IHG raises the Barr as Gowers goes
SINGAPORE – Intercontinental Hotels (IHG) Asia Pacific CEO Peter Gowers is leaving the company.
Gowers was appointed in July 2007 in controversial circumstances, after former CEO Patrick Imbardelli left following the discovery of inaccuracies on his CV.
Now Gowers is quitting IHG on July 31. His departure was announced in the fourth paragraph of an IHG media release.
IHG spun the following not-so-simple explanation, “This change is part of a broader cost saving programme involving streamlining various parts of the global organisation, discretionary cost control, improved efficiency and effectiveness and making greater use of IHG’s scale to achieve purchasing savings.â€
When Gowers was appointed as Asia Pacific CEO, IHG global boss Andy Coslett enthused, “Peter has been responsible for raising the quality of our brand management, most clearly seen in the recent, highly successful evolution of the InterContinental brand.
“He has overseen the development of Priority Club Rewards into the industry’s largest loyalty scheme with over 33 million members, and built up the power of IHG’s websites and reservation systems.â€
No longer it seems.
IHG says its Asia Pacific organisation is being restructured and streamlined “while giving greater focus to individual parts of the regionâ€.
“IHG’s operations in Greater China are now of sufficient scale that they will become a separate business unit under the leadership of Keith Barr, regional managing director based in Shanghai.â€
A second business unit comprising IHG’s operations in southern Asia, Japan, Korea and the Pacific will be led by Jan Smits, regional managing director based in Singapore.
Coslett thanked Gowers for his contribution to the company.
By Ian Jarrett
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026