Astudo to Add 10+ New Hotels to Portfolio in 2009

Thailand-based Astudo Hotel and Resort Management Company has secured management rights for 10 new properties due to open this year.

According to company CEO Anthony McDonald, “Investors and owners realize that with tough market conditions it is even more essential to have professional management for their hotels, which can provide access to extensive sales and marketing networks throughout the world.”

Having opened resorts in Samui, Kui Buri, Koh Kood, Pranburi, Chumphon and Chiang Mai in the last 18 months, Astudo’s credibility as a fast growing professional hotel operator for boutique properties is attracting more hotel owners to their portfolio.

Astudo managed hotels carry one of their four brands, depending on the type and positioning of the property. “This enables the company to share marketing and sales investment and effort across their whole portfolio of properties. This is very attractive to owners of small boutiques who struggle to get market visibility”, said McDonald.

The company is due to open its first 100 rooms, 3 star budget city hotel called “The Base” on Silom road early this year, with a second property to follow in Manila later in 2009.

The company has targeted to grow “The Base” hotels portfolio to a total of 10 properties by 2010.

Astudo’s vacation residence brand “Le Bayburi” will open 3 new properties in the near term. Projects will be in Samui and Phuket, adding to their existing property in Pranburi. Other likely projects in 2009 for Le Bayburi will be in Krabi and Koh Chang. Combined, these projects represent an investment of over 3 Billion Baht, with a total of more than 400 rooms.

Having invested over 700 Million Baht in their flagship X2 Design Resorts in Kui Buri (Hua Hin) and Samui, the company is close to concluding management of two new build X2 properties, with open dates planned for 2010. The projects with a combined 100 rooms will be in Bangkok and one resort location.

In spite of the forecast drop in tourism next year McDonald said, “I am very confident in the medium and long term prospects for the industry. Market conditions will be tough for sure, but with a focus on marketing and sales, and continued support from the government agencies we forecast a return to normal very soon”.

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