Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region: Ascott opens flagship Citadines in Nha Trang, Chinese airlines handled 263M passengers in the first half of 2017, Asian budget travelers to Maldives and more...
Hotel Indigo to Open Flagship Resort in Bali
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is all set to open the Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach later this month. The hotel is not only the brand’s inaugural resort, but also their first property in Bali. Spanning over 4.7 hectares of landscaped gardens, the 289-key resort encompasses an authentic fusion of Balinese culture and contemporary creativity, drawing inspiration from the flavors, culture and character of its local neighborhood. Located along Seminyak’s Mesari Beach, Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach features 19 Balinese-styled villas, with private outdoor swimming pools, in addition to the 270 guestrooms. Guests can also expect a range of food and beverage options as the resort will feature seven lifestyle dining offerings. Other facilities include a ten-treatment-room Sava Spa, a relaxation lounge, a reflexology lounge, a nail beauty lounge, and a 24-hour health club.
Ascott Opens Flagship Citadines in Nha Trang, Vietnam
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), CapitaLand’s fully owned serviced residence business unit, has debuted its Citadines brand in Vietnam, with the Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang. Located in Nha Trang, Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang represents the first international-class serviced residence in the coastal city. The property is an approximate 40-minute drive from Cam Ranh International Airport, and an estimated 50-minute drive from the Van Phong Economic Zone, key industrial parks and sea ports. Owing to its prime location in the bustling Tran Phu Street, guests can explore a range of local eateries, shops, nightlife options and natural attractions. Guests can also enjoy convenience as the property is part of a development that comprises three storeys of retail and dining outlets. The serviced residence has 310 units of contemporary studios and one-bedroom apartments that offer expansive sea view. Recreational facilities include swimming pools, a gymnasium, a residents’ lounge, a children’s playroom, a yoga room and an all-day dining restaurant; while for business travelers, the property offers a ballroom, a business center and meeting rooms.
Thailand’s Absolute Hotel Services Signs Partnership with Vienna House
Austrian hotel group, Vienna House and Thailand-based hotel management company, Absolute Hotel Services Group (AHS) have announced the formation of a joint venture with the aim of expanding their respective brands across Europe and Asia. AHS currently manages a total of 22 hotels in Asia, 12 of them under the U Hotels & Resorts brand, with a further 13 U Hotels & Resorts to open soon. Vienna House’s Asian office in Bangkok will oversee the brand’s growth across Asia, while the European office in Vienna will support the expansion of U Hotels & Resorts throughout Central Europe. The first transaction of Vienna House is expected to be completed this year, and talks are currently being held about projects in Bangkok and Vietnam. The joint venture between AHS and Vienna House was made possible by the recently announced shareholder change at Vienna House. Both companies are subsidiaries of BTS Group Holdings, one of Thailand’s largest publicly listed companies.
Chinese Airlines Handle 263 Million Passengers in the First Half of 2017
As of last month, China had a total of 59 air transport companies, including 51 passenger carriers and 8 cargo carriers, with 3,065 planes for civil aviation. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, China’s airlines recorded a total turnover of 51.34 billion ton-kilometers in the first half of 2017, 12.5 per cent more than last year. The airlines carried 263 million passengers during the period, posting a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 13.4 per cent. Freight volume grew by 5.1 per cent to reach 3.292 million tons. On international air routes, total turnover in the first six months of this year increased by 12.5 per cent to 18.11 billion ton-kilometers; passenger throughput rose by 6.1 per cent to 26.709 million; and freight volume was 1.005 million tons, growing by 10.6 per cent YoY. The Chinese civil aviation sector registered 5.093 million flying hours and 2.093 million flights, up by 11.3 per cent and 10.0 per cent YoY, respectively, in the first half of the year.
Asian Budget Travelers to Maldives Surge
Traditionally perceived as a high-end resort destination, the Maldives has been witness to a boom in budget travel that is mainly driven by Asian millennials. This upcoming segment typically spends between US$80 to US$200 per night on accommodation, and show an inclination towards staying in guesthouses on local islands, although a few also choose to elevate their experience by staying a night on a resort island. According to Mohamed Reza, Director of Business Development at Sunset Maldives, the business for the inbound tour agency has grown by 35 per cent due to the surge in millennial travelers from India, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. Millennial travelers tend to look for good deals online but use the services of a travel agent for sightseeing, added Reza. The islands located within three hours by speed boat from Malé are benefited the most by this boom in the budget segment.
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