Hotel News Now each week features a news roundup from a different region of the world. Today’s review covers the Asia/Pacific region.
Red Roof strikes deal to move into Thailand
Red Roof Inn is moving into Thailand, driven by the overall health of tourism in Thailand, according to a company news release. Red Roof Inn announced a partnership with Thailand-based Paragon Hotels Limited, part of Paragon Partners, to open multiple properties in the country.
With more than 148 million domestic travel-related trips forecast for Thailand travelers in 2015, Paragon Hotels expects Red Roof to be the upscale economy choice for travelers looking for cost-effective lodging solutions. Paragon Hotels will break ground for the first property in 2016 and plans to open a series of new-build hotels in major tourist locations across Thailand between 2017 and 2020.
Regent owners eye a return to glory
The owners of Regent Hotels & Resorts are hoping to start anew with plans to add several new properties to their portfolio over the next three years, according to a report from HNN’s Patrick Mayock.
Regent, with six hotels in the portfolio, is set to embark on an ambitious expansion that will see at least four properties open by year-end 2018.
Chairman Steven Pan points to the “Tao of Regent” to explain this next phase of growth. The brand essence “defines elegant architecture, timeless décor, design elements indigenous to the local area, and intuitive, discreet service, all of which help to achieve a balanced, harmonious luxury: simple yet elegant, modern yet timeless, luxurious yet understated,” he said via email. “This concept, along with an excellent development team, has allowed us to grow rapidly.”
STR Global: Asia/Pacific pipeline for August
There are 2,381 hotels totaling 554,215 rooms under contract in the Asia/Pacific region, according to the August 2015 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report. This represents a 4.9% increase in rooms under contract compared with August 2014, and a 2% year-over-year decrease in rooms under construction.
The region reported 255,828 rooms in 1,016 hotels under construction for the month.
Castlewood partners with Début Hotel Group
Singapore’s Castlewood Group announced a strategic partnership with Début Hotel Group, a part of Hampshire Hotels Management, for the development and operation of the upper-upscale, lifestyle Dream Hotels brand throughout Asia.
Castlewood Group and its subsidiaries expect to develop up to 20 Dream Hotels over the next 10 years.
The Dream Hotels brand will make its first appearance under the Castlewood Group umbrella at its flagship hotel and spa in Laguna Phuket developed by 8over8, a part of Castlewood Group. The newly named Dream Phuket is slated to open in December.
Swiss International to develop 5 in Taiwan
Swiss International Hotels (China) Group officials announced a signed a franchise agreement with Yoko International Corporation of Taipei to develop their business in the Taiwan region. The agreement is part of the companies' shared strategy to build a solid presence in the Taiwan hospitality market that is strategically located across the straits from Fujian Province in the south of China, according to a news release.
Deals and development
- Chinese hospitality company Jin Jiang Hotels has agreed to buy an 81% stake in Keystone Lodging Holdings Limited, the parent company of Plateno Group and 7 Days Group Holdings Limited.
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced the debut of the hospitality company’s Tribute Portfolio brand in Asia/Pacific with the signing of The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Hokkaido.
- Wyndham Hotel Group marked a new milestone by becoming the first global hospitality company to reach the 1,000-hotel mark in Greater China.
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings opened the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province. The hotel is DoubleTree by Hilton’s 23rd hotel in China, and adds to Hilton’s portfolio of 61 hotels operating in the Greater China and Mongolia region.
- Marriott International opened the Renaissance in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India. The hotel is the first Renaissance in North India and the second property under this brand in the country.
- China-based hotel company Plateno Group has entered into a management contract with Welcome Regency to manage the Portofino Ming Gee Resort Passikuda, a 102-room resort in Passikudah, Sri Lanka.
Compiled by Bryan Wroten.