Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Singapore falls short of tourism arrival target, W to double and more....
 
Singapore Expects Moderate Growth in Tourism Sector for 2013
 
The Singapore government expects moderate growth in tourism as the country has likely fallen short of its target of 15 million international arrivals for 2012. Singapore is expecting tourism receipts of S$24.5 billion and 14.8 million international visitors for 2013, a 2% increase from its target for 2012. Tourism growth is gradually slowing around the world, and Singapore will not be exempt. Following a biennial report released by the World Economic Forum, Singapore ranked first in Asia for its travel and tourism industry competitiveness and tenth among 140 countries worldwide. 
 
W Hotels to Double Asian Portfolio in Five Years
 
W Hotels Worldwide announced an expansion of its portfolio to 20 properties in Asia over the next five years. 11 hotels, or more than half of W's global pipeline, will be in Asia Pacific and the first W Hotel in mainland China will be opening in Guangzhou by March. Upcoming countries to welcome W Hotels include India, Indonesia and Malaysia, while cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha and Suzhou will have W Hotels by 2018. W Hotels will open its first property in India by 2015, while both the W Jakarta and W Kuala Lumpur are slated to open in 2016. 
 
Indonesia's Airport Authority to Develop Hotels
 
Indonesia's state owned airport authority, Angkasa Pura Airports, will be developing airport hotels across the country. The company has planned for 13 hotels, with a total number of 2,450 rooms in 13 east Indonesia airports by 2017. Angkasa Pura currently has two hotels in Surabaya and Makassar which are due to open by July 2013 and will begin development on a third hotel in Bali. Angkasa Pura Airports will own the hotels, however its subsidiary Angkasa Pura Hotels or other hotel companies will take on the management responsibilities. All three new hotels in development will be managed by Accor under the Ibis Budget and Novotel brands.

Dorsett to Make Singapore Debut 
 
Dorsett Hospitality International is set to make its debut in Singapore with the 285-room Dorsett Singapore. Owned and managed by Dorsett, the property is situated above the Outram Park MRT station and is located within the vicinity of Chinatown. Positioned as a mid-scale hotel and targeting leisure and business travellers, Doresett Singapore is conveniently located with easy access to Singapore's main shopping belt, Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa and the city's Central Business District. Dorsett Hospitality International currently owns and manages 16 hotels in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia and the group has another eight properties opening in two years in countries such as Singapore and United Kingdom.  
 
Don Mueang's Traffic Expected to Double

Bangkok's second international airport, Don Mueang, is expected to double the number of passengers to 17 million by the end of September 2013. Since its reopening in October 2012 until the end of February this year, the airport has accommodated over 6.1 million passengers. Don Mueang currently serves three main carriers, AirAsia, Nok Air and Orient Aviation and is considered by the Thai government to be the main gateway to Bangkok for low-cost carriers. Don Mueang's operator, Airports of Thailand, expects the airport to accommodate 27.5 million passengers by 2016 after the reopening of Terminal 2. Together with Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the two airports will have the ability to handle 87.5 million passengers per annum.
 
EIU's View on Economic Insights and Its Impact on Indonesia

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s Country Publishing Director, Robert Ward, will deliver its views on the implication and effect on the global economic situation on Indonesia. Robert will speak at the inaugural Indonesia Hospitality & Tourism Investment Conference (IHT) organised by HVS in May 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Robert leads the Country Analysis team, which boasts more than 100 country and industry analysts. In this role, Robert helps to shape the company's response to changing economic and political trends. Robert has also been spearheading the Economist Intelligence Unit's strategy for China, notably the launch of the new Access China product, which features detailed forecasts for 31 Chinese provinces and nearly 300 Chinese cities. He also plays a core role in communicating the company's forecasts and views to clients and other high-level audiences around the world.

The HVS-organised IHT is co-hosted together with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). The inaugural IHT will be held the Ritz-Carlton Pacific Place from 7 to 8 May 2013.

Click here to register NOW! For detailed conference programme or call +62 (21) 5291 7473 for assistance.