-- Advertorial+picture (Black and White)

-- Advertorial+picture (Black and White)

Bringing Conrad brand to Indonesia -- starting with Bali

On April 1, Conrad Hotels president Clement Barter visited the paradise island of Bali to inaugurate his company's newly finished property, Conrad Bali Resort and Spa at Tanjung Benoa on the coast of Nusa Dua.

He felt the need to meet with local journalists to present the company's views and mission. "Conrad didn't just arrive in Bali by chance: It was a long and selective process," he told a media conference at the newly opened hotel last Thursday.

Barter is currently responsible for the 16 luxury properties in the Conrad group in Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East and Asia.

"We have developed six new properties in the last three years," he said. Conrad now has 16 hotels in various parts of the world. "The company is not growing at a very fast pace because the nature of luxury hotels is such that it takes a long time to plan and design them," added Barter.

He said that he strongly believed luxury development would soon be in the forefront, particularly in Asia where Conrad plans to expand relatively quickly.

Barter believes that a satisfied customer base is what makes a hotel successful, but it is also important that the staff and the owners are happy. The owner of the 313-room resort is PT Oriental Indah Bali Hotel.

Meanwhile, general manager of Conrad Bali Resort and Spa Michael Burchett said that the occupancy rate at the hotel for April was 25 percent. In May, the rate will increase to 40 percent and for June it will be 45 percent. "That's very good for a new hotel," he said.