Hyatt has announced plans to launch its first hotel in Uzbekistan. A management agreement signed earlier this month will see the launch of a new Hyatt Regency hotel in Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent. Scheduled to open in January 2015, the Hyatt Regency Tashkent will offer 300 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a ...

Asia Pacific, May 13, 2013

Air Astana has announced the launch of a new service connecting the capitals of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The new route between Astana and Bishkek took off for the first time this week and will now be operated three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) using the Kazakh national carrier’s 97-seat ...

Asia Pacific, April 25, 2013

Air Astana is launching new services to Russia and the Ukraine. From 31 March, Kazakhstan's national carrier will launch flights between Almaty and Kiev, and a day later flights will be launched connecting Astana with the Ukrainian capital. The Almaty service will operate three times a week (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays) ...

Asia Pacific, March 28, 2013

Tourism and cultural authorities from countries along the Silk Road have committed to the creation of 'Heritage Corridors' along the ancient trading route. Following the 3rd Silk Road Ministers' Meeting, held at last week’s ITB travel trade show in Berlin, represented countries agreed to a range of cross-border initiatives aimed at ...

Asia Pacific, March 13, 2013

Air Astana has signed a new partnership with Turkish Airlines that will see the two airlines codeshare on routes between Kazakhstan and Turkey. The deal, which was signed in Istanbul by Air Astana's President, Peter Foster, and Turkish Airlines' President & CEO, Dr Temel Kotil, will enable the two carriers to ...

Asia Pacific, March 7, 2013

Best Western has opened its first hotel in Kazakhstan. Located in the country's largest city, Almaty, the Best Western Plus Atakent Park Hotel is a newly-built upscale hotel featuring 196 rooms, all with free Wi-Fi. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, gym, spa and meeting space for up to 500 people. "This hotel ...

Asia Pacific, February 11, 2013

Air Astana has reported a post-tax profit of US$57.2 million for 2012, 7% down on 2011. The Kazakhstan national carrier's total revenue increased 16% to US$870m, but high fuel prices and a difficult first half of the year hit the carrier's results.  “The full-year proved much better than expected after a difficult ...

Asia Pacific, January 29, 2013

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has said it expects a strong year of openings and new hotel signings in 2013, with emerging markets driving the company's portfolio growth. The US-based hotel company signed a total of 131 new hotel management and franchise agreements in 2012, an increase of 17% over 2011 levels. ...

Asia Pacific, January 10, 2013