Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s premier hotel operator, returns to the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) 2024 with a bold expansion strategy to strengthen its footprint in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. The company, known for its distinctive family-centric hospitality, shared its ambitious plan to introduce new hotels, brands, and unique resorts at the event, setting sights on becoming one of the world’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027.

A 40-Year Legacy of Hospitality

After marking its 40th anniversary in 2023, Centara manages 95 hotels and resorts across 12 countries and six distinct brands: Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life, and COSI. Their expanding portfolio includes upscale properties in Qatar, Oman, and the UAE.

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka opened its doors in 2023 to mark the group’s debut in Japan.

Strategic Growth Across Regions

Centara’s strategic expansion is already in motion, highlighted by the 2023 debut of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka in Japan, a landmark five-star property. Their affordable lifestyle brand, COSI, launched its first location outside Thailand with COSI Vientiane Nam Phu in Laos in early 2024. Moving forward, two significant new resorts will open in the Maldives: Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, an underwater-themed family resort, and Centara Grand Lagoon Resort Maldives, a sophisticated sanctuary for travellers seeking tranquillity.

The Centara Reserve Samui, which opened in 2021 as the first under the luxury Centara Reserve brand, will be rolled out to more destinations across Asia. Meanwhile, the refreshed Centara Life brand (previously Centra by Centara) aims to elevate the essentials in critical cities across Thailand and beyond.

Renovations and Sustainability Goals

Centara is also renovating its flagship properties, including Centara Karon Resort Phuket and Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, both set for completion by late 2024. The company remains committed to responsible and sustainable growth, striving to eliminate single-use plastics and achieve Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for all properties by 2025. By 2030, Centara targets a 20% reduction in energy, waste, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Meeting the Industry at ATM

Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha is one of the leading five-star hotels in Qatar’s capital city.

Michael Henssler, Centara’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the company’s dedication to sustainable growth: “We are delighted to return to the Arabian Travel Mart to meet our esteemed travel trade friends and colleagues from the Middle East and around the world. Centara has a proud heritage built upon 40 years of warm, family-centric hospitality, which resonates strongly with the Middle Eastern market.”

He added, “Our global expansion strategy will introduce intuitive hotels, resorts, and brands to new destinations. We look forward to sharing our exciting developments with industry colleagues and media partners in 2024 and beyond.”

New Openings in Dubai

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai opened in 2021 and is the company’s first Mirage resort in the Middle East. With a Thai-Arabian adventure theme, family-friendly accommodations, and a thrilling water park, it’s a hit among travellers seeking fun and relaxation. Centara is also present in popular destinations for Middle Eastern guests like Thailand and the Maldives.

For more information on Centara Hotels & Resorts, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Written by: Michelle Warner

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