Category Archives: China

Starwood Hotels inaugurates 200th Hotel in Asia Pacific

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Powering ahead in Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has today announced it has surpassed the 200th hotel milestone with a flurry of recent openings in China, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

Powering ahead in Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has today announced it has surpassed the 200th hotel milestone with a flurry of recent openings in China, India, Thailand and Malaysia. Starwood continues to widen its lead as the largest operator of four and five star hotels in Asia Pacific with plans to reach over 320 hotels by 2014.

Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

“The opening of our 200th hotel in Asia Pacific underscores the vitality of this market and its importance to our future growth,” said Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Demand for our high-caliber brands continues to soar across Asia’s many dynamic markets, driven by phenomenal economic growth and significant increases in outbound travel, particularly from China and India.”

“In 2001, Starwood had around 80 hotels in all of Asia Pacific, just ten years later we are celebrating the opening of our 200th hotel,” said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood’s Asia Pacific Division. “Through the strength of our brands and our strong teams, we’ve more than doubled our footprint and added over 40,000 jobs to the region. Starwood’s momentum continues, we will open nearly 35 hotels in 2012 and welcome over 10,000 new associates to our team.”

China will play an outsized role in global travel within the next decade as one of the world’s fastest growing travel markets, with 100 million outbound travelers expected by 2015. India is now Starwood’s fourth largest market and a close second to China in terms of future hotel development. Starwood is experiencing robust demand in many of Asia’s other fast-growing economies including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Indonesia, Starwood will add another four hotels by 2012 to its current portfolio of 12 properties. With the opening of Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11, Thailand will be the first country in the South East Asia region to have eight out of nine Starwood brands

Luxury Wyndham sails into Southern China.

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Wyndham Hotel Group announced the signing of an agreement to manage the 401-room Wyndham Grand Foshan Gaoming, a new property currently under construction in Southern China that will join the upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® brand next year under its distinguished Wyndham Grand® Collection.


The Wyndham Grand Foshan Gaoming, scheduled to open in the second half of 2012, is being constructed in the Xijiang New Town area by internationally renowned architecture group ATKINS and developed by Foshan City Gaoming Fuyi Wan Industry Development Company Limited. The hotel is uniquely designed to look like a ship’s sail silhouette and will stand at 28 stories, becoming a distinct fixture in the area. 

Set to strengthen the company’s presence in China, the announcement adds to Wyndham Hotel Group’s 359 hotels already in operation, including six Wyndham Hotels and Resorts properties, as well as the 63 properties that are currently under development in the market. It also further expands the company’s portfolio of hotels in Asia Pacific, which currently consists of 425 hotels and over 61,700 rooms under the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada®, Howard Johnson®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Microtel Inns & Suites® and Dream® brands.

“China is one of our key strategic growth markets and it holds an abundance of opportunities,” said Ken Greene, Wyndham Hotel Group’s president and managing director of Asia Pacific. “We are delighted to have announced the signing of a property which highlights our commitment to developing luxury hotels with a distinctive design and, as we strengthen our market and global presence, we continue to support the potential for growth in this region.”

The luxury Wyndham Grand Foshan Gaoming will feature 98 suites, gym, swimming pool with poolside bar and three restaurant choices. A gateway to Asia’s regional hotspots, the hotel sits just two hours from bustling Hong Kong City and Macau and is near the shopping districts of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Mr. Zanwen Liang, Chairperson for Foshan City Gaoming Fuyi Wan Industry  Development Company, adds, “This is a very exciting project for us and holds a real revolutionary design for the Foshan Gaoming region. The signing is the result of sheer determination and hard work. We’re proud to be part of such a growing presence in Asia.

World Travel Awards celebrates success of Asian tourism in Bangkok

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World Travel Awards celebrates success of Asian tourism in Bangkok

Asia’s role in leading the global travel and tourism recovery has been acknowledged at a gala ceremony hosted by World Travel Awards in Bangkok earlier.

VIPs, senior tourism leaders, captains of industry and international media travelled from over 30 nations across the region to attend the WTA Asia & Australasia Ceremony 2011 at Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Malaysia Airlines overcame stiff competition from Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Air China to collect “Asia’s Leading Airline”.

Meanwhile India saw off the likes of Bali, Korea and Sri Lanka to win “Asia’s Leading Destination”; while Trident Gurgaon was voted “Asia’s Leading Hotel”.

