IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel groups, has today announced the appointment of Danny Ha as Development Representative for Korea. In this role, Danny will be supporting the strategic growth of IHG brands in Korea, and as an in-market IHG ambassador, focus on building long and trusted relationships with owners.
Based in Seoul, Danny brings 25 years of experience in hospitality strategy and planning, brand development, contract negotiation and conversions, pre-opening and project management in Korea.
Prior to joining IHG, Danny ran his own hotel consulting practice where he represented owners in various capacities including operator selection searches, asset management, market feasibility, brand strategy and project management consulting. He was also an Owner’s representative for high profile projects including JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul for Dongsung Co., Ltd, luxury and dual-branded projects for Dongbu Corporation, and for Gangwondo Development Corporation, owner of IHG’s InterContinental Alpensia Pyeongchang Resort, Holiday Inn Resort Alpensia Pyeongchang and Holiday Inn & Suites Alpensia Pyeongchang.
Serena Lim, Vice President, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG says: “I am so pleased to welcome Danny to the IHG team with his strong credentials in hospitality strategy and development in Korea. We have ambitious plans for the market, having recently doubled the size of our in-market team and are on track to grow by a third within the next three years. Danny’s deep experience and expertise as a Korea hospitality veteran as well as his understanding of owner needs will enable us to accelerate our growth plans further.
“We want to build on our strong reputation in the luxury space with the InterContinental brand and are so excited to have opened IHG’s premium collection brand voco in Gangnam last week, the first of the brand in Korea. Luxury and contemporary brands resonate very well in the market and Danny will focus his efforts on growing our brand portfolio across city and resort destinations in Korea.”
Danny Ha, Korea Development Representative, IHG added: “I am excited to be joining the IHG team at such an opportune time as travel and hospitality rallies with the reopening of borders.
“As the owner representative for IHG’s Alpensia Pyeongchang resorts for three years, I was always impressed by the professionalism of the IHG team, always nimble with a local-global approach to build mutual trust. More importantly, it provides best-in-class and consistent support to owners with its global systems and processes that delivers substantial returns and results. I look forward to developing win-win strategic partnerships with owners, as well as unlocking the potential of IHG’s brands in Korea.”
IHG currently has nine hotels in Korea, across three brands, InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. voco will be the fourth brand to be introduced in the market with voco Gangnam this April.
