Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Melia expands further, Vietnam Airlines flies to Moscow, Lagerfeld and more....

Meliá Development Driven by Asia

Spanish based Meliá Hotels International's international expansion in 2013 will mainly be driven by the Asia Pacific market. The company has doubled its Asian portfolio over the past two years and has recently signed a strategic partnership with China's Greenland Group to develop more properties in China. By the end of 2013, Meliá is expected to have a portfolio of 11 hotels in four countries - China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. They will open the Meliá Surabaya in Indonesia and the Meliá Danag in Vietnam within this year. 
 
Bintan Lagoon Opens Conference Centre

Bintan Lagoon Resort in Indonesia has recently launched its conference centre, which is a new feature to the property. Schedule to open by the end of February 2013, the building will comprise of three-storeys and will feature a pillarless hall that will be able to accommodate up to 1,300 people. The conference centre is expected to strategically position the island as a MICE location for large conferences and business groups. This new opening follows last year's launch of the direct private ferry terminal and immigration centre which offers direct transfers between the resort and Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. 
 
Moscow-Nha Trang Direct Route Opens

Vietnam's national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has launched a direct flight route between Nha Trang and Moscow, enabling the coastal city to have its first European connection. The new flight route is anticipated to help boost international tourism levels in the country and to increase the convenience for Russian and other foreign tourists to visit the southern region of Vietnam. Nha Trang is one of the fastest growing destinations in Vietnam and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has been actively promoting the coastal city to key markets such as Russia, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
 
PHM Starts Major Indonesian Expansion

Indonesian hotel group, PHM Hospitality, has embarked on the latest phase of its nation-wide expansion. The Jakarta-based company plans to launch six more properties of its midscale brand, The 101, across the country, one more property of the upscale brand, THE HAVEN, and another property of its economy brand, The BnB. PHM currently has one 101 property and one Haven property, both located in Bali and a BnB property in Jakarta. The company will be launching its first property in Palembang, South Sumatra with the 101 Palembang, which is scheduled to open in mid-2014. Other 101 hotels are being developed in Jakarta, Bogor, Yogyakarta, Bali and Bandung.  
 
Karl Lagerfeld to Design Sofitel So Singapore's Emblem

The Sofitel So Singapore, which is scheduled to open in mid-2013, will have fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld onboard to design the emblem for the upcoming five-star hotel. The emblem will be unique to the property and will symbolise the hotel's new and original style. Upon opening, the Sofitel So Singapore will be the brand's third property worldwide, with hotels in Mumbai, Rio and Sydney currently in the pipeline. The property will comprise of 134 rooms including 23 suites and will be housed in a neo-classical building which was first built in 1927.

The Most Influential Hotel Investment Conference in China Promises Another Great Event in 2013! 

Roaring into its 9th edition, the conference themed "Vision and Strategy for Success in a Changing World" will be held in Shanghai from 17 to 19 April 2013. 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.

Organised by HVS, and co-hosted by the China Tourism Academy of the China National Tourism Administration and Beijing International Studies University, 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. The 2012 event saw a record turnout of 860 CEOs and leaders of the hotel and tourism industry from over 20 countries.

Confirmed speakers at CHIC 2013 include Robin Bew, Chief Economist of the Economist Intelligence Unit; Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts; Xu Ming, President of Interstate China; Tommy Lai, Vice President of Onyx Hospitality; Chen Min, Hotel Division of COFCO Limited; Symon Bridle, COO of New World Hospitality; William Scott, EVP of MGM Hospitality; Jeffrey Perlman, Principal of Warburg Pincus; Chen Miao Lin, Chairman of New Century Tourism Group; Zeng Zhong Tao, Chairman of Shenzhen Chenghe Investment Co., Ltd.; Wu Hai, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Hotel; Sun Wu, General Manager of HK CTS Metropark Hotel Management Company and Huang Man De, Chairman of Vienna Hotels.

Register Now to secure your place at CHIC 2013! 


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