Korean Air was voted “Asia’s Leading Airline First Class” and the new super luxury hotel Oberoi Gurgaon collected “Asia’s Leading Luxury Hotel”.

Thailand, which played host to WTA for the first time, enjoyed a large slice of the evening’s honours, reflecting its growing role as a travel and tourism hub of Asia.


Alex Willats, acting general manager, Dusit Thani Bangkok, collects the award for Asia’s Leading City Hotel from WTA vice president David Falcon

Home-grown winners included Bangkok Airways (Asia’s Leading Regional Airline); Six Senses Hideaway, Samui (“Asia’s Leading Honeymoon Resort”); and Bangkok (“Asia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination”).

It was also an evening of travel triumph for Australasia. Among the big winners were Air New Zealand, which was voted “Australasia’s Leading Airline”, Bora Bora, French Polynesia named “Australasia’s Leading Destination” and Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, which picked up “Australasia’s Leading Hotel”.

The industry’s elite travelled from over 30 countries across Asia and Australasia to attend the glittering gala ceremony. The raft of media in attendance included CNN, Thailand Tatler, Bangkok Post, National Geographic Traveller and Lonely Planet.


Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, managing director, Malaysia Airlines, collects the WTA award for Asia’s Leading Airline

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke underlined the incredible strength of the region’s travel and tourism economy.

He said: “Asia is powering the global travel and tourism recovery, and tonight’s winners represent the very cream of our industry.

“The burgeoning middle classes in markets such as India, China and Malaysia are fuelling a surge in intra-Asia travel.

“We expect this growth to continue for at least the next decade, making the future very bright indeed for Asia’s luxury hospitality sector.

“Thailand, in particular, is reaping the rewards of the changes sweeping across the region thanks to its culture, amazing beaches and world-class facilities.”


World Travel Awards rewards excellence in tourism from across the region

The famed Dusit Thani Bangkok played host to the ceremony.

For 41 years, the 517-room five-star property has served as a social and business landmark in Thai capital.

Alex Willats, acting general manager, Dusit Thani Bangkok, said: “It was a marvellous honour for Dusit Thani to play host to this blue riband event in Asia and the opportunity to showcase our unique Thai hospitality to the world.

“To become the recipient of a regional World Travel Award is indeed recognition of our staffs dedication to service and of Dusit Thani Bangkok which continues to remain a preferred hotel in Asia” – Alex Willats

The Asia & Australasia Ceremony marks the fourth leg of World Travel Awards 2011 Grand Tour, and follows the legs in Dubai, UAE; Antalya, Turkey; and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; while Montego Bay, Jamaica will play host to the final heat on October 29th.

The regional winners will then progress to the Grand Final at the end of the year.

The event partners were Dusit Thani Bangkok, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, BBC World News and WeClickMedia, and the media partners included eTurboNews, Breaking Travel News, Trav Talk and Travel Daily News.

For a full list of winners at World Travel Awards 2011 Asia & Australasia Ceremony visit the official website.

To view all images from the ceremony click here.

Regional round up

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Regional hotel performance
In year-over-year measurements, the Asia/Pacific region’s occupancy ended August virtually flat with a 0.1% increase to 68.1%, average daily rate increased 12.2% to US$142.86, and revenue per available room jumped 12.3% to US$97.32.

“We see almost equal demand and supply growth across Asia/Pacific, keeping occupancy levels steady for the moment,” said Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global. “Average room rates continue to improve against the prior year. Looking at Japan, five months post the tragic events in March, hoteliers reported 81% occupancy, matching August 2010 results.  Demand is returning month on month and we would expect it to soon grow again against last year.”

Business-travel survey outlines Asia/Pac trends
The Accor Asia Pacific Business Travel Research 2011 report indicated some key trends for the region, to which Accor is planning to respond with its hotel offerings, according to the survey manager.

There were 10,347 Asia/Pacific-based business travelers surveyed about their travel habits during the first half of 2011 and their planned business travel for the rest of the year.

Highlights of the findings include:
• Singapore and Hong Kong are the most popular destinations for business travel in the region, with each receiving 38% of answers from destinations traveled to for business in the first half of 2011.
• Travelers from Hong Kong are most likely to burn the midnight oil, with 14% working between midnight and 6 a.m., compared to 7% on average, while survey participants from Australia and New Zealand were most likely to work early—35% and 38% working from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., respectively.
• Survey respondents are most likely to book hotels directly online (57%), followed by hotels booked by a secretary (46%), online agents (26%), and contacting a travel agent (16%).

