A creative and dynamic leader with a passion for tourism and hospitality.

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Abid Butt
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Abid Butt

With more than 30 years of global experience in the hospitality industry, Abid Butt has a keen knowledge of organizational design and implementation supporting balance score card. He is known as a compassionate and results driven professional who believes anything is achievable. His strategic acumen and drive to innovate has been instrumental in the launch of several hospitality brands; Four Points, Angsana, Dhawa and Cassia.

An engaged professional dedicated to making a difference, he has been an ambassador for the industry and has frequently spoken at global conferences and served as an advisor for several industry organizations. Founder of Hospitality Talks, a forum featuring discussions with global industry leaders addressing the current industry issues.

Dream Hotel Group

Corporate Office – New York/Thailand

Chief Executive Officer - AMEA

Responsible for investment portfolio and raising capital for various projects while guiding the company’s strategic priorities with a long term view to creating stakeholder value. Also responsible for continued growth and global expansion efforts of Dream Hotel Group and its portfolio of life style brands; Dream Hotels, Time Hotels, The Chatwal and Unscripted hotels in established and emerging urban and resort destinations.

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

Corporate Headquarters – Singapore

Chief Executive Officer

As principal author and tactician of financial and growth strategies, directed overall organization with forty-two hotels in fifteen countries around the globe. Represented the company in various industry conferences through participation in industry discussions and speaking engagements. Established strong relationships with key stake holders and developers for management contracts.

Host Hotels & Resorts

Corporate Headquarters, Bethesda – Maryland

Vice President - Asset Management

Responsible for a portfolio of first class and luxury hotel assets ranging from 15 to 20 properties that total from 5,000 to 8,000 guest rooms and approximately $700 to $900 million in total asset value in the Americas and Asia. The key responsibilities include value preservation and enhancement of individual assets to maximize the value of the entire portfolio through development and implementation of short, intermediate and long-term strategies. Conduct due diligence during acquisition and develop exit strategies when appropriate. Ensure that property specific compliance requirements are completed including accounting and quarterly reporting of financial statements, requirements of ground lessors, third-party lender requirements, settlement agreements, local taxing and zoning authorities.

Career Summary

2017 – 2019 Chief Executive Officer - AMEA Dream Hotel Group
2012 – 2016 Chief Executive Officer Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
2006 – 2012 VP Asset Management Host Hotels & Resorts
2003 – 2006 VP & General Manager Benchmark Hospitality International
1998 – 2003 VP Operations Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
1984 – 1998 HM, GM, Regional Director Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Skills

Extensive domestic and international hospitality business expertise.

A leader with the clarity of vision; tenacity to achieve clearly-set goals; passion for delivering the best quality product; and an innate sense of loyalty and responsibility towards all stakeholders. Lead teams through creativity, dedication with revitalization and alignment of business goals.

Extensive experience in design and implementation of organization culture supporting balanced score card philosophy.

Proven track record of strong working relationship with owners, developers and management teams to achieve various project completion and operational improvement.

Strong strategic planning, preparation and implementation skills.

Thrive handling multiple priorities while working under demanding conditions.

Special aptitude for analytical problem solving, delivery system design and implementation through process mapping, evaluation and reengineering.

Distinct talent for change management to excel the organization into exceeding its’ goals.

Active public-speaker with keen views on current issues confronting the travel and hospitality industry globally.

Adjunct faculty member for Leadership in Hospitality program at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.

Industry Presentations & Involvement

Hospitality Talks - Founder & Co-Host

CEO Thought Leadership Round table 2019 - USA

Panelist – Tourism & Hotel Investment Conference 2019 - Sri Lanka

CEO Thought Leadership Round Table 2019 - Germany

Panelist - Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific 2018 – Hong Kong

Panelist - CHIF 2018 - China

CEO Thought Leadership Round Table 2018 – USA

Panelist - Alternative Accommodations Conference Asia Pacific 2018 – Singapore

Panelist - Revenue Strategy Summit 2017 – USA

Presentation - Transport & Leisure Conference 2017 – United Kingdom

Presentation - Top Gun event for ABASTUR 2016 – Mexico

Presentation - Global Tourism Economy Forum 2016 – Macau

Presentation – Hotel Asset Management Association 2015 - Singapore

Panelist - World Tourism & Travel Council 2015 – Korea

Presentation – International Luxury Travel Mart 2014 - China

Panelist - Hotel Investment Conference South Asia 2014 – India

Panelist – Luxury Hospitality Summit - Greece

Panelist - Brazil Hospitality Investment Conference 2014 – Brazil

Presentation – Resort Development & Hospitality Conference 2014 - UAE

Panelist – Tourism and Hotel Investment Conference 2014 - Indonesia

Panelist - Hospitality Investment World 2014 – Indonesia

Panelist - CIS & Georgia Hospitality Investment Conference 2014 – Ukraine

Presentation – American Chamber of Commerce, Speakers Series 2103 - Singapore

Panelist - China Hotel Investment Conference 2013 – China

Presentation – Annual Integrated Resort Development Conference - China

Panelist – Hotelier Summit 2013 – India

Academic Involvement

Adjunct Faculty – Georgetown University - USA

Guest Lecturer – Johnson & Wales University - USA

Guest Lecturer – National University of Singapore - Singapore

Guest Lecturer – IPADE Business School - Mexico

Guest Lecturer – Lipscomb University - USA

Guest Lecturer – McGill University - Canada

Guest Lecturer – Johns Hopkins University - USA

Guest Lecturer – Brigham Young University - USA

Advisory Board – Windward Community College - USA

Advisory Board – Tulsa Junior College - USA

Education

Doctor of Business Administration in International Hotel & Tourism Management, honoris causa

Johnson and Wales University – Providence, RI

Masters of Science - Real Estate

Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD

Masters of Business Administration

University of Phoenix - San Diego, CA

Bachelor of Science, Food Service Management – Cum Laude

Johnson and Wales University – Providence, RI

Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management

Johnson and Wales University - Providence, RI

Associates in Science, Hotel Food and Beverage Management

Johnson and Wales University – Providence, RI

Associates in Science, Culinary Arts – Magna Cum Laude

Johnson and Wales University - Providence, RI

Graduate Certificate – Finance

Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD

Certificate - Real Estate, Development and Hotel Investment

Cornell University – Ithaca, NY

Certificate - Strategic Leadership

Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, CO