TWO SIX Senses Resorts and Spas-branded properties in Hua Hin and Phuket are among seven properties listed for sale, as Thailand is seeing a rebound in foreign investor confidence in the local hotel industry, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Besides the two upscale properties, the hotel investment services firm is also searching for buyers for the Swiss Park Hotel Bangkok, a 50-key boutique resort in Koh Samui, a 100-key serviced apartment in Bangkok, and two 49 per cent-stakes in Centara Karon Resort Phuket and Centara Kata Resort Phuket, respectively.

In the first half of 2011, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels sealed deals for two properties – Laguna Beach Resort Phuket for 1.5 billion baht (US$49.9 million) in February, and Sofitel Silom Bangkok for two billion baht in March.

Mike Batchelor, managing director – investment sales of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, said he expected hotel transaction sales in Thailand for the year to exceed last year’s figures.

Batchelor said investor confidence in Thailand’s hotel sector started to return from last year, when the firm saw a total of 5.5 billion baht in transactions for Baan Taling Ngam Koh Samui, Mercure Koh Samui, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket and the Yamu project in Phuket.

Last year’s transactions came on the back of nil activity in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, but the figure is still a far cry from the record year in 2006, when 15.9 billion baht in deals were secured.

By Sirima Eamtako

THE 1MALAYSIA Tanglung (Lantern) Festival to be held on September 10 in Kuala Lumpur is a fine example of collaboration between the government and private sector to develop a tourism product, said the country’s tourism minister, Ng Yen Yen.

The one-day event in Chinatown comprises lantern-based participatory activities and stage performances by Chinese and other ethnic groups. This year’s festival is expected to attract 40,000 local and foreign visitors, a 74 per cent increase over last year’s 23,000 guests.

Since 2009, the tourism ministry has been providing a non-governmental organisation, the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH), with an annual grant of RM250,000 (US$84,000) to organise the full-day event and facilitate the involvement of local cultural organisations.

“KLCAH has gained the support and participation of 250 cultural associations for this year’s festival. (The ministry’s) role has been to promote the event,” Ng said.

Efforts to target international tourists included informing agents as well as posting the event on the ministry’s tourism calendar.

“The date is on our tourism calendar, which spans three years. This will give agents a chance to plan and develop packages around this event,” Ng said. “Tourists already in the country will be informed of the festival via their hotels.”

Come 2014, the KLCAH will have to self-fund the festival.

“As the numbers show, the festival has grown in popularity since its commencement. Given this situation, the KLCAH should easily be able to obtain sponsorship from other sources,” Ng said.

By N. Nithiyananthan

A BOMB exploded at around 10.15 local time today in front of the High Court in New Delhi, about two kilometres from Pragati Maidan, the venue for PATA Travel Mart 2011.

While the blast killed at least eleven people and injured 76 others, it has not impacted the PATA Travel Mart, which is proceeding as normal, PATA said in a press statement.

PATA interim CEO Bill Calderwood said PATA was in contact with Indian authorities and was monitoring the situation.

– Read more in TTG-PTM Official Daily – Day 2 issue

HONG Kong Disneyland Resort launched last week its new themed attraction by hosting an interactive roadshow for the travel trade in Mumbai, its first stop on a 16-city Asian tour ahead of the November 18-opening.

The roadshow will take the Toy Story Land launch to New Delhi, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taipei, Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort director, Travel Trade Sales, Terruce Wang, said: “Toy Story Land, with the theme It’s Playtime, is based on characters and experiences of the global blockbuster movie Toy Story. It’ll have new rides and entertainment options to attract new clients and repeaters.”

The key attractions include three rides – rollercoaster RC Racer, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Spin – set among oversized blades of grass and toys, with Woody, Slinky Dog, Rex and the Green Army Men as the main characters.

According to Wang, India is one of the attraction’s key source markets, with an 80 per cent growth in Indian arrivals last year making India one of the top five markets for the park.

Wang added: “We are working on a specialist program that we plan to introduce next year. We currently have partnerships with six wholesalers in India – Kuoni, Thomas Cook India, Kesari Tours, Sal Tours, STIC Travels and D’ Pals.”

Meanwhile, the theme park has introduced a new two-day ticket priced at HK$499(US$64) per pax. One-day tickets are available at HK$399 (US$51) each.

The park is also offering buy-two-get-one- and buy-three-get-one-free vacation packages with partners Cathay Pacific Airlines and Dragon Air, and a Travel Agent Salute promotion valid from now till December 15 offers up to 25 per cent off accommodation and 10 per cent off entry prices.

By Anand & Madhura Katti

THE PAN Pacific Hotels Group has introduced refreshed interpretations for its Pan Pacific- and Parkroyal-branded hotels, resorts and serviced suites.

Pan Pacific will adopt the brand slogan Your refreshing Pacific experience, a reflection of the Pacific Touch, a sensory expression of the culture, geography, design and heritage of the Pacific Rim.

Parkroyal will be characterised by the expression Your Trusted Local Companion, which is based on the brand pillars – Modern Comfort, Local Connection, and Always There.

The move follows a review of the brands through consumer insights research in the Pan Pacific group’s key markets of Australia, China, North America and Singapore.

Patrick Imbardelli, president and CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said: “Brands today must connect with consumers. We spoke to guests in key markets to find out what they liked and wanted, and are excited to be unveiling refreshed brands for Pan Pacific and Parkroyal, which will create deeper connections with the people that matter most to us – our guests, customers and associates.”

The group is hoping the revamp will enhance brand association and delivery, resulting in greater distinction of the two brands to boost mindshare and competitive advantage.

An advertising campaign will be rolled out this month through local and regional print titles, in-flight channels, and online sites, featuring refined visual and verbal brand identities including logos, websites and marketing collateral, across the group’s portfolio of over 30 properties under the two brands.

The Pan Pacific campaign has adopted the tagline Embrace the Pacific, while the Parkroyal campaign has taken on the tagline Found by Parkroyal discovered by you.