President's Reflection (March 2026 Edition)

📍 GLOBAL

Recognition – Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman & President, has been featured as a prominent global industry leader in the February edition of HM Magazine and The NBR Podcast with Simon Shepherd.

📍AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND THE PACIFIC

New Zealand International Convention Centre NZICC Official Opening

Auckland, New Zealand


Venue Opening – Representing Swiss-Belhotel International at the event were Matthias Schulz, Senior Regional Director of Sales & Marketing – Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and Vivek Nair, Hotel Manager of Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park, Auckland, attended the official industry opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland. The landmark occasion marked a significant milestone for New Zealand’s business events, culture, and tourism landscape. NZICC is located within a two-minute walk of Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park, Auckland.

Representing Swiss-Belhotel International at the event were Oliver Faull, Executive Director / Senior Vice President, Australia & New Zealand / Assistant Chief Financial Officer; Raymond Faulkner, Vice President - Operations & Development, Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific; Matthias Schulz, Senior Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific; and Chathura Kandamby, Regional Director of Finance, Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific.

Auckland, New Zealand


Conference – Swiss-Belhotel International participated in Maximum Occupancy New Zealand, one of the country’s leading hospitality industry conferences. Representing the company, Raymond Faulkner joined the panel discussion titled “What Keeps NZ Hotel Managers Up Late at Night”, where he shared his perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities currently facing hotel operators across the New Zealand and Australian markets. During the session, he provided valuable insights into evolving market conditions, industry trends, and the strategies hotels need to navigate an increasingly competitive and dynamic operating environment.

Swiss-Belhotel Woolloongabba, Brisbane Monthly Staff Social

Swiss-Belhotel Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Australia


Hotel Activity – With outsourced housekeeping, to maintain the connectivity between the teams, share service developments and support more effective process changes, a monthly social event is organised with Ozone Housekeeping and the hotel leadership team. This month’s social was hosted by Swiss-Belhotel Woolloongabba, Brisbane on the hotel’s 12th-floor rooftop space.

The York by Swiss-Belhotel, Sydney team celebrating its anniversary

The York by Swiss-Belhotel, Sydney, Australia


Hotel Anniversary – The hotel team marked a small yet meaningful celebration with the team on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of The York by Swiss-Belhotel, Sydney.

📍 INDONESIA

Gavin M. Faull, Executive Director / Chairman and President; Ilkin Ilyaszade, Senior Vice President – Operations and Development, Indonesia; Fabrice Mini, Regional Director of Operations & Development and Davidson Joseph, Regional Operations Manager, with Mr. Hartono, Owner of Villa Riahi by Swiss-Belhotel, and Mr Tommy Ho, Director of PT Dewi Citra Kencana and PT. Tritunas Sinar Benua

Batam, Indonesia


HMA Signing – Swiss-Belhotel International officially signed a Hotel Management Agreement with PT Tritunas Sinar Benua on 5 March 2026 for the development and operation of Riahi by Swiss-Belhotel.


Other HMA Signing:

Swiss-Belinn S. Parman Semarang - 100 rooms

Artist Impression of MĀUA NOVA OCEAN ULUWATU

Jakarta, Indonesia


MOU Signing – Swiss-Belhotel International has officially signed a Momerandum of Understanding with Bali Estate Group Ltd on 8 February 2026 for MĀUA NOVA OCEAN ULUWATU, Bali.


Other MOU Signing:

Swiss-Belinn Yogyakarta (takeover from Next Hotel Yogyakarta) - 127 rooms

Fabrice Mini – Regional Director of Operations and Development, Santa Rismauli – Group Manager Digital Marketing, together with Tomy Yovan Andriansyah – General Manager and the HOD Team of Swiss-Belhotel Karawang.

Swiss-Belhotel Karawang, Indonesia


Rebranding – Swiss-Belhotel International officially announces the rebranding of Swiss-Belinn Karawang to Swiss-Belhotel Karawang, effective 16 February 2026, marking a significant step in the group’s commitment to strengthening its upscale portfolio in one of Indonesia’s most dynamic industrial cities.

Mr. Gavin M. Faull with Swiss-Belresidences Rasuna Epicentrum team

Jakarta, Indonesia


Mr. Gavin M. Faull's visit – Swiss-Belresidences Rasuna Epicentrum had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Gavin M. Faull during his recent visit to Jakarta from 26 February - 3 March 2026.

📍 CENTRAL ASIA AND CHINA

MOU signing between Swiss-Belhotel International and Xuancheng Xingang Guorong Hotel Management Company Limited

Shanghai, China


Agreement Signing – Swiss-Belhotel International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Xuancheng Xingang Guorong Hotel Management Company Limited in Shanghai on 9 March 2026, for the 5-star Swiss-Belhotel Xuancheng, Anhui, Central of China. The signing marks an important milestone in the group’s strategic re-entry into the Chinese market.

Grand Swiss-Belhotel Melaka, Malaysia


Senior Leadership Visit – Stakeholders Tn Hj Hasif and wife Pn Azizatul Tan Sri Abdullah joined us in welcoming several senior leaders to our property; Patrick Low - Senior Vice President, Operations & Development of China and Central Asia, Edward J.L Faull - Executive Director / Senior Vice President - Group Technical Services and Projects / Senior Vice President - Projects and Development, Central Asia and Indonesia, and Paul Uglesic - Senior Regional Director, Operations & Pre-Openings of Central Asia. The visit provided a deeper understanding of our property and the business opportunities available in Melaka as we refine our strategies for 2026.