Royal Orchid to add Indian mid-market brand
Hotel chain operator Royal Orchid Hotels Limited plans to add a new brand in the Indian mid-market space in the next couple of months, joining a growing list of hoteliers keen to expand portfolio for the cost-conscious Indian consumer, according to Reuters

“As things emerge, we will be adding categories of hotels so we are planning to add a couple of new brands. These will be in the mid-market space,” Managing Director Chender Baljee said in an interview.

“In the five-star segment we have the Royal Orchid brand, in four-star, Royal Orchid Central, and maybe a notch below that we are planning to put another brand,” Baljee said, adding a new brand is likely to be launched in the next two months.

Marriott plans record Asia hotel openings
Marriott International said it’s planning a record number of hotel openings for Asia in 2013 to cater to growing demand in the region, Bloomberg reports

The Bethesda, Maryland-based company plans to open about 27 hotels in Asia, the most in a year since it started operations in the region in 1989, said Craig Smith, Asia/Pacific chief operations officer. That’s more than the 17 hotels it opened in 2009, the most so far in one year, he said.

The hotel operator, which manages about 135 hotels in Asia, has 110 hotels under development in the region, Smith said. The majority of new hotel openings will be in China and India, he said, adding Marriott also will open new properties in Thailand and Vietnam.

Southeast Asia dominates Asia/Pac tourism boom
The latest data released by the Pacific Asia Travel Association showed international visitor arrivals into Asia/Pacific destinations increased 6% year-on-year in June 2011, according to a news release from PATA

This increase was led by Southeast Asia, which had a growth of 15.5% during June due to the rebound in arrivals to Thailand, strong travel demand within the ASEAN region and an increase in arrivals from China. South Asia experienced a growth of 12% in international arrivals in June due to an increase in European arrivals to destinations such as Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Tourism demand to Japan is slowly recovering as Northeast Asia had a 3.7% increase in arrivals for June 2011, compared to 0.6% in May. Southeast Asia’s arrivals will continue to be driven by the growing China and India outbound markets, while European arrivals will continue to be the main contributor to South Asia’s growth. With the steadily growing low-cost carrier network, Northeast Asia is expected to see an increase in arrivals from Southeast Asia.

Starwood expansion in India
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has planned 18 new hotels across India by the end of 2015, according to the Business Standard

Commenting on the future plans of Starwood, Dilip Puri, managing director India and regional VP South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, said, “Starwood considers India as the third largest market after the US and China. It has responded to India’s acute need for mid-market lodging by working with proven development partners to open best-in-class conversion and new-build hotels throughout this dynamic emerging market. We are also planning to develop hotels in the cities like Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad.”

Caesars launches Asia/Pac expansion
Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced on 23 September its Asia/Pacific debut with the groundbreaking of Caesars Palace Longmu Bay in Hainan, China, according to a news release. The flagship, 5-star luxury resort represents the first major venture of Caesars Global Life, a non-gaming division created to develop and manage branded luxury hotels, resorts, residences, villas, retail and entertainment destinations around the world. The company’s goal is to develop 25 hotels and resorts in China over the next five years.

For the landmark Caesars Palace Longmu Bay, Caesars is partnering with Guoxin Longmu Bay Investment Holding Company Limited a subsidiary of Jiangsu Guoxin Investment Group Limited, one of the premier investment and development companies in China. Guoxin Longmu Bay Investment Holding Company is developing the area for global tourism, which in the first development phase covers approximately five square kilometers with a total investment of RMB 36 billion. Caesars Palace Longmu Bay will be the jewel in the crown with more than RMB 3 billion investment planned.

Openings, deals, etc.
• Hilton Hotels & Resorts opened its eighth Hilton-branded property in Australia in September, the 169-room Hilton Surfers Paradise.
• The Vivanta by Taj – Yeshwantpur hotel opened in Bangalore hotel in September. It is the third branded Vivanta by Taj in Bangalore and has 327 rooms.
• Wyndham Hotel Group announced the entrance of its Days Inn brand into Thailand with the signing of a managed Days Hotel in Phuket Town.
• Holiday Inn Express continues expansion in Thailand with the Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach Central, expected to open by early 2013.
• Accor has been appointed to manage the Hotel Lighter Quay, formerly called Hotel Viaduct Harbour, which launched under its new identity on 26 September 2011.
• Shangri-La Asia Limited signed an agreement with Huayuan Real Estate Beijing to open a new hotel in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province in south-central China. The 460-room luxury hotel, operated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, is scheduled to open in 2015.
• Regal Hotels International announced the signing of a hotel project with Wolong Holding Group to open a 5-star Regal Hotel in Wuhan, Hubei, China scheduled to open in 2014.

