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Tune Hotels on exponential growth path
2013-02-21 11:43
NEW DELHI, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Tune Hotel Group is set to grow exponentially from 2013 onwards with hotels mushrooming in India, Middle East, Australia, Japan, as well as, the African region, says Chief Executive Officer Mark Lankester.
By end-2013, Tune Hotel would be present in eight countries, he said. "Currently we are in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and United Kingdom. India will be the sixth market followed by Australia and Japan," he said in an interview with Bernama.
In India, the first hotel would open in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in April, followed by Melbourne, Australia, in November and one more in Japan, he said.
Next year, Tune Hotel would also open its doors in Mekkah, Madinah and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, he said.
"We are looking at Europe as well. We are looking at Italy and we are finalising a deal in Vienna, Austria, amid the huge tourist potential there," he said.
In the African region, Tune Hotel is keen to enter Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, he said, adding that the value hotel chain had already signed a deal in Nigeria.
"There is oil money in Nigeria. The economy is growing fast. There is huge demand amid a population 160 million people but there is no supply and the fact that there are no big international brands in the country it is a great time for us to gain a foothold there.
"We love countries that offer high room rates," said Mark.
He said Colombo, Sri Lanka, also offered good opportunity and Tune Hotel was eyeing that market too.
"In Colombo, we are looking but we have not got anything substantial as yet," he said.
Besides expanding into new territories, Tune Hotel is also keen to grow in its existing markets.
"Only by expansion you will benefit from the economies of scale," he said.
Currently, there are 11 hotels in Malaysia, five in United Kingdom, three each in Indonesia and Thailand and four in the Philippines.
In Malaysia, hotels will open in Melaka, Alor Setar, Cyberjaya and KLIA2 ( 400 rooms) and in United Kingdom while one more hotel would be located in Canary Wharf, he said.
"The total number of hotel rooms will change rapidly from now onwards as we have plans to open one to two hotels every month," said Mark.
He said the key aspect was to continuously expand without over-stretching as campaign, advertising and brand building was equally important.
Asked on competition, he said there are rivalry at every place but it is all about offering the right product and services priced reasonably to attract customers.
Going forward, Mark said there was potential for Tune Hotel to go into full-fledged hotel services.
Although he did not provide a timeframe, he noted that at some stage it would make sense to offer a four-star hotel facility.
"By then, we would have built up certain amount of expertise. Just like how after AirAsia, AirAsia X came about," he added.
By end-2013, Tune Hotel would be present in eight countries, he said. "Currently we are in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and United Kingdom. India will be the sixth market followed by Australia and Japan," he said in an interview with Bernama.
In India, the first hotel would open in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in April, followed by Melbourne, Australia, in November and one more in Japan, he said.
Next year, Tune Hotel would also open its doors in Mekkah, Madinah and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, he said.
"We are looking at Europe as well. We are looking at Italy and we are finalising a deal in Vienna, Austria, amid the huge tourist potential there," he said.
In the African region, Tune Hotel is keen to enter Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, he said, adding that the value hotel chain had already signed a deal in Nigeria.
"There is oil money in Nigeria. The economy is growing fast. There is huge demand amid a population 160 million people but there is no supply and the fact that there are no big international brands in the country it is a great time for us to gain a foothold there.
"We love countries that offer high room rates," said Mark.
He said Colombo, Sri Lanka, also offered good opportunity and Tune Hotel was eyeing that market too.
"In Colombo, we are looking but we have not got anything substantial as yet," he said.
Besides expanding into new territories, Tune Hotel is also keen to grow in its existing markets.
"Only by expansion you will benefit from the economies of scale," he said.
Currently, there are 11 hotels in Malaysia, five in United Kingdom, three each in Indonesia and Thailand and four in the Philippines.
In Malaysia, hotels will open in Melaka, Alor Setar, Cyberjaya and KLIA2 ( 400 rooms) and in United Kingdom while one more hotel would be located in Canary Wharf, he said.
"The total number of hotel rooms will change rapidly from now onwards as we have plans to open one to two hotels every month," said Mark.
He said the key aspect was to continuously expand without over-stretching as campaign, advertising and brand building was equally important.
Asked on competition, he said there are rivalry at every place but it is all about offering the right product and services priced reasonably to attract customers.
Going forward, Mark said there was potential for Tune Hotel to go into full-fledged hotel services.
Although he did not provide a timeframe, he noted that at some stage it would make sense to offer a four-star hotel facility.
"By then, we would have built up certain amount of expertise. Just like how after AirAsia, AirAsia X came about," he added.
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