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MEGA PROJECTS DEFINE
LUANG PRABANG DILEMMA
LAOS – One of Southeast Asia's most charming cultural heritage destinations Luang Prabang is fast approaching a tipping point.
Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks. Download hi-res image here.
According to the new Luang Prabang Hotel Market Update (download the full report here), by leading hospitality consulting firm C9 Hotelworks, a large-scale airport expansion and high-speed railway are major indicators of imminent change.
C9 Hotelworks Managing Director, Bill Barnett, said a runway expansion capable of handling wide-body aircraft will open in 2013, and the following year a high-speed railway link to China will become operational.
Key research data showed 2010's year-on-year growth in airport passenger arrivals of 14% tallied in at 77,978. Growth in average room rates and RevPAR compensated for a slight dip in market wide occupancy.
A slowdown in tourist arrivals was driven by two important source markets, Thailand and the UK, which declined 43% and 16% respectively. Political events and currency deprecation accounted for the trend.
Recent developments on the ground include the opening of a 18-hole golf course by a Korean joint-venture company which includes more phases for a 250 room hotel and 100 upscale villas.
The existing hotel supply of 44 hotels will increase 16% by 2012. Two new branded properties from the Anantara portfolio highlight the pipeline.
As to the impact on what has largely been a sustained low impact tourism footprint during the last
Kiridara, an established 24-room hotel with views of Luang Prabang's Mount Phou Si. Download hi-res image here.
decade, Mr. Barnett added: "A short term identity crises looks inevitable as one chapter closes and another is set to begin.
"Unfortunately the next development cycle looks set to focus on growth for growth's sake, which is at odds with the destination's unique DNA.
"Airlift and rail access improvements will see the emergence of new opportunities for a wider range of hotel products due to an overall upward progression. I expect to see a new mid-scale hotel tier emerge as the broader market edges towards more reliance on volume."
Journalists can download printable data charts from the report here:
Passenger Arrivals at Luang Prabang Airport
Seasonal Trading Patterns
New Hotel Openings
Top Five Source Markets
About C9 Hotelworks
C9 Hotelworks is hospitality consulting firm based in Phuket, Thailand and led by Managing Director Bill Barnett. With 26 years of experience in Asia Pacific, he is a leading specialist on hotel and property development issues. He is a columnist with a number of leading newspapers, including the Phuket Gazette and The Nation and has appeared on CNBC, the BBC and CNN. His popular blog www.thephuketinsider.com is the authoritative source of all Phuket hotel tourism and real estate issues and trends. More information on the company can be found at www.c9hotelworks.com
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