New international shipping link news - Davao/General Santos Philippine cities to Tahuna/Bitung Indonesia

A group of traders from the Davao and General Santos cities, Philippines are prepared to go on a trade mission to Manado, North Sulwesi, Indonesia. This is in order to conclude the details of the Davao City/General Santos City to Tahuna/Bitung (Indonesia) shipping route services that would commence next month.

The Indonesia’s PT Kanaka shipping line of MV Beverly will depart from Bitung, Indonesia, on 18^th July for the prepositioning of container vans which will be utilised for shipping services. This is according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) director of public affairs and investment promotions. The ship has a capacity of 120 twenty feet equivalent units or TEUs.

STR Global Hotel Reports - Asia Pacific

STR Global have reported hotels within the Asia Pacific region experienced positive results during May this year. The region's occupancy during the month grew by 3.2% to 67.6%; its daily average rate ended the month virtually flat with a 0.1% increase to US$115.10; with its revenue per available room increased by 3.3% to US$77.80.

The Philippines excelled by occupancy growth, increasing from 13.7% to 70.6%, owing to an increased demand of 17.6%. Indonesia also experienced positive growth rate during May, increasing by 10.7%. This is one of the highest increases of the Asia Pacific, principally motivated by Jakarta, increasing rates by 12.1%.

Highlights from significant market performers during May in local currency (year-over-year comparisons):

Favehotel to open six more hotels in Indonesia

Archipelago International’s Favehotel brand is to continue to rapidly expand by launching six more properties across four Indonesian cities, namely Jakarta, Cilacap, Padang and Pekanbaru.

The capital, Jakarta will house three of the new Favehotels, commencing with an 84 room Favehotel Zainul Arifin, this coming September. A 110 room Favehotel Pasar Minggu will follow a year later, during the second quarter of 2015, before the final Jakarta Favehotel accommodating 100 rooms, Favehotel Grogol Jakarta, will open during the final quarter of 2016.

Also opening during the final quarter of 2016, will be a 120 room Favehotel Cilacap, Central Java. Sumatra Archipelago is to quarter the Favehotel Olo in Padang and Favehotel Sudirman in Pekanbaru, both during the final quarter of next year.

Therefore, Archipelago International will experience over double its collection of hotels within the country over the next few years. In fact, Archipelago International will be establishing 33 new hotel projects all by the end of this year, as next year is already set to establish a further 37 hotels.

Archipelago describes Favehotel as a ‘select service’ brand, with amenities including free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs in all rooms, often featuring cafes and meeting rooms. 

There are an existing 27 Favehotels situated throughout Indonesia and Malaysia, ten of which are within Jakarta and four in Bali. Archipelago also plans to launch the brand in the Philippines during the near future.

The big 6 Asian markets of 2014

Yesterday, BlackRock released its investment outlook for Asian equities and credit, where it was reported Indonesia, China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan are the significant markets to watch during the latter half of this year.

This is as it was claimed structural reforms remain to dominate the agenda and outlook for stock markets across the region.

China

The head of Asian equities at BlackRock claimed that the Chinese leadership continues to motivate the domestic reforms process, as there has been added value and risk as the year has progressed. This is particularly in the energy and industrial sectors.

India

The election win of the BJP may access India’s potential by rebooting its investment cycle. The decisive election result may improve government decision making and execution, which in turn would boost investment in energy and infrastructure, opening more employment opportunities.

Korea and Taiwan

According to a representative from BlackRock, Korea and Taiwan should be beneficiaries of global and improved export growth.

Japan

Japan remains to add liquidity even as the economy absorbs the increase in consumption taxes. Investors should expect more reform progress.

Indonesia

The market has delivered exceptional returns so far during 2014. However, Indonesia is currently under elections, with market positioning, valuations, plus the risk of negative surprise subsequent of the upcoming July elections adding some caution. Although, any sell-off following the election would be a buying opportunity.

DoubleTree Hilton - The latest hotel, hospitality and leisure news

Do you remember when Commercial People updated you with the news of DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta opening in Diponegoro? They finally opened to guests last week as the first Double Tree in Indonesia.

Situated upon 1,400m² plot of land in Cikini, Central Jakarta - Diponegoro quarters 253 guestrooms including 11 suites and executive rooms. It has three dining outlets, with a ballroom plus meeting rooms, as well as an outdoor swimming pool with a children’s pool, as well as around the clock business and fitness centres.

This DoubleTree marks the addition of a third brand to Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio in Indonesia. The other two being Conrad, Bali and Hilton, Bandung.

Going forward, the group are to establish its Hilton Garden Inn brand in the Bali airport during August/September, plus a second property in Kuta, Bali during 2016. Further in the pipeline is Waldorf Astoria, opening in Jakarta and Uluwatu, Bali during 2017.

The vice president of operations – South East Asia, Hilton Worldwide have claimed that they would love to have each brand in Jakarta. Considering Jakarta’s scale, there could be more than one Hilton Garden Inn.

Within a mature market such as Bali, there has also been demand for hotels such as Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton.

Medan and Balikpapan are also being considered for Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn. Medan is the second largest city of Indonesia with a combination of leisure and business markets, as Balikpapan quarters gas and oil businesses.

Ensign Media announces Asia Villa Awards!

After nine successful years of the Property Awards, Ensign Media has announced the inaugural Asia Villa Awards will be held this year.

Acknowledging the finest luxury villas in the region, the awards will differ from the Property Awards as it celebrates single properties rather than developments, acting as an essential tool in aiding holidaymakers select the ideal property for their vacation.

Ensign Media’s CEO, Terry Blackburn, claimed Asia as being renowned around the globe for its high-quality villas of fine architecture, design and breath taking locations. Asia has an extensive range, with these awards celebrating the best of them to give visitors assurance that they are selecting an award winning villa for their stay in Asia.

The first edition of the Asia Villa Awards this year, will celebrate the best villas of Thailand, with the Indonesia edition following during the first quarter of 2015. Similar to the Property Awards, a rigorous and fair entry process will ensure that only the most deserving properties succeed. An independent panel of judges will select the award winners, with thorough site inspections of all shortlisted properties.

The first Awards will be presented at a cocktail reception in Phuket, this November. No nominations are necessary, with direct entries already open to villa owners and agents now.

Brand New Promo Video!

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