THE MGM Grand Ho Tram, Vietnam’s inaugural large-scale integrated resort situated in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, is scheduled to open its doors in 1Q2013.

A joint project between MGM Resorts International and Asian Coast Development (Canada) (ACDL), the MGM Grand Ho Tram will be the first component of the US$4.2 billion multi-site Ho Tram Strip resort complex, developed by ACDL and slated to be the largest tourism complex in the country.

ACDL will own and finance the MGM Grand Ho Tram, while MGM Resorts International will provide development assistance, brand equity and manage the five-star integrated resort.

Once ready, the first phase of the five-star MGM Grand Ho Tram will offer 541 guestrooms, a conference centre, a gaming area comprising 90 live table games, 500 electronic games and VIP facilities, and a variety of recreational, F&B and spa facilities.

The second phase of MGM Grand Ho Tram will incorporate another tower with 559 guestrooms, and an additional 500 electronic games.

BANYAN Tree Hotels & Resorts will debut its urban resort concept in China with the launch of two properties in Shanghai and Tianjin later this year.

Following previous openings in urban metropolises such as Bangkok, Seoul and Macau, Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund and Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside are scheduled to commence operations in October and November, respectively.

Forming part of the Above The Bund Urban Complex Project on Shanghai’s northern Bund area, Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund will offer 130 suites equipped with large French windows that open out onto the Bund thoroughfare.

The property will feature four F&B outlets, including Western seafood restaurant Oceans; Ming Yuan, serving Cantonese cuisine; Tai Hei, a high-end Japanese sashimi and sushi counter; and an alfresco roof top bar, Stars.

Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund will also offer meeting facilities for medium and small conferences (including four conference rooms of varying sizes and a Banyan Ballroom), a Banyan Tree Spa with eleven treatment rooms, a gym, and an indoor swimming pool.

Located on the east bank of the Hai River in Tianjin’s former Austrian concession, Banyan Tree Tianjin Riverside will offer 159 suites, a diverse range of dining options ranging from traditional Cantonese fare to grilled seafood and meat specialties, and the first Banyan Tree Spa in North China.

TRAVELtech 2012, the twelth edition of Australia’s original web travel, marketing and distribution conference, will take place at the Amora Jamison Hotel in Sydney on September 7.

The theme for this year’s conference is Follow the Money, and programme highlights include the results of online travel spending research from Quantium, web case studies from Hooroo.com.au, Rome2rio.com and Australian Pacific Tours, and a distribution session featuring Pierre-Stephane Austi, CEO, Rail Europe and Steven Greenway, head of commercial, Scoot.

Other confirmed speakers include Joe Araullo, CEO, TravelManagers Australia; Brett Henry, vice president marketing, Abacus International; Fiona Hunt, managing director, Contiki Australia; Tom Manwaring, CEO, Orient Express Group; David O’Loughlin, director marketing & communications, SATC; Georg Ruebensal, managing director, Expedia Australia; and Gagandeep Singh, GM experiences & marketing, Greyhound Australia.

Conference director, Martin Kelly, who founded TRAVELtech in 1999, said 200 delegates were expected at the show.