Qantas Launches First Direct Australia-Europe Flight

Australian airlines Qantas Airways (“Qantas”) has launched the first direct commercial flight that connects Australia to Europe. The historic new service connects travellers over 14,499 kilometres between Perth and London Heathrow. Utilising the fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Qantas, the new service has a capacity of 236 passengers and an estimated flight duration of 17 and a half hours. Although Qantas has been serving Heathrow since the 1940s, this represents the first time that the carrier has been able to connect both continents without any form of refueling stop en-route. Previously, flights had to stop in Singapore or Dubai before moving on to the destination.

Rosewood Opens its First Tented Villa Concept in Luang Prabang

Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotels & Resorts (“Rosewood”) has debuted its first tented villa concept with Rosewood Luang Prabang. Located only a ten-minute drive from Luang Prabang, Laos, the 23-key resort represents the brand’s second resort in Southeast Asia and the fifth hotel in Asia. The 23 rooms, suites, and villas are situated either adjacent to a river, a waterfall or float above the ground amongst the treeptop foliage and variously include private swimming pools, oversized balconies, and outdoor wooden bathtubs. The hotel also features a bistro and bar for Laotian dining, a swimming pool, and Rosewood’s signature Sense, A Rosewood Spa. Prior to Rosewood Luang Prabang, Rosewood recently opened Rosewood Phnom Penh in February 2018. Going forward in 2018, Rosewood expects to open two more hotels in Asia in the latter half of this year: a 413-key Rosewood Hong Kong and a 606-key Rosewood Guangzhou (of which 355 keys are Rosewood Residences).

Singha to Debut the First Curio Collection Hotel in the Maldives in End-2018

Thailand-based Singha Estate Public Company Limited (“Singha”) has entered into a franchise agreement with Hilton Worldwide (“Hilton”) to open a 198-key boutique resort in the Maldives, which will join the Curio Collection by Hilton, a portfolio of close to 50 upper upscale independent hotels globally. Located only 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s Velana International Airport, The Curio Collection Maldives resort will be part of Singha’s CROSSROADS project in Emboodhoo Lagoon, the first integrated leisure and entertainment destination in the Maldives. The resort, consisting of 198 guestrooms, beach villas, and overwater villas, will feature facilities such as a fitness centre and a swimming pool. In addition, the guests will also enjoy convenient access to facilities within CROSSROADS, including a beach club, a cultural centre, a dive centre, duty-free shops, plethora of food and beverage options, as well as a kids’ club. The resort will be managed by S Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singha, and is slated to open at the end of 2018.

Movenpick Hotels Continue Expansion in Thailand

Movenpick Hotels and Resorts (“Movenpick”) is planning a portfolio expansion in the Thai market, with the objective of operating three additional hotels over the next few years. The company has announced plans to operate Movenpick Asara Resort and Spa Hua Hin, an all-suite/pool villa property with 96 keys in Q2 2018, Movenpick Resort Khao Yai, with a total of 111 rooms and villas, set to open before Q3 of this year and the Movenpick Resort Mai Khao in Phuket which is expected to open in 2019. The group expects average occupancy rate in Thailand to grow by 3% this year and has announced plans to increase its room count in Thailand from 1,382 to 1,589 by the end of 2018.

Angsana Brand Debuts in Guangdong Province, China

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts (“Banyan Tree”) recently announced the opening of its first Angsana hotel, namely Angsana Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. Located at the Zhuhai Phonenix Bay, the hotel is ten minutes’ drive from the city center, 30 minutes’ drive from Macau and enjoys easy access to all major shopping and entertainment areas. It features 202 sea view rooms with a fully open balcony, two large-sized food and beverage outlets serving fine dining options and a toproof lobby lounge - Shadow, a total meeting space of more than 698 square meters for different events. In addition, Angsana Zhuhai Phoenix Bay offers some ten special Spa and foot treatment rooms, extensive leisure and entertainment facilities, a 1,000-square-meter outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a children’s playground.

Absolute Share Price Performance, as on 30 March 2018