Right before the 2011 Chinese New Year, China's State Council issued a series of regulations, stipulating that cities, especially those with high housing prices, must issue detailed purchasing restrictions on housing by the middle of February.

After Beijing first unveiled its toughest measures ever, more than a dozen Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Shijiazhuang, have capped the number of apartments a family can buy, making it harder for non-residents to buy apartments for investment purposes.

For many hotel developers, however, the situation presents a multitude of opportunities as mixed-use development projects, which minimise investment risks by creating synergies and most importantly, are not affected by these regulations, are now attracting more domestic and global investors.

At the 7th edition of China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC 2011), we will present two special panels to help you seize the opportunity for hotel development. In the Creating Synergies within Mixed-Use Complex panel, top developers will share their insights into the current market and how mixed-use projects help maximise the investment returns. Presenters include Ho Ren Hua, Executive Director - Corporate Development, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited; Zhang Wei, Director of Hotel Development, China Resources (Shenzhen) Co Ltd; Fu Xiaolin, General Manager, Hangzhou Greentown Hotel Management Co Ltd; Nong Xia, Senior Vice President - Real Estate & Development, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts; and Robert Zheng, Vice President, Development, Asia Pacific, WATG.

We have also invited top global investors in the Searching for Strategic Deals and Partnerships panel to share their acquisition targets and criteria for investment in China. Panellists include Jason Kern, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Advisory, HSBC Hong Kong; Robert Naso, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Merchant Banking; Ricco DeBlank, Chief Executive Officer - Hotel Division, Sun Hung Kai Properties; Jill Hellman, Managing Director, China, Thayer Lodging Group; and Gerald Yong, Managing Director, Ascott China Fund and Senior Vice President for Business Development and Asset Management, The Ascott Group North Asia.

Also, a string of sessions and panels will be presented to help you learn every aspect of hotel investment and development.

Register now or visit www.chinahotelconference.com for more information.

Accor group has announced that Mercure Sydney Potts Point will be opening in March 2011. The hotel, which is located in the heart of the Potts Point and Kings Cross entertainment precinct, was formerly The Crest. Mercure Sydney Potts Point will offer 227 guestrooms and two food and beverage outlets. The rebranding of the hotel comes as Potts Point undergoes a major makeover to become one of Sydney’s up-and-coming communities. Mercure is the largest mid-market hotel brand in Australia, with 28 hotels across the country and more than 670 hotels in 50 countries globally.

Starting from the summer of 2011, Thai Airways International will be increasing its flights for its Australia and New Zealand routes. Starting from 16 April, the airline will up its Bangkok-Brisbane services from five flights per week to daily flights. Likewise, it will also increase its five-weekly Bangkok-Auckland services to daily flights from 17 June onwards. On top of these, Thai Airways will also be boosting its Milan and Hong Kong flight services.

Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts will mark its entry into the Macau hotel market with the upcoming opening of its resort in Cotai City. The all-suite Banyan Tree Macau will be part of the Galaxy Macau, an integrated resort development with over 50 restaurants and bars, retail, and gaming and entertainment facilities. The resort offers 246 suites, with each of them having its own private indoor relaxation pool. Other facilities at the resort include a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,200 people and four food and beverage outlets.