Weekly Hotel Industry News Roundup from Asia Pacific
Mandarin Oriental Announces Three New Management Contracts
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced three new management contracts for luxury hotels to be developed in the primary cities of Paris, Taipei and Guangzhou. All three hotels are planned to open in 2010. "The announcement of three new Mandarin Oriental hotels is an exciting development for our Group and reflects the strength of our brand today. We are moving closer to our goal of building the group to at least 10,000 rooms worldwide," said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. The group is the operator of 20 luxury hotels with a further 14 under development. In total, Mandarin Oriental now operates or has under development, more than 9,000 rooms in 20 countries, with 15 hotels in Asia.
Singapore Tourism Exceeds 2006 Targets With Us$8.1 Billion Tourism Receipts And 9.7 Million Visitor Arrivals
Singapore's tourism sector generated an estimated US$8.1 billion in tourism receipts in 2006, exceeding the target of US$7.8 billion and posting a double digit growth of 14.5% over 2005. Singapore also set a new high of 9.7 million visitor arrivals last year, exceeding its target of 9.4 million and posting an increase of 9% over 2005. Indonesia (1,921,000 visitors), P. R. China (1,037,000 visitors), Australia (692,000 visitors), India (659,000 visitors) and Malaysia (634,000 visitors) emerged as the top five markets in 2006, accounting for about 51% of total visitor arrivals. 2006's robust performance was also driven by strong double-digit growths from markets such as South Korea (24.8%), China (20.9%), the Philippines (20.6%), India (12.9%) and Australia (11.5%). "This strong performance can be attributed to successful marketing and promotional efforts as well as the better connectivity and increasing affordability of air travel." said Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the STB.
HotelCorp Announces Opening Of Ramada Resort Khao Lak In Thailand
HotelCorp has announced the opening of the Ramada Resort Khao Lak on a waterfront site in Khao Lak in Phang-Nga, Thailand, approximately 55 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. Overlooking the beaches of Khao Lak, the resort consists of low-rise buildings and offers excellent views of the ocean. The resort will feature 84 deluxe rooms, eight exclusive ocean front beach villas with private whirlpools, four food and beverage outlets serving authentic Thai, Western and international cuisines, spa facilities with four treatment rooms and meeting and conference facilities.
Raptis, City Pacific Buy Gold Coast International Hotel
The Raptis Group, in a 50-50 joint venture with CP1, the listed development subsidiary of City Pacific, has purchased Gold Coast International for US$54.7 million from Orix Australia Corporation through their new partnership vehicle, CIRA International. Under the terms of the deal, Raptis plans to undertake redevelopment of the 1.5 hectare of vacant land adjacent to the Gold Coast International, while CP1, which has arranged the financing for the deal, will manage the hotel. The new owners are currently reassessing the feasibility of an existing masterplan, comprising a US$664 million 'urban village', which was expected to include a mix of residential apartments with retail and commercial components.
Taiwan Plans To Allow Chinese Tour Groups Starting April 2007
Taiwan and China have unofficially reached an agreement for Taiwan to lift its five decade ban and allow Chinese tour groups to visit Taiwan starting April 2007. This news has been confirmed by a travel industry official from the Travel Agent Association of Taiwan, a Chinese tourism official and reported in several Chinese newspapers. This agreement came at a cross-Strait tourism seminar in Beijing after four rounds of talks. According to the agreement, Taiwan would receive as much as one thousand mainland tourists per day for stays varying between seven and 10 days.
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