Sofitel opens its latest hotel in China and other international hotel news

Sofitel opens its latest hotel in China French luxury hotel group Accor is set to open its 22nd Sofitel in China. The 20-storey Sofitel Macau is located in the heart of the historic waterfront and features a restaurant that combines local Chinese specialities with classic French cuisine. Other dining features include a 20-seat swimming pool bar and the Vin Bar, offering a sommelier wine and cheese service. Sofitel Macau also offers a swimming pool and fitness centre, a business centre and a 460 sqm multi-function banquet room plus additional meeting rooms. The hotel is located next to a new casino complex, which features luxury brand retail shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

Asia Pacific Tourism starts to buckle under pressure The tourism industry in Asia Pacific is starting to feel the effects of the credit crunch as growth starts to slow, according to business advisory firm Deloitte. Although hotels have reported positive growth for the year-to-August 2008, with revenue per available room (revpar) up 13.2%, on closer inspection, hoteliers have started to feel the strain over the last few months. Until May 2008, revpar growth across Asia Pacific was reporting double-digit growth each month, with average room rates driving this. However, since then, revpar growth has fallen back, with June and July reporting increases of 7.5% and 7.4% respectively. Although August bucked this trend with revpar growth of 15.2%, Deloitte said the Beijing Games had positively distorted hotel performance in the region.

Global food and beverage operator SSP arrives at Sydney Airport Food and beverage operator SSP has won the deal for Sydney Airport's newly revamped International Terminal. In its first foray into the Australian market, it will open five new outlets at Sydney Airport. SSP was also awarded the contracts in the International Terminal's new AUS$500 million re-development, which opens to the public in 2010. At Sydney Airport's International Terminal, SSP will run Sydney brands, including Danks Street Depot and the Bambini Wine Room, alongside international brands such as Itacho Sushi, Trattoria Prego and Caviar House & Prunier. SSP operates restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts and convenience stores in airports, rail stations, leisure venues and onboard trains around the world.

Shaza Hotels Signs memorandum of understanding with Aristocrat Star Investments Middle Eastern hotel group Shaza Hotels, which is a partnership between Kempinski Hotels and Guidance Financial Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (Mou) with United Arab Emirates developer Aristocrat Star Investments. The Mou will see Shaza manage a new hotel in the Royal Estates development. Royal Estates is a £5b Dirhams (£781m) gated community that will feature residential, retail, office and hotel and recreational facilities set across 3.6 million square feet of land. The hotel is expected to open in 2010.

By Gemma Sharkey

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