The latest industry appointments

NONG XIA has been announced as Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ new senior vice president and head of acquisitions & development for Greater China. Prior to joining Starwood, Nong spent 14 years with Hyatt as senior vice president of real estate & development. He will now be based in Shanghai.

RICHARD SAUL has been named managing director of the Ritz-Carlton Beijing and JW Marriott Hotel Beijing. Saul’s career spans more than 30 years in Australia, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and China. Most recently he spent two years as GM of the JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park.

GAYNOR REID has been named as Accor’s new vice president of communications for the Asia Pacific region. Ms Reid has 25 years of experience, the last 15 of which have been with Accor. Most recently she served as the company’s director communications for Asia Pacific. Ms Reid is based in Singapore.

RICKY LI has become the Langham Hong Kong’s new director of business development for China. With more than 13 years’ experience, Li has previously worked at the Sheraton Changzhou Wujin Hotel and Oakwood Residence Shanghai. Most recently he was director of sales for Langham’s Eaton Hotel brand.

SOREN WETTENDORF has become the new product development director for Destination Asia. Based in Bangkok, he will be responsible for the company’s entire product line in Thailand. With more than 20 years’ experience, Wettendorf most recently spent seven years as director of sales for Asian Oasis.

BETTY YAN has been appointed director of corporate business development for the Langham Hong Kong. Ms Yan joins Langham with eight years of sales and marketing experience, including spells with Sands China and Shangri-La. Most recently she was director of business development at the Sheraton Hong Kong.

PAULO MARTINS has been appointed as Illusions’ new vice president for Europe & South America, as the travel technology company looks to expand on both continents. A Portuguese national, Martins has extensive experience with hotels, DMCs, business travel companies, tour operators and technology companies.

KEN WONG PI HOU has been named as the new food & beverage manager at the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. Wong, who is fluent in six languages, arrives at the hotel from Ritz-Carlton’s luxury Reserve hotel in Krabi, where he started as a management trainee and eventually became restaurant manager.

KANOKROS SAKDANARES has become the new corporate director of corporate affairs & social responsibilities for Centara Hotels & Resorts. With 24 years’ hotel industry experience, Ms Kanokros worked for several hotels in Bangkok before joining Centara in 2004 as corporate director of marketing communications.