BANGKOK, THAILAND - March 10, 1999 - Benchmark Hospitality
International, a subsidiary of Benchmark Hospitality, has recently terminated
its management and marketing agreements with the U-Thong Inn & Executive
Conference Center in Ayutthaya, Thailand. The announcement was made
by Tom Cole, Vice President of Benchmark Hospitality International.
Benchmark Hospitality first began working with this project in late
1996 when it provided the design specifications for the addition of 130
suites and a full service conference center to an existing hotel.
The property was added to Benchmark Hospitality�s portfolio of conference
centers, resorts, and conference hotels in 1997.
The decision to terminate the agreements was based on two major considerations.
First, Benchmark provided a comprehensive detailed list of specifications
for both technical and safety features. However, the contractor,
a company owned in part by one of the hotel owners, ignored many of the
specifications, which resulted in unacceptable facility. A hotel
that had potential life safety deficiencies and did not meet quality standards,
simply could not be endorsed to our clients.
�Due to the recent economic crisis in Asia, the owners were prompted
to cut back in areas that we felt were essential for the overall success
of the facility, specifically Life Safety. Therefore, we felt that
the best decision was to step away from the U-Thong Inn & Executive
Conference Center,� said Tom Cole. �We were able to work with them
in some areas, and even agreed to allow some �phasing-in� of certain finish
details and equipment needs. However, they have not complied with
the Life Safety standards that we require, and we will never compromise
in that area.�
Benchmark Hospitality International was formed in 1993 to develop and
manage conference centers, conference hotels, and resorts internationally.
Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Benchmark Hospitality, the parent
company, is a recognized leader in resort, conference center and conference
hotel management. For information on booking a meeting at a Benchmark
property, call toll-free 888-846-6338, or visit Benchmark Hospitality on
the internet at www.benchmark-hospitality.com. |