With the aggressive expansion of its over 650-hotel portfolio in China,?Wyndham Hotel Group, the world?s largest hotel company with nearly 7,440 hotels and part of?Wyndham Worldwide Corporation?(NYSE: WYN), today announced the appointment of Leo Liu as managing director for China.
In this newly created role designed to support the company?s rapid growth in the country, Liu will be responsible for Wyndham Hotel Group?s operations and development functions as well as the coordination and execution of cross-functional brand initiatives. He will be based in the company?s Shanghai offices.
With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Liu joins Wyndham Hotel Group from ENVY Fine Art China, where he served as founder and chief executive officer. Previously, Liu was vice president, development strategy with Costa Crociere S.p.A. in Pacific Asia and has served as Accor Group?s managing director in China.
?We are pleased to welcome Leo to Wyndham Hotel Group and look forward to the opportunities this role creates for us in China,? said Bob Loewen, Wyndham Hotel Group?s executive vice president and chief operating officer. ?We remain committed to development in the country, and this new role, complemented by Leo?s extensive cultural knowledge, rich hospitality experience and strong relationships, will undoubtedly accelerate growth in the dynamic and expansive country.?
Wyndham Hotel Group is strategically focused on China as a key market with strong potential for growth. China currently accounts for the largest number of Wyndham Hotel Group properties in the Asia-Pacific region with hotels under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts?, Ramada?, Howard Johnson?, Days Inn? and Super 8? brands.
In October, Wyndham Hotel Group announced the opening of the 500th Super 8 hotel in the country, a significant accomplishment for the brand, which is also an economy hotel leader in China. The brand is present in nearly 200 cities in the country.
Wyndham Hotel Group also announced the addition of eight Ramada? properties earlier this year, which will be added over the next two years in the cities of Linyi, Liuzhou, Changzhou, Changsha, Suzhou, Wuyishan and Xishuangbanna. These properties will join the brand?s existing 49 hotels, making Ramada the second most prolific Wyndham Hotel Group brand in China after Super 8?.
The growth of the company?s brands in China is supported by relationships with partners that are market experts. Operating under a combined franchising and management strategy, Wyndham Hotel Group is a dedicated collaborator in assisting local developers with successful hotel operations.