INTERNATIONAL REPORT—People are on the move at Choice, IHG, Four Seasons and Hilton Grand Vacations. Here’s a look.
Choice Hotels Promotes Abhijit Patel
Choice Hotels International Inc. has promoted Abhijit Patel to VP of marketing and distribution strategy and operations.
In this role, Patel oversees the company’s marketing and distribution functions, including property management systems, third-party distribution channels and vendor relationships to increase revenue and improve performance and profitability for franchisees. He also works closely with Choice’s technology and business intelligence organizations to refine booking and shopping functionality, mobile evolution and loyalty contribution.
Patel joined Choice Hotels in 2015 as a director of business planning and, throughout his tenure, has held roles of increasing responsibility. Immediately prior to his promotion, he served as senior director of product management and operations, where he led the implementation of new products and technology initiatives to fuel midweek business across the Choice portfolio.
Before arriving at Choice, Patel supported global marketing at Mars Drinks, a division of Mars Inc., where he helped evolve the company’s merchandising strategy to improve customer experience and brand awareness. Earlier in his career, he held various positions at GEICO.
IHG Promotes Hempell
IHG has promoted Christian Hempell to SVP of global loyalty and partnerships.
In this new role, Hempell leads a team that is developing even more compelling loyalty programs for new and existing members that drive value for owners and engage guests at all points of their journey through new ventures and partnerships, according to the company.
In addition to IHG’s loyalty programs, his team is also accountable for all ancillary revenue through co-brand, point-based products and travel partners, as well as the strategic brand and loyalty partnerships that help deliver a differentiated guest experience and enhance revenues.
Hempell joined IHG in 2003 as director of global strategy, based in the U.K., and since that time has worked across the brand portfolio in Europe and the Americas and driven enhanced revenue through partnerships with Chase, Orange Lake Resorts, Mastercard, Venetian | Palazzo, Amazon, OpenTable and more. Reporting to Claire Bennett, chief marketing officer, Hempell is based at IHG’s Americas headquarters in Atlanta.
Four Seasons Appoints Pasternak as Global Fitness Advisor
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has appointed fitness expert Harley Pasternak to the role of global fitness advisor.
Pasternak is a fitness and nutrition authority, celebrity personal trainer and New York Times bestselling author whose books include 5-Factor Fitness, 5-Factor Diet and The Body Reset. He will assess and improve Four Seasons fitness facilities and create exclusive fitness programming at Four Seasons properties around the globe.
As global fitness advisor, Pasternak oversees strategic enhancements to the design of fitness facilities to create a differentiated experience for guests and residents. He will also create proprietary fitness programming, beginning with a Four Seasons fitness video series, for launch in 2019.
Hilton Grand Vacations Names Duda VP
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) appointed Patrick Duda VP of enterprise digital capabilities.
In his new role, Duda works closely with HGV’s business leaders and IT partners to enhance overall customer engagement and experience throughout HGV’s digital marketing platforms.
Most recently, he worked in the auto and home insurance industry, where he helped advance digital, customer experience and data-oriented capabilities for Erie Insurance, a Fortune 500 company. He has also held progressive roles with AT&T and GE.
