INDIA’S beach destination Goa will see a doubling of its supply of five-star rooms by 2014, with major hotel groups adding 12 new properties, six each in north and south Goa.

InterContinental Hotels Group will build a hotel with a convention centre in Baga and a Marriott is under construction in Khobravado. DoubleTree by Hilton has also just opened in Arpora.

Meanwhile, Ronil Beach Resort Goa in Baga is being upgraded to a five-star property, while work in Cavelossim on three new hotels are also to begin immediately. Saipem near Candolim will get one hotel and two have been slated for Calangute, all by local hotel groups.

Goa currently has 25 five-star properties, totalling 3,465 rooms, though a number of luxury resorts and boutique properties have yet to receive a five-star rating from the authorities.

Arun Varma, managing director, Allways Marketing & Travel Services, said: “Goa needs this boost of high-end hospitality products to bring in the luxury clientele that has diminished in recent years. The new five-star hotels will reclaim Goa’s position as an exclusive year-round upscale resort destination.”

Ralph de Souza, spokesperson, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, said in a statement to the media: “There is a need for rooms in the luxury segment in Goa, and efforts are being made to tap the luxury segments in key international tourism markets.”

JAPAN is overtly courting Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia, to move the annual show from Shanghai, which has hosted the event since it started seven years ago, to Kyoto.

Though Japan tourism authorities have managed to persuade Reed to launch an ILTM Japan edition next year in Kyoto from March 11-13, it is ILTM Asia they are after.

“Our final goal is for Reed to move ILTM Asia to Kyoto,” Yoshikazu Kuki, director, Kyoto City Tourism & MICE Office, told TTG Asia e-Daily, adding that Singapore is understood to have also expressed interest to Reed to host ILTM Asia.

Added Kyoto Convention Bureau (KCB) managing director conventions & tourism, Shubei Akahoshi: “We know it’ll be difficult to switch from Shanghai to Kyoto, as the show is established in Shanghai and it is perhaps more costly to hold it in Kyoto than Shanghai – but we’ll keep trying.”

Akahoshi was advisor to Japan tourism authorities for two years before joining KCB recently. “For two years, we had been trying to get ILTM Asia to Japan, and now Reed has decided to do a Japan version, which is a start,” he said.

A target of 50 luxury travel buyers and 50 luxury travel sellers has been set, according to Akahoshi. ILTM Japan will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center, and Kyoto will be sponsoring the opening reception on March 11.

However, a spokesperson for ILTM Asia said “while it is true that ILTM Asia could be moved, Reed Travel Exhibitions has no plans to move it at this stage”.

In announcing ILTM Japan recently, ILTM exhibition director Alison Gilmore had said: “Whereas ILTM Asia has a seven-year proven track record in providing access to a range of buyers from over 20 countries across the burgeoning and diverse Asia-Pacific, ILTM Japan will venture further, providing a direct opportunity for a selection of the world’s elite travel products and experiences to reach the most discerning of Japanese luxury travel buyers and specialists.”

James Kent, KCB’s director international marketing, said KCB was putting all its support behind the show as it was eager to show that Kyoto could host such events. It is equally eager to show off the city to luxury travel buyers and sellers.

“When it comes to luxury in Japan, Kyoto is the destination. In fact, Japan overall is synonymous with luxury like no other. People say, just being in Japan is a luxury experience,” said Kent. “Though it may appear more expensive for the show to be held in Japan, the quality you get in return makes it a real value and we’re keen for Japan to show how high luxury levels can reach.”

Asked about the impact of Japan’s contracted economy on its luxury outbound market, Kent said: “The market is still very much alive. Japan’s economy has been contracting and expanding; it’s not large movements either way and ultimately nothing has changed. The fact that Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton hotels are opening in Kyoto (in 2014) further proves the market is still growing as these hotels serve not just their global customers but domestic customers as well.”

SINGAPORE Tourism Board (STB) has combined forces with four Indian travel companies – Thomas Cook India, Mercury Travels, MakeMyTrip and Kuoni India – to launch the second phase of its advertising campaign Singapore ­– The Holiday You Take Home With You in India.

First launched in March, Chang Chee Pey, executive director, South Asia, Middle East and Africa, STB, said the second phase of the campaign would focus on promoting fun with the family and romantic getaways, focusing primarily on digital media to reach second-tier cities.

This time, the campaign will highlight new attractions in Singapore like Gardens by the Bay, Marine Life Park and Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, as well as old favourites such as Universal Studios Singapore and Little India, Chang said.

