News Release
13/10/2010
Regent Hotels' Chairman Steven Pan Voted TTG ‘Travel Personality of the Year’
Taiwanese entrepreneur Steven Pan, Chairman of Regent Hotels & Resorts, was voted ‘Travel Personality of the Year’ at the 21st TTG Travel Awards 2010.
Organised by the TTG Asia Travel group, publishers of Travel Trade Gazette, the annual award recognizes “the most outstanding individual for their vision in developing the travel industry and demonstrating innovation.”
Mr. Pan, who is also Chairman and CEO of Formosa International Hotels Corporation (www.grandformosa.com.tw), recently acquired the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand and announced bold plans to return the iconic Asian hospitality brand to its former glory.
“Regent was born in Asia, has strong brand recognition in Asia, and is now coming home to Asia,” he said. “Our goal is simply to again be the most admired luxury hotel brand in the world.”
Born in Hong Kong in the 1970s, Regent set the benchmark for luxury hotels worldwide – and became a name synonymous with impeccable service. The flagship Regent Hong Kong was consistently voted the world’s best hotel.
In its golden years of the 1980s and 1990s, the Regent group opened 17 hotels over 22 years, including the celebrated Regent Beverly Wilshire.
Four Seasons and later Carlson Hospitality Group subsequently absorbed the brand.
Now back under Asian ownership, Regent Hotels & Resorts under the leadership of Steven Pan is poised for a comeback.
Expansion in Greater China, through both acquisition and management in partnership with leading developers, is a key to his ambitious plans – with the international cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong key targets. Also on the Regent radar are major global cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris.
“We want to return to the gateway cities of the world,” said Mr. Pan. “We are well positioned to bring a great brand opportunity to the hotel investment community.
“We look forward to restoring the original Regent concepts of timeless design and intuitive service to the luxury end of the business.”
Mr. Pan’s vision for Regent is for “Elegant Hotels that are bespoke in style.” He envisions smaller hotels in size and mixed-use including clubs, sports spaces and spas, along with luxury residential properties and boutique shopping arcade.
New Yorker Robert H. Burns, the original founder of Regent International Hotels, has also returned as Honorary Chairman. Burns will provide inspiration and guidance to the Regent brand.
About Regent
Regent is a global luxury hospitality brand encompassing hotels, resorts, residences and cruises. Headquartered in Taipei, Regent Hotels & Resorts currently operates hotels in Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Berlin, Zagreb and Turks and Caicos, with hotels and resorts under development in Bali, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Florida-based Regent Seven Seas Cruises operates an award-winning fleet of medium-sized luxury cruise ships that visit over 300 ports worldwide.