LOS ANGELES — At a time when hotel management companies are racing to join forces through mergers and acquisitions, Davidson Hospitality Group President and CEO Thom Geshay said he feels comfortable with his internal growth strategy.
Speaking with Hotel News Now at the 2022 Americas Lodging Investment Summit, Geshay said his company has added various distinct verticals and has the capability to manage properties that not many other operators can handle, particularly large resort properties.
"We see the resort space as a place we can grow," he said. "We now have the team in the company that can handle any part of that. Resorts are very complicated, and we feel defensible in that."
Geshay, who has worked with Davidson since 1988 and has served as president since 2019, took over the role of CEO at the beginning of 2022 as John Belden left that role. Belden remains with the company as executive chairman.
Geshay said he doesn't foresee a drastic change in direction for Davidson under his guidance.
"I've had a seat at the table for a long time with company strategy, team decisions and things like that," he said. "The truth is really with our company, management is sort of a team sport. I'm fortunate to have a great team of people that work with me in all capacities that keep me honest, and I try to keep them honest. Collectively, we do it. So we're not changing the strategy."
He said he's overall very optimistic with the trajectory for the hotel business in 2022.
"I think people are getting more and more comfortable with the fact that this is a way we're going to have to live," he said. "And that's going to get people more comfortable getting out and meeting and greeting. So I'm feeling good about where our industry is going. I think we'll have a better year in 2022 and by 2023, we'll be back to pre-pandemic levels."
For more from Hotel News Now's conversation with Thom Geshay, watch the video above.