Page 21 - 197

The Langham Way launching new hotels in Saudi Arabia and as an integral part of the guest journey.

the Far East. Looking beyond geographies
for a moment, van der Oord comments Through their ‘Brilliant by Langham’
loyalty platform, their enterprise cloud
Langham Hospitality Group is a Hong Kong-headquartered hotel that they will be taking some active steps system and the immersive content they
management company and wholly owned subsidiary of global real to expand their resorts and branded deliver via social media and the web,
estate group Great Eagle Holdings. In this interview, we catch up with residences businesses. they ensure their digital operations and
presence mirror the elegance and service
Owning roughly half of their portfolio
CEO Bob van der Oord to speak about their global portfolio and how through parent company GE, the CEO they are known for.
they plan on continuing to offer timeless experiences to guests. feels this gives them a unique edge when As for sustainability and how they
it comes to securing new management operate, the CEO says that whether
contracts because it often takes a it is their spa products, the ingredients
hotel owner to cater to one. So, when of their dishes or the way they
considering new properties, they prioritise conserve resources, everything they
opportunities that allow them to establish do operationally is assessed through a
strong owner-operator relationships built sustainability lens per their CONNECT
on mutual understanding and shared goals. programme, which puts people and the
“Our focus lies in creating hotels with planet on an equal footing with profits. As
a sense of place and that offer timeless a result, they have robust colleague and
experiences. At The Langham, Customs community engagement schemes in place,
House in Bangkok for example, we 19 EarthCheck certifications and continue
are breathing new life into a landmark to work towards halving their carbon
steeped in history while also introducing footprint by 2030 and achieving their net-
modern and world-class amenities to zero target by 2045.
create a heritage hotel with a remarkably When speaking about guest loyalty and 4
contemporary luxury offering.” what differentiates them in the market,
We move our discussion onto the van der Oord comments that their guests “As a case in point, The Langham is
topics of social media and sustainability return because of their unparalleled renowned for its remarkably authentic and
and through speaking with the CEO, levels of service and thoughtful creation unpretentious approach to hospitality, its
we learn that, as a company, LHG have of unique and multifaceted brands and blend of Eastern and Western influences,
wholly embraced the digital landscape related experiences. its legendary afternoon tea and playful
pink accents, all of which serve to create
a unique guest offering that has made it
one of the world’s most beloved hotel
brands,” van der Oord points out.
“We are not the largest hotel group,
but we are large enough to pursue goals
with wide-reaching impacts, yet small
enough to ensure we effectively achieve
angham Hospitality Group (LHG) those goals.”
Ltook its name from its luxury flagship The ethos of LHG can be explained
brand, The Langham Hotels and Resorts, through what they refer to as ‘The
which was established after the acquisition Langham Way’, a phrase coined by one
of The Langham hotel in London by Great of their many satisfied customers. This
Eagle Holdings (GE). phrase refers to the company’s emphasis
Today there are a total of four brands on open and genuine interactions with
under the Group. Alongside its marque guests, colleagues and the world around
one there is Cordis Hotels and Resorts, 2 them, as well as their its unique mix of
their upscale segment offering that focuses British heart, Asian soul and global mind-
on delivering localised and wellness- set, which they express by embracing the
oriented services; Eaton Workshop, best hospitality practices from the West
which is renowned for its mission-driven and the East in a way that resonates
hospitality approach that champions 1 internationally.
support for social and environmental As our time ran out, one last question
causes and Ying’nFlo, their select-service city, which is known for its ceramic art, brand and one under The Langham,” Main Pic: for van der Oord was what does he
The
segment entry. opera and martial arts. highlights Bob van der Oord, CEO of Langham, perceive to be the greatest challenge
Under its umbrella, the business They then opened their third hotel in Langham Hospitality Group. “We will also Gold Coast, facing the business?
Australia
currently operates a total of 32 hotels Shanghai in what was also their second be opening new branches of The Langham 1. Cordis, “The future holds tremendous potential
Dongqian
across four regions – Asia, Australasia, there under the Cordis brand. The in Bangkok in 2026, as well as Venice and Lake, Ningbo, as we expand our reach and services
China
Europe and North America. property is part of the city’s SeaWorld Kuala Lumpur in 2027. In all, we now have 2. Cordis, to more iconic destinations. However,
Last April saw LHG opening a new complex, which is home to the largest 15 new hotels due to be added to our Auckland, navigating the ever-evolving order will be
New Zealand
hotel in the Chinese city of Foshan, a cruise terminal in Asia. portfolio, which we aim to grow to 100 3. The a challenge, as will ensuring that we strike
bustling urban centre in the heart of the “When we look at our upcoming hotels by 2040.” Langham, the right balance between preserving the
London, UK
country’s Greater Bay Area. The property pipeline, we will be opening three hotels In addition to their expansion in Italy, 4. The heritage of our brands while also continuing
Langham,
is situated in a culturally vibrant part of the in China in 2025 - two under the Cordis Malaysia and Thailand, they will also be 3 Chicago, USA to embrace innovation.”
20 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2025 MARCH 2025 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 21