• Starwood to open four resorts on Hainan Island

    September 3, 2014
    Starwood to open four resorts on Hainan Island

    Sanya , China – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc  announced an agreement with Hainan Jianfeng Tourism Development Co, Ltd to debut China’s first W Retreat and the second St Regis resort on Hainan Island.

    Scheduled to open in 2019 and 2020, respectively, W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay and The St Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will both be located at the North Wing of Haitang Bay, one of the most exclusive and sought-after addresses in the area.

    “The rapid growth of Starwood’s luxury brands in China reflects the robust demand for high-end hospitality from an increasingly affluent market, where domestic travel continues to thrive,” said Qian Jin, President, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “Having a presence on Hainan Island for more than 10 years, Starwood is inimitably positioned to cater to today’s global travelers – delivering personalized service across a diverse portfolio of luxury hotels.”

    Starwood is vigorously expanding its luxury presence to meet the demands of a new generation of well-heeled travelers in Hainan. By 2020, the company will add four luxury resorts to Hainan Island, including three St. Regis resorts in Haikou, Qingshui Bay and Haitang Bay as well as a W Retreat & Spa in Haitang Bay.

    “We are thrilled to introduce the W brand’s first retreat in China while growing the St. Regis footprint locally,” said Robert Zhang, Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “The island will soon house all three of Starwood’s luxury brands – W Hotels, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection – which will elevate the local resort experience for both business and leisure across Greater China.”

    The only tropical island in China and the country’s largest Special Economic Zone, Hainan boasts powdery beaches, lush scenery and year-round sunshine. The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay will be located near Haitangwan town, 38 kilometers from Sanya’s city center and 45 kilometers from Sanya Phoenix International Airport. With 21.8 kilometers of pristine beachfront, clear waters and coconut palm groves, Haitang Bay retains an unspoiled beauty. A National Coast Wetland Park, Ocean Park, aquarium and yacht club have been planned within 4 kilometers of the resort complex. Construction has also commenced on the first phase of a larger yacht club, with 30 berths at Tielu Harbor on the tip of the South Wing of Haitang Bay.

    “We are delighted and proud to be working with Starwood Hotels and Resorts on both prestigious projects in Hainan Island,” said Mr. Luo Hai Qiang, Chairman, Hainan Jianfeng Tourism Development Co., Ltd. “Having two global luxury brands with their exceptional reputations side by side in Haitang Bay will further cement Hainan Island’s position as a world-class destination for international travelers.”

    Designed to become Hainan Island’s newest, most happening scene, W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay will feature 450 stylish guestrooms and 10 villas, with most guestrooms boasting panoramic ocean views.

    Located directly on the beach with panoramic ocean vistas, The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will feature 400 guestrooms and 15 villas, as well as a luxury spa, three restaurants, a lobby lounge, wine bar and over 2,000 square meters of meeting facilities. Offering an unrivaled dimension of luxury, sophistication and service, The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort is poised to occupy a leading position as one of the island’s premier vacation and tourist destinations.

    As Starwood’s ultra-luxury brand, St. Regis has fast become a favorite for visiting heads of state, with flagship hotels in Beijing, Lhasa, Shenzhen, Sanya and Tianjin. The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will mark the brand’s third luxury resort in China and the second St. Regis resort on Hainan Island.

    Sept.2, 2014

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      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      India resumes tourist visa for

      Chinese citizens after 5 years

      India announced  that it will open tourist visa applications to Chinese citizens from July 24, 2025. It was the first time in five years since the South Asian country suspended Chinese citizens’ tourist visa applications in February 2020.

      The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account  that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to three Indian visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province.

      Responding to the related inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said  that “we take note of this positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.”

      Chinese experts said the latest move taken by the India marks a phased milestone in the easing of relations between the two countries, and creates favorable conditions for further strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

      On February 2, 2020, India temporarily suspended its e-visa facility for Chinese travelers and foreigners residing in China amid coronavirus outbreak. – Global Times

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

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      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)

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