HotelNewsNow.com each week features a news roundup from a different region of the world.

Compiled by Stephanie Wharton. 

Caesars plans hotel in Hainan, China

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Casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp. plans to build a 1,000-room non-gambling luxury resort Caesars Palace Longmu Bay on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

In announcements in the U.S. and China coinciding with a Friday groundbreaking, Las Vegas-based Caesars, the world’s largest casino company, said its debut property in the Asia-Pacific region would introduce it to a fast-growing market.

“The ‘Aha!’ moment for me was the level of demand that exists in rapidly developing countries for high-end hotels like this,” CEO Gary Loveman said in an interview with The Associated Press. “This is the first step in the development of our Caesars brand in China and India.”

Loveman compared the island, with China’s only west-facing shoreline, to Hawaii and said he hopes to attract Chinese visitors to become members of Caesars loyalty programs.

“Gaming is only legal in a small number of places in the world,” he said. “This brings the Caesars brand to places where gambling is not permitted but where the brand is held in high regard.”

The $470 million (3 billion Chinese yuan) resort is the first major venture for Caesars Global Life, a non-casino division that privately held Caesars created in May to license, franchise and manage hotels outside the U.S.

Loveman said his goal is to develop 25 hotels and resorts in China over the next five years.

This artist's conception provided by PTW shows sunset at Caesars Palace Longmu Bay, Hainan, China. Caesars Entertainment Corp. is announcing it's building a $470 million luxury resort on the Chinese island of Hainan.(AP Photo/PTW)

Caesars Palace Longmu Bay is designed by Australia-based PTW Architects. It is a partnership between Caesars and with Guoxin Longmu Bay Investment Holding Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Chinese investment and development company Jiangsu Guoxin Investment Group Limited.

Plans call for two entertainment venues offering high-profile shows, a 36-hole championship golf course, a marina, spa, shopping and restaurants. The resort is to open in 2014.

There are other hotels on the island, but Loveman said he saw demand for a number of competing brands. MGM Resorts International plans to open a resort dubbed MGM Grand Sanya on Hainan Island later this year.

Jiang Xushen, vice president of Jiangsu Guoxin Investment Group Limited and chairman of Guoxin (Hainan) Longmu Bay Investment Company Limited, said the goal is to develop a landmark for world tourism on a China sunset beach.

“Caesars Entertainment brings extensive experience in worldwide tourism, entertainment, hospitality and management,” Xushen said in the company statement.

SilverNeedle Hospitality to set up mid-upper scale properties across Asia

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SilverNeedle Hospitality, a new integrated management, development and investment hospitality company has forayed into the Asian hospitality market. The company, founded by the Nadathur group along with a group of prominent industry veterans, is rolling out a portfolio of hotels focused on mid-upper scale properties in key destinations across Asia.

According to a press release, the company kick started its growth plans with the acquisition of Australia-based Touraust Corporation’s Constellation Hotels business. The acquisition portfolio includes over 60 hotels in Australia and New Zealand including Chifley, Australis Resorts and Hotels, Country Comfort brands and the Sundowner Motels brands in New Zealand.

Bill Black, President, SilverNeedle Hospitality said, “With our vision to be a leader in Asian hospitality and to be a company with substantial scale, we have kick started our business with the acquisition of Constellation Hotels. This acquisition gives us a great platform to launch our own new brand, Next Hotels and Resorts. Constellation with its operating expertise, know-how and insights, gained in the mature tourism market of Australia will be of great benefit to our new company.”

SilverNeedle Hospitality will be launching its portfolio of hotels and resorts through strategic investments, development and management. The portfolio will be focused on the mid-upper scale segment, in key urban and resort destinations across Asia.

This recognises an opportunity to capitalise on the rising number of newly affluent, middle-class travellers into and within Asia. Business and leisure travellers will soon be able to look forward to unique levels of Asian hospitality in key destinations in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.

