Thistle Hotels Branch Out of UK
Despite the current economic climate, Gouman and Thistle Hotels are moving onwards and upwards
JANUARY 16, 2009 - Not content with being a third of the way through a lb100 million refurbishment of 32 existing UK based hotels under Richard Kiersey, (previously property director for De Vere Group for over 20 years)the newly appointed chief operating officer, Heiko Figge, has taken the brave decision to branch out to the sunnier shores of Asia developing a 250 room hotel in Port Dixon. The Malaysiaian project is due to open at the end of this year whilst work on the conversion of the old Hyatt Hotel near Singapore into a Thistle Hotel continues.
Figge said: "We talk ourselves into doom and gloom and of course hospitality is suffering, but we have improved our market share and this allows us the opportunity to move further afield."
The move is in an attempt to bring Thistle into the 21st century improving the service and century modernising the logo from the traditional Thistle emblem with a simple type face logo.
Chief executive of Guoman and Thistle Hotels Tim Scoble said: "Our portfolio has an excellent presence throughout the UK with properties in the best locations in leading cities. Our aim is to grow both brands, with Guoman establishing itself as a collection of exceptional deluxe hotels, and Thistle an upmarket portfolio.
Heiko Figge has previously worked as manager for the chains Royal Trafalgar, City Barbican and Marble Arch branches as well as having experience with Paramount Hotels and Marriott.
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