La Vie appoints Group Director of Commercial
La Vie Hotels and Resorts has appointed Lachlan Harris to the role of Group Director of Commercial.
Based out of La Vie’s Sydney Head Office, Harris will be responsible for delivering top line revenue for all Vie properties.
His role will include management over everything from revenue and distribution to client and customer engagement, multi-segment contracting and negotiation, product analysis, partnerships and marketing.
“With a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific, I’m delighted to be leading the new-look commercial team, building out of the box strategies and expanding La Vie’s brand reputation,” Harris said.
“Having the ability to work across multiple disciplines and an eclectic mix of portfolios means I can capitalise on my 30 years of experience to enhance the customer and client journey while building loyalty, growing our distribution network and maximising profit for owners.”
With three decades of hospitality experience under his belt, Harris has worked across all sectors of the industry with local and international brands including Naumi Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, The Langham Sydney and Shangri-La Sydney.
“We’re thrilled to have Lachlan join our management team and are confident he will deliver the best possible returns for our owners while delivering memorable guest experiences,” said La Vie Hospitality Group Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Xu.
“I’m excited about the future with Lachlan at the helm given his strategic approach and ability to empower his teams. He is a true innovator who leads by example, and we’re excited for what the future holds.”
SH readies for APAC growth with MD appointment
SH Hotels and Resorts has appointed Damon Page as Area Managing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, as the business readies for a exponential growth in the market.
Page will oversee the development of SH Hotels and Resorts brands – 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels – in the region.
Harris will manage the 2024 opening of 1 Hotels and Homes Melbourne, followed by the 2026 arrival of Treehouse Adelaide, with both properties representing brand debuts in Australia.
He will also oversee new asset development and strategic direction for pre-opening and existing operations teams including 1 Hotel Haitang Bay (Sanya, China), which opened in 2020.
Harris said it is “an incredibly exciting time” for SH Hotels and Resorts brands.
“There is a world of opportunity waiting, especially in the stunning landscape of the Asia-Pacific, to bring our nature-inspired lifestyle brand—and all those in the portfolio—to new guests and local
communities,” he said.
Based in Melbourne, Page brings 30 years of hospitality expertise in which he has overseen a broad spectrum of hotel operations across multiple luxury brands throughout Asia-Pacific including new launches in gateway cities, casino and convention hotels, flagship brands, and company-owned assets.
“Damon is the consummate operator, strategist, and visionary, and his knowledge of the Asia[1]Pacific region is incomparable,” said SH Hotels and Resorts Chief Executive Officer, Raul Leal.
“We are thrilled to welcome him to the organisation and look forward to remarkable growth ahead.”
Salter Brothers Hospitality welcomes CCO
John Thompson has been named as the inaugural Chief Commercial Officer of recently launched Salter Brothers Hospitality.
Reporting to CEO Tash Tobias, Thompson will be responsible for sales, revenue management and reservations functions of the business.
A career-long commercial hotelier with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector spanning Europe and Australasia, Thompson has held leadership positions for global hotel brands including Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and, most recently, Minor Hotels.
A respected commercial leader, he has also owned and operated a successful consultancy business in the UK where he offered bespoke commercial solutions to leading hospitality organisations across Europe.
“John is a key appointment for the Salter Brothers Hospitality team,” said Tobias.
“We are very excited to have him onboard to drive our commercial teams and further success of our luxury retreats portfolio.”
Ponant adds Business Development Manager
Ponant has named experienced travel professional Kristina Sambaher as Business Development Manager for NSW and ACT.
Sambaher brings over two decades within the travel industry having worked with brands such as Azamara, Travelzoo and Flight Centre.
Ponant says Sambaher has a proven track record in creating and executing strategic sales initiatives to drive revenue and achieve ambitious growth targets.
“Kristina brings a wealth of travel industry experience and beyond and I am confident her sales strategy expertise and passion for market innovation will contribute integrally to achieving Ponant’s growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific market,” said Ponant General Manager Sales and Marketing Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett.
“Julie Rogers, our Director of Sales is thrilled with the appointment and welcomes Kristina to the dynamic Ponant Commercial Team.”
Sambaher will be based in the company’s North Sydney office.