Hilton appoints Candice D’Cruz as Vice President of Luxury Brands for Asia Pacific

Hilton has announced the appointment of Candice D’Cruz as vice president of Luxury Brands for Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, Candice is responsible for leading Hilton’s award-winning luxury brands, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, across Asia Pacific, further strengthening the company’s leadership in luxury hospitality.

“Candice brings a wealth of industry experience and a profound understanding of luxury and hospitality,” said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global head, Hilton Luxury Brands. “Her impressive track record in enhancing brand distinctiveness and elevating guest experiences will be instrumental as we continue to strategically expand and enhance our world-class brands across Asia Pacific. I am confident that her expertise will contribute significantly to our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional luxury experiences.”

“I am delighted to embark on this journey with Hilton based out of the vibrant city of Singapore. My passion lies in shaping distinctive brand identities alongside curated and localized guest experiences, recognizing their pivotal role in ensuring our brands’ enduring success throughout the region,” said Candice D’Cruz. “Having long championed the development of female leaders and the cultivation of young talent, I look forward to empowering our teams to unlock their full potential. Together, we aspire to set a new standard for luxury in the region, delivering an unparalleled standard of excellence.”

With over two decades of experience, Candice joins Hilton from Marriott International, where she most recently served as vice president of Luxury Brand Management and Marketing for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Her success in this vast, multifaceted sector is reflected in many prestigious awards, most notably being named number one in “The Power of 25”, Hotelier Middle East’s 2019 list of 25 influential women in hospitality, and ranked among the top 50 storytellers of the region by Forbes Middle East. Hotelier Middle East also recently named her ‘Trailblazer’ for 2023, an Editor’s Choice Award for visionary hoteliers who played an active role in transforming the region’s hospitality industry over the past 12 months. Her experience includes roles in Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and Emaar, overseeing various aspects of brand, marketing and communications in diverse markets.

Of Indian origin, Candice currently resides in Singapore with her husband and two children, whom she often looks to for inspiration on how to further attract and engage an ever-changing new generation of travelers.