SilverNeedle Hospitality’s flagship brand will be called NEXT Hotels and Resorts. NEXT Hotels are tailored for the modern ‘Road Warrior’ and purposely designed to optimise the guest’s use of time on their business travel while NEXT Resorts will be a more family-centric offering for those travellers who seek out a time to relax as well as enjoy authentic cultural experiences. NEXT Hotels and Resorts are designed to deliver the next generation of Asian hospitality.

SilverNeedle Hospitality will continue to add to its current portfolio by scouting for hotels that fit its growth plans of over 10,000 rooms in five years. The group plans to invest and develop green-field, brown-field and operating hotels in the region. SilverNeedle Hospitality has already set up its headquarters in Singapore as well as regional offices in Bangkok, Mumbai and Sydney and plans to open an office in China in early 2012.

Hong Kong’s Skyline Prepares for a Gehry

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Frank Gehry’s first residential project in Asia will likely set a record for the highest rents in Hong Kong, said the developer behind the property.

The Opus Hong Kong is located at 53 Stubbs Rd. in the city’s Peak area, one of its most expensive neighborhoods. The cost of renting one of the 6,000-square-foot apartments in the 12-story, 12-unit apartment building has not been set yet, but Swire Properties has “every expectation it will break records,” Chief Executive Martin Cubbon said.

A model of Opus Hong Kong, the Frank Gehry-designed property under construction in Hong Kong.

At a news conference last week, Mr. Cubbon praised Mr. Gehry as “one of the most important and influential architects of our time.” Swire — which has developed several properties in Hong Kong, mainland China and elsewhere — approached Gehry Partners in 2004. The Stubbs Road designs were first unveiled in 2009.

Mr. Gehry is one of the best-known names in architecture and the designer of the Guggenheim Bilbao and Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. His residential projects are not as high-profile, though he recently designed an apartment tower in New York’s Financial District, and his own Santa Monica home is well-documented in architecture circles.

He wasn’t able to attend the briefing in Hong Kong in person, but he appeared in a video address. Hong Kong is “a city which I’ve come to love,” he said, while the building “designed itself, because of the beautiful site.”

Perched on the hills overlooking its harbor, Opus Hong Kong has the curves and undulating feel of many Gehry works, a stark contrast with Hong Kong’s angular skyline. Its twisting structure means that each floor’s perspective will be slightly different — Mr. Gehry said one of his aims was to design a building in which each home was different from the others.

In an interview, Mr. Cubbon said that the building will be move-in ready in the second quarter of 2012. He declined to say how much the construction cost but called it “money very well spent” considering the rents he expects it to fetch. Hong Kong is already among the world’s priciest cities, with homes at the high end running as much as 400,000 Hong Kong dollars (roughly US$50,000) a month, according to consulting firm ECA International.

Prospective Opus tenants could include diplomats, business executives or entertainers, Mr. Cubbon said. While several people have expressed interest in buying an apartment, Swire plans to hold onto the residences barring an extraordinary offer, he said.

Swire would be eager to work with Mr. Gehry again, he added, and that teaming up with innovative architects is something the firm hopes to do more of. “We like to be associated with leading designs,” he said.

And Mr. Cubbon dismissed concerns that the turmoil in the markets could damp interest in the property. “The people who are interested, I think, are unaffected,” he said. “It is that rare and that unique.”

Source : The Wall Street Journal

Story by Andrew LaVallee

Follow Andrew LaVallee on Twitter @andrewlavallee

Marriott Plans Record Asia Hotel Openings on Rising Tourism

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Marriott International Inc., the largest publicly traded U.S. hotel chain, said it’s planning a record number of hotel openings for Asia in 2013 to cater to growing demand in the region.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based manager of brands including Courtyard and Residence Inn plans to open about 27 hotels in Asia, the most in a year since it started operations in the region in 1989, said Craig Smith, Asia-Pacific chief operations officer. That’s more than the 17 hotels it opened in 2009, the most so far in one year, it said.

“We have relocated our resources from Washington D.C. to this part of the world,” Smith said in an interview yesterday. “We’ve doubled our offices here in Asia. There is quite a bit of room to grow.”

