by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 19/97) - The hotel management company that owns and manages The Explorer Hotel will be adding a new $110-million Hong Kong hotel to its list. It's expected to open in two weeks.

Regency International Hotels, which also manages Yellowknife's Discovery Inn and Iqaluit's Frobisher Inn, will oversee the 130-bedroom hotel in Hong Kong, called the Grandfield Pacific Hotel.

Grandfield Pacific Inc. is the parent company of the Regency International chain.

"I've been involved with the computer systems and two of my staff will be leaving next week to train people on the computer system. They will use the same computer systems as our Canadian companies," says Jonathan Cross, general manager of both Regency International Hotels and of Yellowknife's Explorer Hotel.

Training will involve specifics in cafe and restaurant, food and beverage and accounting computer systems.

The Regency group also has an interest in the Haikou Peninsula Hotel on the southeast cost of China.

"As far as Grandfield Pacific is concerned, we're obviously looking into a lucrative Hong Kong marketplace," says Cross.

"The direct relationship with the Explorer is that it will increase the number of properties managed by Regency hotel and we cross-promote all of our hotels at each of our locations. The intent is to expand our base of hotels to Asia. There will be benefits to Yellowknife and the territories."

The Hong Kong market is very lucrative, since occupancy and room rates are good there, says Cross.

"Last June was the launch of our shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange," he added. "We were the first Northern-based company to be listed on the TSE."

Regency International has owned the Explorer Hotel since 1988.