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Centara Hotels & Resorts Launches Exclusive Offer

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has launched an exclusive offer for guests who want to unwind in the space and seclusion of their own private villa. Valid for stays until March 2021, and fully flexible with free cancellation, this enticing offer is available in many of Thailand’s most desirable destinations, with rates starting from just THB 2,160 net per night, including free half-board, so guests can enjoy daily breakfast and dinner at the resorts’ restaurants or in the comfort of their villa.

Renting a villa is one of the hospitality industry’s hottest trends. These stylish sanctuaries are no longer only for high-end guests – they are also an outstanding option for friends and families seeking additional peace and tranquillity. This desire for personal space and seclusion is more important now than ever before.

Guests can book Centara Hotels & Resorts’ private villas now to enjoy an unforgettable stay in the Kingdom.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin is regarded as one of Asia’s finest heritage hotels, and a prime destination for couples, friends and families. Designed in an elegant colonial style with expansive grounds that lead to the beach, it offers space and serenity, while also being close to the town centre. Each of the resort’s 16 Deluxe Pool Villas is a tranquil sanctuary with 76 square metres of living space, a spacious terrace, plunge pool and freestanding outdoor bathtub. Rates start from just THB 7,900 net per night and include Club benefits. Book now!

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi is the epitome of peace and privacy. Nestled within its own bay, with breath-taking views over the Andaman Sea, this five-star retreat is only accessible by boat. The resort offers a total of 12 villas, all set in lush landscaped gardens. The One Bedroom Ocean Facing Villa promises 111 square metres of space, including a tropical outdoor terrace with plunge pool, living and dining areas, and a bathroom with bathtub and shower. This idyllic oasis is now available from just THB 11,400 net per night, including Club benefits. Book now!

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is set directly on Karon Beach, overlooking the Andaman Sea and surrounded by lush, jungle-clad hills. Couples and families can enjoy an unforgettable beachfront vacation in one of the resort’s 10 villas, each designed in a classical Phuket style. Guests can opt for a 132-square metre One Bedroom Pool Villa, which features a private terrace and plunge pool. Simply laze away the day whilst gazing out over the ocean. A one-night stay can be booked from THB 14,500 net, including an array of Club benefits. Book now!

Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection is situated on one of Phuket’s most stunning stretches of beach. The 22 luxury pool villas range in size from 410 to 655 square metres and are designed in an elegant Thai style, with one, two or three bedrooms, a private terrace, outdoor sala, sunbathing deck and private swimming pool. Built using high-quality natural materials, including teak wood and terracotta, each elegant villa blends seamlessly into the environment. Rates start from THB 3,900 net per night. Book now!

Centara Villas Samui is an exotic all-villa resort that is ideal for guests seeking a tropical hideaway. Nestled on the southern tip of Koh Samui, surrounded by lush gardens, the resort’s 102 villas cascade down a gentle hillside to a private beach. The 60-square metre Deluxe Pool Villa is perfect for guests who want to unwind alfresco-style with a terrace and a 15-square-metre plunge pool. With a choice of a king or twin beds, it is excellent for couples, families and friends alike. Rates start from THB 5,600 net per night, including complimentary evening cocktails. Book now!

Centra by Centara Coconut Beach Resort Samui is set on Thong Tanote Beach, a secluded stretch of sand on the southwestern tip of Koh Samui. Nestled amid natural scenery, the resort offers a variety of holiday experiences with a choice of private villas, wellness, water sports, kids’ activities and more. Just steps from the pristine beach and seafront swimming pool, the Deluxe Villas offer 55 square metres of living space, including a fully furnished outdoor terrace and indoor Jacuzzi. Rates start from just THB 2,700 net per night for a couple or a family with one child. Book now!

Centara’s Private Villa Escape promotion can be booked online now for stays until 31 March 2021, with free modification and cancellation at any time. It is available at any participating Centara property in Thailand and includes free half-board dining for all guests, either in their villa or at the hotel’s restaurants. Members of CentaraThe1 benefit from an additional 20% discount! Not a member yet? Register for free at www.centarahotelsresorts.com/sign-up.

Guests at all Centara hotels and resorts can rest assured that their safety is the group’s highest priority. Centara Complete Care is a certified health and hygiene programme which was developed in close collaboration with Ecolab, a global leader in water and hygiene technologies, and Swiss multinational firm SGS, the expert in quality verification and certifications

For more information and to book your Private Villa Escape, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 77 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises seven brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com  

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For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – International Media, Centara Hotels & Resorts

pornchanokth@chr.co.th                        Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733

Puntira Cherdboonmuang (Gam)

Corporate Public Relations Manager – Thai media, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Email:puntirach@chr.co.th                    Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6922

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Centara identifies technological and social trends that will shape the hospitality industry in the next 10 years

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Global hospitality is at a crossroads. In the last 20 years, technology has transformed every aspect of the guest journey, from online bookings to in-room services to post-stay feedback. But as technology continues to evolve and advance, what will the hotel industry look like 10 years in the future?

In the past, digitalization was largely driven by companies, as new solutions were introduced to enhance efficiency and target customers more effectively. In the modern era however, it is customers who are demanding greater connectivity. This is especially true in the hotel industry, which is driven by modern lifestyle trends and the “always-on” mindset of millennial travelers.

In light of these trends, Markland Blaiklock, Centara’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, explains his vision for the future of the hospitality industry in the next decade:

“Ten years from now, I’m sure we will look back and see that the hospitality industry changed much more than predicted, and Asia will continue to be a major catalyst for change. This evolution will be part social and part technological, but the overall goal will be the same: to meet and exceed guests’ expectations,” he commented.

