Soluxe sees room for growth in hotel management deals

BEIJING - Soluxe Hospitality Group, a Beijing-based internationalhotel operator, is seeking to export its management expertise.

Its first such arrangement began on Aug 1 in Siem Reap, Cambodia,where it put the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa under its Grand Soluxebrand and assumed management of the hotel.

"We hope that through our partnership with the Soluxe HospitalityGroup, we can help this country attract more well-heeled Chinesetourists to visit our magnificent Angkor temples," said Ly Hong, aChinese-Cambodian and owner of the renamed Grand SoluxeAngkor Palace Resort & Spa.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor Wat complex, which features centuries of remains ofthe Khmer Empire.

Soluxe Hospitality Group has already established a presence in the emerging economies ofAfrica, South America and Europe. The group is now seeking to make inroads into countriessuch as Germany, Italy, France and Spain, according to Tim Gao, general manager of ChinaNational Petroleum Corp International Hotel Management Co Ltd, the parent of Soluxe.

"Every segment of the tourism and hospitality industry is aware of China's increasing presenceand role on the global stage," said Weng Aow, general manager of Grand Soluxe AngkorPalace Resort & Spa, who was named as the hotel's new manager.

Soluxe Hospitality Group invests in or owns more than 60 hotels in Asia under various brands:Grand Soluxe, Soluxe Courtyard and Soluxe Inn. Now, it is seeking to market its managementexpertise separately.

Soluxe wants to take advantage of the changing aspirations of Chinese outbound tourists.Such travelers no longer go just to see a few famous sites but increasingly want to enjoy exoticand luxurious destinations.

In the case of Cambodia, visa applications have been simplified and many airports, includingthose in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming and Chengdu, provide direct charter flights to and fromSiem Reap.

All these factors are drawing more Chinese visitors to the Southeast Asian country.

In the first half, 1.13 million Chinese tourists visited Cambodia, a year-on-year increase of 35percent, according to Jin Yuan, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese embassy inCambodia.

But Chinese tourists are not Soluxe's sole target market. Gao said that as the group seeks to"export" its hotel management concepts, it is also has its eye on Western travelers and citiessuch as Frankfurt, Paris and London.

China Daily

updated: 2011-08-11 07:47

Speech by the Hotel's Chairman - His Excellency Mr. Ly Hong

SPEECH

H.E Mr. Ly Hong, Hotel's Chairman

At the Official Opening of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace

Resort & Spa

Siem Reap, August 1st 2011

• His Excellency Dr. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister, Minister of Commerce, and Lok Chumteav;
• His Excellency Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, and Lok Chumteav;
• His Excellency Dr. Sou Phirin, Governor of Governing Council of Siem Reap Province;
• Mr. Ching Yann, representative of the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia
• Mr. Wang Vinchang, General Manager of Soluxe Group in Beijing;
• Excellencies, Lok Oknha, Lok Chumteav, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman!

Today, I would like to say thank all distinguished guests to Angkor Palace for coming to witness the official inauguration ceremony to become a member of 5-star hotels under the name "Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa".

Siem Reap is one of the hottest tourists' destinations in Asia. It is because this province is culturally and historically attractive. I am very glad that our hotel has played an important part in attracting tourists to this destination.

I have been most interested in the wonderful Angkor Wat for many years, and started to draw the blueprint to build this hotel to reflect the architecture of many temple which are more than 1000 years old.

The construction of this hotel started in 2011, and we are very particular to ensure that the building structure will reflect the national identity, Khmer cultural heritage, making our guests to recognize the beauty of our Cambodia.

We have tried to utilize the local materials for the construction and for decorating rooms. Moreover, we also have incorporated the existing local methods, skills and knowledge in the construction. Currently, our hotel has 259 rooms for guests and 320 staff, and this is one small contribution to creating employment for Cambodians together with the Royal Government.

This hotel is built on 11 hectares. With this spacious location, I believe that guests would enjoy their holidays in our glorious land of Angkor. In addition, we, as well as the leaders and all staff, are paying much attention on preserving the natural environment, by leaving many trees in their old place to surround this hotels with green garden.

I am very proud and satisfied with the contribution and encouragement of His Excellencies, Lok Okhna, Lok Chumteav, Ladies and gentlemen, local and foreign business partners, leaders and all staff of the hotel. It is with such contribution that our hotel becomes famous and is recognized locally and internationally in terms of perfect service to all tourists. In Particular, recently we have received the 5-star award "Would Luxury Hotel Award" two times in 2010 and 2011, which will be presented to us in the Republic of Croatia in mid-September.

Finally, I would like to thank all distinguished guests for coming to participate in this auspicious event. I know that His Excellencies, Lok Chumteav, Lakies and gentlemen have traveled a long distance to participate in this event, and again I would like to express my profound appreciation.

I hope that all distinguished guests will enjoy witnessing this official inauguration, and wish all distinguished guests the four gems of Buddhist blessings: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

Thanks for your attention!

