BWH Hotel Group is eyeing significant expansion in Asia this year. In
an interview with Travel Weekly Asia, Olivier Berrivin, vice president
of operations – APAC, BWH Hotel Group, revealed that the company plans
to open new hotels and resorts, initiate attractive promotions, and
introduce more of their 19 diverse brands to the region.
What’s your business outlook for the Asian hospitality sector in 2023?
We are cautiously optimistic for the year ahead. 2022 ended on a
high, with the lifting of travel restrictions in all our major
destinations, which triggered the rapid return of travellers in the
final months of the year. Thailand, for example, welcomed approximately
11 million international visitors in 2022, one-third of whom arrived in
November and December.
I am very excited about our development plans for the year ahead. This is perhaps the most significant period of expansion in the history of BWH Hotel Group in Asia.
The return of the Chinese outbound market will provide a massive
boost, with destinations such as Thailand, Japan and Vietnam set to be
first in line to benefit. As the situation further normalises throughout
2023, we expect to see demand rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
Of
course, there are potential threats such as high energy prices, the
cost-of-living crisis and a looming global recession. But for most
people travel is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity, and we expect to
see the continued release of pent-up demand following the restrictions
of recent years.
What new plans or initiatives do you have in store to grow BWH Group this year?
BWH Hotel Group will continue to expand our region-wide portfolio of
hotels and resorts in 2023, while initiating attractive promotions and
leveraging the strength of Best Western Rewards, our global loyalty
programme, to attract new and returning guests. Our expansion will focus
on a series of key strategic markets, including Thailand and Vietnam,
while also introducing more of our 19 diverse brands to the region.
Key openings in Vietnam this year will include Executive Residency by
Best Western Cen Riverside Hanoi, which will mark the debut of our
extended-stay Executive Residency by Best Western brand in Southeast
Asia, as well as Venezia Binh Chau, BW Premier Collection by Best
Western, a spectacular new development on the country’s southeast coast.
In
Thailand, we recently opened Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin
and Best Western Chatuchak, while Best Western Ratchada Hotel will
launch in the next couple of months, followed by Best Western Click
Sathorn 11 Bangkok.
Multiple
new openings are also planned in Indonesia, and we will introduce
exciting new concepts to the Philippines, including Cebu’s first
SureStay Plus hotel.
Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin
WorldHotels will also expand across Asia this year. In late December
2022, the 164-key Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport, Tokyo, was
added to the WorldHotels Elite collection, and this will soon be
followed by its sister property, the 1,553-key Villa Fontaine Grand
Haneda Airport – the largest convention hotel at Japan’s busiest
airport.
In this Q3, La Green Resort will open its doors near Bangtao Beach to
become the first WorldHotels member in Phuket. This 420-key
eco-friendly resort will join the WorldHotels Distinctive collection.
These three new properties will all become part of WorldHotels Rewards,
the industry-leading loyalty programme which offers guests exclusive
members-only offers and benefits.
Our development teams are active all around the region and 2023 is
set to mark another important year in the growth of our portfolio in
Asia.
What are you most excited as well as concerned about in the new year?
As mentioned above, I am very excited about our development plans for
the year ahead. This is perhaps the most significant period of
expansion in the history of BWH Hotel Group in Asia. With a collection
of 19 diverse brands, we can now cater to the needs of owners,
developers and guests in every destination, from gateway cities to
emerging markets.
Mainly,
however, I am looking forward to the return of near normality in 2023.
Following the upheaval of the last three years, it is wonderful to start
a year with a sense of renewed optimism as we welcome our esteemed
guests back to our hotels and resorts.