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AS THE global hotel industry enters a new phase, Archipelago International is strategically expanding its presence in various international markets. In The CEO Table Talk: John Flood, the President and CEO of Archipelago International, met with the Sindikasi Media Network or Syndicated Media Network (SMN) to discuss the company’s global opportunities.
He explained that Archipelago International uses a long-term, system-based approach to reading these opportunities, and that the company is oriented towards real market needs. The meeting was held at Sushi Toku in Central Jakarta on Thursday (01/29), 2026.
“Along with its development, Archipelago International also spread its wings to grow from a leader in Indonesia with an impressive portfolio to a major global player by opening its first hotels in Latin America and the Middle East. Today, Archipelago International is ranked the 38th largest hotel group in the world,” he said.
Thanks to John Flood’s sound analytical skills, innovative thinking and inspiring leadership, Archipelago International has grown into Indonesia’s largest hotel group with an impressive portfolio of more than 15,000 local employees.
“Archipelago is Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned hotel management group, operating more than 45,000 rooms across 300+ hotels in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Oceania. With 13 award-winning brands—including Aston, Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Avanika, Harper, Quest, Four Corners, Neo, fave, Nordic, Powered by Archipelago, and Aston Collection—the company is recognized as one of the region’s most reliable and fastest-growing hospitality leaders,” said John Flood.
Headquartered in Jakarta, Archipelago International brings decades of experience in building scalable hotel brands and managing extensive accommodation portfolios worldwide. Its asset-light, tech-driven, and high-governance approach supports rapid expansion across key global markets, including Southeast Asia, MENA, Oceania, and LATAM.
One of the regions that is now an important focus for Archipelago is the Dominican Republic. According to John Flood, the Caribbean country boasts a strategic position due to its status as one of the most popular overseas destinations for US tourists, along with Mexico. Given the region’s substantial US outbound market, the presence of hotels and residences is regarded as having sustainable potential, particularly in the rental and second home sectors.
Archipelago’s foray into the Caribbean market commenced in Cuba approximately more 12 years ago, when the local government extended an invitation to the company to oversee hotel operations and establish a presence in the Asian market. Cuba’s business environment is widely acknowledged for its challenges, which include limited liquidity and a complex payment system due to the embargo. However, Archipelago views Cuba as a strategic entry point to expand its business to more open markets, such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
In addition to geographic expansion, Archipelago places significant emphasis on service innovation, particularly in the food and beverage sector. John Flood assesses that tourist eating habits have changed. Conventional hotel menus, which are heavy and uniform, are starting to be phased out. Instead, Archipelago presents a global street food rotation concept, with a different theme every six months, ranging from Korea and Japan to Mexico. This concept offers guests a diverse dining experience while enhancing the kitchen team’s skills.
In brand development, Archipelago, which is known to be strong in the 3-star and 4-star hotel segments, is now entering the ultra-luxury segment through collaboration with Tonino Lamborghini. This collaboration gave birth to Tonino Lamborghini Hotels by Huxley and Tonino Lamborghini Residences, with initial projects in the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Miami. These hotels are positioned as world-class luxury properties with high rates, but still emphasize iconic design and efficient operations.
But when asked whether it is possible to bring the newest luxury brand-Tonino Lamborghini to the Indonesian market? he immediately answered, why not? Yes, there is a big possibility and confident that we will present this luxury brand here.
However, John Flood emphasized that the hotel business is not a shortcut to quick profits. From project signing to hotel opening, it takes around four years, with a payback period of up to seven to eight years. Therefore, Archipelago chose to build operational systems and technology first, then expand aggressively.
Owing to John’s industry passion, innovative thinking and inspiring leadership, Archipelago International has grown to become the largest hotel group in Indonesia and with no end in sight, the Group is on track to grow from the domestic leader into a major global player by opening its first hotels in Latin America and the Middle East.
“It is a great honor to be recognised and I am forever grateful for all the opportunities Indonesia has provided me and of course to Charles Brookfield, the Founder and Chairman of Archipelago and my great mentor, who has always believed in me and supported me on this exciting journey,” he affirmed.
Flood also mentioned that as I was growing up in a country far away, I never stopped chasing my dreams – and that’s the reason why I stand here today. This is the one message I have for the all-Indonesian youth today and for everybody out there who wants to make a successful career in the hospitality.
I remembered, he explained when Archipelago’s first hotel was in Saudi Arabia, a market it views as one of the most important in its continued expansion internationally that in strategic terms this is an historic agreement for our company and indeed for Indonesia, as we will be the first Indonesian based hotel company to enter the Kingdom’s hotel market. Our hotel brands are the most widely recognized in Indonesia, which is the largest source market for pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah.
But when talked about in this 2023 conditions such as global recession, Indonesian political year, he directly answered that three countries, namely the United States, China, and European countries as the locomotive of the world economy have been mapped to face a recession so that their economies slow down. The threat of recession is expected to affect a number of countries that become Indonesia’s foreign tourist market.
“But Indonesian government has adjusted the focus of the foreign tourist market to countries that are large markets, which currently show an extraordinary increase in the number of tourist visits to Indonesia, namely India, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Malaysia and Singapore which are still growing,” he noted.
He emphasized that but don’t forget with the domestic tourist market which has also been potential as the backbone of the tourism industry but must continue to be addressed in terms of services. I also believe that Indonesia’s economic prospects remain bright along with an increase in performance after easing activities, although the threat of a 2023 recession.
Finally, when he asked about his desire to sell the company’s assets to other investors, John Flood just smiled and said that “I will let you know if there is such an intention, but until now Archipelago International has not thought about selling this company because there are several stages of activities that contribute to the success of the entire Archipelago International management organization and these activities are the key to success for the company,” he concluded. [traveltext.id]
About John Flood
JOHN Flood, President and CEO of Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately-owned and independent hotel management group. Archipelago’s John Flood moved to Indonesia 27 years ago, where he has served as the Group’s President & CEO since 2009. An MBA graduate from the University of Leicester and a true hotelier by heart, he started his remarkable hospitality career in his native Dublin and went on to work in some of Europe’s most thriving cities, including London, Paris and Copenhagen.
Owing to John’s industry passion, innovative thinking and inspiring leadership, Archipelago International has grown to become the largest hotel group in Indonesia with an impressive force of more than 15,000+ local employees. With no end in sight, the Group is on track to grow from the domestic leader into a major global player by opening its first hotels in Latin America and the Middle East. Already, Archipelago International is ranked the world’s 38th largest hotel group.