Press Release

Press Release

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa

Official Opening 1st August 2011

Mr. Ly Hong, chairman and owner of the Angkor Palace Resort & spa re-positions the resort in line with his long aspiring intent to bring more tourists to visit the World Heritage Site of The Angkor Temple complex, especially tourists form the People's Republic of China. Under his leadership, the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa has been very highly rated globally; one that offers hospitality and personalized service matched by professionalism and high quality standards synonymous to international five-star hotels.

Mr. Ly Hong acknowledged that a new global vision was necessary for him to realize his aspirations and turn towards China where he embarked on negotiations with the Soluxe Hospitality Group, a powerful hospitality arm of the dynamic China Huayou Corporation Group (a subsidiary of the Chinese government-owned China National Petroleum Corporation) for a partnership to take the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa to the next level.

On 1st August 2011 the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa shall be re-branded as Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa. An official opening ceremony is scheduled on 1st August 2011 at hotel premises when Senior Cambodia government officials and Senior leasers from China Huayou Corporation Group will be present to grace the momentous occasion.

The list of VIP guests includes His Excellency Dr Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce, His Excellency Dr Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia and other Senior government officials including His Excellency Dr Sou Phirin, Governor of Siem Reap Province.

"We have been looking at directions to strengthen our position in this increasingly competitive Siem Reap tourism market for a long time", said Mr Weng Aow, general manager of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace. "In many ways, this partnership between Soluxe Hospitality Group and Angkor Palace forms a perfect fit", added the general manager. Under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, the Kingdom of Cambodia has achieved peace and prosperity over the past many years. The Prime Minister has also established excellent relationship between China and Cambodia and many Chinese nationals have since visited Cambodia. With the economic success of China, more Chinese nationals are making holiday trips overseas. Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace is well positioned to cater to the burgeoning market of Chinese travelers to bring them to visit Cambodia."Every segment of the tourism and hospitality industry is aware of China's increasing presence and role on the global stage" commented Weng Aow. "The decision to go with Soluxe Hospitality Group is also in line with our chairman's global strategy to put our presence in very major city in the world. Soluxe Hospitality Group has already established its presence in the emerging economies of Africa, Europe and South America. The group is now making inroads countries like Germany, Italy, Spain and France", added Weng Aow.

This Partnership would not have been possible without the courageous leadership of Mr Ly Hong, Chairman and owner of the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa. It is Mr. Ly Hong's business foresight that catapults Angkor Palace Resort & Spa in to a very much stronger Cambodian hotel player.

"We have noticed that the hotels in Cambodia have not been able to attract many of the high yielding Chinese outbound tourists to visit Angkor temple complex. We hope that by our partnership with the Solxue Hospitality Group, I can help my county generate more of the high yielding Chinese tourists to visit our magnificent Angkor temple. I feel privileged to be able to contribute towards poverty alleviation in my country through my role as a resort. I look forward to the continued support of all our business associated and partners and friends to help contribute towards a better tomorrow for Cambodia,"said Mr. Ly Hong.

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa is a 259-key 11-hectare resort located in Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia. The resort is strategically located and equidistant to locations such as the airport, the famous and popular pub street as well as the must-see Angkor temple complex. The resort provides an extremely relaxed and rejuvenating experience for all its guests with facilities including villas, golf driving range, tennis courts, spa, food and beverage outlets.

Soluxe Hospitality Group is a Beijing-based international hotel group. Soluxe Hospitality group has a fre brands to its glory, namely Grand Solxue, Soluxe, Soluxe Courtyard and Soluxe Inn. The hotel group has over 60 hotels located withing and outside of China under its carious brand names.

For further inquiries, Please contact:

Weng Aow

General Manager

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Reosrt & Spa

Tel: 855 63 760511

Fax: 855 63 760512

Email: weng@angkorpalaceresort.com

Email: marcomm@soluxehotels.com

Monday, 01st August 2011 - The Official Opening Day of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace

Our Family of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Team

Our Front Office Team

Our Kitchen Team

Our Room Valet Team

Our Food & Beverage Team

Our Engineering Team

Our Finance Team

Our Concierge Team
Our Kainnora Spa Team

H.E Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism At the Official Opening of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa

SPEECH

H.E Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism

At the Official Opening of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace

Resort & SpaSiem Reap, August 1, 2011

• H.E Dr. Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister; Minister of Commerce
• H.E Dr. Sou Phirin, Governor of Siem Reap Province
• Mr. Jin Yuan, China’s Commercial Counselor to Cambodia
• Mr. Wang Wengcan, General Manager, China Huayou Group Corporation
• Mr. Ly Hong, Chairman of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa
• Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and myself, I have the great honor and pleasure to participate with Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen in the auspicious official opening of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa in this enchanting morning.

Today, Siem Reap province is proud to welcome the new tourism facility of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa which is to be officially launched in the moment. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciations to Mr. Ly Hong, Chairman of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa, who has made significant efforts in investing on this luxury hotel bearing the famous brand name in the precious land of Siem Reap-Angkor.