The number of travelers in Asia increased as the region’s economies expand. International tourist arrivals in Asia almost doubled in the past decade to 203.8 million travelers in 2010 from 110.1 million in 2000, according to the World Tourism Organization, and hotel transaction volume surged 59 percent to $2.6 billion in Asia in the first half, according to data from Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

The hotel operator, which manages about 135 hotels in Asia, has 110 hotels under development in the region, Smith said. The majority of new hotel openings will be in China and India, he said, adding that it will also open new properties in Thailand and Vietnam.

The company, which also owns the Ritz-Carlton brand, generated $11.7 billion of revenue last year, it said on its website.

Domestic Tourism

China, the world’s third-largest tourism destination, has seen domestic tourists rising 11 percent in 2010, according to Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. Rising income and economic growth will boost demand further, it said.

Hilton Worldwide said it will have 100 hotels in China by 2014, four times the number of properties it manages in the country now.

McLean, Virginia-based Hilton is joining an expansion spree by other international hotel groups in the world’s second- largest economy. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT)expects China to be its largest growth market in the next three to four years, Chief Executive Officer Frits van Paasschen said in an interview in June. InterContinental Hotels Group Plc (IHG), owner of the Holiday Inn brand, said in May that one in four of the hotel rooms that it opens over the next five years will be in China.

Ritz-Carlton

In Japan, Marriott plans to double the hotels under the Ritz-Carlton brand to four by 2014. The hotelier plans to open a 136-room hotel in Kyoto in 2014 and a 97-room resort in Okinawa in April under the brand. It also signed a contract for a new hotel in Osaka targeting business travelers, due to open in 2014, Smith said.

Ritz-Carlton’s competitor, Four Seasons Hotels Inc., has also said it plans to open a new hotel in Okinawa, Japan, as early as 2014. Four Seasons manages 85 hotels globally.

 

Source : Bloomberg

By Kathleen Chu and Makiko Kitamura

New affiliates sign up to RCI

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RCI has signed 34 new affiliations in the first six months of 2011, resulting in the addition of 56 new properties to the exchange company’s network of affiliated resorts.  writes from RCI Ventures 

The new resorts include Palmyra Resort & Spa in Jamaica, Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco in Mexico, Inn at St. Ives in Michigan and Huangshan Grandview Resorts Hotels in China.

Huangshan Grandview Resorts Hotels in ChinaThe new affiliations have been added to RCI’s various exchange programmes – RCI Weeks, RCI Points or The Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury timeshare exchange programme. Nine of the new properties are currently under construction.

Geoff Ballotti, CEO, RCI, said: “We have welcomed some fantastic new properties to our global network of affiliated resorts in the first two quarters of 2011. All of these destinations add to our portfolio of high-quality exchange resorts, which is already the largest in the world, and will give our subscribing members even more choice and flexibility in planning their next vacations.”

As the innovation leader in the industry, RCI has attracted affiliates with a variety of new programmes and services. In the first half of 2011, the company announced several new features that benefit both members and affiliates, including:
• The launch of RCI Weeks Platinum membership, a premium tier of RCI membership that offers lifestyle benefits and exclusive exchange privileges
• RCI e-school, which offers affiliates free online training courses for employees
• RCI Presenter, a new touch-screen sales tool used by affiliates to make cutting-edge presentations to potential new owners; and
• The launch of two new applications for the iPad, which complement  existing apps for the iPhone.

“Our latest updates and achievements have been revolutionising the timeshare experience, and have led to RCI recently receiving awards for innovation from both the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the Global Networking Expo,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI.

“We are so honoured to receive these awards, but the real return on our efforts is the positive feedback we have received from our members and affiliates, and the new properties that have joined our network as a result.”

 

Source : RCI Ventures

Story : 

Banyan Tree Unveils Exclusive 5-Star Urban Resort in Macau with ‘Underwater’ Dining Venue Belon & Acclaimed Thai Restaurant Saffron

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The award-winning Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts today marks its debut in Asia’s most dynamic tourism destination with the Grand Opening of an exclusive 5-star urban resort, located at the US$2 billion Galaxy Macau?. Banyan Tree Macau, which officially opens its doors today, features four restaurants – including Belon, an “underwater” oyster bar and grill – and a host of other luxurious offerings for discerning travellers.

“Banyan Tree Macau, designed to be the city’s first five-star urban resort, is proud to be a part of the world-class Galaxy Macau integrated destination resort,” said Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings.

