LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD

Rather than chart ambitious strategies in boardrooms, BWH Hotel Group’s Incoming President and CEO, Lawrence Cuculic prefers getting into the trenches to better understand team and partner expectations

- VINITA BHATIA

When BWH Hotel Group’s President and CEO, David Kong announced his retirement in September this year, it took most people by surprise. One of the industry’s longest running CEOs, he had joined Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2001 and was named CEO three years later. During this 20-year journey, he transformed the company and formed BWH Hotel Group. His exit will, understandably, leave an indelible mark on the entire hotel industry.

As the incoming President and CEO, Lawrence ‘Larry’ Cuculic is well aware knows he has big shoes to fill, when he takes charge in December 2021. Calling Kong a visionary who transformed BWH Hotel Group into a global hospitality powerhouse, he pointed out that despite the hard ships endured during the pandemic, the organisation is in the strongest financial position in the company’s history – all thanks to Kong’s far-sighted strategies.

“We continue to celebrate tremendous successes, including industry-leading guest and hotelier satisfaction and record-breaking RevPAR growth. I intend to continue building on our many successes by increasing brand revenue delivery to our hotels, ensuring we are well-capitalised, increasing scale in a responsible manner, and continuing to provide superior care to our guests,” Cuculic announced. “Importantly, I want our hoteliers to know that we are a family that stands together, shoulder-to-shoulder, when times are tough, and our guests to know that when they enter our hotels that they will be welcomed and their expectations will not just be met, but rather will be exceeded.”

THINGS IN THE WORKS