Asia-Pacific Expected to Hit Two-Thirds of Pre-Pandemic Airline Traffic by EOY

STR reported Melbourne, Australia’s hotel performance reached a pandemic era high, according to preliminary October 2022 data from STR. Occupancy for the month was 69.9%, ADR was A$232.07 and RevPAR was A$162.21. The market’s ADR level was the highest for any month on record while occupancy and RevPAR were the highest since February 2020 and November 2019 respectively. Occupancy is still 17.5% below the pre-pandemic comp.

JP Morgan issued a report projecting that airline travel in the Asia-Pacific region will hit two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. Thailand is poised to meet its 2022 foreign arrivals target of 10 million tourists, already seeing 7.56 million visitors as of October. At the Asean Summit in Cambodia recently, the commentary was that the Southeast Asian region is looking to attract 152 million tourists by 2025 and 187 million tourists by 2030. Pre-pandemic the region was expecting 123 million foreign visitors each year before the breakout. 

Indies Capital Partners announced the acquisition of a 60% stake in PT Swiss-Belhotel International Indonesia and PT Zest Hotels International Indonesia from Ciputra Group Indonesia. Swiss-Belhotel International Holdings Limited, based in Hong Kong, will continue as the 40% shareholder of the companies. The companies will continue to be part of the Swiss-Belhotel International Group and all the hotels and projects under the management of the Companies will continue to be part of the global management and operation of the Swiss-Belhotel International Group. This is a follow up to an investment Indies Capital previously made in Artotel Group, a leading boutique hospitality and lifestyle group in Indonesia. Swiss-Belhotel is expected to continue to operate independently and will also be part of the Indies hospitality platform. Swiss-Belhotel International is a global group in 16 countries with over 125 properties. Outside of Indonesia, Swiss-Belhotel International Group is owned 100% by its two original shareholders Gavin Faull and James K.C. Tam.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has completed an 18 month long renovation and expansion that has transformed the property. A total of 127 additional rooms and villas have been built: 76 Deluxe Lagoon Pool View Rooms, 28 Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access Rooms, 20 Family Pool Access Studios, two One Bedroom Villas and the Two Bedroom Villa, considered the ultimate escape. The total number of rooms, suites and villas is now 420, including 178 with direct access to a private pool or the resort’s 2.4 kilometer lagoon pool waterway, the longest in Southeast Asia. The standalone villas are located on Khuk Khak Beach, overlooking the Andaman Sea. The two bedroom villa spans 213 square meters and features two separate infinity pools. The new accommodations are complemented by new facilities. The secluded pool views and access rooms are around an adults only swim up bar and numerous serene spaces around the resort. There is an Aqua Play Zone, a wave pool, water slide and outdoor playground, Sala Restaurant and Bar, part of what will now be 11 restaurants and bars at the resort. A brand new 758 square meter ballroom is part of the expansion. JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is now completement by JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, an exclusive collection of 52 stylish two-bedroom suites that range from 89 to 111 square meters, ideal for families. Pool access suites are on the ground floor, allowing guests to step straight into the 2.4 km-long lagoon swimming pool.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Bao Quan Investment & Construction Joint Stock Company have officially opened Crowne Plaza Vinh Yen City Centre, the first premium international hotel in Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc province in Vietnam. This is the first and only five star hotel under an international brand in Vinh Yen City, a 45 minute drive from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The hotel offers 170 rooms and suites ranging from 43 to 164 square meters. Access to the Executive Lounge on the twenty-second floor is a privilege for some guests while the lobby level includes the Plaza Workspace areas. The hotel also offers the largest pillarless ballroom in the city at 900 square meters. The hotel offers two restaurants and bar, a fitness center and yoga studio and outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool.

Indian Hotels – GIC Platform, formed in 2019 to acquire stressed hospitality assets, has yet to find one. IHCL said once the ECLGS scheme ends, there could be opportunities. IHCL and GIC set up a Rs 4,000 crore investment platform in May 2019 with the aim of acquiring fully operational hotels in the luxury and upscale segments in India. The equity contribution from IHCL was set to be at 30% with the balance contributed by GIC. Investment plans stalled during the pandemic. The JV was extended to five years from three due to the slow start.

STR said Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s hotel industry showed improved performance in the preliminary October data. Occupancy was 72.3%, ADR was SAR771.24 and RevPAR was SAR557.28. STR said the market’s ADR and RevPAR levels surpassed the pre-pandemic comparable, while occupancy remained slightly below October 2019, by -4%. Occupancy and ADR were the highest for any month since March 2022 while RevPAR was the highest since May 2011.

Minor Hotels announced the Middle East region will see three NH Collection properties launching in 2023 with two in Dubai and one in Doha. NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel will open in early 2023. The new hotel comprises 299 guest rooms and suites with views of the Arabian Sea and city skyline, a large pool, fitness center, kids club, NH Collection Spa, rooftop lounge and one of Doha’s largest ballrooms. NH Collection Dubai The Palm will launch in February in the UAE. The 14 story hotel will feature 227 hotel guest rooms and 306 suites, five dining outlets including a roof top venue and a sports bar, a rooftop pool, NH The Spa, five meeting rooms and more. The 265 key NH Collection La Suite Hotel Dubai will offer a wide range of accommodation options including guest rooms, suites and one, two and three bedroom apartments, all day dining outlet, lobby lounge, meeting spaces, a gym and recreational spaces. The property will be operated by Minor Hotels from Q1 next year and will undergo an extensive renovation before being launched with the NH Collection flag later in 2023.

Reuters reported that fans have booked accommodation in more than 90,000 rooms, tents, apartments, villas and portacabins on each of the peak days of the World Cup in Qatar. Organizers said at least 25,000 rooms are still available. Qatar is expecting 1.2 million visitors during the month long tournament with the peak number expected between November 24 and 28, during the busy group stage. On average, fans are expected to spend seven nights in Qatar. They only have 31,000 hotel rooms so organizers identified a total of 130,000 rooms in alternative accommodation, converting all available real estate stock into temporary housing. Accor is managing most of the apartments and villas. Three cruise ships will dock at Doha’s port to provide more than 5,000 rooms. Some fans will stay in 1,000 modern tents on a man-made island north of Doha.