Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Indonesian tourism set to take off, Dusit has big plans, Thailand and Cambodia implement easy visas, and more....

Indonesia's Confident Conclusion of 2012 and Tourism is Set to Fly Even Higher in 2013

With the recent conclusion of 2012, Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is confident to surpass the targeted eight million international visitors set for 2012.

This year, 2013, is set to be an even better year for Indonesia's tourism with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy targeting between 8.5 million to nine million international visitors; a 7% to 12.5% increase from 2012. Indonesia will be under the spotlight this year with the hosting of a string of international events such as the APEC Summit, WTO Ministerial Meeting and Miss World Pageant. These events are expected to be a strong catalyst for the expected surge of international arrivals to the country. Further boost will be expected from the cruise sectors as cruise ships will be covering some 115 locations in Indonesia including new destinations such as Sabang in Aceh, Belawan in North Sumatra; compared to covering only 70 locations in 2012. 306 cruise calls have been confirmed for 2013, a 43% increase from 2012, bringing about a record 146,000 passengers, a 28% increase from 2012, around the largest archipelago in world.

In light of such unprecedented growth in the fourth most populous country in the world, HVS is proud to present the inaugural Indonesia Hospitality & Tourism Investment Conference, IHT which will be held on the 7th - 8th May 2013 at The Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place Jakarta. The event is co-hosted with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

Be there. Be seen. Be where the action is. Be on a journey to experience exponential growth and success.

For more information on the Indonesia Hospitality and Tourism Investment Conference, IHT, please visit:
www.indonesiahospitalityconference.com

Dusit Plans Expansion in 2013

Thailand-based hotel management company Dusit International Group is set to expand its portfolio in the coming year. Seven new hotels are expected to be opened outside of Thailand, bringing the total properties worldwide to 26, in addition to opening sales offices in Tokyo, New Delhi, Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as the appointment of a sales representative in Russia. Dusit is also planning to open a second office in Shanghai, which is slated to open within the year. As part of the company's expansion plans, they intend to introduce its brands, Dusit Thani and Dusit D2 in major tourist cities around the region. Dusit is also looking to expand its domestic business, with Koh Samui, Phuket and Bangkok as potential destinations. 
 
Major Development Plans for Starwood in Manila

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to introduce the Westin and Sheraton brands in Manila. The two brands will debut in two multi-billion dollar integrated entertainment complexes, Resorts World Bayshore and Resorts World Manila, and will feature entertainment venues, luxury retail establishments in addition to gaming facilities. The 600-key Westin Manila Bayshore will be part of the Resorts World Bayshore in Parañaque and is expected to open in mid 2016, marking the brand's re-entry into the Philippine market. The 350-key Sheraton Manila Hotel is scheduled to open in early 2017 and will be located in Newport City, Pasay as part of Resorts World Manila.

Cambodia and Thailand Implement Common Visa

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to implement a single visa, which will allow visitors to stay up to 60 days each in both Thailand and Cambodia. The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy (ACMECS) single visa will allow tourists from 35 countries to obtain a single visa to visit both countries. However, tourists will have to pay visa fees for both countries and neither country is able to issue a multiple-entry visa. Originally a joint agreement concept involving Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, only Thailand and Cambodia are the first to implement the scheme.  
 
Aston Debuts Quest in Solo

Aston International will debut the Quest hotel brand in the Indonesian city of Solo, in Central Java. Developed by PT Kaloka Land Hotel & Resort, the Quest Hotel Solo will be a three-star hotel comprising of 180 rooms and will target the younger and technology-savvy business travellers. The property will feature a swimming pool, spa, gym and a conference centre, featuring one of the city's largest ballrooms. The company currently operates four Quest Hotels in Semarang, Bali and Cebu and there are plans to launch the brand in Surabaya and Yogyakarta, as well as an expansion of the brand in Bali.
 
Landmark Partnership Between Meliá and Greenland Group 

Spanish hotel company Meliá Hotels International and Chinese realtor Greenland Group, have established a strategic partnership to boost hotel development for both companies in Europe and China. With the launch of Greenland's urban hotel brand in Frankfurt, the company is one of the first Chinese brands to open in Europe. Greenland will continue to grow its urban brand in both Europe and China in the short to medium term, while Meliá will continue to increase its presence in China with its brands Innside, Meliá and Paradisus. 

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