The latest guest reservation system, a slew of hotel brands – Alan Watts, IHG’s COO-Asia, Middle East and Africa reveals that the brand is bullish on India.
Alan Watts belongs to a rare breed in the corporate world – at a time where jumping jobs every couple of years is considered the norm, he has been with the same company for 20 years and counting. Watts joined InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ (IHG) after its acquisition of SPHC group in Australia.
Having spent significant time as a general manager, he took on senior roles in the company, including managing the operations of hotels across South East Asia and leading the expansion of the company's Holiday Inn Express brand across Asia and Australasia. He was most recently COO for Australasia, Japan and AMEA Operations Performance before being appointed as COO for IHG’s Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region.
Currently, Watts is responsible for the company’s operations across 267 hotels in nearly 40 countries and territories, and oversees the region's hotel performance systems and processes. IHG operates five brands in the region: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express and Hotel Indigo.
Originally from New Zealand, Watts is based in IHG's regional head office in Singapore and is a member of the organisation’s Regional Operating Committee. But he has the redeeming qualities of a true-blue Kiwi, from the twinkling eyes that are up for some adventure, the well-built physique that speaks of time invested outdoors and evocative speech that indicates the adaptability to multi-cultural societies and cross-country business ideologies.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Big Fat Indian Wedding
With a slew of initiatives, hotels are ensuring that the wedding day is special for the couple as well as for the hotel's bottom line.
An Organization Of Rainmakers!!!
Rainmakers are revered for their ability to generate income (rain) for an organization by cracking deals, attracting clients/guests and holding on to them; often, for a lifetime... Revenue generation (rainmaking) is the job of everyone on the team.
Hospitality: A Rewarding Career Awaits
Delving into the roles and responsibilities that professionals in the field of hospitality can undertake in carving a rewarding career.
"India is my first baby!"
Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, gets candid.
The Essence of Landscape Architecture
Innovative landscaping can enhance the luxury hospitality experience by enriching guest interaction with the natural world.
Teaching the Art of Tea
The first global tea artist from India, teaching the art of making and drinking fine tea, Susmita Das Gupta talks about her mission to make Indian specialty tea reach a global audience.
Feeding Profits
Food and beverage is driving revenues in hospitality in novel ways as hotels innovate with new-age experiences.
Acing the Revenue Game
Hotels are looking at new avenues to generate revenues that go beyond rooms and food.
The Power of Predictive Maintenance
A strategic approach to enable Indian hotels to become leaders in sustainable hospitality.
Shaping a Sustainable FUTURE
To mark the occasion of World Environment Day this month, we find out how the hospitality industry is paving the way for a greener, healthier tomorrow...