Akaryn eyes hotel growth

Akaryn eyes hotel growth

Akaryn Hotel Group is set to expand its presence, mainly in overseas markets, with an aim to increase the number of Akyra-branded hotels to 12 properties by 2022.

Ms Anchalika says the brand will focus on management of future properties.

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, the managing director and founder, said that for future expansion the group will act as a hotel manager rather than investing in its own properties.

The group is working on adding some properties to its portfolio, with projects in various stages of readiness. These include properties in Hoi An, Vietnam; Malaysia's Cameron Highlands; and Bangkok's Rattanakosin Island.

Akaryn is mulling other projects in Bali, Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.

"As a Thai boutique hotel brand, we will spread our wings across Southeast Asia," Ms Anchalika said.

The group's four existing hotels and resorts in Thailand are Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, Akyra Beach Club Phuket, Akyra Thonglor Bangkok and Akyra Tas Sukhumvit Bangkok. The latter hotel opened in May this year.

Two years ago, the group announced its first overseas hotel management deal in Vientiane. However, that plan has been halted for business reasons.

Tourism in Laos has been booming, and that has attracted many international hotel chains into the country, including Holiday Inn and Ibis.

Since then, Akaryn has looked at management in other markets throughout Southeast Asia.

Ms Anchalika said all new Akyra hotels and resorts will retain the brand's core philosophies, including sustainability, community interaction and environmental awareness.

As an example of this, Akyra Tas Sukhumvit Bangkok became the first new hotel in Asia to launch without any single-use plastic in its rooms or in food and drink outlets.

All hotels in the group have pledged to eliminate single-use plastics by the second quarter of 2019.

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