Minor Hotels to Build AVANI Hotel in Busan South Korea

Bangkok (Thailand) – February 24, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Minor Hotels (MH), a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 156 hotels and resorts in 24 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, has announced that it will debut its dynamic AVANI brand in South Korea with the launch of AVANI Busan Hotel.

The new-build 400-key hotel represents a milestone for Minor Hotels as its first property in South Korea. A management agreement for AVANI Busan has been signed between the hotel developer, UL Group, and Minor Hotels, with the property scheduled to open in 2019.

Currently under development, AVANI Busan will be ideally situated in the East Busan Tourism Complex Zoning, a haven for both shopping and entertainment. Lotte World, a theme park scheduled for opening in 2019, and Lotte Mall, comprising over 500 international and local brands, will both be located less than 250 metres from the hotel. Guests seeking a cultural experience can visit the world-famous Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist temple, which is located within walking distance from the hotel. Gimhae International Airport is conveniently located twenty five kilometres away.

The new upscale hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant, event space and meeting rooms, a rooftop specialty bar, a Korean style bathhouse and spa, a gym and swimming pool. In addition to the hotel, 136 exclusive branded residences will also be included in the development.

William E. Heinecke, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Minor International PCL, commented, “We are excited to announce our first property in South Korea in the dynamic city of Busan, which is the perfect fit for our upscale AVANI brand. South Korea is an important feeder market for Minor Hotels and we also see a lot of opportunity as an inbound market, both for this new AVANI and potentially for future Minor Hotels’ properties as well.”

Launched by Minor Hotels in 2011, AVANI Hotels & Resorts is an upscale, contemporary brand appealing to millennial minded travellers who appreciate quality and value. AVANI currently has 17 properties in operation in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and the UAE and MH has plans to grow the brand across its global footprint.

About Minor Hotels:
Minor Hotels (MH) is an international hotel owner, operator and investor currently with 156 hotels in operation. MH passionately explores new possibilities in hospitality with a diverse portfolio of properties designed intelligently to appeal to different kinds of travellers, serving new passions as well as personal needs. Through our Anantara, AVANI, PER AQUUM, Oaks, Elewana, Tivoli, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Marriott and Minor International properties, MH operates in 24 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America.

With dynamic plans to expand existing brands and explore strategic acquisitions throughout opportunistic markets, MH pursues a vision of a more passionate and interconnected world.

About UL Group:
UL Group, established in Jun. 2012, specialises in hotel development and other real estate developments throughout Asia. Originating from Korea, the main office is in Hong Kong with UL Pan Pacific Limited. Scope of investment covers from development to asset management. The founder & CEO of Urban Lounge Group is Young Suh. Prior to Urban Lounge, Young Suh was in charge of AIG Real Estate Korea and Invesco Korea, with such notable projects as Yeouido IFC Development Project and acquisition of Myeongdong M-Plaza. UL Group is a joint venture between two main parties, Urban Lounge AMC Inc. and Korea Scientists & Engineers Mutual-Aid Association, which is a pension fund with over 15,000 members and assets worth an estimated USD 2.65 bn.

For enquiries, please contact:
Natasha Rhymes
Director of PR & Corporate Communications – Minor Hotels
E: nrhymes@minor.com

Jane Warburton
Director of PR & Communications – AVANI Hotels & Resorts
E: jwarburton@minor.com