InterContinental Group Hires GMs in Los Angeles & Tel Aviv

InterContinental Group, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, is opening a new chapter of success in both Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. To further asssist in their growth, the Group has just hired two new General Managers to take the reins and guide their respective teams to provide unique and unforgettable guest experiences.

1. Los Angeles & Tel Aviv Welcome New InterContinental General Managers

Southern California and the Mediterranean city of Tel Aviv are getting two new faces at the helm of their InterContinental Hotels as general managers. Spanning the globe from the Pacific to the greater Middle East, these forward-looking women will be ready to take on the challenge of delivering the best possible experience for every guest who stays at either property.

At the InterContinental Century City Los Angeles, Lina Puhtala takes the lead as General Manager. She has a wealth of experience to draw on, both in the hospitality world and as a leader. She has worked in Southern California, as well as stints in London, Ireland, Hawaii and Amsterdam. Her energetic and enthused approach to customer service has earned her the respect of corporate and staff alike.

In Tel Aviv, Ulrika Seiler-Holzer will be taking up the mantle as General Manager. Ms. Seiler-Holzer brings with her decades of experience in the hospitality industry, from management roles in France and Switzerland, to working as General Manager internationally. Her breadth of experience and proven track record make her an excellent addition to the team. ​

Both will be equipped with the following qualities to maximize success in their new positions:

• Leadership: Inspiring teams to exceed guest expectations.
• Strategic Thinking: Identifying and achieving goals to drive business success.
• Customer Orientation: Making sure customers feel valued and have an industry-leading experience.

These two competent and experienced women will be instrumental in their roles as General Managers, driving performance and delivering great guest experiences.

2. InterContinental Continues Expansion with Experienced GMs

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the largest and oldest hotel chain in the world, continues to expand their exceptional hospitality and growing roster of properties around the globe. With 210 established properties and a steadily increasing presence in iconic destinations like New York, London, and Los Angeles, the hotel chain is also filling up managerial roles with experienced and well-respected general managers.

The InterContinental portfolio involves both existing hotels and newly constructed locations. Their new GMs bring extensive knowledge of hospitality and operations to the brand. This expertise is invaluable, ensuring smooth and successful opening and ongoing management of the properties in each region. The criteria for selection in each property includes proven track record of business success and understanding of the InterContinental commitment to excellence.

• Proven business success that meets the InterContinental standard
• Understanding and upholding of the InterContinental commitment to excellence
• Highly experienced general managers with extensive knowledge of hospitality and operations

3. From East to West: InterContinental Strengthens Leadership

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is bridging different corners of the globe by strengthening its leadership in the hospitality industry.

• North America: IHG recently announced a partnership with Wurld Media, a leader in mobile music streaming, to provide hotel guests access to their music streaming library. This move is expected to provide strong footfall to their North American sites.
• Europe: IHG is also setting a technology-driven trend throughout Europe, with their Hotel Chips program. Hotel Chips gives users the ability to purchase goods and services from IHG Hotels, such as meals, spa treatments, and in-room amenities, by selecting them through a secure mobile app.

Elevating the standards of both luxury and convenience, IHG is making its presence felt across the globe. To step up their reach, the company recently rolled out a $200 million fund to promote and expand their presence in the Middle East and North Africa. This development brings further emphasis to their position in the industry, helping to reinforce their commitment. A number of the company’s innovations have been designed to improve industry standards both in terms of services as well as the hospitality experience.

4. New GMs will Bring Expertise and Leadership to InterContinental Group

InterContinental Group is proud to welcome two new General Managers to the company’s ranks. With their respective experience and distinctive leadership, they will advance the Group’s value in the competitive business world of hospitality.

The first of the two new GMs, Tomas Aranja, comes from a decade-long background at the luxury hotel industry’s premier brand, Four Seasons. His sharp business acumen and creative approach to working with employees have made him an invaluable addition to InterContinental Group’s human resources team. With his skill, he will be able to give the team a unique perspective on tackling the business world’s ever-changing dynamics.

The second of our new GMs is a veteran leader, Yukiyo Gogochi. Yukiyo has worked in several prominent international hospitality roles over the past 20 years. He brings with him superior knowledge on the digital marketing realm, having been a leader in developing innovative methods of onboarding guests. With his expertise, Yukiyo is well-equipped to spearhead the Group’s initiatives on digital sales strategies.

Both Tomas and Yukiyo are top-level professionals who bring great value to InterContinental Group and their respective expertise and vast experience will be a great addition to its leadership. We could not be more excited to have them on board!

• Tomas Aranja – Decade-long background at the Four Seasons luxury hotel
• Yukiyo Gogochi – Veteran leader, 20 years experience in international hospitality roles

The InterContinental Group has taken a great step forward in expanding its reach and influence with these latest hires of General Managers in two of the world’s most vibrant cities- Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. This move is sure to open doors to a plethora of new and exciting opportunities, as well as a closer connection between both communities. With these new appointments, it appears that the future for InterContinental is set to be a bright one!