NEWH - Winter 2020 - 46

INTERVIEW

Stefan Leser, CEO Langham
Hospitality Group
By Can Faik
Photography courtesy of Langham Hospitality Group

s the wholly owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings, Langham Hospitality Group encompasses a family of distinctive hotels
under the Langham Hotels and Resorts and Cordis Hotels brands, with more than 30 projects currently either confirmed
or in development from locations in Asia and Europe to North America to the Middle East. The group takes its name from
the legendary Langham in London which was widely recognized as Europe's first Grand Hotel. For over 155 years, this flagship has
represented sophisticated and gracious hospitality, a philosophy that reflects elegance in
design, innovation in hospitality, sincere service, and captivation of the senses across all
properties. Here, Langham CEO Stefan Leser talks to Can Faik about how the company is
working to make guests feel welcome across its portfolio of luxury hotels, and more.
What was your background prior to working for Langham Hospitality Group?
Travel and hospitality has always been part of my professional journey. Prior to joining
Langham Hospitality Group, I was at Jumeirah International where I was the group CEO and
a member of the board of directors. Prior to joining Jumeirah, I spent more than a decade at
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd., the leading Swiss travel services provider. As a member of Kuoni's
executive board and executive vice president of the outbound and specialists division, I
directed the company's travel businesses, covering the Nordics, United Kingdom, Benelux,
India, China, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. I was also responsible for all businesses, specializing
in inbound destination management. Prior to joining Kuoni, I spent six years working in the
information technology industry with Swissair and EDS Corporation.
What does your current position involve?
I oversee all aspects of the group's global portfolio of hotels, resorts, and residences and give
strategic guidance to achieve the company's vision, implementing organizational processes,
and lead and drive global expansion.
Stefan Leser

It's a difficult time for the hospitality industry. What do you think will be the biggest
challenge post COVID?
The pandemic has changed the way we travel globally and it is understandable that people are worried about
traveling until the crisis is over. The most important thing is for the hotel industry to come together, work with the
travel industry and government, and support and help the community we operate in and re-build life to normalcy.
Travel, especially long-haul, will not be immediate and will take time, but I have no doubt travel will return and the
demand will be strong again.
Luxury hotels always have had high hygiene and sanitation standards, but new rules and regulations may apply,
which the hospitality industry needs to already have in place and ready to roll out once travel resumes. Thermal
sensors installed at all venues, temperature taking, some form of distancing when dining, and frequent sanitization are
all part of the new normal.
The hospitality (and travel) industry will positively manage through today's challenging environment just as we
have steered through difficult events in the past. To me, what is more important and remarkable is the immensely
resilient spirit, determination, and talent demonstrated by the entire hospitality industry. Despite one of the most
difficult periods experienced, we have all seen the outpouring of care and concern for each other, guests, colleagues,
and the communities we operate in.
Continued on p. 48 〉〉〉

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