IT’S exciting time for Hyatt International as the company opened door to their first property in Abu Dhabi with the iconic Hyatt Capital Gate. This was followed by their second property in the emirate with the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas on the Saadiyat Island.
Regional hotels vying for increased occupancy and profitability will face stiff competition in 2012 as new and improved supply continues to enter South West Asia (GCC and Indian sub-continent) market. “2011 was a tremendous year for hoteliers across the Gulf region, because many of us were able to open major properties in key markets, after years of planning and construction. But 2012 will be the time at which all of our properties will be tested against one another – tested primarily on guest experience, but also location and value-for-money,” said Peter Fulton, managing director, Hyatt International, South West Asia.
By the close of 2012, industry sources expect that the number of hotel rooms will have doubled over 2008 numbers in some key markets across the GCC and India, placing considerable pressure on all hoteliers to engender increased loyalty among guests while delivering a value-for-money product. This is an altogether new consideration for many leading hoteliers who previously held virtual monopoly positions within certain major Gulf cities.
“We believe that the Gulf and Indian hotel visitors are looking for an exceptional guest experience at an appropriate price point, and we think that Hyatt’s new and existing properties are ideally placed to deliver an ‘authentic hospitality’ experience at a competitive price,” added Fulton.
In 2012, Hyatt is expecting to expand further into India with Park Hyatt Hyderabad in South India, Park Hyatt Chennai, and India’s debut of the unique Hyatt Place brand in Bangalore, providing full Hyatt coverage in all of India’s primary cities. Hyatt also announced its plans to open Park Hyatt Doha within the heart of Doha’s downtown district, scheduled for opening in 2016.
“Outside the South West Asia region, Hyatt has seen the debut of the Andaz brand in Shanghai (the first Andaz branded hotel in Asia), the opening of Hyatt 48 Lex in New York City, the introduction of the first Hyatt property in Tanzania, the opening of Hyatt Danang Resort and Spa in Vietnam, and the re-opening of the Hyatt Regency’s property in New Orleans,” said Kapil Aggarwal, director of sales, Hyatt International – South West Asia.
“Within the South West Asia region, Hyatt acquired the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and has expanded rapidly into India, which is a key market for us. Hyatt Regency Chennai is the first Hyatt venture in South India, and Grand Hyatt Goa complements our existing Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. We aim to continue to service our Indian customers and also the increasing number of travellers visiting the country,” added Aggarwal.
He further added, “Despite a multitude of challenges – from increased competition to the effects of the ‘Arab Spring’ – Hyatt has had a very good 2011, and we believe 2012 will continue to be a year of expansion and growth for the Hyatt brands across the South West Asia. We have strengthened our sales teams in the GCC and India, to accommodate this continued growth”.