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Tag: Centara

  • Centara Signs Private Partnership Agreement for Centra by Centara Government Complex

    Centara Signs Private Partnership Agreement for Centra by Centara Government Complex

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced a long-term lease agreement for Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana.  Centara’s Chairman of the Board Suthikiati Chirativat signed the agreement for the 204-room hotel and conference property in the Thai government community 10 minutes from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. Centara had managed the property for its owner, Dhanarak Asset Development Company Ltd., since 2011. The 20-year, around 1.2 Billion Baht lease deal with Dhanarak effectively turns ownership over to Centara.

    “Centra by Centara Government Complex continues to play a vital role in the facilitating of official and government business in Thailand. Having managed this successful hotel and convention centre for 6 years the investment in a long term lease in this property was a logical step and supports our strategic plan to double Centara’s size within the next five years,” said Centara’s Chairman of the Board Suthikiati Chirathivat.

    Centra by Centara is one of the hospitality group’s six hotel brands. The Centra by Centara Hotel and Convention Centre at the Government Complex offers ideal accommodations and meeting facilities for businesspeople, delegates and officials. Its 24 meeting rooms, including the large Vayupak Grand Ballroom, can host a variety of large and small conferences and events simultaneously. Hotel and conference facilities are integrated so that guests can easily walk between meeting and event venues, restaurants, and their hotel rooms. The Centra by Centara property also hosts weddings and concerts.

    The Government Complex in which the property is located is home to over 30 official departments and agencies. It functions like a small town, including banks, retail shops, restaurants, clinics and other amenities. There is parking for over 2,000 vehicles.

    Dhanarak Asset Development Company Ltd., the property’s original owner, was established by the Thai Ministry of Finance to build and manage the Government Complex. Centara has ambitious plans to eventually renovate both the hotel and its attached convention centre.

    Over the next five years, Centara Hotels & Resorts aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and its new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. Its flagship properties in Bangkok, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, and Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao, have established the company’s reputation as the leading meeting, conference, and large event host in Thailand.

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  • Centara appoints new Business Development VP to support expansion

    Centara appoints new Business Development VP to support expansion

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced the appointment of Allen Thomas as Vice President Business Development, effective January 1st. Thomas has 28 years of experience developing hotel and resort businesses, a career that includes positions with HPL and Como Hotels and most recently Resorts Holdings International. His appointment marks another significant Centara move in their five year plan to double the company’s size and become a major regional hospitality brand.

    Mr. Thomas will report to Centara’s Deputy CEO Markland Blaiklock. He will be responsible for executing the company’s plan to grow from 58 to 134 hotels over the next five years. Mr. Blaiklock himself was brought on board in October to lead the expansion strategy. In the weeks since then, Centara has already launched its new affordable lifestyle hotel brand COSI; signed a joint venture to take ownership of Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Cheang Watthana; announced a significant upgrade of its technology infrastructure in partnership with Oracle and IDeaS; and finalised an agreement with Nakheel to develop a family lifestyle resort in Dubai.

    Centara’s CEO, Mr. Thirayuth Chirativat commented, “Allen is a tenured industry expert with an impressive track record of growing the brand footprint of hotel and resort businesses in Asia and beyond. We are confident of meeting our expansion targets with a professional of Allen’s calibre leading our Business Development division”.

    With this latest appointment, Centara’s management team is almost complete following its recent reorganisation. The company is building a diverse and experienced leadership structure to set it up for continued future success.

  • Centara Hotels & Resorts sets out 5 year vision and strategy for growth

    Centara Hotels & Resorts sets out 5 year vision and strategy for growth

    Following Centara’s recent announcement that it had strengthened its management team by welcoming back seasoned industry professional Markland Blaiklock, in a newly formed role of Deputy CEO, the group has now released its significant expansion plans for the next five years.

    Centara is Thailand’s largest domestic hotel operator and continues to increase its international footprint, with 57 properties in operation or under development across 12 countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, China, the Middle East and the Caribbean. The company operates a diverse portfolio ranging from 5-star luxury hotels in major cities to remote tropical island resorts and innovative value properties. It differentiates itself from competitors by offering gracious, Thai-style service; branded spas and restaurants with excellent reputations; and a variety of formats and service innovations that deliver quality and value to business and leisure travellers.

    In 2017 Centara was active in Asia and the Middle East opening new hotels, signing management and joint venture agreements, and launching its new COSI lifestyle brand. It plans to continue growing, doubling revenue during the next five years by executing three, broad strategies.

    Centara’s three strategies for growth:

    1. The company plans to expand its current portfolio, doubling the number of properties it operaties via new investments and management agreements. It will add hotels and resorts where tourism demand, the business environment, and synergy with existing company assets and customers offer the best strategic opportunities.

