Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, one of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies and represented locally by The Westin Dragonara Resort, Le Meridien St Julian's and Le Meridien Phoenicia, announced the election of Adam M. Aron, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of World Leisure Partners, Inc., to the Company's Board of Directors.
Mr Aron, 51, is also a former chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts, Inc. and former president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd., and served in senior marketing roles at United Airlines and Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
"With his tremendous breadth of experience, successful track record and penchant for creativity, Adam is an icon in the travel industry, well respected and admired by those who have worked with him during his 27 years in the industry," said Bruce Duncan, chairman of Starwood's board. "Credited with many industry 'firsts' including helping to create airline and hotel frequency programs, Adam is a formidable addition to our board."
Mr Aron created Miami-based World Leisure Partners in the spring of 2006 to serve as a personal consultancy on issues related to leisure-related and/or luxury products and services, including real estate, as well as consumer marketing issues. Initial clients are expected to include leading private equity investment firms, and other US and European companies.
Mr Aron has been named as one of the US's Top 100 Marketing Executives (by Ad Age Magazine), 40 Under 40 (Crain's), 25 Most Influential Executives in Travel and Tourism (Tour and Travel News), People of the Year (Travel Agent Magazine), and People to Watch (Hotel Business Magazine).
He is currently vice-chairman of the Travel Industry Association of America, and is expected to be its Chairman in 2008. Mr. Aron serves on the Board of Directors of FTD (NYSE: FTD) and Rewards Network (AMEX: IRN). He has previously served on the Board of Directors of Nextel Partners, Crestline Capital, Florsheim Group, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, ResidenSea and Vail Resorts among others.