THAI hotel chain Centara Hotels & Resorts has laid hands on a third property in the Maldives through a partnership with RPI.
Centara signed the management contract with RPI in September last year and the property is currently being developed at a cost of US$36 million.
To be opened within the second half of 2014, the 110-room Centara Hudhufushi Resort & Spa will be located on the eastern side of Lhaviyani Atoll, a 25-minute seaplane ride away from Male International Airport.
The Thai chain currently operates Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives and will open Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives this month.
Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing, Centara Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our international presence has grown extremely strongly during the past few years, and the Maldives has been a major success for us.
“We believe that having a third Maldives resort, in a very different location among the Maldivian islands, and with a different style (from) the existing two resorts, will give us a very powerful marketing tool.
“Our marketing division for the Indian Ocean region has recently been strengthened, and we have great confidence in (both) the region and our latest venture.”
Over the next five years, the Thai hotel chain is aiming to acquire more than 45 hotels and resorts, with the intention of reaching 100 properties worldwide by 2017 (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 1, 2012).
