Alex Castaldi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Sunway International Hotels & Resorts in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Sunway Hospitality Group, Malaysia's leading hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts and integrated attractions across Southeast Asia, has appointed Mr. Alex Castaldi as its Chief Executive Officer, as it moves into an exciting new era of expansion that will see it grow its portfolio, attract the best professional talent, and meet the needs of discerning guests from all around the globe. A leader who embraces innovation, Alex strives to blend energy with empathy. Having joined Sunway in 2017 as General Manager of The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, he transformed this all-villa resort into one of Malaysia's most desirable wellness and dining destinations. Following a position to Senior GM of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels, a trio of properties comprising more than 1,500 rooms, suites & villas, he oversaw the USD 60 million transformation of Sunway Resort Hotel -- the group's flagship five-star property -- and formed partnerships with iconic F&B brands, including Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. This resulted to all three hotels having increased average daily rates (ADR) and achieve a record-breaking revenue in 2023, contributing to Alex taking on the role of Sunway Hospitality Group's Chief Operating Officer in February 2024. Now, as CEO, Alex, alongside his management team, will lead Sunway Hospitality in reshaping its operations both in Malaysia and internationally. The vision is to move "beyond hospitality" by aligning the hotel business with other key pillars of the Sunway Group, and to expand its global presence through a blend of organic expansion and creative collaborations.
In addition, Alex also oversees Sunway Travel, a well-established travel agency offering a comprehensive range of services, including corporate travel management, leisure travel packages, and bespoke experiences. His leadership across both hospitality and travel reflects a strategic approach to creating seamless and enriching guest experiences across multiple touchpoints. One key aspect of Alex's leadership is his commitment to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals. Having recently been appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Practice at Sunway University's School of Hospitality & Service Management, he understands the need for talent development and retention. Sunway has now developed practical courses that will enable students to gain real-world experience, not only through internships but through fully integrated programmes. To expand the Hospitality Group's global presence, partnerships with leading international brands have been established, including the group's recent membership in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest network of independent hotel brands. This alliance will position Sunway's properties as a preferred choice for the 30 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme. An Italian national, Alex brings extensive experience to the CEO position. Prior to joining Sunway, he held senior roles at luxury resorts in Bali, Thailand, the Philippines, Seychelles and Dubai, including spells with renowned brands such as Shangri-La, Banyan Tree, Anantara and the Jumeirah Group.
More appointments at Sunway International Hotels & Resorts