Hyatt to Name Stephen Ho Asia Pacific President
Stephen Ho will become Group President, Asia Pacific, effective January 1, 2027, succeeding David Udell, who retires as a Senior Advisor.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
Hyatt Hotels Corporation will appoint Stephen Ho as Group President, Asia Pacific, effective January 1, 2027. David Udell, who has led the region since 2014, retires from his current role effective December 31, 2026, and continues with Hyatt as a Senior Advisor.
Why it matters
The leadership change places an executive with more than two decades at Starwood and Hyatt in charge of the company's Asia Pacific operations. Continuity from Udell's advisory role may support the transition.
Udell joined Hyatt in Singapore in 1982 and has led the Asia Pacific region since 2014, while Ho, who joined in 2018, currently oversees Greater China and growth in the region. Hyatt has not yet named a successor for Ho's current role.
The players
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt is a global hospitality company that operates hotel brands including Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt across many regions.
Stephen Ho
Stephen Ho is a hospitality executive with roughly 40 years of industry experience who previously led Asia Pacific operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
David Udell
David Udell is a long-serving Hyatt executive who began his career in Singapore and has led the company's Asia Pacific region since 2014.
The details
Hyatt announced that Stephen Ho, currently President, Greater China & Growth, Asia Pacific, will take over as Group President, Asia Pacific. David Udell, who previously served as first General Manager of Park Hyatt Tokyo and General Manager of Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, will move to a Senior Advisor role after retiring from his position.
Timeline
- 1982: David Udell joins Hyatt in Singapore as a corporate management trainee.
- 2014: Udell begins leading the Asia Pacific region.
- 2018: Stephen Ho joins Hyatt.
- December 31, 2026: Udell retires from his current role.
- January 1, 2027: Ho becomes Group President, Asia Pacific.
Market Landscape
Ho's prior role as President, Asia Pacific, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts reflects how Hyatt has folded former Starwood leadership into its regional management structure. The appointment signals continuity in Hyatt's competitive push across Asia Pacific hotel markets.
For Hyatt guests across Asia Pacific, the leadership change is not expected to alter bookings or room rates immediately. Travelers and loyalty members may see the effects of the new regional strategy over time as Ho's team sets priorities from 2027 onward.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at large hotel groups often signal shifts in regional strategy, so readers tracking Hyatt's Asia Pacific business should watch for the successor announcement and any updates to the company's growth priorities in the region.
What happens next
A successor for Stephen Ho's current role as President, Greater China & Growth, Asia Pacific will be announced at a later date. Ho assumes the group president role on January 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more on leadership moves like this, browse the People section.