Manoj Saraf, managing director, Gainwell Travel & Leisure Kolkata, said: “The old attractions being showcased have been drawn up based on STB’s experience of what Indians really like. The new attractions will be mixed and matched to come up with a well-rounded bouquet of tourist experiences for the first-time and frequent Indian traveller.”

Veneeta Rawat, director, Amazing Vacations Mumbai, said: “(The) high prices of Singapore hotels have led to a decline in growth of Indian tourists to Singapore. (STB’s) promotions will bring back the well-heeled Indian traveller. So it’s a win-win for all.”

India is Singapore’s fifth-largest inbound source market. Last year, 869,000 Indians visited, spending S$1.1 billion (US$675 million).

A CONSORTIUM led by Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE), whose assets include Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Marina Mandarin Singapore, put down a S$13.1 billion (US$10.7 billion) bid for Fraser and Neave (F&N) on Thursday night, eyeing the company’s property portfolio.

OUE Baytown is offering S$9.08 per share, topping Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s S$8.88.

F&N’s second-largest stakeholder Kirin Holdings has agreed to accept the offer subject to certain conditions. Should OUE’s bid be successful, Kirin will also make an offer to purchase F&N’s food and beverage business.

The move could split up the 129-year-old F&N, leaving OUE to take over its property business, which includes hospitality and serviced residence arm Frasers Hospitality.

F&N had earlier received an offer for Frasers Hospitality at S$1.4 billion, which it did not respond to (TTG Asia e-Daily, October 10, 2012), saying that the latter formed an integral part of its property business and that it was constrained from selling while it remained the subject of a takeover bid.

OUE executive chairman, Stephen Riady, said: “(F&N’s) property portfolio would be highly complementary to OUE’s existing property portfolio. Combining both will further strengthen OUE as a leading property player in Singapore and expand our footprint in Singapore and regionally.”

Local broadsheet The Straits Times also reported that OUE may sell off Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Mandarin Gallery to finance the bid. In September, OUE revealed that a buyer had expressed interest in the two properties, collectively valued at S$1.7 billion in the company’s annual report last year TTG Asia e-Daily, September 20, 2012.

TRAFFIC from the Middle East is set to soar with direct flights to the Philippines commencing end-2012 and early 2013, as well as increased trade cooperation in the wake of the first-ever Philippine-Middle East Travel Exchange.

New aviation deals were sealed at the 18^th World Routes Development Forum in Abu Dhabi, where the Philippines was a participant. Emirates and Etihad Airways will begin daily direct flights from Dubai to Manila in December 2012 and January 2013 respectively. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines are also likely to start similar services.

On Tuesday, nine travel players from Saudi Arabia, seven from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 60 Philippine travel operators met in the Philippines for an inaugural exchange, giving the local travel trade an opportunity to explore opportunities with their counterparts from the Middle East.

In addition, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is also organising an upcoming fam trip. The Middle East Broadcasting Company, along with Emirates’ and Etihad Airways’ in-flight magazines, will be participating.

DOT undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin said her department had specifically identified Saudi Arabia and the UAE as opportunity markets. “Halal food is generally available in five-star hotels, and the DOT is undertaking a programme that will make certified halal food easily available outside Manila.

“We are also expanding air connectivity between the region and the Philippines, as well as air connectivity into various destinations in the country.”

CAPITALAND’S The Ascott will deepen its presence in China with the opening of Citadines South Chengdu, which it has secured a contract to manage.

The 177-unit residence is scheduled to welcome guests in 2014, joining the other 43 Ascott properties across 17 cities in China and making Chengdu the third city in the country with all three Ascott brands represented.

Ascott currently operates one Somerset serviced residence in Chengdu and will open two more premier Ascott-branded properties there in the next two years.

Lee Chee Koon, Ascott deputy CEO and managing director for North Asia, said: “Chengdu has strong growth opportunities for serviced residences. Its economy grew by more than 13 per cent for the first half of 2012 over the same period last year. In Central and Western China, Chengdu has been ranked the top city with the most Fortune 500 companies. Chengdu is also a popular tourist destination and venue for exhibitions and conferences.”

Citadines South Chengdu is situated at the junction of Tianfu Street and Tianfu South Road within the Chengdu Icon Genesis plaza, a mixed-use development that includes offices, restaurants and shops.

The property offers studio to two-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchens, and houses facilities such as a gym, sauna, roof garden, breakfast lounge, children’s play area and meeting rooms.