ACCOR has announced three new signings in Myanmar, joining other companies like Best Western International and Hilton Worldwide who have also revealed plans to open properties in the country.
Accor will develop three newly-built hotels – a 168-room MGallery hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, 366-room Novotel Yangon Max and 280-room Novotel Mandalay Mingalar – with the second to open by the end of this year (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 22, 2013).
Meanwhile, senior international development manager from Best Western International’s Asia and Middle East head office, Akarapong Sukjit, has confirmed that the chain has been discussing franchising and ownership options in Myanmar with potential investors.
He said: “We’ve had many meetings with local firms…There are many places we are interested in such as Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, Kalaw, Bagan and other key destinations.
“After sanctions were lifted and after Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama visited, that gave us confidence in the market. There are tremendous opportunities here, and a lot of foreign direct investment.”
Last week, Hilton Worldwide also signed an agreement with LP Holding to manage the 300-room Hilton Yangon in Kyauktada Township, the brand‘s first-ever property in the country, scheduled to open in 2014 (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 6, 2013).
