As the crowd continues its aggressive expansion across Asia and the broader world, Breaking Travel News here sits down with ONYX Hospitality chief executive Peter Henley to peer just what it’s that separates the group’s brands from their competitors.
Breaking Travel News: Are you able to just bring us recent with the most recent headlines from ONYX Hospitality Group as we move into the second one quarter of 2013
Peter Henley: Thailand based hotel management company, ONYX Hospitality Group, goes from strength-to-strength with quite a few exciting recent and ongoing developments across its brand portfolio, including global growth across India, Sri Lanka and the center East.
ONYX currently operates 34 properties with a list of greater than 5,000 rooms, across four brands.
In 2010, ONYX set a goal to become one in every of Asia’s leading hospitality providers by 2018 with a portfolio of 51 operating properties.
By the top of 2013 we’ll have 38 operational properties with an extra 11 contracts signed for the longer term, ensuring the objective set in 2010 can be surpassed well prior to schedule.
In 2013, we’re set to launch the primary two OZO properties in Hong Kong and Colombo in addition to Amari’s first property in India, Amari Ludhiana.
Serviced apartments brand Shama may also add a Hangzhou property to its ever increasing portfolio.
BTN: What markets are you specializing in currently and within the future
PH: Thailand remains an essential marketplace for us, and last year saw two new openings, Amari Hua Hin in August and Oriental Residence Bangkok in January.
Focus on Thailand will remain someday but we’re excited to be expanding into other markets.
Earlier this year Amari Doha launched in Qatar, becoming our first Middle Eastern property, and later in 2013 we take our first steps in India with the hole of Amari Ludhiana.
Even though the Amari brand is now expanding beyond our native Thailand, we recognise the significance of remembering our roots.
We have always believed that Asian hospitality is a stupendous asset to both guests and developers.
For example, through our international expansion, for instance at Amari Doha, we share elements of Asia with our guests through food and beverage, our signature Breeze Spa and interior design, while also striving to attach visitors to the culture of the destination of Doha.
Amari Hua Hin Hotel opened in late 2012
BTN: Could you give our readers an outline of ONYX’s brands and specific developments
PH: There are four brands under the ONYX corporate umbrella.
Amari remains the centrepiece of the ONYX portfolio and is a longtime hotel brand in Thailand with 13 hotels around the country.
In 2009 we revitalised the Amari brand and introduced a brand new feel and look, the results of market research into guest needs and expectations.
The development of the Amari brand is central to ONYX’s expansion, as discussed, in 2012 we opened Amari Hua Hin in Thailand and this year we welcomed Amari Doha in Qatar to the Amari family.
Late 2013 will see another first for the emblem, because the first Amari property in India is formally introduced with Amari Ludhiana, following a soft opening period.
As well because the new openings, the logo can be making enhancements to its existing property portfolio.
OZO, an extra brand under the ONYX umbrella, seeks to revitalise smart travel through focussing on a very good sleep experience.
The brand was born once we identified an opening available in the market for a hotel brand offering a fresh tackle select services for both business and leisure travellers, with a core specialise in the haven of peace in the guestroom, embodied inside the OZO promise – “SLEEP. DREAM”.
The first OZO property will launch this year, with OZO Wesley Hong Kong, and this can be a thrilling development for us.
This could be followed by the outlet of OZO Colombo in Sri Lanka in mid 2013.
The brand can be set to open its first resort property, OZO Chaweng Samui, at the Thai island of Koh Samui in 2014.
Shama has secured a management contract for a brand new development in China within the city of Hangzhou.
Shama HEDA Hangzhou is scheduled to open late 2013 within the capital and biggest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China.
This latest development for Shama will strengthen the brand’s positioning as a market leader of luxurious serviced apartments in Greater China whilst also propelling growth within the Asia region.
On January 23rd 2012 we opened the doors to our first luxury venture, Oriental Residence Bangkok.
Set in an iconic 32 storey building, the valuables boasts a celebrated location to enhance its stylish and sublime accommodation, facilities and dining options.
The mixed use development also houses privately owned condominiums.
Within six months of its soft opening date, the valuables was ranked number 1 in Bangkok on TripAdvisor out of over 700 hotels.
Our wide-ranging portfolio is paying off, as we can define each brand’s signature offerings to present our customer exactly what they want, for instance Amari has more facilities and provides large meeting spaces for corporate business whereas the OZO brand attracts guests who wish to explore the realm but won’t have to use the hotel facilities.
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Amari Watergate Bangkok is a key portion of the ONYX portfolio
BTN: Are you able to give us some details on what’s next for ONYX
PH: As mentioned earlier, by the tip of 2013 the gang could have 38 operational properties with a different 11 contracts signed for the longer term.
Outside of Thailand, more expansion into other markets is additionally within the planning stages for all brands as we continue our development.
The next one year will see big steps being taken in our strategic vision to become considered one of Asia’s leading providers of hospitality by 2018.
Key developments within the near future include the introduction of the Amari brand into the Indian market with Amari Ludhiana in 2013, and the primary operational properties under the OZO brand launching this year.
More Information
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