Wyndham Americas president on Canadian recovery

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Scott LePage, Wyndham’s new president, Americas, brought CLN up to date on how Canadian hotels are doing during the current pandemic. Wyndham Hotel Group has more than 500 properties in Canada including the Days Inn, Travelodge, Super 8, Microtel and Ramada flags, along with Wyndham Garden, Howard Johnson, La Quinta, Wingate by Wyndham, Trademark Collection and more.

LePage started his new position as president of the Americas for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, on May 1. He is now leading managed and franchise operations in the company’s North America, Latin America and Caribbean regions. LePage is a 10-year veteran of the company who previously served as executive vice-president, managed operations, where he led operations for the North America managed organization. Prior to that he served as executive vice-president, operations, North America, overseeing the support of all franchised hotels. He is a former naval officer who has led teams in the Gulf and Pacific over his 10-year navy career. He received his B.S. and M.B.A. from Cornell University, spending four years at both Arthur Andersen and IAC.

“We’re incredibly proud of our owners, who are doing their best to weather this storm based on what’s right for their hotel. Our highest priority throughout the COVID-19 outbreak has remained the health and safety of our guests, owners and team members to whom we are providing continuous support and assistance,” LePage told CLN.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for all hoteliers, and their long-term success is critically important to us.”

Wyndham’s portfolio in Canada has a large number of select service hotels, many of which are in secondary and tertiary markets and drive-to destinations, LePage noted. “Like many areas of the world, there has been a decline in occupancy as a result of the pandemic, though globally our brands, which are concentrated in the select service chain scale segments, have been outperforming the higher end full service hotels.

“Some of our hotels in Canada continue to welcome guests such as construction crews and other essential business, which has allowed them to stay open. Others — about 100 of our approximately 500 hotels in Canada — have temporarily closed their doors, but many of our owners are optimistic they will be able to reopen by the summer. About 15 hotels have even reopened over the last couple of weeks. New construction projects are being completed, but some owners are waiting to open until travel demand begins to recover.”

“Our brands, such as Days Inn by Wyndham, Super 8 by Wyndham and La Quinta by Wyndham, generate some of the highest brand awareness in the industry and provide significant value to our franchisees, especially during difficult times,” LePage said.

“Additionally, new construction brands like Microtel by Wyndham instill confidence in travellers who are looking for a consistent experience they can rely on. Like never before, travellers today and going forward will be looking for brands that they can trust not only for quality, but also for cleanliness and for safety. Our field teams are focused on helping to ensure that our franchisees are as prepared as ever, ready to confidently welcome guests back to their hotels.”

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