With over 20 years of experience in hotel management and brand operations, Tal Shefer is a seasoned leader who has shaped the growth, positioning, and performance of Hilton’s portfolio across some of the world’s most dynamic and competitive markets. A graduate of Harvard Business School’s Strategic IQ program, he approaches leadership with agility and rigor, championing brand as a powerful business asset and inspiring high-performing teams to deliver results at scale.
Tal’s career is a testament to Hilton’s culture of growth and opportunity. Beginning his career as part of Hilton’s Elevator graduate program, he rose steadily through successive leadership roles in EMEA before assuming his current Asia Pacific remit. As vice president, Brand Operations, EMEA, he oversaw all managed and franchised hotel openings and transitions, spearheading the launch of properties across multiple brands and markets with precision and impact.
He established a best-in-class hotel openings structure, led Brand Performance Support and Owner Experience & Engagement, as well as the successful onboarding of more than 450 Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) properties globally. These initiatives enabled operational excellence, strengthened owner partnerships, and reinforced Hilton’s value proposition at scale.
Earlier in his career, Tal played a pivotal role in launching Hilton’s focused service strategy in EMEA. As general manager of the very first Hilton Garden Inn in the UK, he created the foundation for the rapid expansion of Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton within the market. His leadership in brand operations, strategic partnerships, and commercial execution continues to leave a lasting imprint on Hilton’s global success, contributing to sustainable growth and brand consistency across markets.
Passionate about 3Ps: people, partnerships, and performance, Tal continues to champion innovation, operational excellence, and brand-led growth, while shaping the future of hospitality across Asia Pacific and beyond.