LH unit sees strong hotel business growth 

Chief executive officer Suwanna Buddhaprasart said the Bangkok hotel industry would enjoy a surge in both occupancy and revenue. 
Asian tourists still make up the majority of guests and are increasing in number, especially those from mainland China, Japan, South Korea, India, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Combined with the rise in the number of American tourists, this will help compensate for the loss of euro-zone tourists, which may continue to decline this year.
In 2016, Grand Centre Point Group boasted annual revenue of more than Bt1.75 billion, an increase from 2015 by 15 per cent. 
The hotels’ occupancy rate has also grown by 6 per cent from an already high average rate, Suwanna said. The group’s marketing plan this year remains centred on the concept of “Grande Your Stay”, which represents the brand’s values: spacious luxury, functional simplicity, and dedicated service, with a goal of creating a lasting memory for the guests, she said. 
The group will also emphasise online marketing to connect with tourists from around the world, using sales representatives to target more diverse markets and expand its marketing base as well as to cater for its target customers’ needs. 
Recent studies show that hotel users nowadays tend to acquire information and make reservations via the Internet. They also choose hotels with special promotions, impressive services, with complete and modern facilities including Wi-Fi. 
To reach targeted customers, LH’s marketing and public relations plans are being put in place to implement social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others to offer accurate information, special promotions, and other customer services. The hotel group also plans an online survey to gather its customers’ opinions, which will contribute to future development.
The general manager of Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55, Somchai Meesri, said that although the hotel business in Thailand is highly competitive, the group saw a lot of potential for this new property. Its prime location, at the heart of Thong Lo and with easy access to a BTS Skytrain station, boasts a copious amount of international restaurants, fashion boutiques, community malls, and pretty much every kind of goods or services its customers desire. 
Most accommodations available in the area are serviced apartments. There are currently very few full-service hotels, which gives the new Grande Centre Point Sukhumvit 55 plenty of room to grow. 
He expects its 2017 revenue to be approximately Bt420 million.