Anchalika Kijkanakorn, owner and managing director of Thailand-based AHMS Hotels, has become the first female chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
She is also the first Asian-based chairman of the group which covers more than 520 hotels in 70 countries.
Kijkanakorn, who has been on the board of the SLH for six years, said: “Seeing an SLH plaque when you check into a hotel or make a booking puts your mind at ease. It’s a stamp of quality, a mark of assurance of the little things and attention to detail upon which true luxury depends.
“It’s a great pleasure for me to now become a global representative for so many like-minded independent small hotel operators.
“Boutique is beautiful, that’s my mantra. It’s the small hotels and resorts that often deliver the most authentic experiences, unique touches, exotic locations and are ahead of the curve when it comes to hospitality trends and innovations.”
Three of the AHMS Collection’s four beachfront resorts are members of SLH and will be joined by the soon to open AKARYN Retreat in Cambodia.
Other options also being pursued in Myanmar and other parts of the region as part of the next phase of the company’s expansion.
Kijkanaorn added: “When a luxury resort is running properly, it’s like a symphony orchestra, where each instrument has its part in the whole production.
“I hope to make some beautiful music with SLH and my fellow independent hoteliers as we tackle the challenges, issues and opportunities of the year ahead.”