Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1016108
www.travelweekly-asia.com | 23 GLOBAL WRAP with UAE-based developer Nakheel for a 601-room beachfront resort at Dubai's Deira Islands. The new property, Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai, is Centara's first in the UAE. The family-centric resort will feature a waterpark, multiple restaurants including indoor, alfresco and rooftop options, kids' clubs, spa and diverse family entertainment options. Sea view and city-facing rooms will have a strong emphasis on family accommodation. LONELY PLANET'S BEST IN ASIA 2018 Global travel authority Lonely Planet has revealed its 2018 Best in Asia list. Busan in South Korea was named the number one destination to visit in 2018. The third Best in Asia list has Uzbekistan in second place; and Ho Chi Minh City in third spot. Accor selling up in Australia. and traditional Indonesian phinisi sailboats. The Komodo National Park is home to the world-renowned Komodo dragons. ASCOTT ADDS ROOMS IN THE PHILIPPINES Ascott Limited has boosted its presence in the Philippines by entering a strategic alliance with real estate developers, Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), to manage 1,600 units by 2022. Under the alliance, both parties will seek properties for CLI to develop into serviced residences to be managed by Ascott. Ascott and CLI have signed management contracts for their first four properties offering more than 800 units in the prime business districts of Bacolod, Cebu City and Davao City. Citadines Bacolod City, Citadines Cebu City, Citadines Paragon Davao, and lyf Cebu City will open from 2019 to 2021. Citadines Bacolod. Busan — the place to be in 2018. ACCOR HOTELS DOWN UNDER ON THE BLOCK Accor is selling a portfolio of 23 Australian hotels, its entire local real estate holdings, for more than A$300 million (US$233 million). Fifteen of the hotels - all Ibis- branded hotels - were acquired in December 2016 from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Accor is now the leading hotel operator in Australia after buying its biggest rival, Mantra Group for A$1.2 billion (US$891 million) earlier this year. CENTARA LANDS ON THE BEACH IN DUBAI Thailand's Centara Hotels & Resorts will enter the United Arab Emirates in 2020 after inking a joint venture