Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Conrad, Shun Tak invests, Jakarta start in MTR and more....
Hilton Unveils Major Expansion of Luxury Brands in Asia Pacific
Hilton Worldwide has announced plans to roll out 16 new properties across Asia under its Waldorf Astoria and Conrad brands by 2020. Waldorf Astoria will have five new properties opening between now and 2020 while Conrad's pipeline will feature 11 hotels in the region. The majority of the 16 new properties will be located in China in cities including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Sanya, Xiamen and Qingdao amongst others, and the remaining properties will be launched in Bangkok, Mumbai, Manila, Bengaluru and Bali.
Shun Tak Secures Stake in Jetstar Hong Kong
Shun Tak Holdings has paid US$66 million for an equal third share of the upcoming Jetstar Hong Kong. The new airline will be a joint venture involving Qantas and China Eastern Airlines. If the application for its operating license is approved, Jetstar Hong Kong will be the only budget airline in Hong Kong, since the liqudation of the low cost carrier, Oasis, in 2008. Jetstar Hong Kong aims to tap into the rising demand from Hong Kong and Greater China, in a market that is set to see 450 million passengers by 2015.
Jakarta Launches Construction of MRTJakarta has launched the construction of the metropolis' first underground system, the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT). Construction is planned to commence in July 2013 and the first phase of construction is expected to connect Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta. The first track will consist of 13 stations and will run for 15 kilometres and will have a combination of underground and elevated tracks and is expected to finish completion in 2017. When fully completed, the MRT system will stretch to a total of 110 kilometres.
Malaysia aims for US$60 billion in Tourist Receipts by 2020 Under the Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme, tourism has been identified as one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas to drive the country's economic growth. Malaysia attracted over US$20.2 billion in tourist receipts and tourists arrivals of more than 25 million in 2012. The country is now aiming for 36 million tourist arrivals and US$60 billion tourism receipts by 2020 and a number of tourism development projects have been put in place in order to achieve this aim, including a focus on securing major events for Malaysia under the tourism ministry's new brand Malaysia Major Events.
AirAsia Set to Launch First Bangkok-Naypyidaw Route AirAsia is set to launch the first direct route between Bangkok and Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, this October. The airline currently runs flights between Bangkok to Yangon and Mandalay. Upon the new route's launch, AirAsia will fly daily from Bangkok to Naypyidaw. With the SEA Games approaching in December 2013, Myanmar's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014 and the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, there has been increasing demand for flight options to Myanmar's capital.
Anantara Launches Second Property in Vietnam Anantara has launched its second property in Vietnam, following the acquisition of the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An. Located on the Thu Bon River in central Vietnam, the resort has been rebranded as the Anantara Hoi An Resort and offers 93 duplex rooms and suites. This rebranding comes after Minor Hotel Group's acquisition of Life Resorts earlier this year. The Anantara Hoi An is the second Anantara in Vietnam, following the Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, which joined the brand's portfolio in November 2011. Minor is planning to rebrand the Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon later this year under Anantara's sister brand, Avani.
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