Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: AirAsia plans Indian JV, New World Hotels, bridge between Laos & Myanmar, New Caledonia boosts tourism and more....

AirAsia Plans India Joint Venture

AirAsia and Indian conglomerate, Tata Group, have proposed to set up a domestic low-cost carrier along with Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace. If the joint venture is approved, AirAsia will base its new airline in the southern city of Chennai, from where it will offer domestic connections to second and third tier cities. AirAsia currently operates flights into India from either Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, to Chennai, Bengaluru, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi and Kolkata. An application has already been made by AirAsia's investment arm, AirAsia Investment before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to seek approval for acquiring 49% equity in the company. Tata Sons and Arun Bhatia will hold the remaining 51%. 
 
Launch of First Bridge Linking Laos and Myanmar

The governments of Laos and Myanmar will be spending US$18 million to build a bridge that will link the two countries across the Mekong River. The Myanmar province of Thachileik and the Luang Namtha province in Laos will soon be linked by the Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. The bridge is part of the Asia Development Bank's plan to build up infrastructure within the Greater Mekong Sub-region and is aimed at boosting trade and investment and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. Upon its expected completion in 2015, the bridge will feature two vehicle lanes and two sidewalks. The construction of this bridge follows the development of other friendship bridges between Laos and Thailand, and the new Laos-Myanmar bridge will further help to integrate the three countries along the Mekong River. 
 
New Caledonia to be Boosted by Tourism Developments

New Caledonia is expecting to see a boost in its tourism levels as several major tourism developments are being completed. The Pacific island has received several new facilities and infrastructure, such as the launch of the first Sheraton in the territory, the 180-room Sheraton Deva Golf Resort & Spa in December 2013 and Hilton's debut in July 2013 with the 154-room Résidence La Promenade. New Caledonia's aviation sector has also received a boost with the main airport, La Tontouta International Airport having undergone major renovations while the national carrier, Aircalin has recently revamped its Airbus A330 cabins. Additionally, to draw more international visitors to New Caledonia, the island's largest inbound operator Arc En Ciel Voyages has opened its share capital to Tahiti Nui Voyages from French Polynesia.  
 
New World Hotels Undergoes Major Revamp

New World Hospitality has recently completed a US$72 million major revamp of its hotels in Dalian, Manila and Shanghai. Under the renovation programme, guest rooms have been redesigned while new facilities have been created with Asian-influenced themes. A new meeting space lounge has been added to the New World Dalian Hotel, while its executive lounge has been redesigned. The New World Makati Hotel in Manila has undergone extensive renewal such as a new lobby and lounge and the additions of new executive club floors and function spaces. The New World Shanghai Hotel's lobby, café and club floor rooms have also undergone an overhaul as part of the revamp. The property's executive club lounge is still undergoing renovation which is expected to be completed by March 2013.  
 
Mövenpick Opens First Hotel in China and Eighth Property in Thailand

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has hit a milestone in its Asian development as the company is set to open a new beach resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, and a 250-room hotel in Enshi City, China. The Mövenpick Hotel Enshi will mark Mövenpick's debut in China and is set to open in mid-2013. The hotel will be located in the business district of Enshi City, Hubei Province in Central China and will be the first five-star hotel in the city. The Mövenpick Hotel Enshi marks the beginning of the company's pipeline in China, which will have three more properties open by 2015: a 380-room resort on Phoenix Island, Sanya, a 350-room hotel in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia and a 300-room hotel in Jiading, Shanghai. Within the next three years, Mövenpick will also open its eighth property in Thailand, the 190-room Mövenpick Resort & Spa, Hua Hin. The company's global strategy is to open 100 hotels across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia by 2015.

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