    In geographic terms, Centara aims to become more prominent in Southeast Asian markets, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East, while expanding its footprint into East Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. The company will also develop and expand new brands (such as COSI) to fill gaps in its hotel and resort portfolio.

    1. The company will identify and pursue new business opportunities outside its historic hotel and resort core. These related businesses – branded residences are an example – will leverage Centara’s hospitality competencies and competitive strengths, targeting new or growing markets through brand development or acquisitions.
    2. The company will strengthen its core infrastructure, including operating platforms, technology, and reputation. It wants its systems to be best in class to ensure business and service processes are efficient and effective. This includes improving the customer experience via websites, mobile apps, relationship management systems and loyalty programmes. Centara also aims to increase international brand awareness using mass media, new media, event and relationship marketing.

    Thirayuth Chirativat, Centara’s Chief Executive Officer, remarked on the vision. ”We are entering a significant phase of growth. Centara has always been at the forefront of the hospitality industry in Thailand and with our concerted focus on expansion in both new and existing markets, we will become an even more prominent regional player in the coming years. With the dynamic and progressive management team we have in place, the future development and growth of the company is very exciting.”

    Centara believes a clearly-articulated vision, well-designed strategies, and motivated people led by an experienced management team will achieve growth for the benefit of its shareholders, customers, partners and employees.

     

     

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  • Centara appoints Deputy CEO to lead next phase of growth

    Centara appoints Deputy CEO to lead next phase of growth

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced the appointment of Markland Blaiklock as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Blaiklock will be responsible for steering the continued expansion of Centara, which aims to double both its revenues and number of properties over the next five years.

    Blaiklock returns to Centara in an expanded capacity having previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer in 2015. He has held senior executive positions with Le Meridien, Shangri-La, Raffles and Accor hotel groups, in Asia and North America. He is a Canadian national educated in England and France.

    Centara created the new Deputy CEO position and brought in the experienced executive to focus on the company’s ambitious growth plans over the next five years and beyond. Blaiklock will also oversee operations, human resources, sales, marketing, business development and legal services.

    Centara has been expanding outside its base in Thailand, where it operates 32 properties. The company currently has 67 properties open or under development across 13 countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, China, the Middle East and the Caribbean. The next phase of growth will see Centara become an even more significant regional brand with properties opening in China, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Qatar and the UAE.

    Centara manages a diverse brand portfolio catering to the needs of key business and leisure travel segments. Its properties range from large, upscale city hotels and convention centres, to elite island resorts and economy products. The company recently launched a new affordable hotel concept, COSI, designed for the new generation of connected lifestyle travellers. In addition to expanding COSI, Centara aims to develop new businesses where it can leverage its competitive strengths of Thai hospitality, food and spa expertise, and synergy with the Central Group.

    Blaiklock’s operational experience will also be put to work leading improvement of Centara’s technical platforms and systems, ensuring the company’s core infrastructure supports its vision for global expansion.

    “I’m delighted to be back with Centara during this dynamic period of growth for the company,” said Markland Blaiklock. “The plans are ambitious and exciting. I look forward to contributing my experience, energy, and leadership to Centara’s capable team. Together we can achieve great progress.”

    Centara’s Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirativat added, “We are delighted to have Markland back with Centara. This new position is an important component in our growth plans and his proven leadership qualities will help us accomplish our goals.”

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  • Centara to Support Programme That Puts Surplus Food to Good Use

    Centara to Support Programme That Puts Surplus Food to Good Use

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s largest hotel operator, will participate in an innovative new charity operation that collects and distributes surplus food to benefit people in need, starting this August. The operation, ThaiHarvest|SOS is a joint initiative with OzHarvest, the pioneering Australian organization that has established a proven and successful “Food Rescue” model which is being adopted around the world, and the Thai Foundation Scholars of Sustenance (SOS)

    The programme’s mission is to eliminate hunger and food waste through the re-distribution of quality surplus food. Experts estimate as much as a third of food produced for human consumption is wasted in the transport, distribution, and preparation supply chain. When this food ends up in a landfill, it represents a tremendous waste of resources and a lost opportunity to help people unable to afford adequate nutrition.

    The OzHarvest rescue and redistribution system has proven a safe and efficient way to reduce this waste and benefit the planet. Begun in Australia 14 years ago, it is now being replicated in the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Peru, Indonesia and Vietnam. An important part of the initiative is educating people about the problem and opportunity of food waste.

