The physical presence of Mövenpick in South-East Asia is still relatively small, but this may soon change. The Swiss brand certainly enjoys a certain notoriety with the Asian public - the ice creams of the same name are a big part of that - as are a number of flagship hotels. " We currently manage eight properties in South-East Asia and China, but this is about to change radically. We should double our portfolio on the Asian continent within 18 months and we are on track to grow it to thirty units by 2020″.explains Andrew LangdonVice-President Asia for the Swiss group.
In Thailand, Mövenpick's largest market in Asia, the group currently operates four properties offering around 1,000 rooms. By mid-2018, this number will increase to ten properties, representing an additional 800 rooms. " This year we will be opening the Mövenpick Suriwongse Hotel in Chiang Mai. This is an existing hotel that we are renovating from top to bottom. One of the most important projects will be the opening next August of the Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai, originally the Nusa My Ozone Khao Yai, which looks like a real European-style castle. I can also confirm the takeover of the Asara Resort hotel in Hua Hin which, following renovations, will be reopened in the third quarter as the Mövenpick Asara Resort. says Andrew Langdon.
we are a highly flexible management company, well positioned to seize opportunities
In 2018, the Swiss group will inaugurate a complex in Samui, comprising 86 villas with swimming pools. At the same time, Mövenpick is set to finalise the opening of a hotel in Bangkok as well as hotel residences. " The increase in the number of hotels in Thailand over the last five years has made the country's hotel market extremely competitive and therefore more difficult to make a profit from. As a result, many owners want to add an international brand to their establishment. And as we are a highly flexible managementwe are well positioned to seize opportunities" added Mövenpick's Vice President Asia.
The group is also actively looking for other hotels to manage in Krabi, Phang Nga near Phuket and in Sriracha, near Rayong, the birthplace of theoil industry in Thailand.
In addition to Thailand, Mövenpick will also be expanding in Vietnam and in Malaysiatwo priority markets. " We already have a property open in Hanoi, and we are planning three more hotels with the opening at the end of this year of a 500-room complex in Cam Ranh / Nha Trang in Central Vietnam, followed in 2018 by a 667-room resort on the island of Phu Quoc. We are also planning a hotel in Quy Nhon and have serious projects in Phan Thiet, Danang, Quan Binh and Ho Chi Minh City.says Andrew Langdon.
In Malaysia, the Group is building three hotels, including one flagship project at Kuala Lumpur international airport. With 333 rooms, the future establishment will also have a congress centre which can accommodate up to 2,000 people. It is due to open in 2018According to Andrew Langdon, two other projects are also under development on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, in Chendering and Kota Bharu, the regional capital of Kelantan. All these properties will be open by 2020.
Singapore is a destination that is impossible to ignore
In the Philippines, Mövenpick is already present in Mactan-Cebu with a 245-room resort, and in Boracay, which opened in January with 312 rooms. The group has also launched its first hotel in Indonesia with the Jimbaran Mövenpick Resort & Spa in Bali. The resort has 297 rooms.
" Indonesia is of course another target for our expansion, with its thousands of islands. We are interested in managing another property in Bali and are actively looking for a hotel on the island. Jakarta" says Andrew Langdon. Among other markets, Mövenpick is in negotiations for a hotel in Phnom Penh in the Republic of Korea. Cambodia and says it is continuing to study the market with a view to setting up in Singapore. " As with Hong Kong, Singapore is a destination that is impossible to ignore.says the Vice-President for Asia.
