NEW ZEALAND: Ritz-Carlton Considering Entering New Zealand.

Ritz-Carlton is considering going to New Zealand.

Ritz-Carlton is one of the world's biggest hotel names long tipped for Auckland, along with Hyatt, which last year announced it would return to New Zealand in a new building along Auckland's waterfront.

As for Ritz-Carlton, "we continuously look for opportunities to expand The Ritz-Carlton presence in New Zealand," a Singaporean spokeswoman Michele Lv said.

The Ritz-Carlton has been rumoured to be lined up for a proposed skyscraper planned by Chinese businessman Furu Ding's company, NDG on a central car park site bounded by Elliott St.

The project has initial resource consent but is rumoured to have been delayed.

Dean Humphries, Collier's hotel specialist, said many hotel brands had been keeping an eye on New Zealand for years, including Ritz-Carlton, and some were now moving in.

Accor, Marriott-Starwood and Hilton were all in expansion mode, with Hilton's DoubleTree brand taking over Christchurch's Chateau on the Park recently and IHG announcing a new Holiday Inn in Queenstown and an "express" hotel in Christchurch.

Also looking on were the Asian hotel brands such as Shangri-La, which was not yet here. Singaporean chain Naumi Hospitality was opening its first hotel at Auckland Airport

These big names brought their loyalty programmes with them and a level of luxury which was stirring up existing players and prompting a wave of refurbishments, Humphries said.

"At the end of the day they do normally attract a different clientele than say a mid-market hotel, but of course it does mean that all the five star hotels are going to have to lift their game."

New Zealand is suddenly on the radar of international retailers and hotel operators because of the high tourism numbers which are lifting hotel room revenues and spending.

Arrivals from China have quadrupled in the last decade, and Chinese tourists spend more than other nationalities on products to take home.

AUSTRALIA: Naumi Hospitality buys Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central

Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central

Naumi Hospitality has announced through its Singapore headquarters that it has taken over ownership of the Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central in an AUD $38 million acquisition deal that took effect on 6 October 2015. The 116-room property, located in Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD), will continue to operate under the management of Rendezvous Hotels.

Located just 25 minutes from Sydney Airport, the 32-year-old Rendezvous Hotel Sydney Central offers a total of 116 rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, two conference rooms for up to 80 guests and a heated rooftop swimming pool with superlative views of the CBD area.

“With the Naumi in Singapore being a fan-favourite with the Australian market since 2007, we are extremely excited to announce the inception of Naumi Hospitality in Australia, starting with our first hotel in Sydney,” says Mr Gaurang Jhunjhnuwala, Chief Executive Officer for Australia and New Zealand, Naumi Hospitality. “Following our foray into New Zealand with our Auckland property, this continues to affirm our commitment towards the aggressive growth of the Naumi brand into leading markets, especially Australasia.”

The property boasts of a prime central location in the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District. It is just 5 minutes from Railway Square and a stroll to Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the upcoming Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct. It is also an ideal base for both business and leisure travellers to access some of the city’s biggest attraction including Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the historic Rocks district.

According to City of Sydney website, Sydney is one of the world’s most green, global and connected cities. It is also the Australian destination of choice for tourism, education and business with almost 40% of the top 500 Australian corporations headquartered here. With its Sustainable Sydney 2030 program, the city is recognised internationally for its outstanding environmental performance, major cultural events, and a future focused and innovative business centre.