    In Thailand, ThaiHarvestISOS picks up good quality surplus food daily from participating supermarkets, hotels, food courts, restaurants and other businesses. Trained inspectors sort the food and assure its safety. Food no longer fit for human consumption is taken to local farms for composting. The rest is refrigerated and delivered to the needy. Since 2016 ThaiHarvestISOS has donated over 60,000 meals to organizations such as Mercy Center Orphanage, Half Way Homes for men and women, the Pak Kred Babies’ Home and the Poh Teck Tung Foundation.

    In August Centara Hotels & Resorts will begin donating surplus food from its Centara Grand hotels at CentralWorld and Ladprao. Eventually it hopes for all its Thailand properties to participate. These main two properties will also arrange an event called “Master Class Dinner”. It will be led by Will and Steve, celebrity chefs who won Australia’s The Seven Network’s top rating cooking show in 2015 – My Kitchen Rules Australia and known as chefs who support OzHarvest campaigns and now ThaiHarvestISOS.

    “We are thrilled about the leadership taken by Centara to partner with us on our mission to eliminate hunger and reduce food waste through the re-distribution of quality surplus food. Their commitment and support will allow ThaiHarvest|SOS to both help reduce food waste in Thailand and at the same time, provide good meals to those in need in our community”, said Gopi Krishnan, Head of Programmes at OzHarvest and ThaiHarvest|SOS.

    “As we prepare food for our guests, unavoidably at the end of each day we have surplus – for example, bakery items or excess from a large banquet,” said Centara’s Corporate Director of Food and Beverage, Winfried Hancke. “It is a shame to let this food go to waste when there are so many people who could benefit from it.”

    Supatra Chirathivat, Centara’s Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities, noted how well the programme fits the group’s social responsibility and sustainability goals. “Being a good member of the community means helping those less fortunate and using the earth’s resources more efficiently. We’re

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  • Centara Wins Recognition of Chinese Guests with “Best City Hotel” Award

    Centara Wins Recognition of Chinese Guests with “Best City Hotel” Award

    Over 10 million Chinese tourists visit Thailand each year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) polled many of them for the 2017 People’s Choice Awards and Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World was voted “Best City Hotel.” The poll, just completed in June, is evidence of Chinese visitors’ growing importance to Thailand, and Centara’s success in meeting their needs.

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s largest hotel operator, is making a concerted effort to appeal to Chinese guests. Their 66 deluxe and first-class properties includes 43 Thailand hotels across all major tourist destinations and another 23 located in prominent international destinations. The award-winner, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, is one of the group’s premier properties, located in the heart of Bangkok’s central shopping district and integrated with a popular convention and shopping complex.

    Centara also operates properties in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Oman. The group offers diverse formats — integrating multi-ethnic restaurants, Thai spas, Kids’ Clubs, water parks, and other innovative features – that appeal to couples, individuals, families, and business professionals. Thailand’s famous hospitality culture is also a key ingredient of the brand’s recipe for success.

    Most Centara hotels and resorts have Chinese-speaking staff and serve Chinese meals including breakfast. Centara offers Chinese information about its hotels and destinations, promotions, and online booking on its official website, which is now hosted in China for optimum speed. The group also accepts the popular Chinese payment channel UnionPay, in addition to major credit cards, and is active on China’s leading social media applications, Wiebo and WeChat.

    The Centara management team led by 3 top executives; Tom Thrussell – Vice President of Marketing, Paul Wilson – Vice President of Sales and Harry Thaliwal – Group Director of Operations, recently completed a roadshow that included five major Chinese cities and Hong Kong. The tour raised awareness of the Centara brand and shared news of the group’s expansion plans into China and the Middle East with members of China’s travel industry and key trade and consumer media.

    “China now represents our most significant inbound market and the numbers will continue to rise”, said Tom Thrussell. “We are committed to developing a deep understanding of Chinese guests’ needs and by visiting key Chinese cities and partners, engaging with our guests and soliciting feedback, we are able to communicate more effectively, better meet their travel needs and ultimately equipped ourselves to manage successful properties in China itself.”

    Centara is planning to open its first properties in China in 2019.

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  • Centara Achieves More Gold for Green

    Centara Achieves More Gold for Green

    – Sustainability is at the heart of Centara Hotels & Resorts operations and is embedded in the corporate culture. Centara’s teams work diligently to reduce their impact on the environment and within local communities. As recognition for the hard work and motivation to continue sustainability initiatives, two more Gold Certifications were awarded by EarthCheck for Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Karon Resort Phuket. Other Centara properties also retained Silver Certifications.

    Centara Gold Certified properties have continued to engage in programmes such as energy, water and waste management since 2008. In April 2017, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi achieved their 7th year of Earthcheck Gold Certification. Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin and Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui reached their 6th year of Gold Certified. Their “Green Teams” still strive for continual improvement.

