Luxury Singapore hotel group Banyan Tree will open its first Indian hotel in the southern state of Kerala. It is set to open by the first quarter of 2013.

Singapore-based luxury resort chain Banyan Tree will develop its first luxury residential property in China, reported the South China Morning Post Wednesday.

Banyan Tree will launch the project in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, where the residential property is located in a suburb 45 minutes away from the city.

The spa at the Banyan Tree Hotel features as the most popular hotel spa on the web in China, followed by the spa at the Shangri-la and the Intercontinental spa, according to a survey carried out between January and March this year.

The new Banyan Tree Macau has opened within the US$2 billion Galaxy Macau resort complex, providing a luxurious retreat for gamers.

The all-suite resort offers such extras as a relaxation pool in every room and the brand’s signature villas situated beside the resort’s unique rooftop wave pool.

As more and more tourists head to China, major tourism operators are looking for new and improved methods to grab their share of the market.

International hotel chain InterContinental has chosen Phuket, Thailand to launch as the first resort destination for its Hotel Indigo chain.

Hotel Indigo, a ’boutique’ style brand which aims for individuality with its properties, operates 38 hotels around the world, with the majority in big cities.

The February 24 announcement of its entry into Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular destinations for foreign tourists, is a clear sign that it believes it can appeal to all vacationers, not just those on a city break.

Global hotel chain Banyan Tree is preparing to open its new beach resort in Koh Samui, which is a location known for it’s golden beaches and beautiful sceneries.

This will mark the third destination for Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts in Thailand since its flagship resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, opened in 1994.

Scheduled to open on July 15, Banyan Tree Samui is located on a tropical island rising from the shimmering Gulf of Thailand.