HVS, the world's leading hospitality consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of its annual publication – Indonesia Hotel Watch (IHW) 2015. The 3rd edition of IHW 2015 will be officially launched at the Tourism, Hotel Investment & Networking Conference (THINC) Indonesia, where all industry stakeholders will once again come together to explore growth and investment opportunities in the region. Hosted by HVS and co-hosted by Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia and Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the conference is scheduled to be held on September 2 and 3, 2015 at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.Presenting comprehensive and up-to-date hotel and tourism information such as tourist arrivals, hotel performance trends, as well as existing and future hotel supply information, this publication seeks to provide stakeholders with insights into various markets in Indonesia. Specific markets covered in IHW 2015 are Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Bali, Bintan, Bogor, Lombok, Medan and Yogyakarta.Through the release of IHW 2015, HVS aims to serve as the guide to tourism and hotel investment in the world's largest archipelago and subsequently, together with various industry players, contribute further to the progress and development of Indonesia's tourism industry.Highlights of the IHW 2015 include:• Indonesia's GDP has witnessed a deceleration in growth, from 6% in 2012 to 5.6% in 2013 and to 5% in 2014. Moreover, the rupiah declined in value against the US dollar to IDR11,865 in 2014, down from IDR10,461 the previous year. The national currency is expected to decrease even further by the end of this year.• Tourism still runs strong as Indonesia welcomed 9.4 million international travellers in 2014, which translates to a growth of 7.2% over 2013. • Indonesia's fast growing middle class population is also driving the increasing demand for hotels, mainly in the mid-scale and upscale sectors.• Soekarno-Hatta and Juanda airports are undergoing expansion under the government's Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development 2011-2025 (MP3EI) to accommodate more flights by low cost carriers and to facilitate greater accessibility. Additionally, 103 existing airports will undergo renovation over the next few years with 29 being outfitted to handle international arrivals. • Lombok has been gaining popularity since the opening of its airport in 2011. • Furthermore, areas such as Yogyakarta, Papua and Kalimantan have witnessed growth in new hotel openings in the last 5 years. The government has begun to realise that there is greater need to diversify investments into these regions.IHW 2015 concludes that Indonesia's tourism sector continues to hold great potential in both the travel industry as well as the tourism services industry, supported by creation of global awareness about Indonesia's numerous tourism destinations and ongoing improvements in tourism infrastructure. Commenting on the report, Manav Thadani, MRICS, Chairman - HVS Asia Pacific, said, "We would like to extend our gratitude to all hoteliers, investors and other industry stakeholders who have both supported the IHW over the years and participated in the market studies which have made IHW 2015 possible. Through this edition, we aim to provide unbiased market intelligence on the dynamics that influence each major hotel market in Indonesia."On the THINC Indonesia 2015 conference, he further added, "The 2015 event will continue to provide accurate and relevant content through a captivating line-up of seminars and panels by industry leaders. Speaking at the conference this year are prominent industry stalwarts, including Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO - APAC, Accor; Peter Henley, President and CEO, Onyx Hospitality; Robert Warman, Chief Executive Officer, Langham Hotel Group; and Thorsten Kirschke, President - APAC, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, among others. Offering all delegates and participants, immense opportunities to network, learn, and share knowledge and best practices with their regional and international counterparts, THINC Indonesia is widely acknowledged as breaking the stereotype, owing to its exotic island location and a relaxed ambience. We sincerely thank our sponsors, speakers and delegates, as well as the Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia and the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) for their continued patronage."