Centara eye expanding Maldives presence

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Centara Hotels and Resorts – the hospitality arm of Bangkok-based Central Group, is looking to expand its presence in the Maldives. Centara is set to sharpen its focus on the region as South Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East offer the company the most promising opportunities to expand its presence, a top executive said in an interview with Asia Focus, Bangkok Post newspaper.

Centara’s two properties in the Maldives – Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, are its most successful hotels in terms of generating revenue for Centara Hotels and Resorts from outside of Thailand.

Announcing new properties in the Maldives, Suparat Chirathivat – Vice President for Business Development said, “We will invest more in the Maldives and aim to sign at least two more projects this year, including one management contract and one investment.”

According to Chirathivat, room rates in Thailand are not so high, and the company is lucky to have hotels established in countries like the Maldives where room rates are substantial. “Competition in the Maldives is high but we were there quite early. Our team understands this resort market quite well so our resorts perform quite nicely and the reputation of our brand is good.”

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives – located in South Ari Atoll, offers the perfect island holiday for everyone, with 112 beachfront suites and over-water villas. Its signature all-inclusive plan delivers a carefree holiday experience. Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives – located a mere 20-minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, is an adult-focused resort. It offers 140 villas, located both on the beachfront and over-water. It too has an all-inclusive programme with a hassle-free vacation experience.

Centara has 65 hotels in total, and operates in 11 countries with 22 properties outside Thailand; the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. It is currently developing two new properties in China, and 10 other projects are planned in various countries, including three investments and seven management contracts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]