According to traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 14.7 million international passengers in February this year, an increase of 3.5% as compared to the same month in 2010. Taking together the first two months of 2011, Asia Pacific airlines saw a 5.8% growth in international passenger numbers year-on-year. However, according to AAPA, the outlook for the aviation sector has already been clouded by the sharp rise in oil prices despite the positive performance so far. In addition, events in Japan have also had a major impact on regional travel and tourism flows as Japan accounts for around a fifth of traffic within the Asia Pacific region.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will be taking over the management of Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa, marking the entry of the Mövenpick brand in the Philippines. This comes after it has been announced that Oikonomos International Resources Corp and Hilton Worldwide will end their collaboration by mutually agreeing to terminate their 15-year management deal. The 333-key property will undergo a US$2.3 million makeover and will subsequently be renamed as Mövenpick Resort & Spa Cebu.

Ritz-Carlton’s 75th hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, is officially the world’s highest hotel, taking over the top spot from the Park Hyatt Shanghai. The 312-key hotel occupies the top 17 floors of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), located at West Kowloon in the city. The hotel offers six food and beverage outlets, with the flagship restaurant being the Ozone, which will feature the world’s highest al fresco terrace on the 118th floor. The landmark hotel is a partnership between Sung Hung Kai Properties and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.