Halong signs up hotel operators

The first foreign operators have cracked the Halong Bay market

The Accor group, the operator of nearly 4,000 hotels across 90 countries, has reached agreement with Qunimex Company to operate a Novotel hotel in the bay. The move comes just a month after Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) won a contract with the Hiep Long Company to run the Mithrin Hotel that opened last October.
Michael Issenberg, managing director of Accor Asia Pacific, said the potential for international leisure and business in Halong Bay would now grow, as the lack of suitable accommodation had meant that many tours in the past were restricted to day visits. This prompted the decision to develop the region’s first international-brand hotel.
“Halong Bay has a remarkable international reputation, but the lack of international-brand hotels in the area has meant that the tourism potential hasn’t been fully realised.
“We operate Novotel resorts in some of the world’s most attractive areas, such as the Mediterranean, north Queensland, Bali, Phuket and Phan Thiet in Vietnam, so we believe the opening of the Novotel will add considerably to Halong Bay’s tourism infrastructure.”
Novotel is the most established brand of Accor with over 350 hotels and resorts across the world under that name.
Issenberg said the new hotel would be a highly strategic addition to the group’s hotel network in Vietnam, enabling it to offer tour operators the most comprehensive range of hotels and destinations in Vietnam, together with eight other properties in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat, Hue and Phan Thiet.
Construction of the 198-room Novotel will start this year with completion scheduled for 2006. Built in resort style and with distinctive Vietnamese design, art and culture, it will offer guests a swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, a variety of restaurants and bars, and conference and incentive facilities.
Qunimex chairman and CEO Bui Dinh Tuan said the development would be very important in elevating Vietnam’s tourism potential in the international market.
“Accor has made a significant contribution to Vietnam’s tourism in the past, being the first international hotel group to establish in Vietnam, and their experience and knowledge of the country’s tourism will be very valuable in making the Novotel Halong Bay a success,” Tuan said.
Halong Bay has more than 3,000 islands, many beautiful beaches and grottos that have provided a backdrop for many films including the renowned French film Indochine. It is the country’s premier tourist destination, attracting more than 2.5 million tourists annually, including some 1.1 million international tourists.
Before the Accor and SBI arrived, none of the foreign hotel management companies had managed to enter this spectacular destination, meaning its international promotion has been restricted.
Jan Hilhorst, SBI director of operations and development for Vietnam, said the new contract for managing the four-star 90-room Mithrin in Halong Bay would add to the group’s strength and bring tremendous support to other hotels under its management in Vietnam.
“We now have a “Vietnam Package” to offer, and huge sales forces in the two main cities in Vietnam and abroad such as Japan, Europe and the US will be able to promote this package,” he said.
The group manages the Horison Hotel in Hanoi, VinPearl Resort & Spa in Nha Trang and has won contracts to operate the Abalone Resort & Spa and Hung Vuong Hotel in Hue, Cua Lo Tourism Complex in Nghe An and Golden Sand Resort in Hoi An.
SBI is negotiating contracts with the Au Lac joint-stock company to operate Halong Bay’s Tuan Chau Island Tourism and Recreation Complex that would comprise 1,000 hotel rooms, a golf course and entertainment facilities. Other groups such as Furama Hotels & Resorts International are also eyeing the giant resort.