Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Myanmar - the darling of Int'l chains, Regent launches all-suite brand and more....

Myanmar - Hot Spot for International Hotel Chains

As Myanmar's tourism development increases as a rapid pace, international hotel chains are jumping on the bandwagon to open properties in the country. Accor, which previously announced that it will be opening the Novotel Yangon Max later this year, will also be developing two more hotels: a 168-room MGallery Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw and a 280-room Novotel Mandalay Mingalar. Best Western has also confirmed that it has been in discussion with potential investors regarding franchising and ownership options. Markets identified by Best Western for potential development include Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw, along with up-and-coming cities such as Sittwe and Bago and tourist centers including Bagan and Lake Inle. 
 
Sri Lanka Opens Second International Airport 

Sri Lanka's second international airport has opened in the district of Hambantota. The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was built with a Chinese loan at a cost of US$209 million. The airport has an initial capacity of 1 million passengers per annum and can handle 30,000 aircraft movements, 45,000 metric tons of cargo annually and is able to accommodate the Airbus A380. The airport is intended to help spur a new economic hub and act as a gateway to the island's south east coast. Apart from the Sri Lankan based Sri Lankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka, international airlines such as Fly Dubai and Air Arabia will also be flying to the Hambantota airport. 
 
MAS to Boost Asian Network

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has announced plans to boost its Asian network, with the addition of extra flights and deployment of larger aircraft within the region. MAS intends to increase the frequency of flights to several Asia Pacific cities, including Manila, Yangon, Colombo, Dhaka and Brisbane, starting from the end of March 2013. MAS will also increase its flight capacity to the Indonesian and Bruneian cities, Bali and Bandar Seri Begawan, respectively. The airline will also be increasing the frequency of its domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. 
 
Regent Launches All-Suite Bali Resort 

Regent Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in Bali later this year, with the launch of an all-suite resort in Sanur. The Regent Bali will be a beachfront resort with 95 suites and 25 private residences and is set to the flagship property for the brand. The property will feature a beach club concept, a restaurant and pool terrace, infinity swimming pool, fitness centre and a spa centre. This marks the company's second Asian resort, following the recent opening of the Regent Phuket Cape Panwa.  
 
Jetwing Hotels to Double Portfolio

Sri Lanka based hotel chain Jetwing Hotels is planning on expanding its room inventory by doubling its portfolio in the next two years, from 540 to 940 rooms. The company's new subsidiary, Jetwing Symphony, will be setting up four new hotels: Jetwing Yala, Jetwing Colombo, Jetwing Dambulla and Jetwing Reef Uppuveli. Jetwing Hotels will also be launching its first budget hotel, Hotel J, in April in the city of Negombo. The company, which currently manages 13 properties in Sri Lanka, will also be managing a hotel in India which is anticipated to open at the end of the year. 

China Beefs Up on Travel and Tourism 
 
Investments is all about timing and opportunities - According to 2012 statistics by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism industry outperformed the global economy and China (seven per cent) was crowned the top 20 largest global economies in terms of performance. China is expected to become the World's most visited country by 2020 based on current United Nations World Tourism Organization's forecasts. Join us in gaining timely market insights NOW!

• China in 2020 Dai Bin, President, China Tourism Academy
• China Tourism Policy in 2013 Liu Xiaojun, Director of Policies and Regulations Department, China National Tourism Administration
• Global and Domestic Economic Review - Crucial for your Business Decisions Robin Bew, Chief Economist, Economist Intelligence Unit
• Vision and Strategy for Success in a Changing World Mark Hoplamazian, President & CEO, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

Click here to register NOW! For detailed conference programme or call +86 (021) 5171 7003 for assistance.

www.hvs.com