Ascott International Management Dubai PTE LTD (Dubai Branch) Park Place Tower, Level 7, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 333497, Dubai, United Arab Emirates t (971-4) 326 6643 f (971-4) 386 4418 www.the-ascott.com NEWS RELEASE ASCOTT BRINGS ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE TO THE MIDDLE EAST The Ascott Limited says robot helpers are a game changer for the hospitality industry, as service robots are being tested in Chinese properties and are looking to roll out in Middle East. Dubai, UAE – April, 2018: Leading international serviced residence owner-operators, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is trialing artificial intelligence, to create more efficient operations and better customer experiences. Tests conducted by Ascott in China involve the use of service robots, if those trials are successful, the technology could make its way to the Middle East. Service delivery for its guests is at the core of Ascott’s philosophy and automated services can play a role in improving operations in the hospitality industry. The service robots at Ascott’s China properties can move around independently within the properties, including the use of elevators. They can perform a suite of tasks including delivering items such as slippers, charging cables and groceries, to apartments, collecting items such as laundry and refilling room supplies. Besides greeting guests, these robots can also play a concierge role by providing guests with information on facilities within the property and its surroundings. Mr Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Regional GM for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, said: “We are following the progress of robot trials at our Chinese properties with interest and as automation becomes an integral part of business, Ascott is leading the way in exploring new technologies across the serviced residence sector.” “Service delivery is at the core of Ascott’s corporate philosophy and automated services can play a role in improving operations and efficiency in the hospitality industry. One of the key takeaways from the robot trials is that the robots have a high success rate of completing the tasks and are efficient at carrying out a variety of menial tasks, so that our colleagues can focus on providing personalised services for our guests.” Explains Miccolis (1) The Chinese properties where the robots are currently operating are Ascott Raffles City Beijing and Ascott IFC Guangzhou “we define global living” Ascott International Management Dubai PTE LTD (Dubai Branch) Park Place Tower, Level 7, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 333497, Dubai, United Arab Emirates t (971-4) 326 6643 f (971-4) 386 4418 www.the-ascott.com About The Ascott Limited The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be one of the leading international serviced residence owner-operators. It has over 43,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as over 31,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 75,000 units in over 500 properties. The company’s brands include Ascott, Citadines, Somerset, Quest, The Crest Collection, and lyf. Ascott’s portfolio spans more than 130 cities across over 30 countries. Ascott, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. Today, the company boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide. Ascott’s achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include World Travel Awards 2018 for ‘Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ in the Middle East; DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2018 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’; TTG China Travel Awards 2018 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Operator in China’; World Travel Awards 2017 for ‘Leading Serviced Apartment Brand’ in Asia, Europe and the Middle East; Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2017 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’; Business Traveller UK Awards 2017 for ‘Best Serviced Apartment Company’ and Business Traveller China Awards 2017 for ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’. For a full list of awards, please visit https://www.the-ascott.com/ascottlimited/awards.html. About CapitaLand Limited CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it is an owner and manager of a global portfolio worth S$88 billion as at 31 December 2017, comprising integrated developments, shopping malls, serviced residences, offices, homes, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and funds. Present across more than 150 cities in over 30 countries, the Group focuses on Singapore and China as core markets, while it continues to expand in markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia. CapitaLand’s competitive advantage is its significant asset base and extensive market network. Coupled with extensive design, development and operational capabilities, the Group develops and manages high-quality real estate products and services. It also has one of the largest investment management businesses in Asia and a stable of five REITs listed in Singapore and Malaysia – CapitaLand Mall Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust. Visit www.capitaland.com for more information. “we define global living” Ascott International Management Dubai PTE LTD (Dubai Branch) Park Place Tower, Level 7, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 333497, Dubai, United Arab Emirates t (971-4) 326 6643 f (971-4) 386 4418 www.the-ascott.com For media enquiries, please contact: Jon Ivan-Duke Q Communications Mobile: +971 55 631 0027 Email: [email protected] “we define global living” .