Independent boutique Thai hospitality brand, MANATHAI Hotels & Resorts, has opened an office in Australia as it eyes the country’s potential as a key feeder market into its burgeoning portfolio of hotels and resorts in Thailand.
The Sydney-based operation will be headed by Belinda Montgomery, a highly-experienced sales professional, having specialised in launching hospitality products and brands in the Australian market in a career spanning over 25 years.
Ms Montgomery has a long track record of successful launches and sales with Alpha Hotels, SilverNeedle Hospitality, Hilton Sydney, Le Meridien Sydney and the iconic Sydney Opera House.
MANATHAI Hotels & Resorts Group Director of Sales and Marketing Bobbie-Jane Skewes said: “We are delighted to announce Belinda’s appointment. She knows the business inside out and is supremely well connected. She is highly motivated and we are looking forward to working with her on maximizing the opportunity to match our unique collection of boutique resorts with Australian consumers.”
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand over 800,000 Australians visited Thailand in 2014. Many head to the south of Thailand with 9% of the 5.6 million total arrivals into Phuket International Airport in 2014 arriving from Down Under, according to the Phuket Hotel Market Update report by hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks.
“Australian travellers will connect with the incredibly authentic and personalised service at MANATHAI’s properties in Khao Lak, Koh Samui and Phuket which are all popular destinations for Australian travellers,” said Ms Montgomery.
“For the discerning traveller not wanting to get lost in oversized resorts, MANATHAI’s properties offer the perfect blend of size with all the facilities expected in dreamy locations, offering individuality, understated luxury and value for money.”
MANATHAI Hotels & Resorts launched in late 2014 and in eight months have opened three resorts in Thailand, MANATHAI Khao Lak, MANATHAI Koh Samui and MANATHAI Hua Hin, all having undergone extensive refurbishments and remodeling. A fourth resort, MANATHAI Surin Phuket will open in November this year.
The resorts are highlighted by their pristine beach locations and a genuine sense of Thai hospitality, underscored by the Pad Thai signature dining experience that draws of the culinary traditions of Thailand and MANATHAI Kids, a family-friendly concept focusing on children.