Anantara Resorts Announces Extensive Development Plans
BANGKOK, Thailand, March 15, 2007. Anantara Resorts, a leading hotel brand in Asia Pacific, is set to expand with at least six new properties in the next two years which will further intensify its international status.
Among the key locations being tapped for strategic development - which complement the brand's existing network - are Sri Lanka, Bali, Vietnam and Dubai as well as two additional Thailand properties in Khao Lak and Phuket. Anantara Resort Bentota, Sri Lanka and Anantara Resort Seminyak, Bali, are set to debut in late 2007.
William E. Heinecke, Chairman and Chief Executive of Anantara's parent company, Minor International commented "This is a very exciting time for Anantara Resorts, as the brand is very focused on developing in key markets which enable our guests to feed their passion for exploration and experience. The locations, which are predominantly in South East Asia, the Middle East and Indian Ocean, will extend the synergies and cross marketing opportunities with our existing Anantara destinations"
Over the next 10 years, Anantara Resorts expects to continue the extensive development to include at least 40 resorts in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and indeed Europe.
Michael Sagild, COO Minor International added "Within the growth plans of Anantara Resorts, a central component is the way in which each of the destinations will synergise with existing and forthcoming resorts. The utilization of a "hub and spoke" strategy ensures that resorts are connected to key regional hubs of operation. This provides economies of scale and operational efficiencies whilst enabling a profound knowledge of the particular destination".
Creating a 'destination experience' is at the core of the Anantara philosophy and one that the brand takes seriously. The Anantara team is passionate about constantly anticipating and assessing every component of the resort experience in order to ensure that guests are inspired by their choice of destination and their resort and also - most importantly - entirely at ease.
Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'borderless water', a name chosen for this element's association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Inspired by local architecture and sensitive to the indigenous culture, Anantara Resorts are currently located in the seaside town of Hua Hin (220kms south of Bangkok), on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Golden Triangle in the country's north. Anantara Resort Maldives opened in August 2006.
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