📍 PHILIPPINES

Swiss-Belhotel Blulane's 7th Anniversary

Swiss-Belhotel Blulane, Philippines


Hotel Anniversary – Swiss-Belhotel Blulane celebrated its 7th anniversary, marking another milestone in its journey of delivering quality hospitality in the historic district of Binondo, Manila. The occasion reflected the property’s strong culture of teamwork, as Step-Up program participants generously shared their prize with colleagues across departments. Long-serving team members were also recognized for their dedication and valuable contributions to the hotel’s continued success.

Swiss-Belhotel Blulane's partnership with the Missionaries of Child Jesus

Swiss-Belhotel Blulane, Philippines


CSR – Swiss-Belhotel Blulane reinforced its commitment to responsible hospitality through a corporate social responsibility initiative in partnership with the Missionaries of Child Jesus. The hotel team donated sacks of rice to support the daily needs of the community. This initiative reflects the property’s dedication to creating a positive impact beyond hospitality by supporting communities and promoting compassion and shared responsibility.

Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel, Makati

Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel, Makati, Philippines


Fire Drill – Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel, Makati, conducted a major fire evacuation drill in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection on 28 February 2026. The activity included a safety orientation, full evacuation simulation, and debriefing to assess readiness and strengthen response protocols. Through continuous training and close collaboration with local authorities, the property remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for guests and team members.

📍 EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND INDIA

Swiss-Belinn Doha, Qatar

Swiss-Belinn Doha, Qatar


GM Lunch with Staff – As part of our monthly GM Lunch with Staff initiative, this activity serves as an important communication platform between the General Manager and the team. It provides an opportunity for colleagues to openly share their daily experiences, feedback, and suggestions. This initiative strengthens engagement, fosters transparency, and ensures that every team member feels valued, heard, and genuinely cared for.

Swiss-Belinn Nairobi, Kenya

Swiss-Belinn Nairobi, Kenya


Corporate Cocktail Party – Swiss-Belinn Nairobi had the pleasure of hosting its Annual Corporate Party, an exclusive evening dedicated to celebrating the valued bookers and partners who are at the heart of everything it does. The night brought together corporate, NGO, and tour and travel clients for a meaningful night of appreciation. It was a wonderful occasion to honor the trust, loyalty, and continued support of its partners, who remain an integral part of its journey and the foundation of its shared success.

Swiss-Belhotel Seef, Bahrain

Swiss-Belhotel Seef, Bahrain


Competition – Swiss-Belhotel Seef also participated in the Bahrain Building Lights Competition, where the property was awarded 3rd place by BTEA at the Officers Club of the Capital Governorate.

Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar, Kuwait

Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar, Kuwait


CSR – Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar team proudly participated in a community park cleanup in Bneid Al Gar, contributing to a cleaner, greener environment for everyone.

Swiss-Belhotel Kendari, ID


Upon arrival I was greeted by Mita at the front desk who made my check-in a smooth experience with a friendly welcome, polite and professional approach. She is an asset to this hotel. The front door security are well mannered and overly helpful too.


Asliin Carnee via Google 

13 February 2026


Amazing staff


Swiss-Belhotel Woolloongabba, Brisbane, AU


My flight had been cancelled and there were no other hotels available. The staff went above and beyond to assist me and get a room ready at midnight. I couldn't thank them enough, especially Sally. The room was very decent too.


Nasser via Agoda

18 February 2026


Spacious


Grand Swiss-Belhotel Melaka, MY


In general the whole hotel feels spacious. The lobby very attractive and grand. The room is well decorated. The bed very comfortable especially the pillow. Very rare to get pillows as soft & cloudlike. Not sure if it's down pillow but had a good night sleep. The bathroom looks newly renovated. As we were on the 11th floor our view of the city was impressive. Dinner & Breakfast buffet was moderate. Taste & variety can be better. Will consider staying here again when in Malacca Front desk staff were welcoming & helpful


RM via Agoda

30 January 2026

By Hidayat Jayawardana March 12, 2026
Swiss-Belhotel International supported Help@Hand national fundraising campaign, raising NZD 36,540.
By Hidayat Jayawardana March 9, 2026
Swiss-Belhotel International Chairman, Mr. Gavin Faull , was recently featured as a guest on The NBR Podcast, hosted by Simon Shepherd . In this insightful episode, titled "Growing Swiss-Belhotel: Global Hotelier on Success in Hospitality and Tourism ," Mr. Faull shares the remarkable journey of building a global hospitality powerhouse. From his humble beginnings on a New Zealand farm to overseeing a portfolio of 165 hotels across 20 countries , Mr. Faull provides a masterclass in international hotel management. The discussion delves into the strategies required to overcome industry challenges and the visionary leadership driving Swiss-Belhotel International toward an ambitious goal: reaching 530 hotels by the year 2035 . About NBR NBR (National Business Review) publishes NZ's leading business and finance podcasts, artificial intelligence, covering market shifts, investment, economics, and corporate leadership.
By Hidayat Jayawardana March 3, 2026
Swiss-Belhotel International is proud to announce that our Chairman and President, Gavin M. Faull , has been featured as a prominent global industry leader in the February edition of HM Magazine . In the 24th Edition of the HM Industry Leaders Forum , titled "Travel + Leisure Co. pursues global growth," Mr. Faull shares his expert insights and strategic vision for the year ahead. As the hospitality landscape continues to evolve, this feature highlights his perspectives alongside other esteemed hoteliers, tourism professionals, and suppliers across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The 2026 Industry Leaders Forum serves as a premier platform for informed discourse on the future of the sector. It brings together the collective wisdom of the industry’s most influential figures to provide a comprehensive view of emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities within the global tourism market. About HM HM, first published in 1997, is the leading accommodation trade magazine in the region and is distributed to accommodation properties in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and countries around the South Pacific and Asia Pacific region.
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