Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region: Hilton makes its debut in Jiangxi Province, Rosewood, Japan legalizes Casinos aiming to stimulate economy and more...
Hilton Makes Its Debut in Jiangxi Province, China
Recently opened in China’s renowned Mount Sanqing National Park, the Hilton Sanqingshan Resort is the first and only internationally-branded resort in Shangrao City. Owned by the Sanqingshan Travel Group and managed by Hilton, the new resort marks Hilton's debut in Jiangxi Province. The hotel offers 372 guestrooms and suites, 1,600 square meters of meeting space with a 750 square-meter pillarless grand ballroom and seven function rooms, four restaurants and bars, a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa with nine treatment rooms, and entertainment facilities such as table tennis room, billiards, chess room, children’s playroom and KTV rooms. "The Sanqing mountains, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, are one of China's premier natural attractions. With the opening of Hilton Sanqingshan Resort, we are poised to deliver an exceptional resort experience for guests from China and around the world seeking new destinations for MICE events, family vacations and weekend getaways", said Sean Wooden, Vice President - Brand Management of Hilton Asia Pacific.
Hotel Openings in India
Sarovar Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Efcee Sarovar Portico in Bhavnagar. The group’s fourth property in Gujarat, the hotel features 99 rooms, two restaurants, a lounge, a fitness center, a swimming pool and a spa. Bhavnagar is the fifth largest city in Gujarat, and is primarily a commercial destination. StayWell Hospitality Group, an Australian hotel management company, opened its fifth property in India â€" the Park Regis Goa. Spread across five acres, the hotel features 96 rooms and suites, a coffee shop, a bar, a swimming pool and a gymnasium. The hotel is located in Arpora, North Goa, proximate to popular beaches at Anjuna, Baga and Calangute.
Japan Legalizes Casinos Aiming to Stimulate Economy and Tourism
The Japanese Parliament recently passed a bill to legalize casinos in Japan, despite skepticism among its citizens. This initiative aims to stimulate tourism and improve the country’s economy. Japan’s Daiwa Research Institute anticipates nearly US$10 billion annually in net profits from as few as three casinos, which equates to 0.2% of Japan’s gross domestic product. The legalization of casinos will also pave the way for development of casino resorts that include hotels and shopping centers. International gaming operators such as Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts and Caesars have been considering investing in Japan, given the country’s proximity to China. While this bill does provide an impetus to Japan’s gaming industry, casinos are unlikely to open for at least another six years as requisite legislation to regulate the sector has yet to be in place.
Rosewood Launches New Wellness Concept
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is launching a new wellness concept â€" Asaya, for debut at Rosewood Phuket in April, next year. The brand will integrate several wellness concepts including alternative therapies, lifestyle and nutrition coaching, educational wellness programming, fitness activities and healing treatments. There will also be option for group treatments in private Signature Suites or Villas, which will provide treatment areas, hydrotherapy zones, and indoor and outdoor social spaces. Additionally, Asaya will offer a variety of indoor and outdoor fitness activities, from yoga and tai chi to high-impact activities such as spinning, boxing and bootcamp. After its Phuket debut, the Asaya brand will be introduced at Rosewood Hong Kong when it opens in 2018, as well as other Rosewood properties around the world.
Changi Airport Terminal 4 to Open in 2017
Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced the completion of the construction phase for Changi Airport’s newest Terminal 4 (T4) last week. The construction of T4 involved the development of a two-storey passenger termnial building, two multi-storey car parks, a two-storey taxi holding area as well as three vehicular and pedestrian bridges to access the terminal. A 68-meter-high ramp control tower was also constructed to enhance the managemet of aircraft movements. Having achieved a Temporary Occupancy Permit, the next phase of development will focus on interior fittings as well as preparing it for operations.  Built to handle 16 million passengers annually, the terminal is slated to open in the second half of 2017. When operations commence, T4 will feature fast self-service and automated options for check-in, baggage drop, immigration clearance and boarding. Â
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