Minor Group Celebrates 50th Anniversary this Year

MINOR GROUP'S first 50 years is the beginning of a journey, a period of foundation-building from which a greater and more ambitious future awaits. William E. Heinecke, the founder and chairman of Minor International, relates “Looking back, we have come a long way. From humble beginnings as an advertising agency and office cleaning company, to our entry into the hospitality business in 1978, we have risen to countless challenges, and each time emerged stronger than before. 

From a single hotel and one restaurant in Pattaya 40 years ago, Minor has flourished into a truly global business reaching 64 countries across 5 continents. The combined strength of our subsidiaries and affiliated companies gives Minor a present-day portfolio comprising 549 hotels, 2,130 restaurants and 429 retail outlets across multiple brands. From start-up capital of a slightly over USD 1,000 and a handful of employees in Thailand, Minor International is today capitalized at USD 5.4 billion and counts on the efforts of over 80,000 people around the world.”

Heinecke attributes the Group’s journey of success to several key factors. Firstly, Minor has always had a long-term strategic plan. This strategic plan has led to business diversification in terms of brands, business models and geographies, positioning the Group for consistent growth in a world of uncertainty.

Furthermore, Heinecke believes the group owes its success to the drive and determination of its people. Exceptional management and staff have been and continue to be a key success factor for Minor. The strength of Minor’s unique brand portfolio rests on the quality of its people, and their unwavering dedication to serving the needs of customers. Going forward, Minor International will continue to ensure the delivery of superior products and services that provide 100% satisfaction to all stakeholders.

With this, the group continues strategic expansion plans with new openings and strong growth pipeline across multiple brands. Currently, with a portfolio of hotels and resorts across the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the group continued its strategic expansion plans to date in 2018. Scheduled to open in Q4 2018 in south central Vietnam, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas is a luxury all-villa resort situated on a private beach 10 kilometres from the town of Quy Nhon. This year Anantara will debut in The Americas with the launch of Anantara Maraú Bahia Resort in Brazil. The resort will offer an exciting new gateway to South America when it opens mind 2019, following an investment of R$ 4 million in the renovation of the former Kiaroa Eco-Luxury Resort. Another one in North Africa with the opening of the 93-key Anantara Tozeur Resort in Tunisia in Q2.

In Asia, Anantara will open three new properties in 2019 – one in China, one in Malaysia and one in Bali. Scheduled to open in the first half of 2019 is the 123-key Anantara Desaru Resort & Villas in Malaysia. In Indonesia Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is scheduled to open in mid 2019 and will offer a total of 70 keys including suites and pool villas. Late 2019 will see the opening of Anantara Lijiang Resort in China. In the Middle East two Anantara properties are currently under development. The 225-key Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is scheduled to open in 2020 in the UAE. And in 2021 is the 233-key Anantara Sharjah Resort. On the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, Anantara La Chaland Resort is under development on the south eastern coast, only 5 km from the international airport, scheduled to open in late 2019. Also under development in North Africa is the 230-key Anantara Al Houara Tangier Resort which is scheduled to open in 2020 in Morocco.