As Asia’s popularity as a destination continues to grow, GTA the global wholesaler for fully independent travel (FIT), has signed a new partnership with Onyx Hospitality Group to offer 34 hotels in Thailand, as well as Hong Kong and Qatar. The deal will help ensure that GTA meets increasing global demand for Thailand as a destination.

Bangkok – home to seven of Onyx’s 21 Thai properties – is now the most visited city in the world by international tourists, according to MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index1. International visitors to Thailand reached over 6.8 million in the first quarter of the 2013 alone – up nearly 20% on the same period last year – and 16 million are projected for 2013. The Thai capital’s popularity is being driven by a surge of tourists from China and Southeast Asia, drawn by its relative affordability and brand name shopping.

In line with its ambition to ‘grow where the future is’, GTA is already capturing this opportunity. GTA’s business to Thailand from mainland China is growing by a third year on year, while that from Hong Kong has more than tripled in just two years. Southeast Asian source markets are also important with increasing numbers of Cambodian, Indonesian, Singaporean and Vietnamese travellers discovering Thailand.

Says Martin Jones, GTA’s Senior Vice President for Global Sourcing & Product Development: “Offering beach and city accommodation, the Onyx brand portfolio spans budget, mid-scale and luxury hotels, resorts and serviced apartments, ensuring that GTA continues to suit the differing needs of fully independent travellers. As the popularity of Thailand continues to increase, travel sellers around the world will welcome this new partnership and our ever-expanding variety of hotels.

“GTA makes it easy for hoteliers to successfully market and sell their rooms to even more consumers worldwide. Our technology, privileged relationships and wealth of experience means travel businesses trust us to help them profit.”

Onyx Hospitality Group is a leading hospitality management company with a pipeline of properties planned in China, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka in addition to its existing locations. The agreement gives it enhanced distribution opportunities through GTA’s wholesale and retail HTML and XML systems, its expertise and a global network of over 2,300 local professionals. Hotels gain access to previously untapped marketplaces and, with tens of thousands of travel bookings daily, potentially many more guests.

Onyx benefits from GTA’s new Margin Agreement contract which means hotels can promote their Best Available Rates to businesses selling accommodation to millions of holidaymakers and business travellers around the world. Given the rapid pace of change in travel and hospitality, Margin Agreements are an increasingly attractive option for many of GTA’s partners.

The new partnership is announced as Onyx unveils its first OZO property in Hong Kong, with more in the pipeline in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Among the properties being added to GTA’s portfolio:

OZO Wesley Hong Kong is a stylishly designed urban outpost for on-the-go global nomads right at the heart of all the action. Located on Hennessy Road, a prime business and commercial district on Hong Kong island, OZO Wesley is just a 5-minute stroll from the brands and boutiques of Pacific Place, and the sights, restaurants and bars that give this city its buzz.

Amari Orchid Pattaya, right on the picturesque northern crescent of vibrant Pattaya Bay. The hotel’s oceanfront location is five minutes away from the city’s nightlife, museums, golf courses and other recreational activities. Its 4-star Garden Wing offers 226 guest rooms and suites nestled amid the peaceful surrounds of the hotel’s tropical gardens.  The 5-star Ocean Tower soars 20 storeys into the sky, offering stunning views of the Bay. The Ocean Tower envelops you in a picturesque oceanfront panorama with 297 spacious guest rooms in seven room categories.

Amari Emerald Cove Koh Chang, one of Thailand’s best-kept island secrets.  This five-star resort on secluded Klong Prao Beach offers 157 rooms and suites, all with views of either the sea to the west or the jungle-covered hills to the east. Kayak among green islets and steep cliffs along Koh Chang’s stunning coastline. One of Thailand’s best islands for the perfect beach holiday, it has retained its uniquely rugged beauty of a lush and mountainous interior surrounded by sandy white beaches and clear turquoise waters.

In Thailand, and part of Onyx’s Mosaic collection, is Angkhang Nature Resort, just a three hour drive from Chiang Mai. Nestled in the midst of a picturesque mountainous countryside in cool climate, Angkhang Nature Resort is the Perfect Budget Hotel for Nature Lovers and offers well-equipped guest rooms and suites with mountain or garden views. There is also a range of activities to enjoy, such as mountain-biking, hiking, mule-riding and bird-watching. Also in the Collection in Krabi, stay at the Vogue Resort & Spa Ao Nang, an exotic boutique hotel overlooking Pranang Bay. Set in lush tropical gardens high on a hillside, the resort offers stunning panoramic views only five minutes’ walk to Ao Nang beach.

Signing the contract, Debrah Pascoe, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for Onyx Hospitality Group, says: “We are very excited to sign with GTA. With Thailand’s popularity taking off and our profile as a leading hospitality group in the country, I believe that our global partnership will bring us positive results. With GTA, we look forward to welcoming more international visitors from new markets as well as continuing to build on our existing business.”