Global hotel pulse: Asia/Pacific news

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Demand up, rate down
Hoteliers in the Asia/Pacific region experienced demand improvements in November but weren’t able to drive rate, according to data reported in U.S. dollars to STR Global, sister company of Hotel News Now.
The region’s occupancy ended November with a 1.1% increase to 72.4%; its average daily rate dropped 4.9% to $123.13; and its revenue per available room was down 3.8% to $89.12.
Highlights from key market performers for November 2013 in local currency (year-over-year comparisons):
  • Mumbai, India, led occupancy growth, rising 9.5% to 70.3%.
  • Jakarta, Indonesia (+14.4%); Tokyo, Japan (+11.3%); and Bali, Indonesia (+11.3%), experienced ADR increases of more than 10%.
IHG committed to China
InterContinental Hotels Group recently outlined its ambitious growth targets for greater China and said it plans to recruit another 110,000 staff in the country in the next three to five years.
Richard Solomons, CEO of IHG, joined British Prime Minister David Cameron in a trade mission to China to boost trade ties between the two countries.
“China is IHG’s second largest market after the United States and is likely to surpass the U.S. to become our largest by number of rooms by 2025,” Solomons said.
IHG has 200 hotels open and 179 hotels in the pipeline in China.
Aloft leads Starwood’s China charge
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide recently opened the Aloft Yancheng in Jiangsu Province of eastern China, owned by Yancheng Powerlong Real Estate Development Company.
The hotel is the first international hospitality brand in this metropolis and the seventh Aloft hotel in China. The hotel includes 299 guestrooms.
“From the recent opening in Dalian to Aloft Yancheng, Aloft reflects a growing demand for design-led hotels with a lively social scene in emerging cities,” said Qian Jin, president of the Greater China region for Starwood Hotels.
Carlson leads way in India
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest-growing international hotel companies in India after 16 new deals and five hotel openings took place in India in 2013.
Carlson Rezidor remains the No. 1 international hotel operator in India by number of hotels (65 in operation and 36 under development), according to a news release.
“We have established our leadership in this market over the last 15 years,” said Simon C. Barlow, president of the Asia/Pacific region for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “By focusing on building strategic partnerships with hotel owners, we have accelerated our growth to deliver a record number of hotel signings in 2013.”
Carlson Rezidor has partnered with Bestech Hospitalities Pvt., and six hotel management agreements were executed in 2013. From now to 2024, the partnership will deliver an additional 43 new generation Park Inn by Radisson hotels in north and central India, according to a news release.
Preferred goes ‘China Ready’
Preferred Hotel Group launched “China Ready,” a program that aims to make the travel planning process more streamlined, personalized and inviting for Chinese travelers and help the company’s members attract and retain this influx of business.
Preferred’s 650 member hotels can take advantage of a simplified Chinese website, dynamic marketing and social media campaigns, new distribution channels, and, for participating hotels, a bespoke certification initiative. The website offers attractive images, innovative booking functionalities, strategic search-engine optimization and a direct connection to the country’s most popular social media platform, Sina Weibo.
Sheraton first global brand in Samoa
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide signed management agreements to operate the Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows and Aggie Grey’s Lagoon Beach Resort & Spa on the island of Upolu Samoa. Both will add the Sheraton brand, undergo renovations and relaunch in mid-2014.
The signings mark Starwood’s debut into the region, with Sheraton the first international hotel brand to enter the market.
Other notable announcements:
  • Pan Pacific Hotels Group will open the 281-room ParkRoyal Melbourne in 2016, its fourth ParkRoyal hotel in Australia and the second in Melbourne. ParkRoyal Melbourne will be part of the 37-story hotel and apartment complex The Altus, which offers 360-degree views of the city center and the Victoria Harbour waterfront.
  • Fujita Kanko opened a new Washington Hotel in Sendai, Japan. The newly-built hotel has 223 guestrooms, including a female-guests-only section.
  • Hilton Hotels & Resorts opened the Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai in Guangdong province. The hotel includes 323 guestrooms, is operated by Hilton Worldwide Holdings and owned by China Merchants Property Development Company.
  • The Four Points by Sheraton Bijie opened as the first international branded hotel in Bijie City and the first Four Points property in Guizhou Province. Starwood will manage the property, owned by King Yuan Da Real Estate Limited.
  • Starwood  opened the Sheraton Bailuhu Resort, Huizhou in China’s southern Guangdong province. Owned by Agile Property Holdings Limited Company, the resort is the second Sheraton hotel in Huizhou city.
  • The 289-room Shangri-La Hotel in Lhasa, Tibet, is scheduled to open 17 April 2014.

Source: www.hotelnewsnow.com

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