Lanson Place Hospitality Management is exploring both investment and management opportunities to further grow the brand in major gateway cities in Asia-Pacific, CEO Michael Hobson said.
Poised to open its eighth property in Manila in 2Q2023 and its ninth in Melbourne in 2024, the management company had an “interesting discussion” to develop a “talent serviced apartment” in Shenzhen’s Greater Bay Area, which is being primed to welcome various industries and attract young talents, Hobson shared.
Lanson Place is also looking to own and manage properties for a more permanent presence in Shanghai and Beijing where its parent company, Hong Kong-listed Wing Tai Properties, has a presence.
The group has two high-end serviced apartments in Shanghai – Lanson Place Aroma Garden and Lanson Place Parkside.
Hobson said Lanson Place was keen on establishing a footprint in Tokyo three years ago, but plans were marred by the onset of Covid-19. Another target is London where Wing Tai already has properties in Mayfair.
Lanson Place has a compendium of seven managed properties – three in Hong Kong, two in China, and one each in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur – with a total of 1,000 rooms and residences.
Lanson Place Parliament Gardens in Melbourne will have 137 serviced units when it opens in 2024.
Lanson Place Mall of Asia in Manila will be its biggest property, with 247 hotel keys and 143 residential suites. It is the first hybrid hotel-branded residence for SMX Hotels and Conventions, which has nine mid-scale to luxury hotels and eight exhibition and convention venues throughout the Philippines.
Laurent Boisdron, vice president and general manager of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, said the property will have a full-service operation when it opens in April next year, including a spa, five F&B outlets, a grand ballroom and seven meeting rooms.
Boisdron added that targeted clientele comprises the strong domestic leisure market; corporates, with the numerous companies around the Manila Bay area; and business events, due to its proximity to SMX Convention Center Manila.
Not only have studies shown greater demand across the world for the hybrid hotel and serviced residences model as travellers now tend to stay longer in a destination, the hybrid model also presents lower risks to investors.
Whyte has over 30 years of senior travel industry experience, including at Travelport and Virtuoso in Australia, New Zealand and the US. He was previously the regional commercial manager at Sabre.
ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 will take in a series of government meetings on February 2 and 3, NTO meetings on February 4, and a new concept for its TRAVEX tourism exhibition component.
Speaking at a press conference last week, Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s minister of tourism and creative economy, said plans were well underway to host next year’s event.
“The government, both central and regional, are committed to the success of ATF 2023, (and are getting ready) to welcome participants and delegates,” he said.
Martini Mohammad Paham, deputy for resources and institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), revealed that the high-level meetings would address issues related to marketing, investment, human resources, and sustainable tourism. Discussion outcomes would be shared in a joint statement by the ASEAN ministers at the end of the event.
Meanwhile, TRAVEX will carry the theme, Journey to Wonderful Destinations. Held at Jogja Expo Center, the exhibition in 2023 will feature two new components, shared Rizki Handayani, deputy of tourism products and events of MoTCE.
The Indonesia Tourism Exhibition B2C show will provide regional tourism offices and industry members an opportunity to present and sell their products, while an SME exhibition will showcase creative industries from Yogyakarta and its surroundings.
TRAVEX, to be held from February 3 to 5, targets 250 exhibitor booths and 250 international buyers in attendance. Ninety buyers will be fully hosted by MoTCE, and some will be semi-hosted in cooperation with trade members.
Rizki said: “We are working with ASEANTA, as the steering committee, to organise ATF, and with ASTINDO and ASITA to invite their overseas partners to participate.”
Yogyakarta last hosted ATF in 2002.