PHUKET – Outrigger Hospitality Group has announced its senior management team that will open three resorts in southern Thailand this high season.
Tony Pedroni, has been appointed Area General Manager, Thailand. He will be supported by Sergey Kutuzov, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Thailand, and Leah Matters, General Manager, Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort.
They will be assisted by a dozen or so other managers, soon to be announced, many with area responsibilities in finance, security, HR, engineering and purchasing. The appointments come as Outrigger establishes its presence in three of the most sought-after beach locations in Asia.
Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort and Outrigger Surin Beach Resort in Phuket are scheduled to open 15 December 2021. Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort is scheduled to open in Lamai Beach before Easter 2022.
An Irish national with more than 30 years of professional experience, Tony Pedroni has enjoyed a career spanning seven countries and three continents, spent largely with Marriott International and Outrigger Hospitality Group. Mr Pedroni is a graduate of the Swiss Hotel Management School HOSTA in Leysin, Switzerland.
Sergey Kutuzov’s hospitality career spans nine years in Thailand working with MINOR, Accor and Dusit and six years in Dubai, UAE, working with Starwood and Accor. Mr. Kutuzov’s career began in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, with Kempinski Grand Hotel Europe.
Mr Kutuzov holds a bachelor’s in physics from St. Petersburg State University and is a school of management graduate from there as well.
Leah Matters has held senior roles with Outrigger in Australia and Thailand since 2008, notably as General Manager of Outrigger Twin Towns Resort and then Resort Manager of the former Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, 2015-21. Ms Matters is particularly strong on guest satisfaction policy implementation and resort social media engagement.
“Our new team is a dynamic mix of experience and enthusiasm,” said Damian Clowes, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, for Outrigger Hospitality Group. “We aim to re-establish Outrigger among the top beach resorts in Thailand for families and couples.”
Mr Pedroni added that Outrigger has a history of higher than average guest satisfaction levels among its competitive set. This was evidenced by the previous Outrigger in Phuket’s inclusion in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for Excellence and other travel industry awards.
“Guest experience and satisfaction will once again be core deliverables at our new properties,” said Mr Pedroni.
Outrigger will shortly announce food and beverage concepts and room type options for its Khao Lak and Phuket properties ahead of their scheduled 15 December 2021 opening.
Additional information about Outrigger’s new Thailand properties is available here.
OUTRIGGER KHAO LAK BEACH RESORT
In Khao Lak, a 75-minute drive north of Phuket airport, the 158-key Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort sits on Bang Sak Beach, a long stretch of fine sand coastline with uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea. The property’s room portfolio includes 12 suites and villas. There are two restaurants, a bar, an expansive pool with ocean views and a kids’ club. Popular local activities include elephant trekking, canoeing, forest and waterfall discoveries. Further information here.
ABOUT OUTRIGGER SURIN BEACH RESORT IN PHUKET
In Phuket, 30-minutes south of the international airport, the Outrigger Surin Beach Resort is an elegant 60-room boutique property on the edge of the powder-white sands of Surin Beach, within walking distance of an array of dining, shopping and entertainment venues. The property features one main restaurant, a pool bar and spa. Thirty-seven of the resort’s rooms are suites. Further information here.
ABOUT OUTRIGGER KOH SAMUI BEACH RESORT
The 148-key Outrigger Koh Samui is located on the quiet sands of Lamai Beach on the east coast of Thailand’s second-largest island, which is a 70-minute flight from Bangkok and 55 minutes from Phuket. The property, which exudes a soft ‘colonial’ elegance, includes 34 suites, a spa, three restaurants, a kids’ club and facilities for weddings and events. The resort is nestled in an enclave of lush coconut trees, adjacent to the beach, steps from a rich choice of dining and shopping outlets. Further information here.
