Radisson Hotel Group is gearing up for the recovery of travel and hospitality in Thailand with plans to exponentially expand its portfolio by adding 100 hotels and resorts in the country by 2025. The new growth plans for Thailand represent part of the Group’s wider expansion strategy which targets the growth of its current portfolio of 400 properties to over 2,000 hotels and resorts in operation and development by 2025. At present, Radisson Hotel Group has a collection of 6 properties in Thailand, with 4 hotels currently operating in Bangkok and two more in the pipeline in Phuket and Pattaya.
This ambitious strategy will be driven by a dynamic business model that will be tailor-made to owners, and driven through a combination of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, and master license agreements. With a defined brand architecture and segmentation, the Group leverages its collection of industry-leading brands including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu and Radisson, while tapping into growing segments such as resorts and serviced apartments, with a focus on key business and leisure destinations that includes, Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, as well as up-and-coming locations across the Kingdom of Thailand.
Focusing on Thailand’s dynamic growth and opportunities, the Group sees vast potential in brands including Radisson Individuals, the Group’s soft brand, which is gaining good traction globally, and is expected to be popular with Thai owners and developers. Radisson Individuals promises greater flexibility and lower investment costs, while also allowing hotels to maintain their unique characteristics and personalities. Other brands driving this rapid expansion will be upper midscale brand, Park Inn by Radisson, that seeks to offer the essentials, carefully designed with guests’ mood in mind, while providing friendly service and surprising, feel-good extras, and Radisson RED, an upscale brand that infuses a playful twist on conventional hotel stays featuring stylish spaces with standout design where our guests can feel inspired, engaged with others and connected to the heart of the destination.
Radisson Hotel Group will also capitalize on its alliance with its shareholder Jin Jiang International and affiliates to accelerate its expansion. Owners and developers will have access to an expanded collection of brands in select markets across Asia Pacific. In Thailand, the Group has secured rights to develop and operate 7 Days, a premium economy brand and Metropolo, through individual master license agreements with affiliates of Jin Jiang. Targeting the upscale and mid-scale segments in Thailand, the Group has also secured rights to develop and operate the Golden Tulip, Kyriad and Campanile brands, from Louvre Hotels Group.
Throughout 2021, Radisson Hotel Group, with the support of its shareholders Jin Jiang and Sino-Ceef, has continued to roll-out its five-year transformation plan which resulted in the implementation of best-in-class systems to maximize revenue across the Group’s hotels, as well as continued investment in the Group’s operating systems, resulting in the delivery of the best GOP in the industry.
Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to supporting the future of travel and hospitality in Thailand is reinforced by the launch of a dedicated business unit in Bangkok, which gives its Thai partners access to a team of on-the-ground experts that develops long standing relationships based on trust, responsibility and accountability.
“Thailand is a highly desirable destination offering a wealth of experiences for all types of travelers. The removal of border restrictions is a highly important step in the recovery of the Kingdom’s tourism economy, and we expect to see a strong resurgence of inbound travel over the coming months. Radisson Hotel Group is poised and fully committed to the future of travel and hospitality in Thailand, and we look forward to working with all our partners to build a bright future in this captivating country,” said Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.
David Nguyen, Managing Director, Indochina and Strategic Partnerships, South East Asia & Pacific added, “With Thailand being one of Radisson Hotel Group’s core growth markets, my team and I look forward to working with partners in the country to further expand our portfolio to be ready for the tourism rebound.”
Thailand is now fully open to international visitors with no testing requirements or quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated inbound travelers. Following this important step, the “Land of Smiles” is expected to experience a fast recovery as guests flock back to their favorite destinations. The Thai government estimates that the country will attract over 7 million international visitors in 2022.
In the longer term, the return of Chinese visitors to Thailand will play a major role in the success of Radisson Hotel Group, and Thailand as a whole. Prior to the pandemic, Chinese nationals accounted for more than a quarter of the country’s total visitor arrivals. When outbound tourism from China eventually resumes, Thailand will be one of the first countries to benefit. Radisson Hotel Group’s alliance with Jin Jiang International will offer unprecedented access to this hugely important market, including Chinese language booking channels, digital payments, and access to over 182 million loyalty program members.
Radisson Hotel Group will also help Thailand’s tourism sector achieve a sustainable future; the company has made a firm commitment to become carbon net zero by 2050 and all Radisson Meetings are 100% carbon neutral. Together with industry leaders such as the Phuket Hotel Association, Radisson Hotel Group is a partner of the Hotel Sustainability Basics, a new industry movement to drive sustainable travel.
