PHUKET: Thailand's Minor Hotel Group - a major player at the high end on Phuket - is about to announce a new hotel development in Australia, according to news reports in advance of an official revelation.
Details of the property in the northern gateway of Darwin are expected this week, say Australian sources.
News of the Minor Group's latest Aussie project comes after the launch of a $110 million 250-room hotel and residences project under the AVANI brand in central Perth in April.
Minor Hotel Group chief executive Dillip Rajakarier says the expansion marks a further strategic investment in the Australian market.
''We've always looked at Perth and Darwin because they are gateways, especially for us from Thailand and mainly for the Asian customer or guests,'' Mr Rajakarier told the AAP news agency.
He said the Darwin project was driven by government, leisure and tourism travel, with the hotel group taking a long-term view against the backdrop of a slowing Australian economy.
The Darwin property will add to the group's Australian portfolio after the takeover of the Oaks Group and its portfolio of 50 hotels and resorts.
Minor, with William Herinecke as CEO and chairman, operates resorts and hotels under the Anantara, Four Seasons, Marriott, Elewana, AVANI, and Per AQUUM brands, owns The Pizza Company, Thai Express, and Riverside Restaurant franchises, and operates restaurants under the Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, and The Coffee Club brands in Thailand and other countries.
Details of the property in the northern gateway of Darwin are expected this week, say Australian sources.
News of the Minor Group's latest Aussie project comes after the launch of a $110 million 250-room hotel and residences project under the AVANI brand in central Perth in April.
Minor Hotel Group chief executive Dillip Rajakarier says the expansion marks a further strategic investment in the Australian market.
''We've always looked at Perth and Darwin because they are gateways, especially for us from Thailand and mainly for the Asian customer or guests,'' Mr Rajakarier told the AAP news agency.
He said the Darwin project was driven by government, leisure and tourism travel, with the hotel group taking a long-term view against the backdrop of a slowing Australian economy.
The Darwin property will add to the group's Australian portfolio after the takeover of the Oaks Group and its portfolio of 50 hotels and resorts.
Minor, with William Herinecke as CEO and chairman, operates resorts and hotels under the Anantara, Four Seasons, Marriott, Elewana, AVANI, and Per AQUUM brands, owns The Pizza Company, Thai Express, and Riverside Restaurant franchises, and operates restaurants under the Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, and The Coffee Club brands in Thailand and other countries.
Will they put a density of development that high as in JW Mariott Mai Kao? It is simply unbearable to have that sardine effect in a hotel, mind one that claims to be 5*, may they resemble experience "an average extended Thai family is going to a mall in a car", then they should clearly inform about their concept.
Service is impeccable in JW M Mai Khao, but Bangladesh-like sparsity of space kills anything positive there.
Posted by Sue on July 27, 2015 01:21