[Hong Kong, April 2024] Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world's leading airport hospitality service
provider, has appointed John Girard, a veteran global hotel executive with deep experience in
Hong Kong, as General Manager Operations for Hong Kong.
[Hong Kong, April 2024] Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world's leading airport hospitality service
provider, has appointed John Girard, a veteran global hotel executive with deep experience in
Hong Kong, as General Manager Operations for Hong Kong.
Mr. Girard has an extensive hospitality career, including over three decades in leadership
positions at Hong Kong hotels, most recently as Area General Manager and Vice President of
Development at Regal Hotels International, managing the 1,200-room Regal Airport Hotel.
Over the course of working in Hong Kong’s hotel sector since 1987, Mr. Girard has witnessed
the huge growth and transformation of the tourism and hospitality industries in the territory. He
brings robust relationships with the Hong Kong International Airport, and with the Hong Kong
Hotels Association as a long-standing executive committee member.
A native of Malta, Mr. Girard’s career has spanned 16 countries across four continents,
including locations like Georgetown, Guyana to Darwin, Australia. Hotel brands that Mr. Girard
has worked for include Hyatt in the Middle East, the Pegasus Hotel in Guyana, the Beaufort
Hotel in Darwin, and the Sino and Marco Polo hotels in Hong Kong.
“You could say that tourism is in my blood, as this was the bedrock of the economy of my home
island of Malta,” Mr. Girard said. “I’ve been fortunate to have a far-ranging career, and I’m
excited to be able to bring my knowledge of customer service, operational excellence and client
experiences to airport hospitality at PPG.”
Mr. Girard will oversee PPG’s operations at its hometown Hong Kong International Airport,
where PPG provides a 360 airport hospitality experience including three Plaza Premium
Lounges, a Plaza Premium First lounge, its innovative Intervals cocktail lounge,
17 airport services provided by Allways, and a dining outlet, Root98.
“Hong Kong International Airport has always had a special place in our hearts and history, as
the birthplace of Plaza Premium Lounge. For 25 years, PPG has grown up hand-in-hand with
the Hong Kong airport as an invaluable partner,” said Mr. Song Hoi-see, founder and CEO of
PPG. “John is not only a tourism leader with diverse experience, but someone who understands
the Hong Kong hospitality market and how to deliver customer service excellence. Together
with the operations team, he will make travel better for this major transport hub.”
About Plaza Premium Group
Plaza Premium Group, headquartered in Hong Kong and established in 1998, is a pioneering
global airport hospitality services provider. With a mission to Make Travel Better, the group
introduced the world's first independent airport lounge concept. Today, PPG operates the
largest network of international airport lounges worldwide and offers a 360-degree airport
experience with 13 brands under its portfolio, spanning over 250 locations across more than 80
airports worldwide and over 30 countries. From airport lounge brands - Plaza Premium Lounge
& Plaza Premium First, to terminal hotels - Aerotel & Refreshhh by Aerotel, to meet and greet
services - ALLWAYS, a range of airport dining concepts, global reward and membership
program - Smart Traveller, and travel experience ECOsystem - oneTECO, the group is at the
forefront of transforming airport experience for the better through innovative and human-led
solutions.
To learn more: https://www.plazapremiumgroup.com/
Connect with us: FB, IG, @plazapremiumlounge and WeChat @PlazaPremiumGroup
Press contacts:- COMPANION Communications
Dominique Backhouse –Hong Kong: Dominique@companioncommunications.com
Sneha Rupani-Nagpal – Singapore: Sneha@companioncommunications.com