IHG Hotels & Resorts announces Michael Hoe Knudsen as new Managing Director for MLAC | News
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces the appointment of Michael Hoe Knudsen as Managing Director for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean (MLAC), following the retirement of long-standing former regional leader Jorge Apaez. Michael brings three decades of global hospitality experience spanning the Americas, Europe and Greater China, and will lead the region with a strong focus on future growth, operational excellence and deepening owner and stakeholder relationships.
Michael began his IHG career in 1996 at the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel and has since held IHG leadership positions in hotel and corporate roles in the US, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Jamaica. Most recently, he served in the company’s Greater China region, where he oversaw 120 managed hotels and 45 openings in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Fluent in Spanish, he brings both global expertise and a deep cultural connection to the MLAC region.
Jolyon Bulley, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Americas, said: “Michael’s appointment comes at an important time for our MLAC business. With deep roots in the region and brands that have helped shape modern hospitality in these markets for decades, IHG is well positioned for the next phase of growth. I am confident Michael will build on this strong foundation and accelerate momentum in one of our most important regions.”
Michael Hoe Knudsen, Managing Director of MLAC, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Returning to MLAC is an honor – as one of IHG’s largest markets, the region offers tremendous opportunity. I look forward to leading the next chapter of our success, supported by our talented colleagues, anchored by strong owner relationships and driven by successful brands backed by IHG’s powerful business.”
IHG has a longstanding presence in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, with brands deeply embedded in the region’s hospitality landscape. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was founded in South America and launched in Brazil, while Holiday Inn has been a trusted name in Mexico for more than 50 years, reflecting IHG’s continued commitment to the region. IHG’s current system size in MLAC includes 295 open hotels and a pipeline of 104 hotels under development.*
*Figures from Q4 2025.
