As the date for the opening of the first China Hotel Investment Summit (CHIS) is approaching, HVS International and Phoenix Consulting are proud to launch the conference's official website: www.CHISummit.com

Within this Chinese/English comprehensive website, potential and registered attendees will find all necessary information about the conference, that will take place at the Westin Shanghai on April 28 and 29 2005.

For further enquiries or to become a sponsor, please contact:

As part of its growth strategy for Asia, HVS International is recruiting talented individuals for its expanding team for China.

As the leading global hospitality consulting firm, HVS International has advised on over 15,000 hotels and resorts located in 75 countries. In Asia, the firm has provided consulting, valuation and investment advice on hotel and resort properties in the region, including China.

Requirements:

• Degree holder in hospitality related discipline preferred
• 5+ years relevant hospitality or consulting working experience
• Understanding of the Asian hotel market and industry issues
• Fluent spoken and written Mandarin and English
• Strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, networking and generating leads

If you would like to be considered for the position, please send your resume and cover letter in confidence to: Mr. David Ling via email: [email protected] or write to us at: HVS International, 100 Beach Road, #32-04 Shaw Tower, Singapore 189702. Short listed candidates will be notified.

Royal Garden Resort PCL (RGR) announced the acquisition of equity interest in Rajadamri Hotel PCL from 57.7% to 90.8% through the purchase of 14,927,490 shares at a price of THB47 (US$1.22) per share. The total consideration in the transaction was of THB702 million (US$18.2 million) and it will be funded by a medium-term loan from K-Bank. RHC owns 100% of the 356 room Four Seasons Bangkok Hotel as well as 26% of Four Seasons Chiang Mai, a 80-room five-star hotel. Through this transaction, RGR will increase its beneficial interest in the Four Seasons Chiang Mai from 60.3% to 68.9%.

According to the Singapore Business Times, four out of the eight properties previously owned by the Malaysian-based Faber Group have been sold for approximately RM136 million (US$35.8 million), 11% more than the aggregate indicative prices. These properties are the Sheraton Perdana Resort, Langkawi, the Sheraton Kuantan in Kuantan, Merlin Inn in Johor Baru and the Merlin Inn in Cameron Highlands. The remaining properties include the 182-room Sheraton in Labuan (indicative price RM55 million/ US$14.5 million), the 502-room Sheraton Subang (RM180 million/ US$47.4 million), the 279-room Sheraton Penang (RM55 million/ US$14.5 million) and the Penang Plaza commercial complex (RM30milion/ US$7.9million).

Accor establishes a franchising brand for motels and apartment complexes. The group has already signed up four All Seasons franchises in Australia and New Zealand and more All Seasons properties are expected to come on stream in the next few months. The first two properties in Australia to sign the franchise agreements are the Grande Florida Beachside Resort and Hi Surf Luxury Apartments, both located in Gold Coast. In New Zealand, the first two properties are motels in Auckland: the Ellerslie Gateway Motor Inn (now All Seasons Ellerslie) and the Dunkerron Motor Inn (now All Seasons Dunkerron). With over 50% (1600 properties) of the hotel market in New Zealand and more than 60% (3200 properties) of the market in Australia made up of small unbranded properties, Accor sees huge potential for growth.

According to the South China Morning Post, Chinachem Group is set to launch a hotel in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong in September 2005. Nina Tower will comprise a 40-storey, 640-room hotel and an 80-storey, 1,000-room, hotel-office block. It will also include a nine-level retail and convention centre in Yeung Uk Road. The soft opening of the first phase of 300 rooms in the 40-storey hotel block, to be called L’Hotel Nina Tower One, will be held in September 2005, in line with the schedule for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific has signed an agreement with Shanghai New World Project Management Company to manage a hotel in Shanghai, China. The 45-storey Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World, located on the commercial Nanjing Road, adjacent to the People's Square, is scheduled to open in May 2005. The 520-room hotel will join two other Radisson hotels serving travellers in Shanghai: Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai and Radisson SAS Lansheng Hotel. The hotel will feature Chinese and Western restaurants, a multi-function room, eight meeting rooms, a fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool and spa. The newest addition to the well-recognised Radisson brand joins a portfolio of 25 hotels in the Asia Pacific region. With more than 434 hotels in 62 countries worldwide, Radisson Hotels & Resorts is one of the leading upscale, full-service hotel brands in the world.