Page 21 - April 2020

Thai-Inspired Dedicated to providing exceptional service in unique and sophisticated environments,

Centara Hotels & Resorts is a Thai hospitality management and holding company that
Hospitality places a strong emphasis on providing its inimitably warm and gracious service style across

all its brands. Here, RLI speaks with Markland Blaiklock, Deputy CEO of Centara Hotels
& Resorts about the brand and what the future has in store.

CENTARA RESERvE CENTARA RESERvE
Samui, Thailand Samui, Thailand

CENTARA KMA RESORT CENTARA RESERvE
Inle Lake, Myanmar Samui, Thailand

ome 37 years ago back in 1983, the Central Group This year is shaping up to be another exceptional year for “Our resorts and hotels embody the very best of Thai They deliver and celebrate the hospitality and values
of companies – Thailand’s leading retail group – the brand, with eight new properties set to open, with new hospitality, including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional
formed Centara Hotels & Resorts and opened countries being added to the company’s world map. This will spas and the importance of families. We also continue to run food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Its
S its first property, a five-star hotel together with increase its room and suite count by also 2,000 and is in line our global loyalty programme, Centara The1 which reinforces distinctive culture and company ethos allow them to serve
the Bangkok Convention Centre, located in the expanding with its strategic growth plan to make Centara a top 100 our guests’ loyalties with rewards, privileges and special member travellers of every age and lifestyle.
northern suburbs of Bangkok. global hotel operator within the next five years. pricing. When combined, our customers feel at home and build As the interview nears its end, we ask what the greatest
In 2009, Centara opened its first overseas hotel, the five- The brand is focusing on adding several key destinations an attachment to the brand, enticing them back,” says Blaiklock. challenge is moving forward?
star Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives which has to its current portfolio over the next few years, with further Key drivers behind the success of the brand to date “The greatest challenge in our midst is the COVID-19
proven to be a huge success in the years since. sites in Laos, China, Cambodia and Japan along with locations include staying true to its values as a family business, having an outbreak. It is a situation that is still unfolding on a global
The portfolio includes six brands, Centara Reserve, in the Middle East and Europe. effective growth strategy which includes incorporating new scale, and it is difficult to know what the full impact is going
Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Boutique Collection, “We look for new properties located in attractive investments, acquisitions and management agreements both to be,” explains Blaiklock.
Centra by Centara and COSI. destinations that show long-term growth potential; with in Thailand and overseas. “Once any restrictions are lifted, we look forward to
Centara Hotels & Resorts currently has 75 properties in laws and regulations that welcome our investments and The digital team of the business continues to grow in size, welcoming back our guests. In the meantime though, the safety
operation or in development spanning all major destinations properties that are aligned with our target customers and staying ahead of digital trends and tech innovations to ensure of our guests and employees remains our first priority, and we
in Thailand and 13 other countries, including the Maldives, can grow along with the family of Centara brands.” they are constantly improving the online user experience. have further strengthened our protocols to ensure they receive
Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Each property within the portfolio has its own signature Beyond developing its website, its digital strategy focuses the best possible protection at every Centara property.”
Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. and unique set of strengths, and they keep developing new on increasing its presence on social media platforms as well
“2019 was a milestone year for the major progress made ideas, products and themes to ensure they remain able to as mobile apps, playing special attention to its relationship “2019 was a milestone year for the major
toward establishing the Centara brand as a truly international give its guests the desired on-site experience. management systems and loyalty programmes.
hospitality brand,” explains Markland Blaiklock, Deputy CEO of They design their hotels to be destinations in their own right, As they continue to expand its global footprint, the progress made toward establishing the
Centrara Hotels & Resorts. “We secured new agreements and with distinctive facilities and activities guests find engaging. They company are planning to support this with international Centara brand as a truly international
partners with leading companies in Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, also put extra care into making sure that their food offerings brand awareness using mass media, new media, event and
Qatar and Japan, representing a historic expansion for Centara.” are delicious and venues are innovative and impressive. relationship marketing. hospitality brand”

CENTARA gRANd ISLANd RESORT & SpA
Maldives
28 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2020