BASS Hotels and Resorts has expanded its presence in Asia Pacific with the £128m purchase of Hale International’s Southern Pacific Hotels Corporation.
Hale owns, leases, manages or franchises 59 hotels in the region through SPHC. It is part of the Pritzker family business empire which also owns Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. Hale’s Travelodge business will continue to be operated by Pritzker business interests.
The agreement secures Bass’ position in the region as a major hotel brand. A spokesman said this has been a long-term goal for the company. Bass currently operates the Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands in the region.
“The purchase makes us number two in the Australian market and leader in the Asia Pacific in terms of rooms,” said a spokesman.
The deal gives Bass 161 hotels in the region and over 40,000 rooms. SPHC has 24 hotels in Australia, 13 hotels in New Zealand, eight in the Southern Pacific Islands and 14 in the rest of Asia.
Bass is expected to rebrand the properties, the majority of which are operated under the Parkroyal and Centra names.
It is believed the French giant Accor was also interested in the deal but a spokesman said Bass’ global reservation system may have tipped things in its favour.
He added other major deals were unlikely in the near future.
“We’re quite happy to cherry pick single properties or small chains,” he said.