Reporter: Could you say something first about the resort?
Mr Marrinan: This resort is distinctly different, not just within Vietnam but throughout Asia. The design, the beautiful private location at Bai Bac, Son Tra Pennisula and the spectacular views of the bay makes this resort exceptional and positions us at the top end of the luxury market.
One thing I would like to emphasize about InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is that we are the flagship of InterContinental Resorts in Vietnam. We already have two beautiful city hotels in Hanoi and HCM City, but this is the first resort that InterContinental has in Vietnam, so we are very proud of that.
Reporter: What’d you think about Danang’s hospitability industry?
Mr Marrinan: I think the future is very bright for Danang. There are a lot of activities and many luxury resorts are coming on board. The addition of a new terminal at the international airport will drive more traffic into Danang in the near future, both domestic and international. This really gives us strong confidence going forward. I think that we have some great coastline and wonderful attractions. People come here to see Hoi An, My Son and Hue, and InterContinental Danang is in a great location to take advantage of the location.
Reporter: With so many resorts already operating in Danang and many others getting off the ground sooner or later, why has IHG chosen this city as the flagship InterContinental Resort in Vietnam?
Mr Marrinan: The question should be – why wouldn’t we choose Danang? It is really happening right now. As I mentioned, the recently opened international terminal presents us with many new opportunities and I congratulate the authorities for making this happen. Many new flights have been added, so we have more tourists from Kuala Lumpur, China and Korea, and also looking forward for guests and business travelers coming from Hong Kong, Russia or Bangkok. It really has become an emerging destination in Asia. Moreover, Danang is conveniently located between HCM City and Hanoi, so we are in a good position to pick up domestic tourists as well. We believe that InterContinental brand’s prestige will leverage the advantages of Danang to make us a very competitive player in the market.
Reporter: What makes the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort different from other resorts in the area?
Mr Marrinan: It is just very different from any other resorts in the area. The design, the location on the side of the mountain where rainforests sweep down to the blue ocean, it is just magical. We really feel that it will stand out.
It is nice to have the beautiful architecture and hardware, but we believe that it’s our people that will bring it to life. We have spent many months training our people. One of the key things we want to offer at InterContinental is what we called an “in the know” experience. Sure, every hotel can have a comfortable bed and beautiful rooms but we really like the idea of guests going away with something new, something they’ve learned about the culture and the area. We want our guests coming away with practical knowledge and also fantastic memories.
And of course, we are working hard now on what we call “the software.” We put a lot of work and effort into training and preparing our staff. We already have a wonderful property, so we have to match that with superior service. We are working hard, and we are delighted to be opening soon so that people can see what we have to offer at Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
Reporter: What are tourists you are targeting?
Mr Marrinan: We are looking at the very high-end luxury segment, both Vietnamese and international. Our guests are those who have experienced traditional resorts and are longing for something new and unique. The resort resembles a hill-to village, so upon entering the resort, guests immediately recognize the abundance of Vietnamese elements. Many of our guests are frequent and experienced travelers, and request world-standard luxurious accommodation in Vietnam, which is our mission to deliver.
We are delighted that Danang is not only a popular tourist spot but also an emerging MICE destination. InterContinental Danang has an absolutely stunning convention venue, “The Summit”. Our ballroom is perched on the side of the mountain with the most magnificent view of the bay.
Vietnam Investment Review