According to Mr. Blaiklock, Centara foresees three significant trends shaping its business, and the entire industry, going forward:

Travel and work life will become inseparable thanks to improved technology and faster connectivity. This trend will occur in all countries but will be led by China and the rest of Asia, which are currently driving the growth in overseas travel. The launch of Centara’s new “Meetings Redesigned” MICE initiative will help to accommodate this shift, by allowing companies to be more flexible and creative with their event agendas.

Robotics and artificial intelligence will create hyper-connected hotel experiences. The Internet of Things (IoT) will seamlessly connect every hotel touchpoint, which will be personalized to the unique preferences every guest. In addition, big data insights will enable hotel staff to improve service quality in real time.

Delivering emotional experiences will be the ultimate goal of hotels. As technology takes over, many guests will go in search of authenticity, human interaction and genuine hospitality. The ability to predict and identify human emotions will be key to the success of hotels in the coming decades.

The big question for hoteliers now and in the future will be: how do we successfully integrate technology to improve the guest’s entire journey, whilst also retaining our distinct personality and brand loyalty?

For Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, this balance is at the core of its strategic vision. In the coming years decades, the group will focus delivering warm Thai hospitality in line with the latest social and technological trends to create exceptional customer experiences.

Centara has proven adept at developing new brands that embrace innovation. The most recent example is COSI, which caters for young-minded and tech-savvy travelers with friendly, simple and affordable accommodation and state-of-the-art amenities like smartphone integration, self-service check-in and a 24-hour lifestyle café concept. It is no surprise that this contemporary concept, which made its debut in Koh Samui in 2017, is now a key driving force behind Centara’s expansion strategy.

In many ways, COSI represents the future of hospitality. Its combination of connectivity, comfort and convenience enables guests to blend business and leisure travel, a key trend identified by Mr. Blaiklock. Across all of Centara’s six brands however, the group continues to roll out innovative new digital experiences.

Recent initiatives range from revamping the Centara website and mobile app for a seamless online experience, to launching a new central reservation system and revenue management system for global coordination. The new Chinese language, China-hosted website, social media pages and payment solutions are also positioning Centara to compete successfully in the world’s largest travel market.

Technology, however, is only one element of a successful strategy. Hotel guests will always be human beings, and the majority of humans visit a destination to experience its charm and culture, not to look at a screen. For Centara, the ability to deliver authentic Thai hospitality is something that can never be replaced by technology. By harnessing big data and personalization tools however, hoteliers can enhance every human interaction. Intuitive and rewarding loyalty programs like CentaraThe1 will play a major part in anticipating and delivering tailored experiences.

So digitalization really is the key; by using smart technology to identify and satisfy guest preferences, the hoteliers of the future will be able to create truly bespoke experiences for every guest.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 68 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands -Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centers and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travelers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty program, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

For more information about Centara, please visit centarahotelsresorts.com.
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Islands & climate change: Storm surges & coral bleaching affecting tourism

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Since Greta Thunberg, a Swedish schoolgirl and climate activist, brought the topic of climate protection onto the political and social agenda with her strikes, the negative effects of climate change have been discussed more and more. While climate change affects all areas of life, rising sea levels combined with storms that are steadily increasing in severity pose a direct threat to islands. Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced that the average sea level in 2018 was 3.7 millimeters above that of the year before and has reached the highest level since satellite measurements.

In recent years, rainfall, storms, floods, and coastal erosion have increased in intensity and frequency due to climate change. While not all islands are affected to the same extent by the shifting weather patterns, most are aware of significant changes – including the Green Pearls® Island Partners. Instead of sitting idly by and waiting for the land to literally be washed away from under their feet, they are actively working to protect their homelands and their fragile ecosystems from the effects of climate change.

Climate Neutral in the North Sea

The North Sea island of Juist has set itself an ambitious yet necessary goal: to be completely climate-neutral by 2030. Even today, the consequences of climate change are already being felt on Juist. The increasing number of dikes intended to protect the land from storm surges is a tangible measure, and the island is also actively avoiding greenhouse gases by switching to car-free transport. For some time now, the city has been offering projects and activities that bring the concept of climate protection closer to visitors, both young and old, such as the “Juistus Climate Saver” program and the “University for Children.”

Colorful Coral Gardens for the Maldives

Climate change has also left its mark on the Indian Ocean. According to marine biologist Smrutica Jithendranath, responsible for the underwater world around the Reethi Faru eco-resort, rising sea levels have so far had little impact on the Maldives. However, the consequences of climate change can be clearly seen in the corals. In particular, rising water temperatures and increasingly fierce storms are causing severe damage to these tiny, sensitive animals, leading to coral bleaching and even coral death.

Based on these observations, the Reethi Faru Resort has launched a coral conservation project on Filaidhoo. In specially created underwater gardens, the resort propagates corals and plants them back into the house reef after about a year. The underwater gardens and house reefs also provide protection for the beaches and prevent them from being washed away. Within another of the many atolls of the Maldives, the North Malé Atoll, guests from the eco-resort Gili Lankanfushi can plant young corals under water in the gardens themselves and actively participate in the resort’s Coral Lines Project. After the guest’s departure, they also have the opportunity to follow the development of their corals on the resort’s blog.

Koh Samui Against Climate Change

The sustainable resort The Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui focuses on strategies to avoid greenhouse gases including non-motorized water sports, bicycle rental for island tours, carpooling, and avoiding cars on the hotel grounds. The resort has also supported the Green Island Foundation since its inception ten years ago. The organization’s main objectives are to protect the island’s climate and valuable ecosystems. For example, the Green Island Foundation has already organized car-free weeks on Koh Samui with the help of partners, such as The Tongsai Bay, to raise awareness of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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