Northstar

14 | www.travelweekly-asia.com COVER STORY SEA Hotel Developments Asia Pacific already has over 780 properties operated by Marriott International (MI), yet opportunities abound, with Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific excluding China for Marriott International calling Southeast Asia "one of the fastest-growing regions". Apart from priority markets Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and The Philippines, MI will also focus on "uncharted destinations sought out by our customers". Cambodia has two hotels coming up, and "we look forward to our entry to Myanmar in the coming years with the opening of the Sheraton Yangon, slated to open within the Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim (SEAPR) continues to be the fastest-growing region for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which expanded by 22% year-over-year and currently comprises over 24,000 rooms. "We are confident of continuing our strong growth momentum this year with more than 25 hotels set to open in the SEAPR region, out of which at least 10 hotels will open in Southeast Asia," said Joon Aun Ooi, president and managing director, SEAPR, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. Joon Aun Ooi, president and managing director, SEAPR, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. next three years". "Harnessing the growth of our regional and global footprint, coupled with our travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy, that goes beyond hotel stays and points, we aim to offer every traveller elevated experiences in 2020." K E Y M A R K E T S / / Thailand takes the lead with over 30 properties in the development phase, followed by "Indonesia and Malaysia with over 20 in the pipeline". MI will also be tripling its portfolio in the Philippines in the next five years – that's 3,700 new rooms by K E Y M A R K E T S / / Vietnam is "an incredibly exciting market" for the group, said Mr Ooi, citing factors including strong economic growth, rising affluence and rapid infrastructure developments that contribute to record visitor arrivals. 2020 will see the group adding two key properties to its current portfolio of three. First is Wyndham Grand KN Paradise Cam Ranh, which joins world-class integrated development KN Paradise Cam Ranh, Wyndham Soleil Danang, 2024 – and debuting five new brands in response to strong demand. Mr Menon expects this expansion in priority markets will "further boost Marriott International's significant advantage over the competition as the world's largest hospitality company". Several brands will also debut in new destinations. Indonesia will welcome Aloft Hotels in Bali, The Westin in Surabaya, Marriott Hotel in Batam, and Sheraton in Belitung. Also expect Courtyard by Marriott in Penang, Malaysia; and JW Marriott Hotel in Danang, Vietnam. W H AT ' S C O M I N G U P / / • PHILIPPINES:14 openings by end 2024. HIGHLIGHT: Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort • MALAYSIA: Five openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: AC Hotels by Marriott KL, Penang and Kuantan (opened); Fairfield by Marriott Kuala Lumpur Jalan Pahang • INDONESIA: Seven openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay; Four Points by Sheraton Batam; Renaissance Nusa Dua Bali Resort • THAILAND: Three openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Courtyard by Marriott North Pattaya; Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town; Four Points by Sheraton Phuket, Patong Beach • VIETNAM: Three openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Fairfield by Marriott South Binh Duong; JW Marriott Hotel Danang; The Westin Cam Ranh Resort & Spa which is located next to My Khe beach, and golf-resort Wyndham Sky Lake Resort & Villas in Hanoi. Second is meetings-focused Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham brand in Hanoi. Another country seeing fast track growth is Malaysia, where a Wyndham Garden in Johor Bahru will be its ninth property. "The destination is establishing itself as the gateway to Asia's emerging markets. Tourist arrivals and receipts have increased by almost 20% and 70% respectively within the last decade," said Mr Ooi. Seeing untapped potential in Cambodia, Wyndham will soon enter the market with the opening of Howard Johnson by Wyndham brand this year. "We also have plans to launch our flagship Wyndham brand in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh in the next couple of years." W H AT ' S C O M I N G U P / / • VIETNAM: Five openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Wyndham Grand KN Paradise Cam Ranh; Wyndham Sky Lake Resort & Villas; Wyndham Soleil Danang; Wyndham Garden Phu Quoc; Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake • THAILAND: Three openings in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Wyndham Chalong Phuket; Wyndham Nai Harn Resort Phuket; Wyndham Atlas Wongamat Pattaya • MALAYSIA: One opening in 2020. HIGHLIGHT: Wyndham Garden in Johor Bahru MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL ////////// WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS ////////// Wyndham Soleil Danang is one of 5 new builds for the group in 2020. JW Marriott Hotel Danang is one of three planned openings in Vietnam for 2020.

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