BHMA Welcomes Peter Lucas as its New CEO and Harry Thaliwal as New Executive Vice President of Operations

BANGKOK, Thailand, 2018-Jul-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Peter Lucas has been appointed chief executive officer of the Flight Centre Travel Group’s (ASX: FLT) hotel management business, BHMA.

Mr. Lucas is a highly experienced hotelier who has an extensive track record of operating hotels across Asia.

Before joining BHMA, he was Boutique Corporation’s senior vice president of asset operations and oversaw hotel, serviced apartment and food and beverage portfolios.

Prior to this, he was chief operating officer with Destination Properties, where he asset-managed hotels operated by Accor, Starwood, Hilton and Swissotel, as well as food and beverage operations for franchised restaurants such as Hard Rock Café.

Mr. Lucas has more than 35 years of comprehensive leadership experience in the hotel and serviced apartment industries. He has worked in a range of global markets, with experience in 7 countries.

In announcing the appointment, Flight Centre Travel Group Head of Global Hotel Network Kent Davidson said: “Peter is an outstanding professional in his field and I am sure that BHMA will benefit enormously from his contribution. He has joined us at the perfect time to assist in building our various brands in order to achieve further expansion both within and beyond the regions where we are currently active.”

Mr. Lucas said: “I am very proud to be given the opportunity to work with BHMA by the Flight Centre Travel Group.

“It is an exciting time for the business with the new X2 Bali Breakers Resort and X2 Pattaya Oceanphere Residences properties opening in the next quarter. This is a company that has set new standards across Asia in recent years so I look forward to driving sales over the coming months and actively pursuing new opportunities to capitalize on our outstanding reputation for exceeding client expectations.”

FLT, which is based in Australia, is one of the world’s largest travel operators and has about 3,000 leisure and corporate travel outlets in 23 countries.

BHMA, which was acquired last year, is a key component of the company’s Global Hotel Network, which specializes in delivering inspirational travel experiences.

The Flight Centre Travel Group’s BHMA (ASX: FLT) hotel management business, BHMA, has strengthened its leadership team.

The company today announced Harry Thaliwal’s appointment as executive vice president of operations.

Mr. Thaliwal has extensive experience in operating hotels across the Asia Pacific region and will work alongside recently appointed BHMA CEO Peter Lucas.

After graduating in Switzerland, Mr. Thaliwal started his career in operations with the Pan Pacific Group. He subsequently moved to IHG and stayed for more than 23 years before joining Centara Hotels and Resorts as corporate director of operations.

Kent Davidson, the head of FLT’s Global Hotel Network, said: “This is a critical role and it requires someone with both hotel level and head office level experience. A strong and passionate team is in place, so the role is about mentoring them and building that team and platform to a global scale.

“It is a unique role that requires both methodical planning and execution, along with a strong spirit of entrepreneurship to deal with the dynamic, fast growing and challenging path that we are on. We are very fortunate to have Harry joining us.”

Mr. Thaliwal will oversee all operational aspects including strategy, growth and pre-opening projects. “I am very excited to be working with BHMA to support the company’s vision so we can deliver on our ambition and growth aspirations,” he said. “My responsibilities include profitable growth, clear brand offering and operational excellence in delivering an amazing travel experience to our guests.”

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