Part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, Wyndham Hotel Group has thousands of diverse properties with hundreds of thousands of rooms in more than 70 countries, ensuring there’s something to suit everyone, on any budget, wherever they are.
Barry Robinson is the President and Managing Director of the group’s South East Asia and Pacific Rim operations, as well as the CEO and Managing Director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. He tells The CEO Magazine there is a range of features that make the Wyndham Hotel Group stand out from the travel industry crowd.
The Wyndham Rewards program
The group’s new loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards®, launched globally in mid 2015, offering its 45 million members generous rewards for the points they generate. Earning a guaranteed 1,000 points for each qualified stay, members have a choice of more than 7,800 hotels around the world at which to claim their free nights’ stay with only 15,000 points.
Barry says the updated program provides benefits for the business and keen travelers. “Our revamped Wyndham Rewards program is revolutionising hotel loyalty, allowing members to benefit from a generous points-earning structure, along with a flat, free night redemption rate. And we recently disrupted the loyalty game yet again with the launch of Wyndham Rewards’ Member Levels program that brings special member perks and offers the industry’s first experience- enhanced redemptions.”
Keeping up with those who love to travel
While the travel industry has traditionally grouped travellers by price point, Barry says this approach is no longer working as economy travellers become more empowered in the travel market.
“Our mission is simple: elevate the experience of the everyday traveller, wherever they go, however they choose to stay. This includes refreshed amenities and spaces, travel perks, and new partnerships,” says Barry.
“We are in the midst of a global transformation, refreshing and redefining each of the 16 brands in our powerhouse portfolio and unveiling a new look to emphasise this. From recharged websites and collateral, to updated spaces, the Wyndham Hotel Group is giving its brands a facelift to ensure the millions of travellers who visit our hotels know what they will receive. Our transformation is rolling through all of our brands, clearly defining and differentiating each one in a unique way.”
At the heart of any hotel business is hospitality and developing a reputation for exceptional service. Barry says that he wants Wyndham Hotel Group “to be a disruptor in the way we innovate and deliver hospitality. I am a big believer in experiential hospitality — from unique boutique concept hotels like TRYP Fortitude Valley, to a grander scale”.
Forecasting trends in travel
As well as making sure the Wyndham Hotel Group is listening to customers, Barry says it’s important to be able to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities for the brand.
“We have a bright outlook for 2016 and beyond: globally, our pipeline includes 910 hotels and more than 122,800 rooms, 68% of which are new construction hotels. In South East Asia and the Pacific Rim, we have a pipeline of more than 70 hotels, 80% of which are new builds,” he says.
“Backed by the power of Wyndham Worldwide, we have unique opportunities to combine forces with our sister companies Wyndham Destination Network and Wyndham Vacation Ownership. This partnership will enable us to identify trends in travel and bring our brands to the most desirable destinations through timeshare and exchange connections — which we have currently achieved globally in the South Pacific, South East Asia, Brazil, and the U.S.”
Wyndham Hotel Group key facts
- Company name: Wyndham Hotel Group
- President and CEO: Geoff Ballotti
- MD South East Asia and Pacific Rim: Barry Robinson
- Global headquarters: New Jersey, United States
- Industry: Hospitality & Tourism
