James Doolan is strategic director of Hotel Council Aotearoa, an industry body that advocates on behalf of New Zealand hotels and hoteliers. James returned home to New Zealand with his family in December 2018, following 13 years in Hong Kong where his final role was Regional Vice President of Hotel Development for Marriott International.
James was lead executive responsible for securing new hotel franchise and management contracts in Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific for all Marriott International group brands including Bulgari, Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels & Resorts, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin and Courtyard. He also worked on hotel development projects in other Asian locations, including Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korean, Macau and Japan.
Prior to becoming a hospitality industry executive, James practiced as a corporate/commercial lawyer with Norton Rose (Hong Kong) and Bell Gully (Auckland), focusing on off-market mergers & acquisitions and complex contract negotiations.
James holds BCom/LLB degrees from the University of Auckland. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and is actively involved in Auckland’s Ice Angels group, which invests in New Zealand start-ups. James provides strategic advice on hotel development projects through his own consultancy, Fantail Advisory.
