Astudo Link Up On Best Western Sawaddi Patong
Set to open in December, the 144 room Best Western Sawaddi Patong have appointed Astudo Hotels and Resorts to handle sales and marketing. Operating under a franchise arrangement with Best Western, Astudo is providing an overlay of services which is becoming increasingly common in the new phenomenon of 'manchising.'
Many independent hotel owners looking to obtain premium room rates and access to both overseas and wider distribution are looking to hotel chains to provide not only branding but also a customized selection of services they can choose to tailor those needs. In this case there is often a hybrid versus traditional management agreements wherein owners want to manage the basic day to day operations and be in control of the profit and loss of their properties.
At the same time in a downturn or markets which continue to see new supply outstripped demand; owners want a competitive edge and look to hotel operators for specific services they require. Certainly this approach continues to be in the upswing and in the age of the Amazon type long tail approach expectations are for the industry to see shifts in the manchise sector.