Hanwha Hotels & Resorts and Handiz Sign Business Partnership Agreement

Moon Seok, CEO of Hanwha Hotels & Resorts (right in the photo), and Jung Seung-ho, CEO of Handys, are taking a photo after signing a business agreement (Photo by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts).

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Hanwha Hotels & Resorts announced on the 13th that it has signed a strategic business agreement (MOU) with Handyz, a startup specializing in entrusted management of residential lodging facilities.

Handyz is a shared lodging service company in its seventh year since establishment, which started with Airbnb cleaning and room maintenance and has expanded its scope to real estate and facility management. In addition to the currently operated 650 rooms in Seoul and Busan areas, it plans to open about 2,000 more rooms within this year at Wave Park Prugio City, Hyupsung Marina G7, and others. By 2024, a total of about 10,000 rooms are expected to be contracted and operated.

Through this agreement, Hanwha Hotels & Resorts will consider diversifying its brand portfolio, including entrusted hotel operations. The company stated, "By establishing a cooperative relationship with the domestic startup Handyz, we have laid the foundation as a lifestyle platform business operator and prepared a stepping stone for promoting sustainable future businesses."

Moon Seok, CEO of Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, said, "The company is doing its best to improve its brand image by launching new stylish hotel brands reflecting the young trend that prefers unique experiences and promoting related businesses. Through this partnership, we will establish a foundation for diversifying the company’s brand portfolio and take a second leap forward."

Jung Seung-ho, CEO of Handyz, said, "Through the strategic business alliance with Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, we can approach innovations more meticulously and quickly that encompass not only the lodging market transforming due to COVID-19 but also the lifestyle of the MZ generation."

Hanwha Hotels & Resorts operates The Plaza Seoul, a luxury hotel with 408 rooms; Hotel Belmer in Yeosu with 100 rooms; 12 domestic directly managed resorts with a total of 5,200 rooms; one overseas resort (Saipan World Resort); five golf courses (108 holes); G-Stem Flower Shop, which has the largest number of florists in Korea; restaurants & 63 Convention Center in the 63 Building; Royal Saddle Riding Club; water parks; and the Jade Garden Arboretum in Chuncheon.

Starting with the opening of a new surfing concept hotel at Yangyang Jukdo Beach in July this year, the company plans to launch the lifestyle brand "Matier," targeting the MZ generation, in Pyeongchon, Dongbusan, and other locations.