Eastward bound

• The incredible growth in serviced apartment supply in Asia continues at a frantic pace, with China leading the way – most of the major operators are concentrating heavily on this market, and not just in the major cities, but with tier 2 and 3 locations also booming.

Local, regional and international companies are establishing a presence in the market, with ONYX’s Shama brand and its pair of soon-to-open Shanghai properties a good example of a regional player strengthening its hand. Newly-appointed GM Mariefe Barce has found herself in the thick of the action in what she describes as “this land of opportunity” and we wish her all the best in the role.

The growing popularity of serviced apartments in China also has a positive effect in other markets, as Kate Xiong-Britton explained when we met at the Serviced Apartment Summit Europe in London earlier this month. She says that many Chinese visitors to the UK and other European countries feel more at home in a serviced apartment than a hotel. Click here to find out why.

We’re delighted that we will be launching the Serviced Apartment Summit Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, in February next year. Watch this space for more details of this exciting new event.