Following a record year of acquisitions and growth in 2015, Mantra Group has appointed well-known hotel industry executive, Andrew Turner to the newly created position of Vice President Acquisitions, Asia.
Based at Mantra Group’s new regional office in Singapore, from late February Turner will drive the Group’s expansion into new Asian markets.
Turner is one of the industry’s most successful and respected hoteliers, having served as CEO of Mirvac Hotels and Resorts and more recently as Executive Vice President, Business Development for SilverNeedle Hospitality.
“Andrew has a deep understanding of the Australian, New Zealand, and – most importantly for Mantra Group – the South East Asian accommodation markets and hotel investment landscapes,” said Mantra Group Director of Acquisitions, Michael Moret-Lalli.
“His particular expertise in strata title hotel structures and operations, positions Andrew well to leverage our capabilities in this growing model in Asia and to spearhead our expansion mandate,” he said.
Lalli said 2015 was a prolific year for Mantra Group, marked by a record 15 hotel openings, which added a massive 4,400 rooms to the Group’s portfolio of 126 hotels and resorts.
“This growth is attributable to Mantra Group’s surging profile and dominant positioning as a hotel operator of choice,” he said. “The opening of our Singapore office will be central to our efforts to capitalize on expansion opportunities in the region, and I am very excited to welcome Andrew to the team ahead of what promises to be a dynamic year for the business.”
Turner currently sits on the National Board of the Australian Association of Accommodation, is an inductee of the HM Awards Hall of Fame and recipient of the HM Awards’ Hotelier of the Year award.