In its attempt to win a slice of the growing service apartment segment, Hilton International has signed a management contract with the Embassy Group for a 250-unit Hilton Residences in Bangalore at the Embassy Golf Links Business Park. Tenants at the Business Park include blue chip tenants like Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Microsoft and Diamler Chrysler. Hilton Residences is anticipated to become a short and mid-term home for engineers, software specialists and business people from the USA, UK and continental Europe. Due for completion in 2007, the Hilton Residences will be Bangalore’s first five-star service apartments development.

Emirates Airlines is planning to develop more luxury resorts in Australia apart from the US$38 million 40-suite resort near Sydney's Blue Mountains. At a cost of up to US$900 per night, the development in the Wolgan Valley will be one of Australia's most expensive eco-resorts and is clearly aimed at international tourists. The Emirates resort would provide much-needed luxury accommodation to support Australia's push in high-yielding markets such as the United States and the Middle East. Although the Wolgan Valley resort is yet to get planning approval, it is due to open in October 2007.

Global hotel group Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts continues its worldwide expansion, with 21 new properties located throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa currently in the pipeline to open during 2005 and beyond. This expansion follows on from the 10 new hotels opened during 2004. Le Meridien's successful Art + Tech design concept, featuring a skilful fusion of cutting-edge technology and ingenious artistry, can be found in some of Le Meridien's newest hotels including those in Vienna, Hamburg, Turin, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Minneapolis. Le Meridien's ongoing expansion plans will see the launch of many more exciting hotels in top cities and resorts around the world, including China, Dubai, Egypt, Croatia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand and Germany. At current, Le Meridien manages 30 hotels in the Asia Pacific region and this number is due to increase to 37 by 2007.

The Indian petrochemicals giant - Reliance is planning to set up close to 145 new Inns / Motels on major highways across India. The Inns will be set up in and around Reliance’s fuel outlets. Reliance is the first major organized player to foray into highway hospitality. Their pricing is likely to be similar to that of the budget / economy hotel chains. Most of them charge less than US$ 25 a night. By year end the first wave of these Inns will be ready. Reliance is collaborating with the hospitality industry to operate and manage these formats, whereby the franchisee pays a royalty to Reliance based on sales volume.

Continuing talks between budget carriers Valuair and Qantas offshoot Jetstar Asia are expected to lead to a merger under which a holding company, at least 40 per cent owned by Qantas will be formed. According to the Business Times, an agreement will have to be approved by all Valuair shareholders or it will not go ahead. An independent valuer has been hired to work out what the final shareholding structure should be. It is widely believed the imminent tie-up between Valuair and Jetstar Asia has been sparked by soaring fuel prices, cut-throat competition among budget airlines and reluctance by regional governments to open their skies to foreign carriers.