    The “EarthCheck Gold” designation is only conferred after five years of independent assessment and adherence to internationally-recognised, scientific standards. These efforts help inspire stakeholder confidence and drive further organisational improvement, competitive advantage, innovation and growth.

    At Centara Karon Resort Phuket, the Green Team understands the importance of educating and working with stakeholders, partners and local communities to implement sustainability efforts. Working together with local environment groups, Centara helps increase public awareness for the environment and social responsibility.  As part of these initiatives, Centara Karon Resort Phuket supports and educates local schools and communities. To celebrate their first year Gold Certification, the Green Team will repaint the playground of Wat Suwankirikhet School in Karon Province with biodegradable, nontoxic paints that are safer for the environment and students.

    Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is the integrated five-star hotel, convention centre and lifestyle complex in the heart Bangkok. They have installed an energy management system throughout the property. In 2016, energy consumption was controlled to 199.6 MJ per guest night which is better than best practice benchmarks of peer properties. Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre has saved 981,867 kwh/year and reduced CO2 emissions to 571 tons/year. To celebrate its Gold achievement, the hotel will launch a Green Meeting Package aligned with ISO 20121 standards for sustainable events management.

    “As one of Thailand’s leading hospitality groups, it is important to take a leadership role and encourage others to join the effort,” said Mr. Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “These accomplishments motivate our teams as we continue our efforts to bring about positive environmental change while providing our guests with memorable travel experiences.”

    Centara is also proud to announce that nine properties have retained Silver Certification in 2017: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Kata Resort Phuket; Centara Villas Phuket; Centara Villas Samui; Centara Hotel Hat Yai; Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives; and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi also achieved Bronze Certification as their first year certified programme.

    “Centara Hotels & Resorts has taken a significant leadership position in sustainability and has shown continued dedication to the EarthCheck program. Achieving EarthCheck Certification is not an easy task. It requires the commitment and ownership from management, staff and suppliers and a willingness to submit reporting to expert scrutiny,” commented Stewart Moore, Chief Executive Officer for EarthCheck. “Congratulations to all 15 Certified properties, in particular Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Karon Resort Phuket for being awarded with EarthCheck’s prestigious Gold Certification.”

    Five more properties are on track to receive Gold Certification in 2018: Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok; Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Centara Kata Resort Phuket; and Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives. Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi will also be certified Silver for the first time. While Centara Hotels & Resorts continue to make great strides in their sustainability management, they are always exploring new opportunities to improve sustainability, lessen their impact on the environment, and better support local communities.

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  • Centara Relaunches Stunning Danang Resort After Major Upgrade

    Centara Relaunches Stunning Danang Resort After Major Upgrade

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s largest hotel operator, reopened the Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang following an extensive renovation and upgrade. The resort offers an excellent location on the white sands and clear waters of Non Nuoc beach. The site is designed to offer secluded privacy on a private beach, but is conveniently within 20 minutes of Danang’s airport and downtown, two championship golf courses, and the Hoi An World Heritage site. Its beautiful surroundings, combined with the recent improvements, make this a destination worth considering for vacationing families, couples or friends, as well as weddings or business events.

    A choice of accommodations includes rooms, villas and bungalows, with up to 92 square meters of living space. The resort’s newly-designed premium rooms and suites feature furnished balconies where guests can enjoy views of the East Sea, forested mountains, and 42 acres of manicured gardens. All 198 rooms are just a few steps away from a swimming pool – one in the gardens, the other at the beachfront.

    For families with young children, Centara offers a children’s pool, Kids’ Club, and babysitting service. Active adults and teens will enjoy the fitness centre, tennis court, games area, and activities such as kayaking, beach volleyball and kite flying.

    Amenities include Centara’s SPA Cenvaree, a sanctuary set in the tropical gardens that pampers guests with traditional Thai treatments and herbal balms. Centara added two new restaurants, giving the resort a total of five. They range from Ginger & Lime, featuring Thai, Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes, to the two delightful poolside bars that offer an eclectic array of pizza, gelato, international classics and Vietnamese street food.

    For weddings and business events, the resort now has two flexible function rooms with seating up to 90, plus outdoor areas popular for large receptions. The garden or beachfront pool areas can accommodate cocktail, banquet or cabaret functions of several hundred guests.

    The improved resort also offers a library, tour information desk, complimentary shuttle service to Danang and Hoi An, and free wireless internet.

    “Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang benefits from one of the most beautiful sites in Vietnam,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts. “Our goal when we upgraded the rooms, facilities and landscaping was a resort deserving of its exceptional natural surroundings. We wanted the result to be a vacation or event that would be unforgettable.