Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA I T B A S I A S H O W D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 10 18 OC TOBER 2018 Centara Hotels & Resorts continues to plant its flags across Asia and the Middle East with a growing pipeline of new properties representing its diverse brands. Markland Blaiklock, deputy CEO, Centara Hotels & Resorts, said, "We have grown six-fold from 10 properties to 60 in 12 countries, opened or under development. We operate large convention centres and hotel complexes in Bangkok, hotels and resorts in all the most desirable Thai destinations, and a growing network in Southeast Asia, North Asia, and the Indian Ocean," he said. This year, Centara will open its second hotel in the region in Doha, and by 2020, Centara gets up close to millennials with its COSI brand it expects to have 1,800 keys in the Middle East across Oman, Qatar and the UAE. In Thailand, Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites and COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach are in development, while other COSI hotels — Centara's new millennial brand — are progressing swiftly. A COSI property in Pattaya will open in 2019 and another is proposed for Chiang Mai. COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach, opening 2020, will have 142 "minimalist-mod" rooms with king or twin beds, power showers, digital safes and fridges. Each room will have five USB ports so guests can recharge their devices without worrying about converters. The hotel will also offer a swimming pool and laundromat. Blaiklock said Centara planned to expand its current portfolio, doubling both its revenues and the number of properties it operates via new investments, acquisitions and management agreements, both in Thailand and overseas. "We will identify and pursue new business opportunities outside our historic hotel and resort core. This includes development and expansion of new brands," he added. In one of its latest deals, Centara has signed for the management of three hotels with a total of 214 keys in Laos. This latest development is in line with its expansion strategy and will see its hotel count in Laos reach four with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already under development. The agreement with Asia Investment Development and Construction Sole Company, an investment and construction firm in Laos, paves the way for Centara to manage hotels in the capital city Vientiane and World Heritage destination Luang Prabang. The three hotels will be operated under three By Ian Jarrett Homegrown Thai group goes global. WORLDWIDE HOTELS LEADS WITH TOURIST-CLASS HOTELS W orldwide Hotels is the largest home-grown tourist class hospitality group in Singapore with six brands, 38 hotels and more than 6,500 rooms. The group's rooms make up 10% of Singapore's total inventory of 67,084 rooms. Helmed by Managing Director Carolyn Choo, the group was newly formed early this year to bring together the synergistic energy of its brands. Choo's plans for expanding the empire that her father had built has also resulted in the recent acquisition of properties in Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, BY ESTHER FAITH LEW Centara says its COSI brand is "completely different from a traditional hotel". distinct brands in the group's portfolio. Close to Luang Prabang's airport and the town's historical district, the upscale Centara Grand will offer premium rooms as well as extensive leisure and meeting facilities. Targeting the cost- conscious traveller in Luang Prabang, Centra by Centara hotel, will offer quality and value in a conveniently located city property, while the group will flag a third property in Vientiane under "We have grown six-fold from 10 properties to 60 in 12 countries, opened or under development." – MARKLAND BLAIKLOCK, DEPUTY CEO, CENTARA HOTELS & RESORTS VISIT BOOTH: E05 its COSI brand. Centara's CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat said COSI represents the hotel operator's creative ideas about serving a growing market segment of "freedom- loving, connected travellers". "They're more interested in flexibility, fun and shared experiences than traditional hotel frills. We plan to open COSIs in the most popular destinations to serve them." with more to come. Worldwide Hotels owns and manages Hotel Boss, V Hotel, Hotel Mi, Value Hotel, Venue Hotel and Hotel 81, with 38 hotels islandwide that have long been a significant part of Singapore's cultural landscape. "Our goal is to acquire 20 hotels and more than 5,000 rooms before 2023 (its 30th anniversary). Our overseas expansion is focused on acquiring high-quality assets in top locations in Asia Pacific," says Choo. Choo also shared that the potential of the emerging Asian middle class is phenomenal due to increasing affluence, ease of visa regulations and the notion that travel is an essential lifestyle product. Worldwide Hotels group recognises this immense opportunity and will continue to build on its competitive advantage in the tourist-class sector. Carolyn Choo, managing director, Worldwide Hotels VISIT BOOTH: F25

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