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Thai hotel group plans GCC debut

DUBAI — Onyx Hospitality Group of Thailand, which manages three hotel brands including Amari, plans to expand its footprints abroad by opening hotels in Asia Pacific, the group’s president said on Tuesday at the Arab Travel Market.

Onyx group operates 11 hotels in Thailand and our expansion programme will see our portfolio increasing to 51 hotels by 2018,” said Peter Henley, President and chief executive of the Onyx group.

After a solid four-decade history of successful hospitality management services, Onyx looks to the future with plans to manage an additional 40 hotels and resorts by 2018, he said.

Henley said of these new hotels, 7-10 would be in the Gulf region. “We are looking at Oman for the Gulf debut.”

He said despite the global meltdown, his group had better than expected first quarter occupancy rate.

Onyx group is exhibiting at this year’s Arabian Travel Market Amari, as well as its two new hospitality brands, Saffron and Ozo.

In 2009, travellers from the Middle East booked more than 90,000 room nights with Amari, representing more than 10 per cent of the company’s total hotel inventory. Amari’s Bangkok properties are the most popular, followed by Phuket and Pattaya. With a total of 11 properties located throughout Thailand, there are other exciting city and resort options which are sure to appeal to guests from the Arabian Gulf.

In September of this year, Amari will open the Amari Residences Bangkok. Located adjacent to the Bangkok Hospital, the 128-unit serviced apartments will target both short and long term visitors, especially those visiting the city for medical treatments. This property is sure to be popular among visitors from the Arabian Gulf, Henley said.

“We are investing $44.1 million in a corporate growth strategy which will see new properties introduced across the portfolio of brands. We want to position Onyx as a market leader in hospitality management in the Asia Pacific region, and we also plan to manage a number of properties in the Arabian Gulf,” said Henley said.

“Our presence at Arabian Travel Market gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase our three brands, meet with the region’s media and travel trade and explore management opportunities with a number of GCC hotel owners,” he said.

Saffron is Onyx’s international luxury offering and is a fresh new brand born out of cultured sophistication, yet modern and innovative in concept. Already under construction and scheduled to open its doors in 2011, the first property in the Saffron portfolio will be named the Oriental Residence Bangkok. This iconic development will include privately-owned condominiums as well as 145 luxurious serviced apartments, he said.

· issacjohn@khaleejtiems.com