Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney has welcomed back Michael Cottan as Vice President and General Manager.
Cottan was previously general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney from 2003 to 2008.
He has now returned to the city he has always fondly referred to as his second home. In 2003, Cottan was instrumental in the property’s successful journey from ANA to Shangri-La, which then became the blueprint for the group’s further development in other Western destinations.
During his initial tenure at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, Cottan also completed an AUD$40 million refurbishment, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ first expansion program into a non-Asian location.
Prior to his recent appointment, Cottan held the position of Executive Vice President for Southeast Asia and Oceania, which he assumed in December 2011.
In this role, he was responsible for the success of 27 Shangri-La hotels and resorts located in Australia, Fiji, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar.
Based in the regional office at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, he reported directly to Shangri-La’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Dogan.
With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Cottan has played an instrumental role in the growth of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. After joining the hotel group in 1993, he moved rapidly through the ranks and was actively involved in achieving many of the company’s milestones, including the opening of Shangri‑La Hotel, Jakarta in 1994 and of Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai in 1998.
During his 21-year tenure with the hotel group, he managed major Shangri-La hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Cottan, who is a British national, started his career in food and beverage operations. His passion for the hospitality industry has taken him to 12 countries across five continents.