef de cuisine. HSMAI announced Andrew Rubinacci transitioning to past chair, Michael Innocentin as chair starting January 2026. Electrolux Professional Group appointed Chris Rudin director of sales, national chain accounts. Virginia Guesthouse Hotel appointed Gregg Hilker as GM, Rich Keurajian as director of sales and marketing. R Collection Hotels announced Riccardo Bortolotti and Ivan Parodi in leadership roles. Club Med made several leadership appointments, including Michelle Catin and Frank Corzo as VPs, and Amy Zocchi and new business development managers.

🏠 Arash Azarbarzin is appointed CEO of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, bringing over 40 years of experience in luxury hospitality. As of 2025, Viceroy is expanding with African Bush Camps in Botswana and Zambia, opening Viceroy at Ombria Algarve in Portugal, and planning a Sun Valley, Idaho resort for Summer 2026. U.S. expansions include Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Waikiki Beach, Puerto Rico, New York City, and Hudson Valley. Viceroy’s leadership team includes new executives like Patrick Pahlke and Shel Buhler.

📈 Stephan Schupbach has been appointed as the new president and group chief executive of Chedi Hospitality, marking a new phase of international growth for the company. With over 30 years of experience in luxury hotels across Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and Asia, Stephan will lead long-term strategy and brand development. Key initiatives include launching a boutique brand and a food and drink business vertical, focusing on authenticity, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. Further updates are anticipated in the coming months.

📈 Travis Burns was appointed as executive vice president of business development at Remington Hospitality. With over 20 years of experience, he aims to expand the company's portfolio by engaging with owners and developers. Previously, at Aimbridge Hospitality, he held senior roles, oversaw 70+ properties, and managed $175 million in annual revenue. Known for delivering results, Burns is set to enhance Remington's development strategy through his extensive industry relationships and understanding of ownership priorities.

📈 Travis Burns, with 20+ years in hospitality, appointed executive VP of business development at Remington Hospitality in Dallas, Texas. Burns transitions from Aimbridge Hospitality, where he managed 70+ properties. He will focus on expanding Remington's portfolio and strengthening relationships. Burns holds a B.Sc. in Economics from Oklahoma State University and a Hotel Real Estate Investments Certificate from Cornell. Keith Oltchick, Remington's chief development officer, praises Burns's capacity for delivering results.

📈 BWH Hotels GB in 2025: Room revenue topped £140m, a 7% rise, with meetings income reaching £4.5m, up 27%. The newly launched website increased conversion rates by 20%. A Black Friday offer grossed over £1m. Email marketing grew by 13%, driving £2m revenue. BW Rewards membership hit 63.4 million globally with GB revenue at £58.6m, up 16%. The group added 18 hotels to its portfolio, marking a transformative year.

🚌 Paul Stoneham will become CEO of Big Bus Tours in January, succeeding Pat Waterman, who becomes non-executive chairman. Vagn Soerensen steps down as chairman but remains an advisor. Stoneham, previously with Life Fitness and other companies, aims to expand Big Bus Tours' services and destinations. The company has recently acquired Touristation (Rome), West Coast Sightseeing (Vancouver), and Tour Dubai, and introduced amphibious 'Duck' tours.