Hotelier's eye on Elizabeth Quay

One of the world's biggest hotel and hospitality companies may be looking to expand its portfolio in Perth, with a five-star Elizabeth Quay property potentially on the cards.

Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality, which opened its first property in Perth last month, is understood to be considering a second property.

Fraser Suites, which was opened on October 15, boasts 236 gold-standard serviced residences on Adelaide Terrace.

General managers from Frasers 76 properties worldwide met in Perth last week for their annual conference.

Frasers Hospitality boss Choe Peng Sum.

Industry sources said the Frasers executive group viewed the former Fire and Emergency Services Authority headquarters in Perth as well as land at Elizabeth Quay as potential development sites.

Frasers Hospitality chief executive Choe Peng Sum said he was unable to make a formal comment on the prospect of a second hotel due to Singapore stock exchange restrictions while the parent company, Fraser & Neave, considers a takeover offer from Thai tycoon, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

Mr Choe said he had a special connection to Perth and was impressed by its tourism potential.

"Perth has always been special for me because it's the place I spent my honeymoon 25 years ago," he said.

"We did research before we built Fraser Suites here and we were shocked to hear that some of the hotels in Perth were charging such high rates-on average somewhere around $400, sometimes $500.

"This means they are doing very good business and there is high demand for quality accommodation."

Mr Choe said the leisure tourist market in Perth would surge.

Source: The West Australian, 12 November 2012