INDIA’S hospitality players are expecting the post-election political stability and a stronger domestic demand in the year ahead to give a much-needed recovery jolt for the industry.

Rajeev Menon, area vice president, South Asia at Marriott International, commented: “I think that 1H2014 will be same like 2013, but if there is a stable government formation, it will boost the mood of the investors.”

“RevPAR for the industry witnessed negative 4.5 per cent growth last year, but we expect it will move towards a positive (number) once the new government is formed.”

Echoing Menon’s sentiments, Anupam Narayan, CEO and managing director (India and South Asia), Swiss International Hotels & Resorts, said occupancies are likely to rise after the elections.

Rajiv Kaul, president of Hotel Leelaventure, predicted that the industry could see modest growth in 2014. “Perhaps we have seen the worst in 2013 and this year will see us rebuilding. Post-elections will decide the momentum of growth.”

Hoteliers also expected the domestic market to play a pivotal role in their fortunes for 2014. “At present, 65 per cent of our business comes from the domestic market. In 2014, we will try to further grow this segment for us,” said Menon.

Confident was Naveen Jain, president of Duet India Hotels, saying: “As operators in the mid-scale segment, we expect strong demand from the domestic market, especially the business segment for hotels in the US$80-100 bracket.”

However, Kapil Chopra, president of The Oberoi Group, pointed out: “We have to remember that (foreign) tourism is one of the biggest contributors to our foreign exchange. The government needs to simplify and fast-track the current visa processes so as to increase international arrivals.”

SECONDARY destinations on China’s Hainan Island are jostling for a slice of the province’s tourism pie, pushing offerings of nature, culture and wellness.

Wuzhishan (Five-finger Mountain), for instance, is stepping up promotions for its scenic, health-enhancing nature as well as indigenous Li and Miao people. A spokesperson from Wuzhishan Municipal Tourism Development Bureau revealed the city used to be very popular with Chinese tourists, but visitor numbers have dwindled following the development of Sanya.

Theresa Lim, senior product tour executive of Chan’s World Holidays specialising in special interest and Muslim tours, said: “Wuzhishan and Qixianling are good for hiking, hot spring and nature enthusiasts.”

CTC Travel manager and China planner, Grace Xu, added that Hainan can be promoted for its indigenous Li people and mix of rural and modern elements. However, she highlighted that “connectivity and infrastructure need further enhancement” for more remote destinations such as Wuzhishan.

The journey by coach from Haikou to Wuzhishan currently takes more than three hours.

Both Lim and Xu spoke to TTG Asia e-Daily during a recent fam trip to Hainan comprising major travel consultants and media from Singapore. The 6D5N trip organised by Hainan Airlines covered other destinations including Haikou, Tunchang, Qixianling and Qionghai.

Both Lim and Xu felt municipal authorities could help Singapore agencies by stepping up consumer promotion and changing mindsets that Hainan is a small, underdeveloped island. They also wanted Hainan Airlines to do more direct marketing. Having commenced operations here only in 2010, the carrier is relatively new to Singaporeans.

Hainan Airlines Singapore branch general manager, Peng Xin Xiu, said the airline is mulling ways to raise awareness among Singaporeans, adding that three more flights out of Singapore to Hefei via Haikou are expected to be launched end-January.

The airline currently flies Singapore-Haikou-Taiyuan thrice weekly.

THAILAND-BASED Onyx Hospitality Group today heralded the opening of Amari Buriram United, which it says is the first football-themed hotel in the country.

The hotel is situated in the north-eastern province of Buriram, next to the home grounds of football team Buriram United. Onyx will manage the property, which is owned by Buriram United Sport Hotel.

Amari Buriram was designed to resemble a sports stadium with most of its 60 rooms overlooking a central area with sports facilities such as a mini football field and swimming pool. Rooms come in three categories and range from 36m² to 118m², decked in the blue and white that make up Buriram United’s team colours. Bathroom interiors imitate a changing room for players.

Offered at the hotel are two bars, all-day dining themed restaurant Kick Off, and recreational facilities at the stadium such as tennis courts, a jogging track, basketball court and gym.

STRONG arrivals growth from Asia-Pacific nations buoyed up arrival figures to a solid 26.7 million in 2013, announced Thailand in the face of ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok.

According to a media release issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) yesterday, 2013’s figures represent a 19.6 per cent increase over 2012’s 22.3 million arrivals and exceed the NTO’s original 26.1 million target for the year.

Six Asia-Pacific countries in particular contributed more than one million visitor arrivals each, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, namely China with 4.7 million arrivals (68.8 per cent increase), Malaysia with three million (17.3 per cent), Russia with 1.7 million (31.9 per cent), Japan with 1.5 million (12 per cent), South Korea with 1.3 million (11.5 per cent) and India with one million (3.6 per cent).

East Asia takes the lion’s share of tourists at 16.1 million arrivals, a 28.5 per cent year-on-year rise, or 60.2 per cent market share of total visitors. Europe trails in second place with 6.3 million or an 11.6 per cent increase over 2012.

TAT governor, Thawatchai Arunyik, said: “This achievement brings much joy to Thailand and the country’s travel and tourism industry as a whole. These statistics are invaluable as evidence that despite the challenging factors including the ongoing political demonstrations in Bangkok, Thailand remains a popular and welcoming tourist destination.”

“During tough times, such as the current ongoing anti-government destinations, we are also working hand-in-hand in ensuring utmost convenience to tourists, our friends of Thailand.”

The anti-government protests “shut down” the nation’s capital on Monday but has remained peaceful so far (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 14, 2014).

TAT is aiming for 28 million international arrivals this year through promotions under the Amazing Thailand: It Begins with the People campaign.

UPSCALE resort The Chedi Sakala will officially open at the end of February, the third hotel on Bali managed by GHM.

The resort occupies 2.5 hectares of land on Tanjung Benoa Beach in Nusa Dua and offers a total of 261 rooms, of which 247 are suites each offering a minimum of 58m² and a kitchenette.

Its two-bedroom, ocean-view suites are 150m² in size and come with a separate living room, dining room and walk-in pantry, while each of the resort’s 14 two-storey pool villas feature infinity pools with built-in whirlpools and full kitchens.

F&B is a highlight of the resort. The established Sakala Bali can be found on site serving local produce married with French influences, while The Restaurant dishes up Asian and European fare.

Other facilities include a lagoon pool, an open-air lobby bar and a spa with eight treatment rooms. The resort’s kids’ club and club lounge are slated for completion before April.

For events, The Chedi Ballroom provides 630m² of space and can be divided into six meeting rooms to host a range of MICE events.

The Chedi Sakala is GHM’s third property on the island after Legian in Seminyak and The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud.

A THEME park in Sichuan, China will build a life-sized replica of the Titanic and open it in 2016.

Funded by the Seven Star Energy Investment Group, the project will comprise a museum and shipwreck simulation that will recreate the experience of being on board the sinking Titanic, according to Reuters.

The project will cost Seven Star some one billion yuan (US$165.5 million).

Construction will start early this year with the aid of a US company, and the ship will be modelled on the design of the Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic, said Reuters.