Ascott Appoints Jean Keijdener as Country General Manager for Thailand

June 18, 2013 (PRLEAP.COM) Travel News
The Ascott Limited, the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator, has appointed Mr Jean Keijdener as its Country General Manager for Thailand. In his new role, Mr Keijdener will oversee the operations of Ascott's nine properties in Thailand, and drive the growth of the company's serviced residence business in the country.

Mr Keijdener brings with him over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to his move to Thailand, Mr Keijdener was Ascott's Country General Manager for South Korea, where he managed the 440-unit Somerset Palace Seoul, one of the company's largest properties globally. Mr Keijdener also previously held senior management positions at Hilton, Hyatt, Renaissance and Sedona in Bahrain, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Tahiti, the Netherlands, the United States and Vietnam.

Mr Arthur Gindap, Ascott's Regional General Manager for the Philippines and Thailand, said: "Thailand is ranked as one of the world's top emerging markets for investors and the growing foreign direct investment has driven demand for serviced residences. Jean possesses strong experience in hospitality management. I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our business in Thailand and reinforce our reputation as the leading international serviced residence owner-operator."

Mr Keijdener said: "I am delighted to work with the dynamic and passionate team in Thailand. Besides seeking to expand Ascott's presence locally, my focus remains to ensure that we continue to offer memorable stay experiences for our residents, and provide the perfect home away from home for expatriates and travellers in this land of smiles."

Mr Keijdener has a Bachelor in Hospitality Management from the Hotel Management School in Heerlen, the Netherlands, as well as a Certification in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in the United States. He is also a member of the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom.

Mr Keijdener is fluent in English, Dutch, German and French. He is excited to learn the Thai language in his next endeavour.

In Thailand, Ascott currently operates more than 1,700 apartment units across nine properties in prime locations in Bangkok. The properties are Ascott Sathorn, Citadines Sukhumvit 8, Citadines Sukhumvit 11, Citadines Sukhumvit 16, Citadines Sukhumvit 23, Somerset Lake Point, Somerset Park Suanplu, Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor and Vic3. With modern facilities and personalised services, Ascott's properties ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay, whether for business or leisure.

About The Ascott Limited

The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator. It has more than 22,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as over 9,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 31,000 units in over 200 properties.

The company operates three brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans over 70 cities across more than 20 countries, 17 of which are new cities in Ascott's portfolio where its serviced residences are being developed.

Ascott, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. In 2006, it established the world's first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts a 29-year industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Ascott's achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2013 for 'Best Serviced Apartment/Residence Operator', TTG China Travel Awards 2013 for 'Best Serviced Residence Operator in China', TTG Travel Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Residence Operator', Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Residence Brand' and 'Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific', and Business Traveller UK Awards 2012 for 'Best Serviced Apartment Company'.

Visit www.the-ascott.com for more information and connect with us on social media at www.the-ascott.com/connect.

About CapitaLand Limited

CapitaLand is one of Asia's largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, the company's businesses in real estate and real estate fund management are focused on its core markets of Singapore and China.

The company's diversified real estate portfolio primarily includes homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences and mixed developments. The company also has one of the largest real estate fund management businesses with assets located in Asia. CapitaLand leverages its significant asset base, real estate domain knowledge, product design and development capabilities, active capital management strategies and extensive market network to develop real estate products and services in its markets.

The listed entities of the CapitaLand Group include Australand, CapitaMalls Asia, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaCommercial Trust, CapitaMall Trust, CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust, CapitaRetail China Trust and Quill Capita Trust.