Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ CEO Giovanni Angelini named Asia Pacific Hotelier of 2005

Mr. Giovanni Angelini, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has been named “Asia Pacific Hotelier of 2005” at the 9th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference hosted by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.

Since taking the helm of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in July 1999, Mr. Angelini has led the group in aggressive growth with the objective to double the size of the company within five years. At present there are 47 hotels with over 23,000 rooms spanning 13 countries and regions. He is the driving force behind the group’s global expansion plans, especially in China, the Middle East and Australia. Today, with over 40 new projects under development worldwide, Shangri-La is expanding its footprint to Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

The seventh recipient to be bestowed this honour, Mr. Angelini is recognized for his achievements in and dedication to the Asia Pacific hotel industry and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Under his stewardship, Shangri-La has won numerous awards worldwide and the group’s brands, Shangri-La and Traders, have become synonymous with the best of Asian-style hospitality. In addition, Mr. Angelini steered the group to its highest profitability in the group’s history while maintaining one of the lowest staff turnover ratios in the industry.

Aside from his role as chief executive of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Angelini is also a director of the Board of Shangri-La Asia Limited, a publicly listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which owns the hotel management company. A 40-year veteran of the hotel industry, Mr. Angelini’s career started his career in his native country, Italy, before moving on to Bermuda, Grand Cayman Islands, Canada and the United States of America with Americana Hotels. His 17-year career with Westin took him to Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Each year, the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference honours an Asia Pacific Hotelier who has had the greatest impact on the region’s hospitality industry. The Hotelier of the Year award was first presented at the 3rd Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference in 2000. Past recipients were Mr. Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group, Dr Hari Harilela, Chairman of The Harilela Group, Mr. Richard Hartman, Managing Director of InterContinental Hotels Groups, Mr. Gwee Liang Kheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of publicly-listed company Hotel Plaza Limited, President and CEO of United Overseas Land, Mr. David Baffsky, Chairman of Accor Asia Pacific as well as Dr. K.S. Lo, Chairman of the Langham Hotels International Group.

This year’s award, a signature limited edition lead crystal piece entitled “Cloud of Excellence”, depicts a dragon rising to the heavens, through clouds encircling the highest of mountains. A mythical creature that has long been regarded within the Chinese culture as the ultimate symbol of prosperity, power and tenacity, the piece aptly describes this year’s award recipient.

Held annually in Singapore, the Asia Pacific Investment Conference is widely recognized as a premier forum for the Asia Pacific hospitality industry. A “By-Invitation Only” event, the conference brings together senior decision-makers of hotel owning and operating companies as well as investors. The 9th Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference has the sponsorship support of Accor Asia Pacific, Baker and McKenzie, Hilton International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Marco Polo Hotels and The Registry Collection.

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