Pan Pacific Pursues U.S. Gateway Presence

Pan Pacific Hotels Group is targeting key U.S. gateway cities for development following its appointment of a new vice president of development for the region.

Todd Wynne-Parry last month joined the Singapore-based hotel company to oversee North American development, having most recently led development for InterContinental Hotels Group in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. He also has worked with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International.

Currently, the bulk of the Pan Pacific luxury brand properties are in Asia and Australia, although it does have properties in Seattle, Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia. Wynne-Parry said the company now has a goal of opening Pan Pacific properties in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

While the company does not currently have a timeline for these openings, Wynne-Parry said the company wants hotels—four- or five-star properties with 250 rooms or more—in North America gateway cities "as soon as possible." It is exploring a variety of options, including acquisitions and joint ventures, he said.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group operates as a subsidiary of Singapore property developer UOL Group. Besides its 17 Pan Pacific properties, Pan Pacific Hotels Group also owns hotels under the luxury ParkRoyal Hotels and Resorts brand.