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Archipelago International looks to open more hotels in Indonesia and beyond
Archipelago International president and CEO John Flood spoke with The Jakarta Post about how it has tapped markets in other developing countries by implementing the group’s accomplished standards honed from more than 25 years of operation in Indonesia.
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Archipelago International CEO John Flood says it’s more interesting to tap into markets in developing countries as these align with the company's existing systems and expertise. The Jakarta-based hotel chain operates across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. (Courtesy of/Archipelago International)
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i>As the country’s economy rebounds after the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel industry has continued to grow, driven mainly by tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activities. Archipelago International, the largest locally developed management chain in Indonesia, has strengthened its position by developing international-standard hotels for the middle-classes.
Archipelago International president and CEO John Flood spoke with The Jakarta Post’s Ruth Dea Juwita about how it has tapped markets in other developing countries by implementing the group’s accomplished standards, honed from more than 25 years of operation in Indonesia.
Question: How did you get into the business and how did you start the chain?
Answer: I started my journey at 15, quite young. In those days you were able to do that. I decided to go into the business when I was about eight years old when I thought hotels were super cool. After that, everything I did was geared toward hotels, both my academic and professional pursuits. I began work as a chef and took various posts in Dublin, Copenhagen and other cities in Europe.
I got an offer to come to Bali when I was finishing my master’s of business administration [MBA] degree, where I crossed paths with Charles Brookfield, my partner and our company’s chairman. I was only supposed to stay in Bali for six months but ended up staying as we’d talked about the hotel business and planned to do business together. His mentorship during my MBA thesis laid the groundwork for developing Archipelago.
