FAVOURITES: More hotels are offering Chinese comfort food.  ©Richliy

Sixty-six million Chinese will travel overseas this year, a 15 percent increase over last year. By 2020, 100 million Chinese will be global travellers, according to the World Tourism Organization.

China is already the world's third-largest spender on international tourism, after Germany and the United States. Affluent Chinese are heading to foreign countries in record numbers, but are multinational hotels, airlines and luxury retailers are prepared to meet their needs?

"If a hotel can provide Americans with a hamburger in Hanoi, then Chinese should get noodles in Nice," says P.T. Black, senior creative director at Thoughtful China, Shanghai, an online weekly advertising affairs programme.

Some non-Chinese global travel and hospitality brands are responding to this growing demographic. Leveraging off its two decades operating hotels in China, last week Hilton Hotels & Resorts rolled out Hilton Huanying, the new Hilton Worldwide welcome programme for Chinese travellers at 51 participating properties in 13 countries.

Huanying means welcome in Chinese and participating hotels aim to meet the cultural needs and expectations of Chinese guests. Guests can now visit Hilton Huangying to view a list of participating hotels and request special Hilton Huanying amenities and services in advance of their stays. For example, travellers looking for some Chinese-style comforts will find more Chinese food options such as congee and dim sum plus a wider range of teas to enjoy in room.

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Qatar Airways and Brazil's Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes have implemented a new codeshare agreement to connect travellers from Doha (DOH) through São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to 46 cities across Brazil. Qatar's national carrier operates daily non-stop flights between its Doha hub and Brazil's largest city of São Paulo, using its flagship Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Gol has the most extensive route network in Brazil with more than 900 daily departures to dozens of key Brazilian cities, including Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Brasilia (BSB).

Grand Hyatt Hotels Corporation opened a new luxury 314-room resort and spa in Goa. Located on India's west coast, the Grand Hyatt Goa is set in 28 acres of tropical gardens adjacent to Bambolim Bay in North Goa. Located 25 kilometres from Dabolim Airport (GOA), the resort's design was inspired by a 17th century Indo-Portuguese palace and includes modern facilities such an extensive spa and fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and Camp Hyatt facilities for children. The Grand Hyatt Goa has over 3,000 square metres of meetings and event space.

AirAsia will charge customers a fee MYR 10 (USD 3.30) to check in at a staffed counter for flights booked after Sept. 21. Passengers will still be able to check in online or through apps on Blackberry, Android and iPhone devices at no extra charge. AirAsia's low-cost long-haul sister carrier, AirAsia X will also impose the fee. (The fee does not apply for check in at airports in Tokyo (HND), Osaka (KIX), Seoul (INC) and Tehran (IKA). AirAsia said the fee is designed to encourage customers to check in online and to offset rising fuel costs.

The DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Mayur Vihar has opened in India's capital. The hotel is also the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in India. Located just off the DND Flyway and 500 metres from a Delhi Metro station, most major business and commercial areas are within easy reach of the hotel. The Pragati Maidan Exhibition Centre and tourist attractions including the Akshardham Temple, Rajghat, Old Fort and Humayun's Tomb are within a 20-minute drive of the hotel. Hilton plans to open four more DoubleTree properties in India within the year.

Thai Airways International has upgraded its Royal Orchid Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Thai says it made the service improvements in both the first-class and Royal Silk sections of the lounge in response to passengers' requests. Thai has installed 72 new sofas, new Italian coffeemakers and has upgraded its menu. There are also more healthy choices at its salad bar, more Thai dishes and new dessert choices.

Accor has launched a free lodging promotion in the Greater China region. As part of the You Stay, We Pay! promotion, every day a lucky draw will select one guest who will win a full refund of their accommodation costs. All Accor's Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis hotels in Mainland China Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are taking part in the promotion. To enter the lucky draw guests need to book a reservation at a participating property through Oct. 31 for stays during the same period. Visit You Stay, We Pay for details.

Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Penang is offering rooms from MYR 900 per night as part of its Explore George Town promotion. Available through Dec. 23, the offer includes two nights in a deluxe room, daily buffet breakfast for two at Spice Market Cafe and a half-day bicycle tour for two. Established in 1786, George Town is the capital of the state of Penang and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Explore George Town promotion is available Thursday to Sunday for a minimum of two nights.

The Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta's Suite and the City package offers travellers the perfect way to enjoy one of Asia's most fascinating cities from the luxury of a spacious suite. Priced from USD 468 (plus taxes) the package includes buffet breakfast and dinner for two, a couple's massage in the Wellness Suites or in-room, round-trip limousine transfers and special wine and chocolates on arrival. Guests can choose between the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta's Urban and Oriental Suites. The package is available through Dec. 30. Visit Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta for more details.

Through August, Whisk at The Mira hotel in Hong Kong is running a lobster promotion with free Champagne for female customers. Located on the fifth floor of The Mira Whisk specialises in Modern European cuisine with subtle Asian accents. The Lobster L'Amour menu features dishes such lobster salad with cucumber, radish and almond gazpacho, grilled lobster eggplant caviar sauce vierge and lobster ravioli bisque flavored with star anise. Ladies who purchase any main course dinner from Monday to Thursday, can enjoy unlimited Dehours Champagne by the glass. The Lobster L'Amour menu and Whisk's Happy Ladies promotion is available through Aug. 31.

DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree on the island of Phuket, Thailand has launched a Private Retreat Indulgence package. Aimed at couples, each DoublePool Villa is a private haven surrounded by tropical gardens and a lagoon. Each villa has an infinity pool with a crystal jet pool for two. Available through Nov. 28, the Private Retreat Indulgence package starts from USD 3,720 for three consecutive nights in a one-bedroom DoublePool Villa. The package includes complimentary extras valued at USD 2,000. For full details visit Banyan Tree Phuket.