HONG KONG - The hotel industry is mourning the death on 10 April of Eric Waldburger, a hotelier whose exceptional career culminated with his role as president of the HK-based hospitality management company, Marco Polo Hotels (since renamed to Wharf Hotels) from 2012-2016.
Mr Waldburger, 69, died in Japan after a short illness.
Dr Jennifer Cronin, president, Wharf Hotels said, “We are deeply saddened by Eric’s passing, we have lost one of our industry’s legends and statesmen.
“His joie-de-vivre and gusto for coaching the next generation as one of his life’s missions is reflected in the people we work with here at Wharf Hotels, many of whom had the privilege of progressing under Eric’s leadership.
“The world has lost an advocate of knowledge-sharing and an accomplished ground breaker, he was definitely a frontrunner in the disruptor movement, a man ahead of his time.”
Mr Waldburger led the hospitality group through an expansive period with openings of new Marco Polo Hotels in China and the Philippines, as well as the launch of the first of its luxury brand, Niccolo Hotels.
His accomplishments include leadership roles with iconic hotel names, including Mandarin Oriental Macau, The Peninsula Hong Kong and The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong; as well as establishing Hutchison Whampoa’s Harbour Plaza hotel group.
He authored a motivational book dedicated to his family - wife Naoko and children Marc and Tanya.
Dr Cronin added, “I am personally grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside him and be guided into my current role where many of his leadership principles still hold true for all our general managers and hotel community through his Red Ring leadership philosophy.”
In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials are made to The Hong Kong Poly University’s School of Hotel & Tourism Management in the name of the Eric Waldburger Memorial Scholarship, which will support aspiring hoteliers along their lifelong journey of learning.
Donations can be made online https://www.polyu.edu.hk/giving/give-now/online-donation/ and follow these steps:
1. Go to section 3) Purpose of Donation
2. Select: Other, please specify
3. Input: SHTM – The Eric Waldburger Memorial Scholarship