Born in Fiji and raised between Canada and New Zealand, Donald Wong completed his education around the Commonwealth then began his seventeen-year sales and marketing career among Sydney’s finest business hotels, rising to Director of Global Sales for the Pacific region at Raffles Hotels & Resorts. An internal promotion brought him to Asia where he served for two years as Director of Sales and Marketing for Raffles’ two historic properties, Le Royal, Phnom Penh and Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap.
Joining Aman resorts in 2006, Donald successfully expanded Amansara’s global network of top luxury travel agents. Then he was promoted to Resident Manager of Amankora in Paro, Bhutan and later on was asked to take on a strategic role for Aman as General Manager of Sales with Aman resorts South Asia and China.
Following a global search, he was selected in 2011 to undertake the role of Director of Sales & Marketing to launch Asia’s most anticipated urban resort, The Siam on Bangkok’s River of Kings. Industry leaders credit The Siam’s success to a creative, strategic outreach to both business and holiday travel markets. Building on these financial and brand awareness accomplishments, he moved on to the DOSM position at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. He re-positioned the global brand’s singular boutique property, raising its rankings in the intensely competitive Hong Kong market and oversaw all communications relating to hotel’s 10th anniversary celebrations. He then re-joined Aman as General Manager of Amantaka in Luang Prabang.
Donald now joins Song Saa Private Island’s unique and pioneering journey in one of Asia’s growth hot-spots. A harmonious sharing of values and ethics is assured to produce a fruitful future for both property, region and General Manager.
Vision
“My aim is to maintain our position as the leading Island resort in Cambodia, and my vision is to ensure that we are a dynamic, multi-dimensional and successful resort.
Part of our success will be to forge strong relationships with our local and international partners. I believe that we have the capability to think differently to continually explore new opportunities. Creativity and Originality are the core of my ultimate vision. I know that Song Saa Private Island has huge further potential as a destination, but I also aim to be environmentally sympathetic and sustainable to drive the local economy of our archipelago by creating more jobs and opportunities for the Cambodians.
Central to our approach is a comprehensive program of conservation and community engagement, a cornerstone of which is the establishment of organic food production in the local village, which Song Saa then purchases, generating a steady income base. As Cambodia’s first private island resort - and the first development to occur in the Koh Rong Archipelago - it is especially important for us to set a high standard of sustainability. In this untouched part of the world, we have a unique opportunity to set the bar high for any future developments.”