Room for Ambition: Ascott Checks In 12,000 New Careers with Massive Expansion

Ascott, the hospitality arm of CapitaLand Investment, unveiled a massive worldwide expansion plan under which it will open over 300 properties across the globe by 2028, creating over 12,000 new positions. The growth drive encompasses a minimum of 1,500 leadership positions, reflecting the firm's focus on developing future leaders in the hospitality industry.

Main points:

Over 80 percent of the new properties are situated in the Asia-Pacific region, a testament to Ascott's widespread presence and continual investment in this dynamic market.

The growth is accompanied by the rollout of Ascott Accelerate, a formalized talent development initiative to accelerate the promotion of high-potential employees to management roles. It is underpinned by the introduction of a new digital learning platform, with training for every level and operating department, ranging from guest relations to property operations.

Ascott is also adding global exchange schemes and learning festivals, providing associates with international experience and access to best practices across the industry.

Its Malaysia portfolio, with more than 40 properties, is being a significant contributor to this growth, and Penang has been selected as the location for the new talent development initiatives.

Ascott's recent growth in India, with the addition of 600 units to its inventory, takes its portfolio in the country to approximately 6,100 units in 22 properties.

The group also targets to generate over S$500 million in fee-related income by 2028, off its record S$343 million in income in 2024.

Ascott focuses on putting talent development at the heart of its growth, with a strong and skilled workforce to continue succeeding in the competitive hospitality sector. The company operates and franchises close to 1,000 properties across more than 230 cities in over 40 countries, with two-thirds of them already operational.

Sources: The Business Times, The Star, Hospitality ON, Economic Times HRME, Travel and Tour World