Global Update
Fujita KanKo spreads wings
With relatively limited geographical range , Tokyo-based Fujita Kanko wants to gain international clout and has partnered with Korean construction company Haesung Industrial Co . to produce a new 330-room hotel in Seoul – its first overseas expansion since 2002 . With construction beginning in April and an opening planned for 2018 , President and CEO Akira Segawa says the international endeavor will be the start of a trend for the 60-property company .
“ We ’ ve had a vision for a long time of expanding our portfolio globally and have simply been looking for the right opportunities ,” Segawa says . “ By opening a hotel there , we intend to further raise our brand ’ s visibility with not only Korean travelers , but also international travelers .”
Segawa says Fujita Kanko intends to expand its portfolio in its home Japanese market , as well as in Asia within the next few years . To that end , Fujita Kanko will open new business development offices in Bangkok and Jakarta within the next few months . Segawa says with the company ’ s expansion , the company will still not own properties , but rather manage and operate hotels with franchise and management contracts .
Although its not setting a concrete number of properties , Fujita Kanko aims to expand aggressively while also redeveloping several of its resort properties . The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are also influencing its growth plan .
In addition to the upcoming Seoul property , Fujita Kanko will open Hotel Gracery Shinjuku this April , and the Hotel Gracery Okinawa and Hotel Gracery Kyoto Teramachi in 2016 .
our campaign to aggressively globalize our clientele and properties
is the beginning oF a new chapter For us . – AkirA SegAwA cordis has heart
Langham Hospitality Group , Hong Kong , has introduced Cordis Hotels and Resorts . CEO Robert Warman expects to develop the brand with a combination of new-build and conversion projects in Asia and North America , with the first hotel set to open this May in Hong Kong .
Cordis , derived from the Latin term for “ heart ,” already has management deals and letters of intent to open eight hotels within three years , including two in Shanghai , one each in three additional Chinese cities , and in Bali and Sri Lanka .
“ I think we can develop 25 over four to
Rendering of Cordis Nusa Dua in Bali
five years . It ’ s especially a value proposition in China ,” Warman says .
Warman , who recently hired Phil Keb from Commune Hotels to become EVP of development for the Americas and Europe , did not rule out a portfolio acquisition to spur Cordis growth .
14 HOTELS March 2015 www . hotelsmag . com