Club Med has appointed Michelle Davies as general manager for Singapore, Malaysia and emerging markets in Southeast Asia, succeeding Olivier Monceau. Davies, who previously led the brand's Pacific operations, will oversee a region that the all-inclusive resort operator sees as central to its premium repositioning.
Davies brings more than 15 years of hospitality and travel experience, including a stint as head of Club Med's Pacific business, where she steered the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and delivered record results, particularly in the ski portfolio. Under her leadership, the Pacific team was named Most Popular Accommodation Group at Australia's National Travel Industry Awards for three consecutive years. She also held roles in the UK and Australia before moving to Asia.
In her expanded role, Davies will work closely with Rachael Harding, CEO of Club Med Southeast Asia and Pacific (SEAP), and Sebastian Favre, vice president of digital, customer and product for SEAP, to drive regional growth. Her priorities for 2027 include the opening of Club Med Borneo in Malaysian Borneo and a comprehensive renovation of Club Med Cherating, the brand's first resort in Asia, located on Malaysia's east coast.
Club Med also aims to make Singapore one of its top 10 source markets globally, with growth expected to exceed 80% in the coming years. Davies emphasized the importance of trade partnerships in achieving these goals. "None of this happens without our travel industry partners," she said.
Davies' appointment comes at a time when Southeast Asia's resort and hospitality sector is seeing renewed investment. The region has witnessed a surge in branded residences as affluent buyers seek inflation hedges, and new hotel brands are entering the market, such as Jin Jiang Hotels' Renjoy debut at Desaru beachfront. These developments underscore the competitive landscape that Club Med will navigate.
Leadership transition and regional strategy
Davies succeeds Olivier Monceau, who led Club Med Singapore and Malaysia since 2022. During his tenure, Monceau helped develop the Club Med Borneo project and revamped Club Med Cherating, while delivering commercial growth. His departure marks a strategic shift as Club Med looks to deepen its premium positioning in Southeast Asia.
Davies' experience in the Pacific market, where she managed a diverse portfolio of resorts and ski properties, is expected to translate well to the Southeast Asian context. Her focus on operational excellence and guest experience aligns with Club Med's broader strategy to differentiate itself from traditional all-inclusive offerings.
Industry observers note that the appointment reflects a broader trend of hospitality groups tapping leaders with regional expertise to drive expansion. Similar moves have been seen across the region, such as the recent appointment of Varun Babbar as hotel manager at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa in Thailand, and Marc Reader as general manager at Amilla Maldives.
Davies' mandate also includes strengthening Club Med's relationships with travel agents and tour operators, which remain critical distribution channels in Southeast Asia. The brand's emphasis on partnerships is timely, as data from Traveloka shows that Singapore travelers are booking Southeast Asia trips further ahead, indicating a shift in booking behavior that could benefit early-booking promotions.
With the opening of Club Med Borneo and the renovation of Cherating, Club Med is betting on the region's growing demand for premium family and active holidays. The company's investment in these properties signals confidence in the long-term prospects of Southeast Asian tourism, despite challenges such as the senior travel gap that threatens the silver economy.
Davies' appointment is effective immediately. She will be based in Singapore and report to Rachael Harding.
