Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts has announced the promotions of Paul Wilson to the positioning of Executive Vice President, Ratchaya Termsilkanok to VP Strategy & Digital Transformation, Evan Burns to Country Manager Indonesia, and Tran Lam to Director of Technical Services & Business Development, as part of the company’s bold expansion across Asia Pacific and beyond.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the future of Cross Hotels & Resorts, with the energetic young leadership team we have developed from within, our potential is unlimited,” says CEO Harry Thaliwal. “There is no one better than our new Executive Vice President, Paul Wilson, to both inspire and deliver on our promise of operational excellence throughout our business. The tremendous growth we’ve experienced over the past years is only the beginning.”
“Together with Ratchaya Termsilkanok, Evan Burns, and Tran Lam, we have already celebrated several signings across Asia Pacific this year, including our 716 key mega deal with Tan Thanh Trading & Tourism JSC in Vietnam, and 6 hotels in Bali.” he continues, “Traditional models of hospitality business and operations are out. We are focused on dynamic commercial growth by doing it ‘The Cross Way’ – scalable, sustainable, and profitable for all our partners.”
Paul Wilson, Executive Vice President
Paul Wilson, who joined Cross Hotels & Resorts in 2018 as the Executive Vice President Commercial has been instrumental in establishing the group as one of the fastest growing brands in the Southeast Asia. “My career has been built around my two greatest passions: building high performing teams and smashing commercial performance across the world’s most competitive markets.”
As Executive Vice President, Paul Wilson will be responsible for leading the groups operational excellence and the successful execution of all aspects of the company’s global guest strategy, including brand development, sales and marketing, revenue management, guest engagement, digital transformation, and loyalty strategies.
Commenting on his promotion, he said: “I’ve spent the past 22 months on an accelerated path switching out traditional ways of driving and measuring performance, while completely remodeling structures at speed. The journey has been tumultuous but tremendously successful, both commercially and personally. We are here to be the catalyst for the change that our industry, and most importantly our guests, have been crying out for.”
“I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and I am proud to be working with our CEO Harry Thaliwal, as well as fellow leaders Ratchaya Termsilkanok, Evan Burns, and Tran Lam, to continue to fire up our winning culture.”
Paul Wilson has led unprecedented growth by championing innovative new business models at both the strategic and tactical level. Whether it’s his agile approach to new owners contracts, or instigating the businesses game changing use of social media, his ability to think differently has brought ‘The Cross Way’ to life, with unprecedented success.
Prior to joining Cross Hotels & Resorts, Paul Wilson was Vice President of Sales for Thailand’s Centara Hotels & Resorts; and has held leadership position for the Mantra Group in Australia, driving growth from 23 to over 100 properties.
Ratchaya Termsilkanok, VP Strategy & Digital Transformation
Having joined Cross Hotels & Resorts in 2019 after an extensive career leading Revenue Management teams for Radisson, Marriot, and Dusit, Ratchaya Termsilkanok will now take the helm of the Strategy and Digital Transformation team, spearheading the company’s evolution at the intersection of technology and hospitality.
“Cross Hotels & Resorts continues to buck industry trends with our energy and ambition. We are consistently at the forefront of inspiring and adopting hospitality innovation. I am honored to be leading our ongoing transformation.” he said.
“The hospitality sector is ripe for revolution, delivering high-quality relevant experiences that connect deeply with customers is essential.” Asked about his strategic approach, Ratchaya said, “Now is not the time to be fearful of tomorrow, and it’s not enough to simply embrace change; we have to aggressively drive the evolution of communication, design and experiences that are transforming our industry and our way of life.”
Evan Burns – Country Manager Indonesia
For the past 4 years Evan Burns has been the General Manager for Away Bali Legian as well as Area Manager for Indonesia and Japan. Evan Burns has been passionately seeking opportunities for business development across both countires with phenomenal success.
He has been instrumental in signing new management agreements for Tanadewa Resort & Spa Ubud by Cross Collection, Tanadewa Villas & Spa Nusa Dua by Cross Collection, and more recently Away Lombok Mandalika & Amber Lombok Beach Resort by Cross Collection. He has also extended the company footprint in Japan with the opening of Away Okinawa Kouri Island Resort, the jewel in the crown for Cross Hotels & Resorts Japan. The tropical paradise resort overlooks the emerald green seas of Okinawa and opened in July 2021.
“My vision is to lead the expansion of Cross Hotels & Resorts further into Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, Yogyakarta and beyond,” he said.
As remarked by CEO Harry Thaliwal, “Evan is a hands-on, roll your sleeves up and get stuck in leader and mentor to his team. He leads all operations from the front, ensuring our guests are exceptionally well looked after. He treats his teams like family and always delivers the best for our owners. I could not have asked for a better leader in Indonesia.”
Tran Lam – Director of Technical Services & Business Development
“Tran Lam has had the biggest year of his career,” said CEO Harry Thaliwal. “He was at the heart of our two property, 716-key mega deal in Vietnam signed with Tan Thanh Trading & Tourism JSC. It is one of the biggest greenfield deals in Asia and he achieved this against the backdrop of the global pandemic. I am so proud of what he has achieved, and we can only imagine how far he will go.”
Tran Lam said, “For me, every successful deal is even more than a business agreement. It is a partnership, a friendship, and an ongoing promise of trust. The closer that partnership, the more we can complement each other’s success”
“I am so excited to be introducing our luxury and lifestyle brands to Southeast Asia. Our luxury by design approach is capturing the imagination of owners who share our progressive culture.” He continued, “We are at our best when we are building relationships with visionary owners who share in our passion to create luxury travel experiences that inspire our guests.”
Tran Lam possesses an extensive academic background in design, architecture, and engineering, and has worked for over 18 years on projects across the urban design space. As a young leader he has taken charge of several high-profile projects in Vietnam, China, and the UK, valued in excess of $50 million. He will be based in Vietnam guide Cross Hotels & Resort expansion in the country.
