Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group has experienced a record year in 2014 with nine property openings between January and September, equating to an average one opening per month. ONYX currently manages 51 properties, including 14 properties in development, ensuring its strategic plan to manage 81 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments by 2018 is on track to being achieved.
Business Update Despite 2014 being a challenging year for some properties in Thailand, the group revenue is forecast to be 12% ahead of 2013 by year end. The booking pace has considerably improved for Thailand properties during the last quarter with business in Bangkok, Samui and Phuket now back on track. Resort properties in Samui, Hua Hin and Krabi are actually showing very positive results and are currently, year to date, ahead of their position in 2013.
Latest Openings With nine properties already launched in 2014, across the ONYX portfolio, the Amari brand has been conquering new markets. Earlier this year the group welcomed the first football themed property in Thailand with Amari Buriram United, it was followed by Amari Dhaka, which soft opened in Bangladesh in June. Mid –range brand OZO is also growing fast. This year the brand saw openings in Sri Lanka and Thailand, with OZO Chaweng Samui (the brands first resort), followed by OZO Pattaya which opened in September and OZO Colombo, the first of three properties in Sri Lanka.
Existing Property Developments As well as new properties joining the group, ONYX has also been re-investing into some of the existing portfolio, most recently with renovations at Amari Watergate Bangkok and Amari Phuket. Continuing with this plan, Amari Phuket will welcome a new 148 room wing (opening June 2015) and Amari Palm Reef Samui will undergo a complete re-model and expansion.
Future Plans As ONYX strives towards its goal of becoming Asia’s leading hospitality provider by 2018, a number of exciting signings and openings across the portfolio are planned for next year and beyond.
OZO Kandy Sri Lanka – Opening 2015 OZO Kandy will become the second OZO property in Sri Lanka and the 5th OZO property for the brand. Comprising 128 rooms, OZO Kandy is located in the heart of the town, adjacent to Kandy Lake. The hotel’s facilities will include a swimming pool, a gym, two restaurants and OZO‘s innovative grab and go concept, EAT2Go. The property is nearing completion and is set to open in Q1 2015.
Amari Havodda Maldives – Opening 2016 As ONYX’s portfolio continues to grow, we are excited to announce the ground breaking of Amari Havodda Maldives located in the southern Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. Set to open in Q1 2016, Amari Havodda will offer a private and pristine island hideaway, comprising of 120 villas including 48 Beach villas, 12 Beach Pool Villas, 58 Overwater Villas and two Overwater Pool Villas.
Amari Pecatu Bali- Opening 2017 As the group’s first step of expansion into Indonesia, ONYX has been appointed to operate a 435-room property in Bali. Located on the island’s southern Peninsula, Pecatu is well-known as a surfer’s paradise. Amari Pecatu will be part of the 400-hectare Pecatu Indah Resort, an integrated development with planned facilities including a shopping mall and conference venues that can accommodate up to 12,000 people.
Executive Movements
ONYX Hospitality Group – Peter Foster – Vice President, Sales Peter Foster has been appointed Vice President, Sales at ONYX Hospitality Group. Foster joins ONYX with over 30 years of experience in the industry working with a number of prominent hospitality brands. Prior to joining ONYX, Peter held the role of Area Director Sales and Marketing for InterContinental Festival City Dubai.
Oriental Residence Bangkok – Sukamal Mondal, General Manager Sukamal Mondal has been appointed General Manger of Oriental Residence Bangkok. Mondal has been a part of the ONYX family for over eight years, most recently as General Manager of Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok and Ekkamai Gardens Bangkok.
Amari Nova Suites Pattaya – Max Sieracki, General Manager After eleven years of service at several ONYX properties, and a year of support to the corporate pre-opening team, Sieracki has been promoted to General Manager, overseeing four properties in Pattaya.
OZO Colombo Sri Lanka – Alexandre Glauser, Area General Manager Alexandre Glauser has been appointed Area General Manager of OZO Colombo in Sri Lanka. Glauser will also oversee the soon to open OZO Kandy and later OZO Galle. Prior to joining ONYX, Glauser was Area General Manager of two properties for Centara Hotels & Resorts in Sri Lanka.
OZO Wesley Hong Kong- Mael Vestine, General Manager Mael Vestine has been appointed as General Manager of OZO Wesley Hong Kong. Prior to joining ONYX, Vestine was Resident Manager at ibis Hong Kong Central and Shueng Wan Hotel.
OZO Pattaya- Niwatcharee Wungsoontorn, General Manager A veteran of Thai hospitality, Wungsoontorn previously held the position of General Manager at Amari Rincome Chiang Mai and was Director of Sales at Amari Atrium Bangkok. She has now returned to the group to manage the newly opened OZO Pattaya.
Source: http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4067705.html
