News from the Asia Pacific region about the hotel industry and travel: Far East sells Dorsett London; Australia's State Governments announce new measures for tourism recovery.Ascott to Acquire Two Properties In Paris and HanoiThe Ascott Limited (Singapore-based) is a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited. CapitaLand will acquire two properties in France, Vietnam and the United States for a total amount of SGD210 millions through its private equity fund, Ascott Served Resident Global Fund. The properties will be purchased on a turnkey basis, and they are expected to open in 2024. Ascott will purchase a Paris-based freehold property. This will be their first coliving development in Europe. It will be renovated and launched under the lyf label. The 139-unit property, named livelyfhere Gambetta Paris is located in the 20th arrondissement. It is close to many arts establishments, restaurants, cinemas, and cafes. The 364-unit Somerset Metropolitan West Hanoi is the second acquisition. It is centrally located in Hanois' new central business district. It is located in Hanoi, a short drive from the Vietnam National Convention Centre. The Noi Bai International Airport is a half hour away. These acquisitions will increase Ascotts' fund assets under management (FUM), to SGD8.4 billion.Far East Consortium sells four-star Dorsett London HotelFar East Consortium, Hong Kong, has agreed to sell 267-room Dorsett City London Hotel, which is a subsidiary two US-based investment companies, Cerberus Capital Management and Highgate Hotels, to Aldgate Hotel Bidco for USD160.4 Million. FEC will gain USD69.8 millions from the sale. FEC's subsidiary DHI Hotel Management UK will manage the hotel, which is located at 9-13 Aldgate High Street. It is just five minutes walk from the Gherkin tower. FECs managing Director Chris Hoong stated that FECs portfolio holds a tremendous amount of value and that they are open to new opportunities to use capital at attractive rates. FEC stated that the net proceeds would be used to general working capital. This will allow FECs to increase liquidity, recycle capital and reduce leverage. Management fees will also be repaid as the hospitality industry stabilizes post-pandemic. FECs portfolio now includes 31 hotels, with an estimated 8,100 room count, and 13 hotels that are in development across Asia, Australia and Europe. FECs will have 44 hotels and approximately 11,350 rooms when all its hotels are operational.Thailand's Cabinet approves the Phuket Sandbox SchemeThe Thai Cabinet approved the Phuket Sandbox Tourism Scheme on 23 June 2021. This allows international tourists who have been vaccinated to visit the island, without having to go through a 14-day quarantine. The scheme, which currently operates five flights from Singapore to Qatar, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, is scheduled to start on the 1st of July 2021. Tourists who wish to travel to Phuket or the rest of Thailand must stay at least 14 days. They will also be subject to multiple COVID-19 testing. The government also announced that Koh Samui and Koh Phangan will be open to tourists who have been vaccinated starting 15 July. Tourists must travel through a sealed route. Visitors must stay in approved hotels for the first three days. They can travel on sealed routes between days 4 and 7, and to the two other islands between days 8 through 15. Prayut Chano-cha, the Prime Minister, stated that Thailand's ability to balance economic recovery and public health security would be tested by the implementation of the Phuket sandbox. He is optimistic that the international market will open up to other tourist areas.Australia's State Governments Announces New Measures to Boost Tourism RecoveryThe Victorian and South Australian governments have announced new travel initiatives to support regional tourism recovery. A AUD16 million investment will finance the fourth release of 80,000 regional vouchers, each valued at AUD200. These vouchers will be distributed to support accommodation and attraction operators. This program is part of the AUD32.2million Regional Tourism Support Package that includes additional measures like AUD4,500 top ups for COVID-19 impacted travelers and AUD15,000 grants to alpine businesses in order to create a COVID-safe ski environment. Under the fourth round, more than 50,000 South Australians will receive travel vouchers through the Great State Voucher Scheme. Participants will receive either a AUD100 voucher to use at participating Adelaide or North Adelaide hotels or a AUD50 voucher that can be used in suburban and regional South Australia. To attract tourists to Adelaide, a new mid-week stay program will be introduced offering discounts on hotel rooms. Both governments believe that the initiatives will support tourism and help to sustain jobs in Australia as it heads into winter months.Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge sold to Distinction Hotel GroupDistinction Hotel Group (DHG), a New Zealand-based hotel group, has purchased the Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (77-key) from Skyline Enterprises Limiteds (Skyline), for an undisclosed amount. The property, located on Duke Street is Dunedin's only garden hotel offering a variety of rooms and event space. Geoff McDonald, Skyline's Chief Executive, stated that the hotel was part of Skyline's portfolio for almost 10% of their overall revenue over the past 35-40 years. The hotel's performance has been strong due to increasing corporate visitors and university guests. It is conveniently located near the multi-purpose Forsyth Bar Stadium, which has contributed to its steady performance. According to Mr McDonald's, Dunedin's strong dependence on the university sector close to the hotel has allowed them to be less affected by the pandemic. They have also been able to recover well after the COVID-19 lockdown. Skyline would be able to concentrate on its core gondola- and luge park business in Queenstown, Rotorua. DHGs hotel portfolio currently spans New Zealand with the Distinction Dunedin Hotel located on Liverpool Street, Dunedin.Inauguration of Kalibo International Airport in Aklan Province, PhilippinesThe newly renovated Kalibo International Airport was inaugurated by the Department of Transportation in Kalibo, Aklan province, on 4 June 2021. The total cost of the development project was PHP48.4 millions. PHP19.5 million was dedicated to improving the international passenger terminal. It was completed in September 2020. The capacity of the passenger terminal has increased from 344 to 406 passengers to 2,633 square meters. The upgraded passenger terminal also includes more space for operations of the Customs and Immigration Bureau and other areas that will support the flow of passengers. The reblocking and repair of the apron was completed in PHP9.9million. This has removed the potential danger for aircraft. PHP18.9million was also allocated to the complete restoration and reconstruction of the passenger terminal building, the aircraft rescue building, the shed and the administration building. Arthur Tugade (Department of Transportation Secretary) stated that the airport meets international standards and would have a positive impact on Aklan's economy. This inauguration comes after the announcement of the National Capital Region Plus bubble. It allows residents of General Community Quarantine to visit Boracay in Aklan Province.Nintendo Gallery Archive to Open in Kyoto By 2024Nintendo Company (Nintendo), a Japanese gaming company, is opening a Nintendo Gallery Archive to be opened in Kyoto Prefecture in 2024. This follows the launch of Super Nintendo World featuring real-life Bowsers Castles and Mario Cart at Universal Studios Japan's March 2018 event. After taking into account Ujis' redevelopment plan for the Ogura Station, the gallery will be located in an old factory in Uji. This factory was used to produce various Western and Japanese Hanafuda cards, which were the original business of Nintendo. The factory will be transformed to display Nintendo's history and gaming products. It also offers a complete Nintendo experience, including classic games like Super Mario and Donkey Kong. The gallery will be used by Nintendo to share its product development philosophy and history with the public.Two Piers in Southern Thailand will be upgradedThrough a THB200million refurbishment plan, two piers in Southern Thailand are being upgraded. THB140 million has been set aside to renovate Pak Meng Pier, Trang province. THB59.6 millions will be used to expand Sala Dan Pier, Koh Lanta, Krabi. The Pak Meng Pier, which is located in Hat Chao Mai National Park allows visitors to board ferries and high-speed boats to visit various islands in Trang Province, including Koh Ngai and Koh Muk. The 20-year-old pier, which is expected to be completed by June 30, will feature a new passenger terminal, two piers and longer bridges that allow more vessels to dock. To accommodate more passengers, the Sala Dan Pier in Koh Lanta will have a new passenger terminal as well as a ticket office. As a welcome gesture, the covered walkway will feature many art sculptures. Tourists will be able to commute to nearby Koh Phi Phi Island or to Phuket via the Sala Dan Pier.www.hvs.com
