Winners 2013

Winners Area

Asia's Leading Travel Personality 2013

And the winner is...

Mr William E Heinecke, Founder and Chairman, Minor International

Winner Profile | minor.com/…gement-team/1/mr-william-ellwood-heinecke

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Meet the Winner

Mr. William Heinecke is the Founder, CEO and Chairman of Bangkok-based Minor International.

One of the best known expatriates in Southeast Asia, Bill is the driving force behind the leading global brands under the Minor Group umbrella. His visionary spirit, unwavering commitment and hands on management style are the cornerstones of his unparalleled successes, which are deeply rooted in Thailand.

Bill moved to Bangkok in 1963 with his family and whilst he was a student at the International School, he almost at once began demonstrating the rare entrepreneurial skills that would become a hallmark of his remarkable career. His first venture proved so successful that at 17 years old he took over from the paper’s advertising manager while still attending school. When he graduated a year later in 1967, he borrowed US$ 1,200 to register his first two companies under Minor Holdings – a company supplying office cleaning services and a radio advertising company.

Now, Minor International Plc is one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in the Asia Pacific region, comprising over 30 companies focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands.

He embarked on his first hotel venture in 1978 with the Royal Garden Resort in Pattaya. Minor Hotel Group currently operates 97 hotels, resorts and serviced suites under the Anantara, AVANI, Per AQUUM, Elewana, Oaks, Four Seasons, Marriott, St. Regis and other brands in 14 countries across Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and Africa. Other areas of the hotel group’s business include residential property, a private jet company MJETS, Anantara Vacation Club and MSpa International with spa brands like Mandara and Anantara.

The creation of Minor’s own Anantara brand, currently with 24 properties in six countries, is the realisation of a lifelong dream for Bill, and offers discerning travellers unique experiences of indigenous luxury in some of the world’s most enchanting destinations. The most recent addition to the Anantara portfolio is Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa where we are all enjoying this evening’s awards.

This latest opening brings Minor Hotel Group to just three from reaching 100 properties in operation and the group’s future pipeline, including moving into new countries such as Mauritius, Oman and India, showcases the ambitious growth plans of the group going forward. It is fair to say that Bill personifies Veni, Vidi, Vici – I came , I saw, I conquered – and we are indeed looking forward to more of his unique resort creations, both here in the Middle East and further afield.