As Japanese upscale-lifestyle hotel brand, Zentis, forays into the international market for the first time since pandemic restrictions put a damper on its July 2020 debut, seasoned hospitality professional Mikio Akiyama has stepped up as general manager of the brand’s inaugural property, Zentis Osaka.
Akiyama brings with him more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including a decade with owning company Palace Hotel Co., Ltd. His arrival at Zentis marks a homecoming for the Kansai native, who began his career at Hyatt Regency Osaka in 1998. The next decade saw him in various sales positions outside of Japan, including four years with Accor in Singapore and Thailand followed by three years with Hyatt in China before returning to Bangkok to work for IHG.
“Akiyama’s global perspective and wealth of experience with international brands throughout Asia will prove invaluable as we introduce Zentis to overseas travelers,” said Daisuke Yoshihara, president of Palace Hotel Co., Ltd.
Akiyama joined the Forbes Five-Star Palace Hotel Tokyo in 2013 as one of its associate directors of global sales, spearheading the team responsible for outreach in Asia and the Middle East and handling the high-profile clientele originating from those markets. Four years later, he transitioned to an associate director of operations role before being promoted to director of rooms, a three-year stint during which he assisted the luxury property with steering its way through the pandemic.
Three years since its launch in the domestic market, the Zentis brand has now flung its doors wide open to international guests as Osaka experiences a renewal in inbound travel from overseas, following Japan’s lifting of all border restrictions at the beginning of May.
As Palace Hotel Tokyo continues to draw acclaim for its full-service embrace of discerning luxury travelers, Zentis is charting its own course with its upscale, select-service lifestyle concept aimed at savvy wanderers seeking comfort and design at accessible price points.
