Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: 2nd airport for Beijing, a Hilton resort for India, Malaysia Airports launch hotel brand and more....

Laos Plans New Airports

Attapeu, the southernmost province of Laos, will get a new regional airport by 2014 and is expected to open up the province to more travellers. The planned airport, which will cost an estimated US$46 million to build, will be able to accommodate short-haul regional aircraft in its first phase. Currently, tourists visiting Attapeu have to fly to Pakse International Airport, 200 kilometres northwest of Attapeu, before continuing their journey by bus or car. The Huaphan province is also in talks to develop a regional airport in the district of Viengxay, which would help to boost tourism in this region. Currently, Viengxay is only accessible by a two day bus trip from Vientiane. 
 
Hilton Launches First Resorts Collection in India

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, the brand's first leisure property in India. Owned by Writer Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., the property is nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range in the Western Ghats and is a two and a half hour drive from Mumbai. The retreat will feature 99 villas with butler service and one of the largest wine cellars in India. The Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa will also boast more than 150 spa treatments across 70 acres of the 70 acre property.
 
Malaysia Airports Launches Hotel Brand 

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has launched a new hotel brand, Sama-Sama. Sama-Sama hotels will be launched with the rebranding of two properties at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). MAHB will operate the Sama-Sama KL International Airport located adjacent to KLIA and the existing transit hotel located within the airport which will be renamed Sama-Sama Express KLIA. MAHB will also operate a new transit airport, Sama-Sama Express KLIA2, at the new low-cost carrier terminal KLIA2, which is expected to open in mid 2013. MAHB currently operates 20 hotels in Malaysia, in key international hubs such as Penang, Kuching, Langkawi, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.  
 
Pan Pacific Opens New Parkroyal in Singapore

Pan Pacific has opened its new hotel, Parkroyal on Pickering, housing 367 rooms and suites. Located within Singapore's Chinatown, the property is centred on a green theme and features more than 15,000 square metres of gardens, ponds, waterfalls, terraces and green walls, in addition to harvesting rainwater and generating solar power. Facilities at the hotel include rain showers in all rooms, an infinity-edged pool overlooking the city, jacuzzi, fitness centre, an outdoor terrace with cabanas and meeting facilities accommodating up to 500 guests.  
 
China Agrees for Second Beijing Airport

China's government has given the approval to start the construction of a second international airport in Beijing. Located south of Beijing in Daxing District, the new mega-airport is expected to open by 2018 and will have capacity for 40 million passengers in its first phase, before being expanded to accommodate 130 million passengers. The new airport will help to ease the large passenger traffic at the Beijing Capital International Airport, which currently exceeds its theoretical capacity of 76 million passengers annually. In 2012, the airport recorded close to 82 million passengers, a growth of 4.2% from 2011.

Most Influential Hotel Investment Conference in China, Roaring to Its 9th Edition

Save the date and attend the 9th China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC) 2013 from 17-19 April 2013 at the Grand Hyatt in Shanghai. Organised by HVS, the world's leading hospitality consultancy firm, CHIC 2013 is themed "Vision and Strategy for Success in a Changing World". The focus will be on insights and strategies to generate the highest returns and market value for your hotel development and investment portfolios in a competitive and changing market environment.

CHIC has established its reputation as the most influential hotel investment conference in China by delivering a wealth of timely market insights that facilitate corporate strategies and growth in the world's second largest economy. CHIC has attracted over 4,300 CEOs and decision makers, and the 2012 event saw a record turnout of 860 CEOs and leaders of the hotel and tourism industry from over 20 countries.

The 9th edition of CHIC will include two full days of plenary and breakout sessions and networking opportunities, such as an expanded workshop series which will cover topics such as Revenue Management, Design and Technical Services and a worldwide investment showcase. CHIC 2013 will also feature a new segment that will allow personalised one-on-one project consultations. If you are seeking investment for a development, CHIC 2013 may be able to help you find partners. Click here to send brief details of your project and the CHIC organising committee will forward it to CHIC delegates who have identified themselves as investors.

Hear from distinguished speakers including Mark Hoplamazian - President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Xu Ming - President of Interstate China, William M. Scott - Executive Vice President Corporate Strategy Special Counsel of MGM Resorts International and Tommy Lai - Vice President, Development of Onyx Hospitality Group, and other leaders from the sector sharing their insights.

Register for the Early Bird Rate (available until 22 February 2013). For more information, please visit www.chinahotelconference.com

www.hvs.com