For the past decade, Thailand’s tourism industry has fueled a growing number of Thai hotel management companies (HMCs). Spurring this trend has been upward demand from a rising domestic and regional consumer class coupled with a virtual explosion in low-cost airline expansion.
This developing storyline is reflected in data from consulting group C9 Hotelworks new Thailand Hotel Management Company Overview with Thai HMCs currently operating 643 hotels across the country with 77, 654 keys. To understand the latest proliferation of brands and chains, there are now 83 groups represented across 41 provinces.
Taking view of the Top 5 chains, which control 28% of Thai HMC room inventory, Centara Hotels & Resorts head the list, followed by Onyx Hospitality, Dusit International, Imperial Hotels and Resorts and Minor Hotels Group.
Commenting on the evolution of Thai hotel brand’s C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett said, “As a by-product of Thailand’s first tourism boom in the 1980’s and 90’s local expertise sprang up from the influence of international chains.
“This transfer of knowledge, best practices and management ability incubated and eventually the combination of experience and local traditional hospitality have edged into the modern Thai HMC. Looking across Asia, the country ranks as a leader in the hospitality sector.”
While C9’s report has pinpointed the Top 50 Thai HMC’s, going deeper into the research one area of development is in upscale lifestyle-oriented boutique hotels brands. The Sala group, which now operate six properties in various destinations with over 200 rooms, is rapidly becoming a prominent brand attracting international recognition.
Summarizing the movement in Thailand’s tourism sector, Barnett points out “given the high number of Thai HMCs it’s likely that consolidation is inevitable.
“One only has to look at the merging of global hotel operating entities and brands and realize the local landscape will see a similar effect sooner than later. But for now, the good news is that Thai hospitality entrepreneurship is elevating Brand Thailand both at home and abroad.”