Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is accelerating its global expansion with plans to open new hotels and resorts in some of the world’s most dynamic destinations.

In 2020, the group expects to open eight new properties, adding four countries to the company’s world map and enhancing its leadership position in Thailand. This will increase the group’s worldwide inventory by almost 2,000 rooms and suites, in line with a strategic plan to make it a top 100 global hotel operator within five years.

As part of this expansion, its highly anticipated first resort of its new luxury brand will be unveiled at the end of 2020, following the refurbishment and repositioning of Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui.

Centra by Centara Cha Am Beach Resort Hua Hin is expected to open in April 2020. Located on pristine Cha-Am Beach, this 190-room and suite hotel will be surrounded by attractions, including theme parks, golf courses, retail outlets and a Royal palace.

COSI, its affordable lifestyle brand, will also drive domestic growth in Thailand. After the recent addition of hotels in Pattaya and Koh Samui, this cutting-edge concept will enter another popular beach resort destination in Q4, with the launch of the 142-room COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach.

Southeast Asia will be a major focus area for the group in 2020. The company will plant its flag in two new countries this year; Centara KMA Resort Inle Lake will become its first location in Myanmar and Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse in Laos. In Qatar, the B Premiere Hotel, an 85-room property under the Centara Boutique Collection, will be introduced in Q2. Then in Q4, Centara will enter the UAE with the 607-key Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.