Hotel News Now each week features a news roundup from a different region of the world. Today’s review covers the Asia/Pacific region.
Asia/Pacific performance data
Hotels in the Asia/Pacific region experienced decreases in the three key performance metrics during June 2013 when reported in U.S. dollars, according to data compiled by STR Global, sister company of Hotel News Now.
The region’s occupancy ended the month with a 0.4% decrease to 67.1%, its average daily rate dropped 3.8% to $116.29 and its revenue per available room was down 4.2% to $77.99.
“During the first half of 2013, hotels in this region reported negative growth in all three key performance metrics,” said Elizabeth Winkle, managing director of STR Global. “However, some markets are performing quite well, and it appears travelers’ desires for sun, sea and sand continue to be strong as French Polynesia, Maldives and Thailand reported 33.3%, 16% and 16.6% RevPAR growth, respectively.”
Starwood launches app for Chinese travelers
Starwood Preferred Guest has introduced a new SPG app for Android in Chinese. The launch of this app illustrates the significance of SPG’s growth in China, the company’s fastest-growing travel market.
“Nothing is more personal than a guest’s mobile device, and speaking the same language is the first step in giving our guests the best experience,” said Qian Jin, president of Greater China for Starwood Hotels. “SPG’s growth in China is unprecedented with a new member joining SPG every 20 seconds here. We know this new app will help our Chinese members make the best travel decisions from inspiration through their stay and beyond.”
Swire dives into Miami
East, Miami, the third hotel to open under Hong Kong-based Swire Hotels’ East brand, will begin welcoming guests when the Brickell CitiCenter mixed-use development complex opens in Miami’s downtown financial district in 2015.
“It’s a mixed-use development right on Brickell Avenue with about 500,000 square feet of retail space, two condominium towers and an office tower,” described Brian Williams, managing director of Swire, which in addition to owning the East brand is also project lead for the $1-billion CityCentre. “It’s your classic mixed-use development, and we’ve created a product we know is going to be very attractive. We’ll anchor it with a significant (food and beverage) outlet.”
The East, Miami follows the East, Hong Kong, and East, Beijing, which opened in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The 263-room property will be the first hotel for Swire in the U.S.
America’s Best finds Indian partner
Jameson Inns will soon be appearing in India as Atlanta-based America’s Best Franchising has signed an agreement with Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, based in Kolkata, to become that country’s master licensee for the brand. Cygnett intends to open the first two Jameson properties within the next 60 days—one in Jaipur and one in Varanasi.
“American brands have a solid reputation for value and quality, and now Jameson will help us bring a new dimension to the Indian hospitality industry,” said Sarbendra Sarkar, CEO of Cygnett.
“Our 3 Palms, Budgetel and America’s Best brands have operated successfully in India for more than three years, so we are very enthusiastic about the business opportunities there,” added Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of America’s Best Franchising.
Sofitel So makes way to Pacific
The Pacific region will welcome its first Sofitel So “designer” hotel, with Sofitel Luxury Hotels announcing plans to open the Sofitel So Auckland in New Zealand in 2015.
Sofitel So Auckland will become the fourth Sofitel branded hotel to join the expanding Sofitel network in New Zealand, alongside the Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, and Sofitel Wellington in the nation’s capital due to open in 2014. The hotel, estimated to cost 50 million New Zealand dollars ($40.17 million), is owned by the Auckland based Pandey family via the CP Group.
Other hotels are under way in Mumbai and Rio.
Shangri-La opens two hotels in China
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is opening two Shangri-La hotels in mainland China, increasing its greater China portfolio to 43 hotels. Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu, has opened in the historical hometown of Confucius, while Shangri-La Hotel, Shenyang will open this week in the largest city in Northeast China.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu, the city's first international luxury hotel, pays homage to Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher, in proximity as well as in design. Among the 211 guestrooms, the rooms and suites facing the Yi River are designed with balconies offering views of the old city wall, palaces of the Temple of Confucius and the hotel's traditional Chinese landscaped garden dotted with pavilions.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu is within walking distance to the Temple of Confucius, the Mansion of Confucius and the Cemetery of Confucius, which are UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites.
Thailand appeals to boutiques
Having successfully established its first two hotels over the last three years, Hansar Hotels & Resorts will add three new boutique properties in Thailand to its brand over the next 18 months. The company has two properties: Hansar Bangkok (94 suites) in the Rajdamri Road area and Hansar Samui (74 rooms), a beachfront property in Bophut Bay. Hansar Hotels & Resorts are independently owned and operated.
The three new properties are: Hansar Pranburi (24 rooms), scheduled to open in Q4 2013; Hansar Khao Yai (39 rooms), scheduled to open in Q4 2013; and Hansar Cha-am (104 rooms), scheduled to open Q4 2014.
The three properties were recently acquired by Hansar Hotels & Resorts and are currently undergoing remodelling to Hansar’s brand standards.
Hilton taps secondary Chinese market
Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Lanzhou Friendship Hotel to build a hotel consisting of approximately 389 guestrooms in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2017, the 389-room Hilton Lanzhou will reside in the city's central commercial district and provides Hilton Worldwide with greater access to China's rapidly developing northwest China.
"The introduction of our flagship Hilton property to Gansu province marks a chapter in our commitment to providing guests with greater access to China's northern and western markets,” said Francis Lee Wee-Hau, senior VP of development, Greater China & Mongolia.
Hilton Worldwide operates 36 hotels in greater China and intends to expand its presence to more than 150 properties with 55,000 rooms over the next several years.
Pullman revisits Thailand
Pullman, the Accor Group’s upscale international brand, is inaugurating the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. It is the 15th resort in its portfolio and the fifth Pullman in Thailand.
This hotel has 277 rooms and seven suites, all of which look out onto views of the Andaman Sea.
Best Western pushes forward in Indonesia
Best Western International has continued its expansion in Indonesia with the signing of a new hotel in the bustling business hub of Tangerang, West Java. Set to open in the fourth quarter of 2013, the seven-story Best Western Serpong has 196 rooms, including 12 suites.
BWI operates one hotel in the Greater Jakarta area, the Best Western Mangga Dua Hotel & Residence. The company plans to launch at least seven more properties in the area between now and 2015.
Hilton expands in Japan
Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Dijaya Land Development Sdn Bhd to manage Hilton Okinawa Kin in Kin, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan. Scheduled to open in 2016, the 190-room Hilton Okinawa Kin will be part of an integrated resort development located on the eastern side of Okinawa's main island facing Kin Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
"Having operated in Japan for half a century, Hilton Worldwide today operates 10 properties located in key leisure and business locations across the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, with one more to open next year in Chatan, Okinawa," said Guy Phillips, VP of development, Asia/Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
Holiday Inn Express enters Singapore
InterContinental Hotels Group has opened the first Holiday Inn Express in Singapore, located in the heart of the country’s vibrant shopping district and entertainment hub, Orchard Road.
The 221-room Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road is the first of two Holiday Inn Express hotels planned for Singapore during the brand’s rapid expansion across Southeast Asia.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road is the third Holiday Inn Express hotel in Southeast Asia, joining two sister hotels in Thailand—Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach Central and Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam.
STR Global adds APAC exec
Jesper Palmqvist joined STR Global, sister company of Hotel News Now, as area director, Asia/Pacific. Jesper has been based in Singapore since 2011 and recently served as regional director, strategic accounts for Orbtiz Worldwide.
Prior to Orbitz, Jesper spent six years with Wyndham in a variety of roles, including Hotel Group Director eDistribution and Director Global Sales for the Nordics, Baltics and Russia.
Compiled by Jason Q. Freed.