- Senior Minister; Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen

Tourism as a system is a priority sector which contributes to building up socio-economic development, job opportunities, income generation, improvement of livelihood and poverty reduction. Tourism is ia vital part of green economy since its revenue is directly integrated into national economic current taking part in enhancing GDP growth and stabilizing commercial balance. Following global economic crisis, economy has surged rapidly. In 2010, the world tourists were registered of around 935 million, an increase of 6.7%, in which Asia-Pacific, America, Europe, Middle East increased 13%, 8%, 3%, 6% and 14%, respectively. Tourism creates 230 million employments, equivalent to 7.6% of total global labor forces.

In 2010, ASEAN region received around 65 million tourists, an increase of around 12.5%, in which Intra-ASEAN travelers recorded around 28 million (shared 45%) while Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists surged 23% to 15 million.

Cambodia, under the sound and brilliant leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, tourism, known as “Culture and Nature Tourism", has been considered as one of the top 10 priority sectors in pushing up socio-economic development. Tourism, which is determined in the Rectangular Strategy of the Royal Government of Cambodia, is also considered as the “Green Gold" while rice is considered “White Gold".

In 2010, Cambodia’s domestic tourists were around 7.7 iinillion, an increase of around 8%; while international tourists were recorded around 2.5 million, an increase of 16%; in which tourists from Asia-Pacific were 1.7 million, shared around 67.70% of total arrivals (in which more than 800,000 from ASEAN of around 23.2%); Europe: 463.096 (around 19.51%); America: 182.850 (around 7.94%); other regions shared around 0.49%. Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, American, French, England, Thailand, Australian and Taiwanese tourists are the top 10 sourte markets of Cambodia. lt should be noted that, Russian and Indian tourists have be increasing remarkably.

Cambodia Tourism plays essential role in contributing to macro-economic stability and gains national revenue of around 1,700 million dollars, shared 12% of GDP in previous year whilst creating around 400,000 employments for Cambodian people.

- Senior Minister, Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen

Siem Reap-Angkor is the country’s main cultural-historical tourist destinations receiving international tourists around 1 million (shared around 60%) of total international tourists every year and domestic toprists of around l million.

Connectivity from this area to its peri-zones including PreahVihear temple area and Tonle Sap Biosphere zone and linkage to the coastal zones when our bay has been admitted as the fully-fledged member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club and various eco-tourism areas around the country will surely make the well-known cultural-historical Siem Reap-Angkor become sophisticated.

According to statistical projection, Cambodia will receive around 8 million international tourists in 2020, in which Siem Reap-Angkor will obtain around 4 million (excluding domestic tourists). Therefore, thorough consideration on tourism development in this area, including Angkor area, Siem Reap city, and Tonle Sap area to develop this area in a responsible and sustainable manner is our pivotal strategy.

- Senior Minister, Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen

Accommodation service, particularly hotel is the leading service which plays core role in tourism industry.

The official opening of the new brand name of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa truly responses to the market trend, which contributes to upgrading hotel industry quality and essentially promoting Cambbdia to the international market.

I strongly hope that this new brand name will attract more international tourists, especially Chinese tourists to visit Siem Reap province as well as Cambodia while Siem Reap province as well as Cambodia have been seen of fast-growing development.

I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to praise the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa for being accredited as ASEAN Green Hotel Standard from ASEAN Hotel Association and also appeal that the management of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa to further makes greater effort in sustaining this standard so that it can contribute to protecting enviromnentand building up Siem Reap-Angkor city to be a model tourism city (Eco-City) which plays important role in mitigating against climate change and toward green economic development in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Once again, I strongly i hope that the hotel management and staff of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa will continuously endeavor in improving and. sustaining the famous hotel brand name with the purpose of upgrading the tourism industry quality in order to bring Cambodia hotel to be widely known in international arena. Meanwhile, I would also like to wish the Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa to have more tourists, better services with either quality and care of green environment in one hand and on the other hand to engaged in the promotional campaign of “Cambodia Kingdom of Wonder" and competitive movement of “Clean City, Clean Resort, Good service" (…..).

Finally, I wish the owner and the management of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort & Spa a great success in business, and also wish H.E Senior Minister, Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, ladies and gentlemen and staff of hotel four benedictions of Buddha: longevity, unfading beauty, peace and strength.

Thank you!

Courtesy of Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia

Angkor hotel targets high-end Chinese market

THE ANGKOR Palace Resort and Spa will be rebranded from today as the Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa to attract more high-end Chinese visitors.

The property’s chairman and owner, Ly Hong, said: “We have noticed that the hotels in Cambodia have not been able to attract many of the high-yielding Chinese tourists to visit Angkor temple complex.”

“We hope that through our partnership with the Soluxe Hospitality Group, (we) can help (our) country attract more of these tourists to visit our magnificent Angkor temples.”

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa, spanning an 11-hectare area in Siem Reap, offers 259 keys, a golf driving range, a swimming pool, a gym, tennis courts, a spa, two F&B outlets and function space for up to 120 on banquet.

China is the third largest source of visitors to Cambodia. Last year, the country attracted 177,636 Chinese arrivals, up from 128,201 in 2009. Of last year’s tally, some 138,012 people visited for leisure and 37,783 for business.

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