According to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, tourism arrivals into Myanmar have increased in the first half of the year. From January to June, 470,747 visitors entered the country, up 23.1 per cent year-on-year. About 71.9 per cent, or 338,331, were from Asia, including 80,311 from Thailand, the largest single group; 35,803 from China; and 35,650 from Japan. Though the outlook for arrivals to continually increase remains positive, Myanmar will struggle till 2016 to meet this influx due to lack of hotel supply. The top destinations in the country remained Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and Ngapali Beach.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) will invest Rs 15 billion (US$249.5 million) to build 50 new airports in non-metropolitan cities. The plan will see budget airports come up in Tier Two and Three cities such as Navi Mumbai, Juhu, Goa, Kannur, Pune, Sriperumbudur, and Bellary by 2017. The said airports are part of India's grand plan to have 200 new airports within the next decade allowing existing airports to go international. India’s current airport capacity totals 121 million domestic travellers and 41 million international. In future by 2020, India will be geared to handle 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers.

Best Western International has announced that Best Western Patong Beach will open in October 2014. Located less than one kilometre away from Patong Beach, the 224-room property is the 13th hotel in Thailand and the third in Phuket of the company’s portfolio, joining Best Western Premier Bantao Beach Resort & Spa and Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort Phuket. The hotel not only provides a variety of in-house facilities but is also surrounded by many bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Accor sets to introduce two of its brands, Ibis and Novotel Suites into Manila. The economy Ibis is part of the company’s master plan to redevelop the commercial and entertainment hub in Quezon City. The Ibis property is likely to break ground next year. In 2018, Accor will also manage its first Novotel Suites in Asia, a 150-room property at the Acqua Residences in Mandaluyong City. It will fill a gap in the market for a modern, functional longer-stay accommodation conveniently located in Metro Manila. The company will also open Novotel Manila Araneta and Mercure Ortigas next year and turn the Admiral Hotel into an MGallery Collection in 2016.