HMC Appoints New Executive in Asia Pacific

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC), the world's leading provider of outsourced CRM-driven database management and loyalty marketing programs for premium hotel organizations, today announced the appointment of Octavio Gamarra to the position of Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, effective January 1st 2012.

As Vice President and Managing Director, Octavio will oversee the strategic direction and partnership development of HMC in Asia Pacific. Continuing the company's significant growth and momentum in the region for all three of HMC's core products – Premium Membership Programs, CLUBHOTEL, and VOILA Hotel Rewards – Octavio will focus on enhancing client and member geographical distribution and engagement throughout Asia Pacific. In addition, Octavio will employ his deep experience to advance HMC's e-commerce and partnership opportunities with the goal of expanding alternate distribution and revenue channels for our hotel partners. Under Octavio's leadership, HMC also plans to expand its geographical presence throughout the region.

Octavio recently designed and delivered executive training programs for Citibank, N.A. throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa. He has held a number of senior management positions leading global hotel companies, including serving as Senior Vice President at Dusit International during the hotel's expansion into the international market, as well as 18 years in Ritz Carlton most recently as General Manager at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore, where he led the hotel to over 70 million U.S. dollars in yearly sales. A graduate of the acclaimed hotel management program at the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland, Octavio brings to HMC a proven track record with over 20 years of experience in some of the world's most prominent hotels.

"We are delighted to welcome Octavio to his new role," said Mokhtar Ramadan, CEO of Hospitality Marketing Concepts. "With this appointment, HMC further aligns our organization around a commitment to performance excellence. Octavio's extensive experience working with top hotel, airline, bank and credit card partners will have a major influence on HMC's future by ensuring continued, steadfast success in business and partnership development both for our premium paid-membership programs and VOILA Hotel Rewards."

"HMC is the worldwide leading provider of premium hotel loyalty programs; I was always impressed with the company's forward thinking and continuous investment in new technology. HMC's relationship with their clients and members is based on trust and now, more than ever, service providers need to establish customer loyalty with their stakeholders. My mission will be to strengthen our presence in the region and to engage our clients and members," Mr. Gamarra commented.

Founded in 1988, HMC's world-class management team has consistently demonstrated its ability to profitably manage loyalty programs through strategic geographic growth and investment in the development of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and proprietary operational technologies.

About Hospitality Marketing Concepts

Headquartered in Newport Beach, Southern California, HMC (www.HMCloyalty.com) is the leading provider of travel-industry premium paid consumer membership and database management programs. HMC provides loyalty services to more than 1,000 full-service hotels worldwide. HMC's customized paid-membership programs are designed to drive incremental revenue and increased profitability to all areas of partner hotels.

In addition, HMC's VOILA Hotel Rewards business unit (www.voilahotels.com) is the world's number one loyalty program that unites a network of more than 250 four- and five-star independent hotels and luxury brands. VOILA's points-based frequency guest program provides recognition benefits and room redemption opportunities at participating network hotels. But unlike big chain programs, VOILA enables independent hotel groups to stay independent and maintain their unique qualities.

A selection of HMC's clients includes InterContinental Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Radisson Hotels, Movenpick Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Husa Hoteles, Tivoli Hotels, Hoteis Deville, Amari Hotels and Swissotel Hotels. HMC is a global company with offices in more than 50 countries including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Egypt, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom and United States. More information about HMC may be found on the company's website www.HMCloyalty.com or by contacting Peter Gorla, Vice President & CMO at +1 (949) 260-9538 or via email at [email protected].

SOURCE Hospitality Marketing Concepts