by Kerstan Szczepanski, Exhibit City News
Peng Sum Choe, the CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, boasts over 40 years of experience in the international hospitality industry. His journey began at Cornell University, where he pursued a hotel management degree on a Shangri-La Group scholarship. Subsequently, Choe spent 15 years honing his skills at Shangri-La, establishing himself in the world of hospitality.
With over 20 years as the CEO of Fraser’s Hospitality, Choe achieved remarkable growth, expanding the company’s portfolio from 2 to nearly 240 properties. It’s clear that growth is Choe’s driving force. In his four years as CEO at Pan Pacific Hotels Group, not even the challenges of the pandemic could hinder his ambitions, as Pan Pacific opened properties in numerous cities across the Asia-Pacific region.
“It’s been a productive four years,” Choe reflects. “I didn’t want to join a company that was content with the status quo. There was a hunger for growth.”
This appetite for expansion extended beyond Asia. In 2021, Parkroyal Monash Melbourne opened its doors, followed closely by Pan Pacific London. In 2022, Kuala Lumpur welcomed the Parkroyal Collection and Pan Pacific Serviced Suites. Japan became home to the Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel, a result of a partnership with a Tokyo corporation.
Even Africa has become part of the Pan Pacific family with Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Nairobi.
In Singapore, the headquarters of Pan Pacific, the Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore, opened its doors in 2023. Described on their website as “Soaring above Singapore’s prime shopping belt, Pan Pacific Orchard is a verdant sanctuary with exemplary architectural design that draws nature inwards, featuring four seamlessly connected stacks—Forest, Beach, Garden, and Cloud—each providing exceptional experiences across unique environments.”
More properties are on the horizon. Parkroyal Serviced Suites are set to open in Bangkok, Hanoi, and Jakarta, with a Pan Pacific hotel soon to grace Phnom Penh.
Pan Pacific Group now boasts three brands: the five-star Pan Pacific Hotels, which offer “gracious and genuine hospitality that delivers personalized and thoughtful experiences with intuitive and sincere service from the heart,” according to their website. The Parkroyal Collection hotels are biophilic and deeply connected with nature. “Sustainability is the space that we want to capture,” says Choe. Lastly, the four-star Parkroyal Hotels have a more localized flavor, each embracing its unique neighborhood.
Choe is well aware of where the group stands and where he envisions it in the future. “We are a burgeoning hotel group with around 60 properties, trailing behind major chains like Marriott and InterContinental. My dream is to cultivate a highly regarded Asian hospitality business. It’s time to make our mark.”
About Pan Pacific
Pan Pacific Hotels Group is a global hospitality company boasting over 50 hotels, resorts, and serviced suites under three brands: Pan Pacific, Parkroyal Collection, and Parkroyal. With a presence in over 30 cities across Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe, and headquartered in Singapore, it is a member of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited. Visit their website at www.panpacific.com.
