Pullman keen on managing new hotels in Thailand
Pullman, an upscale hotel brand of the Accor Group, is looking for new properties to manage in Thailand as part of its plan to expand in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.
However, there is no time frame for its expansion. The company is undertaking feasibility studies in major cities across the nation, especially leisure and business destinations such as Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Currently, the Pullman network worldwide is in the main regional and international cities, said Xavier Louyot, vice president for global marketing of the Pullman brand.
Louyot came to Thailand recently to attend the opening of Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, and also to examine the progress of the 262-room Pullman Phuket Arcadia, which is scheduled to open by the fourth quarter of the year. He stressed that Thailand was an important market in the Asia-Pacific region for the Pullman brand.
Pullman was launched officially in the region in 2008, and has grown quickly. Therefore, it is committed to new openings in the future. Currently, there are 29 Pullman hotels in operation and 30 more in the pipeline to expand its network across the region.
The first Pullman in the world was opened in Thailand in late 2007. Pullman Bangkok King Power set the standard for the brand and continues to influence it around the world as the network expands.
There now are four Pullman hotels in operation In Thailand: the 366-room Pullman Bangkok King Power, 293-room Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid, 353-room Pullman Pattaya Hotel G , and 470-room Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, which was rebranded from Sofitel Bangkok Silom. The average occupancy rate is 70 per cent.
Louyot said he was optimistic about business prospects in Thailand, given the growing tourism industry. This is also a business-oriented destination in the region. Asian guests of Pullman in Thailand come mainly from China, Japan and South Korea.
Pullman positions itself to serve those guests looking for a combination of business and leisure during their stay with a “work hard, play hard’’ attitude. However, the market mix varies from country to country.
