Marco Polo Hotels Marks 20 Years of Global Hotel Alliance Collaboration as Wharf Hotels Secures Three Honours
(IN SHORT) Wharf Hotels has won three distinctions at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance Awards, including Best Member Recognition, Best Brand Performance Winner and a special recognition for Marco Polo Hotels’ 20 years of collaboration and member engagement with GHA. Thomas Salg accepted the awards for the Hong Kong-based hotel group, highlighting the role of its teams, loyalty members and long-term alliance partnership. The ceremony took place aboard Regent Seven Seas Splendor during GHA’s annual CEO conference, attended by more than 40 senior hospitality leaders from across the alliance’s international hotel network.
(PRESS RELEASE) HONG KONG SAR, China, 2026-Jul-7 — /Travel PR News/ — Wharf Hotels has received three honours at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance Awards, recognising the Hong Kong-based hospitality group’s longstanding contribution to the alliance, strong guest engagement and performance across the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of the GHA DISCOVERY programme, announced this year’s award winners during an event held aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor on 5 July 2026. The awards programme celebrates achievements across 1,000 hotels, 55 brands and 100 countries, with recognition spanning operational performance, guest satisfaction, loyalty, sustainability, technology, collaboration and engagement.
Thomas Salg, President of Wharf Hotels, accepted the awards on behalf of the group. The recognitions reflect the company’s relationship with Global Hotel Alliance, the work of its hotel teams and its continued focus on delivering meaningful experiences for GHA DISCOVERY members.
Marco Polo Hotels, Wharf Hotels’ premium brand, received the Celebrating 20 Years of Collaboration & Member Recognition award. The recognition highlights two decades of partnership with GHA and the brand’s ongoing commitment to engaging and recognising loyalty programme members.
Wharf Hotels was also named Best Member Recognition, an award presented to the brand most appreciated by GHA DISCOVERY members and achieving the highest satisfaction results in guest surveys. In addition, the group received the Best Brand Performance Winner distinction, recognising exceptional delivery, engagement and collaboration during the past year.
“We are proud to receive these awards from Global Hotel Alliance,” said Thomas Salg, President of Wharf Hotels. “They reflect the strength of a partnership developed over many years, the dedication of our teams across the group and the confidence placed in us by GHA DISCOVERY members around the world. These honours reinforce our commitment to considered hospitality, consistent brand performance and memorable guest stays across our three brands.”
Chris Hartley, Chief Executive Officer of Global Hotel Alliance, congratulated the winners and highlighted the importance of shared expertise across the alliance.
“The achievements recognised through this year’s awards demonstrate the value created when member brands collaborate, exchange best practices and continue to innovate,” Hartley said. “Healthy competition and a commitment to excellence help strengthen GHA DISCOVERY and generate lasting benefits for brands across the alliance.”
The awards ceremony formed part of GHA’s annual CEO conference, which brought together leaders from hotel brands across its global network for the alliance’s first CEO meeting at sea. Hosting the event on Seven Seas Splendor reflected GHA’s longstanding relationship with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and its continued effort to connect luxury cruise experiences with the GHA DISCOVERY programme.
The occasion also included a presentation by guest of honour Arthur Guérin-Boëri, the Nice-born French freediver and world champion. Drawing on a career marked by resilience, persistence and multiple world records, Guérin-Boëri shared perspectives with attendees gathered against the backdrop of the French Riviera.
More than 40 chief executive officers and senior executives representing GHA’s member brands attended the event.
About Wharf Hotels
Hong Kong SAR-based Wharf Hotels, a hospitality group and subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Limited, owns and/or operates 16 hotels in Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China and the Philippines across three brands – Maqo, Marco Polo Hotels and Niccolo Hotels. Collectively, the portfolio offers more than 5,000 guestrooms, meeting spaces and crafted experiences for solo and group travellers in gateway cities. Visit wharfhotels.com or LinkedIn.
About GHA and GHA DISCOVERY
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands with 55 brands and 1,000 hotels across 100 countries. Its award-winning loyalty programme – GHA DISCOVERY – provides 36 million members with recognition, D$ rewards and exclusive experiences across its hotels and partners, both with and without a stay.
Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. For more information, visit globalhotelalliance.com or ghadiscovery.com.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Ilona Yim
Group Director Branding & Communications
Wharf Hotels
T +852 2118 7265
E ilona.yim@wharfhotels.com
Victoria Poon
Communications Manager
Wharf Hotels
T +852 2118 7292
E victoria.poon@wharfhotels.com
SOURCE: Wharf Hotels
