BEIJING is considering implementing a new initiative which grants foreign tourists visa-free access to the Chinese capital for up to 72 hours.

Earlier this week, China Daily reported that the city’s authorities were mulling over waiving visa requirements for international travellers, albeit for a maximum period of three days, to boost inbound tourism.

If approved, the policy will be similar to visa-free schemes already in place in Shanghai (allowing stays of up to 48 hours) and Hainan (up to 21 days for tour groups).

“Shanghai and neighboring cities such as Hangzhou and Wuxi have benefited greatly (since Shanghai introduced a visa waiver for transit visitors), as foreign tourists are able to travel around during the 48-hour stay,” Jiang Yiyi, director, China Tourism Academy international tourism development institute, was quoted as saying.

AIRPORTS of Thailand is expediting the development of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s second phase in order to alleviate growing passenger traffic congestion at the facility.

To be built at a cost of 62.5 billion baht (US$1.96 billion), the second phase of Thailand’s main international gateway is scheduled for completion by 2017.

The first phase of Suvarnabhumi is able to accommodate 45 million passengers per year. The expansion is expected to boost the airport’s handling capacity to 60 million passengers a year.

In 2011, Suvarnabhumi handled 48 million passengers, already breaching its prescribed capacity limit. The number is expected to soar to 51 million this year, and to 60 million within the next five years.

VALORE International, a fledgling hotel management company based in Indonesia, has chosen to launch its inaugural property, a budget hotel catering to travellers with families, near Bandung.

The 50-room Simply Valore Baros, situated in Cimahi near the Jakarta-Bandung toll road Pasteur exit, is part of a mixed-use development project that includes shopping malls and residential areas.

A standard room at Simply Valore is 30m2, twice the size of similar rooms at other budget properties, with triple beds to suit the needs of families with children.

Edhiyanto, president director of Selaras Holding, the holding company of Valore International, said: “We are aware of a price war in Bandung, but it does not mean there is no room for a new hotel.

“There are many budget and mid-class hotels (in Bandung), but none of them is family-friendly. Simply Valore Baros fills the gap.”

Meanwhile, the group is also developing Grande Valore, a four-star property in the Jababeka industrial area east of Jakarta. Due to open this year, the hotel will offer 141 rooms and suites, in addition to 300 serviced apartment units.

AIRASIA Japan will introduce daily services from Tokyo (Narita) to Fukuoka, Okinawa (Naha) and Sapporo (Shin Chitose) from August 1, 2012.

The advent of AirAsia Japan, a joint venture between AirAsia and Japan’s All Nippon Airways, is expected to intensify competition levels in the domestic LCC sector.

Kazuyuki Iwakata, CEO, AirAsia Japan, said: “AirAsia Japan’s objective is to develop the LCC market in Japan, generating new demand with the aim of making affordable and quality travel available to all.

“The 84 weekly flights are expected to help meet demand from business and leisure travellers between Sapporo, Fukuoka, Okinawa and Tokyo.”

To mark the launch, the carrier is offering one-way fares from ¥50 (US$0.65) on any of the three domestic routes.

ABACUS International has signed a distribution agreement with Scoot, the Singapore-based LCC’s first-ever.

The multi-year deal will provide Abacus’ 20,000 travel consultant partners in Asia-Pacific with access to the airlines’ fares and inventory from July 2012.

Operating a fleet of four Boeing 777-200 aircraft, Scoot will begin flying to Sydney and Gold Coast in June, with additional route launches to Bangkok in July and Tianjin in August.

Meanwhile, Abacus shifted its operations in Mumbai and Bangalore to new premises on May 29 and May 31, respectively.

“This is indicative of the fast expansion that Abacus is seeing in India and we are therefore increasing our investment to better support travel companies based there”, said Brett Henry, Abacus India VP.

GHM has entered into a joint venture with Beijing Tourism Group (BTG), in partnership with real estate investor Great Ocean Group (GOG), to launch Ahn Luh, an upscale hotel brand targeting luxury travellers in China.

Conceptualised by BTG chairman Duan Qiang, GOG founder Whitney Duan and Adrian Zecha, who founded Amanresorts and co-founded GHM with Hans R. Jenni, the first Ahn Luh properties are expected to debut within the next two to three years.

The inaugural resort will be Ahn Luh Dujiangyan in Chengdu, while other properties in destinations such as Beijing, the Pearl River Delta and South-west China are also in the pipeline.

BTG chairman, Duan Qiang, said: “Resorts in the new Ahn Luh brand aim to promote and practice what we have termed the ‘China services’ concept. In essence, this concept marries internationally accepted standards of quality with distinct, local features. The result is the fusing of old-world Chinese hospitality with contemporary elegance to create value added products, while contributing to an eco-friendly environment.”

Ahn Luh hotels will typically feature 50 – 100 rooms and villas, ranging in size from 60m2 – 120m2, in addition to meeting facilities. Each hotel will boast a resident Tai Chi master, as well as a retail outlet offering regional goods and traditional Chinese medicine. Other features include dian xin breakfast, an all-day Chinese-style tapas bar, and a fleet of WiFi-enabled cars.

With Ahn Luh, GHM joins the flurry of international hotel chains to develop Chinese-oriented brands, such as IHG’s Hualuxe, Accor’s Mei Jue and Movenpick’s Rui Xiang.

SUVARNABHUMI Airport will close one of its runways for routine maintenance from June 11 till August 10, 2012, potentially causing delays for passengers arriving at and leaving from Bangkok.

According to Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation, the runway closure is expected to result in traffic congestion both in the air and on the ground. Inbound flights may be forced to wait in the air for 20-45 minutes during peak periods before landing.

While no flight cancellations are anticipated, airlines have begun advising their passengers to allow a minimum of 80 minutes for connections in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Thai aviation authorities are contemplating the diversion of certain domestic flight operations to Don Mueang Airport during the 60-day maintenance period.

If the plan is implemented, passengers will need to allow a minimum of 60 minutes travel time between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.