Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region: Kakadu National Park upgrades completed in Australia, RedDoorz enters upscale segment with new brand and more...

Kakadu National Park Upgrades Completed in Australia
The infrastructure and technology upgrades at Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage listing located in the Northern Territory of Australia, southeast of Darwin, have been completed ahead of a surge in visitor interest for the 2021 peak dry season. Works completed include a WiFi upgrade at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, an interior upgrade at Mimi’s Restaurant in Cooinda Lodge, and renovation in Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Works are also in progress to provide greater access to Jim Jim Creek Crossing and the Cahills Crossing viewing area, one of the region’s most popular crocodile viewing areas. There will also be more events and a new World Heritage visitor hub that is due to arrive. The upgrades were funded by the estimated AUD216 million allocated in 2019 by the federal government to boost tourism, create jobs, and contribute to the economy in Northern Territory. In 2020, the park received a part of the AUD233 million investments into parks across Australia, which allowed Kakadu National Park to further upgrade their campgrounds, supply storage, cultural centre and staff housing. With Darwin added to the government’s AUD1.2 billion aviation stimulus plan, the discounted air tickets into the Northern Territory are expected to boost the visitation for Kakadu National Park during the peak dry season.

RedDoorz Enters Upscale Segment with Launch of Sunerra Hotels
Singapore-based hotel management and booking platform, RedDoorz, has introduced their new Sunerra Hotels brand to their portfolio. Sunerra Hotels is expected to cater to the upscale market, with its first hotel launched in Jakarta on 2 June 2021. This property consists of 142 keys across four room categories and includes facilities such as restaurants featuring local and international cuisine, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness and health centre. Liviu Nedef, Chief Marketing Officer of RedDoorz, mentioned that they envision the Sunerra brand to attract modern travellers that seek comfort, local flavours, and unique hospitality experiences at a great value. The company has also stated that the creation of the Sunerra Hotels brand is part of the company’s strategy of catering to the different needs of segments in Southeast Asia, ranging from budget travellers to experience-centric travellers and extended stay travellers. Other brands within the RedDoorz portfolio include SANS Hotel, which targets millennial and Gen Z consumers, and KoolKost, an extended stay co-living brand that offers flexible leases. RedDoorz has operations in Indonesia, Singapore, The Philippines, and Vietnam.

Absolute Hotel Services Launches New Hospitality Brand for the Senior Market
Thailand-based Absolute Hotel Services (“AHS”), an affiliate company of U City Public Company Limited, a Thailand-listed global capital allocator, has announced the launch of the Eastin Estates (“EE”) brand, a luxury long-stay residential brand in the assisted living segment to meet the growing needs of the active senior market. All developments under the EE brand will feature designs specially catered to the senior market. All public areas and facilities are wheelchair-accessible; accommodations range from studios to two-bedroom units, fitted with kitchenette, bathroom, balcony, or terrace; facilities include a health centre with round-the-clock nurse and emergency support, all-day dining restaurant with healthy menu options, lounge area with library, meeting room, outdoor garden, swimming pool, yoga area, minimart, fitness centre with steam and sauna rooms, as well as entertainment and service laundry facilities. All units and facilities are pet-friendly, with pet grooming services on site. Special services such as retirement visa and immigration administration are also handled on behalf of the residents. AHS believes the launch of the EE brand can respond to the evolving demographics in the area. Presently, the EE brand will be expanded in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Correction for Last Week’s Newsletter Titled Arden Group Acquires Grand Mercure Monaco Hotel in New Zealand
“Murali Kodoor, owner of Auckland-based Golden Grand Trading Limited, has announced the acquisition of the Grand Mercure Monaco hotel in Nelson, New Zealand, from Patrick Sanders, who owns the hotel together with his family at an undisclosed sum. The acquisition is not made by US-based real estate investment firm, Arden Group.”