Marriott Announces the Debut of Element Hotels Brand in SE Asia

Marriott International has announced the debut of the Element brand in Southeast Asia, with the opening of Element Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Developed in collaboration with owners IB House Management Sdn Bhd, the hotel is housed within Ilham Towers, making it the tallest eco-conscious hotel. Situated on Jalan Binjai, the hotel is close to embassies, corporate offices and within walking distance to Suria KLCC shopping center as well as the capital city's iconic landmark, Petronas Twin Towers. Element Kuala Lumpur is Green Building Index (GBI) certified with eco-friendly design and best practices including a rainwater harvesting system, indoor air quality CO2 monitor and energy-efficient LED lighting. The hotel features 252 guestrooms offering views of the city skyline and surrounding hills. In addition to the 132 stylish studio units, the hotel offers one-, two- and three-bedroom suites equipped with kitchenettes, making them ideal for large groups and long-stay guests. Additional facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, a rooftop bar on the 40th floor, meeting spaces, a fitness center and an indoor saline pool.

AVANI Hotels Set to Launch in Auckland

AVANI Hotels & Resorts has acquired Metro Suites in Auckland, for an estimated NZ$11 million. The 40-storey Metro Suites tower will undergo a major room refurbishment program and will be rebranded as Metropolis AVANI Residences by October 2017, making this the first AVANI hotel in New Zealand. The property’s 370 rooms will be transformed to adopt AVANI’s branding and style as part of the refurbishment program, which is due to begin soon.  Metro Suites was built in 1999 for a reported NZ$180 million and has a prime CBD location in the 'City of Sales' – New Zealand's largest and most populated city. The property is within walking distance of some of Auckland’s key entertainment venues, such as the Vector Arena and Sky Tower. Besides the 370 spacious guestrooms, the Metropolis AVANI Residence will offer leisure facilities such as a 22-meter heated swimming pool, indoor and outdoor spas, a sauna, a gymnasium and a steam room. AVANI Hotels & Resorts, part of Minor Hotel Group, has a portfolio of 18 hotels and resorts in 12 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Princess Cruises Announces Four Ships For 2018-19 Australia Season

Princess Cruises has announced that it will homeport four ships in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific for the 2018-19 season. The ‘Majestic Princess’ with a capacity of 3,560 guests will be introduced to Australia for its inaugural season. As the newest in the Princess fleet, Majestic Princess will sail itineraries from Sydney and Auckland on voyages from 6 to 13 days in length, and will call in ports at destinations including New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and other islands in the South Pacific. On sale beginning April 26, 2017, four Princess ships will sail from six homeports on more than 95 departures with 50 unique itineraries to more than 70 destinations in 18 countries, according to a statement.

Australian Government to Build Second Sydney Airport

The Australian government has announced that it will build a second international airport in Sydney, with construction slated to commence next year. The new airport will be situated 50 kilometers west of the city center, at Badgery’s Creek. Valued at A$5 billion (US$3.5 billion), the airport is expected to serve around 2.2 million people in western Sydney. According to Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, “The airport will be a major catalyst for jobs and economic growth in western Sydney, injecting more than A$1.9 billion into the economy during the construction phase alone. It is expected to deliver 9,000 new jobs to western Sydney by the early 2030s, and 60,000 in the long-term." Details on the project will be announced in the federal budget this week.
 

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