“With an all-suite concept featuring a Relaxation Pool in every suite, plus Pool Villas in expansive private gardens, we hope to welcome all our guests to this haven in the city where they can enjoy a myriad of activities whether for business or pleasure.”

VIPs attending the luxury urban resort’s Grand Opening include Mr Michael Mecca, President & Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Entertainment Group, the parent company of Galaxy Macau; as well as Mr Heinz Roelz, Director of Hotels & Hospitality, Galaxy Entertainment Group.

Commenting on the Grand Opening of Banyan Tree Macau, Mr Mecca said, “Banyan Tree shares Galaxy Macau’s vision for impeccable world-class service and quality with a distinctly Asian heart and soul – what we call ‘World Class, Asian Heart’. This is the philosophy that sets us apart. It also perfectly complements what we have created here: the first property of its kind in Macau with true resort features. The Banyan Tree Spa at Galaxy Macau is one of the largest in the world, and its location on the Grand Resort Deck, next to the world’s largest skytop wave pool and real white-sand beach, really brings the Southeast Asia-style beach holiday to Macau for an utterly unique experience.”

In the heart of Cotai city, just 15 minutes from Macau International Airport, Banyan Tree Macau is the internationally renowned luxury hospitality brand’s first resort in the former Portuguese enclave. It is also the first in Macau to feature private indoor Relaxation Pools in all its 246 opulent suites.

Banyan Tree Macau’s four dining outlets are headlined by the signature Belon, designed to evoke an underwater environment. The luxuriously immersive experience begins from the moment of arrival at the specialty restaurant, which is named after Brittany’s famous delicacy. Guests descend a glass stairwell, passing custom kinetic artwork, down to a bar wrapped in aquatic forms of scallop tails, jellyfish, waves and spiraling shells.

The opening of the property now means visitors can also experience Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant. Saffron specialises in creative Thai cuisine in a contemporary yet classically elegant setting, and it is open daily during lunch and dinner. Inspired by the customs and cultures of Thailand, the food is prepared using traditional methods passed down through generations of Thai chefs. Saffron’s simple and delicate cuisine emphasises indigenous herbs and spices, artistic presentation and skilled traditional techniques, making guests feel like they have been transported to the Land of Smiles. Guests will also enjoy the warm, graceful service that is a distinctive trademark of Banyan Tree’s renowned hospitality. Other outlets at Banyan Tree Macau include Cabana for casual poolside dining, and the relaxed Banyan Lounge for social gatherings.

Another major attraction is Macau’s first award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, a 3,400m2 haven of indulgence offering sensory pampering and experiences steeped in holistic Asian healing traditions and set alongside two tropical pools. At Banyan Tree Macau’s Sanctuary for the Senses, 10 Pool Villas ranging from 450m2 to 950m2 feature both private pools and eight air-conditioned cabanas around the outdoor heated pool.

The expansive, 950m2 Sanctuary Pool Villas are ideal for family retreats or gatherings of friends, featuring two bedrooms, generous living area and a spa treatment room. The spacious 160m2 Sky Villas feature indoor Relaxation Pools and living areas.

The 450m2 Pool Villa epitomises the Banyan Tree experience of romance, intimacy, and rejuvenation. Take an invigorating swim in the private pool while the dedicated Resort Host lays out a nutritious and delectable breakfast in the verdant garden of the residence.

Suites range from the 100m2 Grand Cotai Suite and 130m2 Grand Macau Suite to the 130m2 Spa Suite with its own treatment room, as well as a 670m2 split-level Presidential Suite with two bedrooms, a dining room, designer kitchen and in-suite Relaxation Pool.

Banyan Tree Macau offers world-class facilities for corporate events and private functions, including a Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,200 guests for cocktail. Resort facilities also include a Banyan Tree Gallery showcasing indigenous art and crafts from community projects worldwide, plus a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

“Banyan Tree Macau is designed for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the excitement of Cotai’s entertainment district, but who still desire their own private sanctuary in which to relax,” said Rudy Oretti, General Manager of Banyan Tree Macau.

A highlight of the integrated destination resort Galaxy Macau is the world’s largest skytop wave pool, generating waves that wash against a man-made beach made with 350 tons of real white sand. Resort guests are spoilt for choice with more than 50 restaurants and bars within the integrated complex, including the largest selection of pan-Asian cuisine under one roof in Macau.

More information on the resort and its offerings can be found at http://galaxymacau.com/
and http://www.facebook.com/galaxymacau.