Millennium & Copthorne MEA on an expansion spree
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The Millennium & Copthorne hotels across the Middle East and Africa are keen to enhance their presence. The Group has very strategic development plans. This is being taken forward with the appointment of Thomas Tapken as the new vice president – operations for the company.
He certainly has a task ahead to focus on employee satisfaction along with growing new hotels. With 16 operating hotels in the Middle East, the Group has plans to strengthen its brand. “Our goal is to double up this number in the next 18 months. We have our hotels signed, sealed and all under construction. In addition to the growth, we are also looking to put a structure in place to guarantee the owners a return on investment. This is coupled with maintaining the right employee turnover within the market situation and succession planning for all our people,” explained Tapken in a conversation with Travel Daily Middle East.
The Group places great emphasis on its people which according to them is an important asset. The growth according to Tapken can only be achieved if you have the right professionals in place. As per development plans, this year will see seven opening. The new hotels would be set up in Oman with three properties; Jordan with one property. Saudi Arabia is being explored in depth due to its growing potential. Plans are underway to open five to six properties within the next 12 months. UAE is a key focus and the group will have a new property open in Al Ain which would be completed by the first or second quarter of 2015.
Elaborating on the development plans, Tapken said: “We cover a huge market with our four brands – Kings Gate, Millennium, Grand Millennium and Copthorne. Having recognised the growing demand from the region, we are coming up with a new brand. It may not be in the UAE but within the region. This would be a modern lifestyle brand. We are looking for the right property as it has to be a historical and classical building.”
The Group is also expanding its portfolio in the serviced apartment category. Plans are afoot to set up a Millennium Executive Apartments in Abu Dhabi. And finally, rounding up its development would be a focus on promoting the food and beverage offerings across all the operational hotels.
Tapken’s Wish List
- Continuous change for the growth
- Get the right team
- Become an employer of choice
- Highlight the food and beverage offerings of the Group
- Build on the relationship with the owners
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