Positive long-term outlook for Marriott expansion
Marriott Hotels and Resorts is continuing its expansion in Thailand as it sees a positive long-term outlook for tourism here and elsewhere in Asia.
The group plans to operate four more hotels in Thailand over the next six months and will add at least five properties by the end of next year, from 18 currently.
Meanwhile, it is scheduled to open a luxury residence under the Ritz-Carlton brand in Singapore. Some more projects are also set for the Philippines. It will open a JW Marriott in Hanoi, with five other projects in the pipeline for Vietnam. In Indonesia, it plans to add three more hotels next year, from five currently.
Philip Bryson, Marriott’s newly appointed area vice president for Southeast Asia, says there are positive long-term prospects for tourism in the region. Thailand is the biggest destination for international tourists as well as for groups.
New hotels and resorts set to open in Thailand include the 206-room Rayong Marriott Resort and Spa, the 114-room Marriott Residence Koh Samui and 155-room Koh Samui Marriott Resort and Spa at Laem Set Beach, the 296-room Renaissance Sukhumvit Bangkok, the 74-room Marriott Executive Serviced Apartments on Sukhumvit 57, and the Ritz-Carlton in Similan, Phang Nga.
Under its current plan for hotel openings in 2012, Marriott expects to add 1,000 rooms to its portfolio.
The group entered the Thailand market 20 years ago and currently operates 18 properties under several brands. Ritz-Carlton represents the luxury segment, JW Marriott is the group’s signature brand with strategic locations, Marriott is more mature with traditional products, Renaissance offers boutique hotels to serve young people, Marriott serviced apartments aim for the long-stay market, and Courtyard aims for the long-stay and business-travel segments.
However, Marriott will end its franchise contract with its first and longest-established hotel in Bangkok by the end of this month, Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa. It is undergoing major renovation and will rebrand as Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa.
Bryson said tourism in Thailand would gradually grow with a significant increase of arrivals from traditional markets as well as emerging sources such as Russia and China. For now, these new markets are supplements to its core Western market.
