Consistent with its development strategy,
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
(
H
) recently announced the opening of the hotel -- Grand Hyatt Kuala
Lumpur -- under its Grand Hyatt Brand name. The opening marks the
debut of the Grand Hyatt brand in Malaysia. Earlier in June 2011, a
Hyatt affiliate signed a contract with Bahagia Investment
Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the operation of Grand Hyatt
Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is one of the fastest growing countries in Asia and is a
very popular tourist destination. Moreover, the country is
witnessing an upward trend in the number of tourist visits.
Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand are important sources of visitors
for the country.
The new property features 370 luxurious guest rooms and 42 suites
as well as 35,530 square feet meeting and event space along with
various other amenities. The hotel is located at the prime location
of Malaysia, i.e. in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) which is
home to the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC shopping center, KLCC
Convention Center and the KLCC Park.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia and
a tourist hub for both business and leisure. Since the
1990's, the city has played host to many international sporting,
political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games
and the Formula One World Championship.
In addition, the city is home to the tallest twin buildings in
the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic
symbol of Malaysia's futuristic developments. Given its strategic
location, we believe this new hotel will be a milestone in the
hotelier's expansion strategy in the rapidly emerging Southeast
Asian market.
The company is poised to benefit from the increase in demand for
hotels, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where the pace of
economic recovery is particularly fast. The company currently
operates more than 50 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hyatt has more than 35 properties in progress throughout the
U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, China, Latin America, Southwest Asia
and the Middle East. The company is focused on its strategy of
expanding in new markets, of which around 75% is expected to be on
the international front.
However, the market is not free of competition. Several major
hoteliers like
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
(
HOT
) and
Marriott International Inc.
(
MAR
) are also poised to expand their portfolio in the country.
We presently have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
Also, the company carries a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold
rating).
HYATT HOTELS CP (H): Free Stock Analysis Report
STARWOOD HOTELS (HOT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
MARRIOTT INTL-A (MAR): Free Stock Analysis
Report
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