Astudo Hotels to Manage 10 new hotels in 2009
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Astudo Hotels to Manage 10 new hotels in 2009
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Category: Worldwide - Industry economy
- New brands / Affiliations
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-12-26
Although the travel industry has taken a real hit from recent political and economic problems, Astudo Hotel and Resort Management Company has secured management rights for 10 new properties due to open next year. According to company CEO Anthony McDonald, “Investors and owners realize that with tough market conditions it is even more essential to have professional management for their hotels, which can provide access to extensive sales and marketing networks throughout the world”.
Having opened resorts in Samui, Kui Buri, Koh Kood, Pranburi, Chumphon and Chiang Mai in the last 18 months, Astudo’s credibility as a fast growing professional hotel operator for boutique properties is attracting more hotel owners to their portfolio. Astudo managed hotels carry one of their four brands, depending on the type and positioning of the property. “This enables the company to share marketing and sales investment and effort across their whole portfolio of properties. This is very attractive to owners of small boutiques who struggle to get market visibility”, said McDonald.
The company is due to open its first 100 rooms, 3 star budget city hotel called “The Base” on Silom road early next year, with a second property to follow in Manila later in 2009. Discusses with another Sukhumvit based owner, will likely provide their third “The Base” planned for the end of 2009. The 3 properties will add another 300 rooms to Astudo’s hotel portfolio, in this fast growing budget sector. The company has targeted to grow “The Base” hotels to a total of 10 properties by 2010, with regional expansion to major capital cities during 2010.
A remarkable success story for the Thai hotel industry, Astudo has captured a large slice of the Boutique hotel management market, where typically international chains cannot operate successfully due to their inherently large overheads. According to McDonald, “Our focus on helping owners build their business, consistent and aggressive marketing and sales, and cost control is striking a note with owners looking to outsource management to a trustworthy partner”.
Astudo’s vacation residence brand “Le Bayburi” will open 3 new properties in the near term. Projects will be in Samui and Phuket, adding to their existing property in Pranburi. Other likely projects in 2009 for Le Bayburi will be in Krabi and Koh Chang. Combined, these projects represent an investment of over 3 Billion Baht, with a total of more than 400 rooms.
Having invested over 700 Million Baht in their flagship X2 Design Resorts in Kui Buri (Hua Hin) and Samui, the company is close to concluding management of two new build X2 properties, with open dates planned in 2010. The projects with a combined 100 rooms will be in Bangkok and one resort location.
In spite of the forecast drop in tourism next year McDonald added, “I am very confident in the medium and long term prospects for the industry. Market conditions will be tough for sure, but with a focus on marketing and sales, and continued support from the government agencies we forecast a return to normal very soon”.
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