People Business Travel Executive FEBRUARY 2018 7 EVA Airways Corporation has promoted Clay Sun to president Previously Sun held the position of passenger management division executive Sun started with EVA in 1991 the year of the airlines maiden flight and has held a number of positions at the carrier in the US Europe and China Jumeirah the luxury hotel company has named Jose Silva as chief executive officer responsible for Jumeirahs international expansion and brand positioning Silva brings over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry including almost 25 years with Four Seasons Hotels Resorts In his last role he was regional vice president for Four Seasons overseeing several European properties Benchmark a global hospitality company has named Jay Rocha vice president of operations He was previously general manager of Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs Prior to that he held senior leadership and general manager positions at various properties throughout the US Kimpton Hotels Restaurants has appointed Todd Ryan as regional director of sales and marketing for the groups 16 mid Atlantic area hotels providing direction to regional strategies as well as sales and catering staff Ryan has more than 20 years of hotel and resort sales experience Most recently he was area director of sales and marketing in eastern Canada for Starwood Hotels Resorts American Hotel Lodging Association has promoted Brian Crawford to senior vice president and department head of governmental affairs with responsibility for the associations advocacy efforts with policymakers and development and execution of strategies to address industry issues Jay Rocha United Introduces Premium Economy United Airlines has announced the introduction of a premium economy product this year on international routes Branded United Premium Plus according to the carrier the new cabin will feature larger seats upgraded dining on china dinnerware free alcoholic beverages an upgraded blanket and pillow an amenity kit and more The service on routes still to be confirmed will be rolled out on select flights later this year Both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are already in the process of rolling out their own premium economy cabins on international widebody aircraft Jose Silva Wyndham Buys La Quinta Wyndham Worldwide Corporation has purchased La Quintas hotel franchise and hotel management business from La Quinta Holdings Inc for 195 billion in cash Immediately prior to the sale La Quinta will spin off its owned real estate assets into a publicly traded real estate investment trust CorePoint Lodging The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018 The acquisition of La Quintas nearly 900 managed and franchised hotels will expand the Wyndham Hotel Group to 21 brands and over 9000 hotels across more than 75 countries The La Quinta Returns loyalty program will be combined with the Wyndham Rewards program