The BWH Hotel Group has announced that president and CEO David Kong will retire at the end of 2021. The industry’s longest tenured CEO joined Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2001 and was named CEO in 2004. During this 20-year journey, Kong transformed the company, forming BWH Hotel Group and shaping it into a major global competitor. Mr. Kong grew BWH Hotel Group from one to 18 brands that cover every scale chain segment and every type of accommodation, including boutique/lifestyle and extended stay. He set successive records of revenue per available room growth and the highest guest and hotel satisfaction ratings for the brands. The company’s loyalty programme contribution has become the third highest in the industry. Under Kong’s leadership, the company grew cash reserves and grew net equity more than 10-fold and BWH Hotel Group acquired both WorldHotels Collection and PMS technology provider AutoClerk.
American Hotel & Lodging Association president and CEO Chip Rogers stated that…
