Langham, Hong Kong Appoints Managing Director
Katie Benson Appointed Managing Director of the Langham, Hong Kong
HONG KONG, November 28, 2007. Langham Hotels International is pleased to announce the appointment of hospitality veteran Katie Benson as Managing Director of The Langham, Hong Kong. With a distinguished career that includes more than twenty years in the hotel industry, Ms. Benson will take the only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Hong Kong to the next level of service, operations, and sales and marketing.
Cited by Hotel Management magazine as an "exceptional hospitality professional," Ms. Benson has held executive positions at luxury hotels in the Middle East, China, and Australia. "The most enjoyable part of my job is connecting with people in all walks of life, and I look forward to bringing my experiences to The Langham, Hong Kong" she says.
Prior to joining The Langham, Hong Kong, Ms. Benson served as managing director of the five-star Langham, Melbourne, where she hosted a multitude of high-profile guests including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. During her time as managing director of The Langham, Melbourne, she was the first woman ever to be named Australian Hotel Manager of the Year at the 2006 HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence.
Ms. Benson cites "knowledge of finances, human resources, sales, and marketing" as critical attributes in managing a five-star hotel. Utilizing those skills, Ms. Benson played an integral role in establishing Langham as a luxury hotel brand when the company rebranded the Sharaton Towers Melbourne as The Langham, Melbourne in 2004, during Ms. Benson's time there as managing director.
A seasoned hospitality professional, Ms. Benson's dedication to excellence and personalized service will assist her in managing all service and operational aspects of The Langham. "I want to make sure the hotel feels like a haven for guests," she says. The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Hong Kong, The Langham was recently recognized by Cond'e Nast Traveler as one of the "Top 75 Hotels in Asia."
Ms. Benson's appointment as managing director coincides with the hotel's completion of the first phase of a $22 million renovation project that is transforming all of its 492 guestrooms and suites, offering guests a more luxurious travel experience than ever before.
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