Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou has appointed Michael Tam as new general manager. Prior to the new appointment, Tam was resident manager of the same property since December 2012.

A Hong Kong resident, Tam started his hospitality career 20 years ago as management trainee – rooms division at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong after his four-year study on Science in Hotel and Catering Management in the United Kingdom. He gained experience in hotel operations and management at four other Shangri-La properties, including Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Philippines; Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen; Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang, Malaysia; and China World Hotel, Beijing.

In addition, his different roles in a few international luxury brands also helped develop his skills in guest experience implementation, sustainable quality improvement, strategic business planning, hotel pre-opening project and people development.

Being a passionate and open-minded hotelier, Tam was champion of the hotel’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. He successfully led the group’s Ride-for-Hope journey in Suzhou and raised Rmb150,000 in charity funds in 2013. This year, he launched Eight-Aquatic Treasure, a Rooted in Nature project to raise awareness of local seasonal ingredients.

Personally, Tam is a sailing enthusiast. He has joined a half-marathon event and dragon boat competition with other hotel colleagues in Suzhou.

“It is my honour to step up the general manager position of this 390-key landmark property in Suzhou, which is a wonderful milestone in my career journey. I, working together with our caring team, will devote all my experience, effort and innovation to make Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou the market leader by delivering the renowned Asian art of hospitality,” said Tam.

Meanwhile, the former director of food and beverage, Gu Xiang, has been promoted to executive assistant manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Suzhou. He will oversee the hotel’s daily operations.

Sara Xue has joined the hotel as director of food and beverage. Prior to her current post, Xue was assistant director of food and beverage of Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing.