Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director International Operations, Wyndham Destinations at Travel + Leisure Co. looks ahead to another successful year with the continued growth of Club Wyndham vacation clubs, major hotel openings, and elevated customer experiences.
Our international region consists of some 71,000 vacation club members, approximately 75 resorts and operations across 13 countries. We are focused on growing our member base, acquiring properties suited to our vacation clubs, as well as mixed-use and pure-play hotel management opportunities.
We are in interesting times. Leisure travel is back, but while most markets are shaking off the shackles of the pandemic, China has only just opened its borders. Interest rates, inflation and a dramatic increase in the cost of air travel are impacting travel choices, and while we are seeing international traveller numbers rise, Asia as a whole has been a slower recovery. As such, we are still largely focused on serving the domestic markets within the countries that we operate. Fiji is an exception – Club Wyndham Denarau Island been operating above 90% occupancy since March 2022, filled with international visitors. This is pleasing to see, when you consider how the Fijian people (with an economy so largely reliant on tourism) were impacted by the border closures of 2020 and 2021.
Our refurbishment program is perpetual and in 2022, we completed a robust calendar of works. In Australia, this included upgrades at Ramada Golden Beach, Ramada Shoal Bay, and Club Wyndham Airlie Beach, including the addition of three Presidential Suites, which are proving very popular.
We also added to our hotel management portfolio, taking on the management of Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort and Villas in Thailand, Zenmaya Oceanfront Phuket, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, and the 130-room Wyndham Garden Sapporo Odori in Japan. This March, the 120-room TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide will open its doors. TRYP is a youthful vibrant brand and the hotel will certainly be the city’s hippest new place to stay.
At all our properties, sustainability is a priority with energy saving, composting, biodegradable room entry swipes, bulk dispensers for amenities, and car charging bays (at select resorts), just some initiatives in place.
As the world returns to travel, our need to attract and retain great talent is crucial. We have offered more benefits across the business to retain associates and increased our referral payouts. We continue to lead the industry when it comes to our healthcare, mental health, and wellbeing benefits. As a result, Travel + Leisure Co. was recognised by Forbes Magazine as one of the World’s Best Employers for 2022.