AFTER HELPING Tokyo rebuild its meetings industry in the wake of a natural disaster and overseeing the transformation of one of Japan’s best-known hotels ahead of Expo 2025, Cy West has set his sights on a new challenge: persuading international event planners to take a closer look at the Lao capital.
The London-born hotel executive has relocated to Vientiane as Cluster General Manager of Crowne Plaza Vientiane and Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane, two IHG-operated properties that are seeking to build on their reputation as business events venues and attract greater interest from the international MICE market.
Cy West
Vientiane is a wonderful destination and deserves to have a higher profile as a MICE destination.
“With the truly exceptional facilities we have at both hotels, my goal is to introduce discerning event planners to the city and put Laos on the MICE map.”
West arrives in Laos after two years leading the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, where he served as chief operating officer and oversaw a major renovation of the 1,001-room property before its integration into IHG’s Vignette Collection. The hotel adopted global brand standards as part of preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka.
Over a career spanning three decades, West has held both commercial and operational leadership roles across several international hotel groups. His years in Japan were particularly notable for his involvement in the meetings and events sector.
Following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, he led Tokyo’s Back to Business campaign and became the first non-Japanese member of the Tokyo International MICE Acquisition Committee, helping promote the city as a leading Asian destination for meetings and conventions.
The Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza precinct in Vientiane
That experience is likely to be tested again in Vientiane, where IHG is seeking to capitalise on recent momentum. The company’s local properties have collected regional industry awards and hosted meetings linked to ASEAN 2024, providing a platform from which to pursue a larger share of international business events.
IHG said West’s appointment underlined its commitment to developing Vientiane as a business events destination.
His new remit spans two distinct hotel brands. While Crowne Plaza Vientiane targets business travellers, Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane caters to guests seeking a more experiential stay.
Both properties are also competing for meetings and events business in a market that remains relatively under the radar compared with regional rivals such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
West said his approach centres on delivering authentic local experiences while investing in service standards and talent development.
“True hospitality is fundamentally about ensuring that our guests have the opportunity for authentic local experiences and creating genuine, lasting connections,” West said.
He added that the challenge was not simply running two hotels, but convincing international planners that Laos deserves a place on their shortlist. If his track record in Japan is any indication, Vientiane’s ambitions to attract more meetings and events delegates may have gained a valuable advocate.
Main picture… 3 Merchants restaurant serving Indochine cuisine is one of the dining options at Crowne Plaza Vientiane
