David Udell (left) will be succeeded by industry veteran Stephen Ho, currently Hyatt’s president, Greater China & Growth, Asia Pacific.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Stephen Ho as group president, Asia Pacific, effective 1 January 2027. He will succeed David Udell, who will retire from the position on 31 December 2026, after leading the region since 2014.
Udell will continue with Hyatt as senior advisor from 1 January 2027, focusing on developing future hospitality leaders and supporting the company's luxury business ambitions.
Ho brings more than 40 years of hospitality industry experience to the role. He currently serves as president, Greater China & Growth, Asia Pacific, where he has overseen Hyatt's Greater China business and supported the group's regional growth priorities.
According to Hyatt, Ho’s successor in Greater China will be announced at a later date.
Before joining Hyatt in 2018, Ho held senior leadership positions in the hospitality industry, including president, Asia Pacific, at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and CEO, Greater China, at Marriott International.
His appointment follows Udell's 44-year career with Hyatt, which began in Singapore in 1982 as a corporate management trainee. Over the course of his career, Udell held food and beverage leadership positions across Asia, served as the first GM of Park Hyatt Tokyo and later led Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
He subsequently moved into regional and global operations leadership roles before becoming Group President, Asia Pacific, in 2014.
During his tenure as regional president, Udell contributed to the expansion of the Park Hyatt brand across Asia Pacific and the development of Hyatt's luxury portfolio in the region.
Commenting on the transition, Hyatt chairman, president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian credited Udell's leadership with supporting the region's growth, strengthening relationships with hotel owners and advancing the company's commercial performance.
The leadership transition comes as Hyatt continues to develop its portfolio across the Asia Pacific region, spanning luxury, lifestyle, full-service and all-inclusive hospitality segments.