Poll Reveals Japan Interest Among U.S. Travelers

STR said their Forward Star data shows Adelaide hosting the Australian Football League’s Gather Round and LIV Golf in April 2023 has resulted in a boost in the market’s hotel occupancy on the books. The AFL Gather Round will be April 13-16 while LIV Golf will be April 21-23. As of December 5, Adelaide’s occupancy on the books is 23% for the month of April, a positive considering the lead time is about four months. As of December 5, Adelaide’s highest occupancy on the books is during Gather Round on April 14-15 at 40% and 43% respectively. The next highest levels are seen during LIV Golf on April 21 and 22 at 37% and 39% respectively.

Destination Analysts conducted a poll to find out how interested American travelers are in visiting Japan in the next year. DA said that 35.7% of Americans surveyed are aware that Japan is now open for travel with Asian Americans at 57% and 41.3% of those living in Western US. Just over one-third (36.6%) of US travelers find Japan appealing or extremely appealing with Asian-Americans at 63.1%. Just over 25% of American travelers are interested or extremely interested in visiting Japan in the next year with Asian Americans at 55.1%. June and May were the months with the best response for a trip to Japan, at 29.4% and 21.6% respectively. Tokyo is at the top of the list of preferred destinations at 78.5%, followed by Osaka and Kyoto at a distant 34.6% and 31% respectively.

BWH Hotels Group said they are continually expanding with six new signings of properties in Pakistan and Vietnam. Four of those are for Pakistan and two for Vietnam. Five properties have also just opened in Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. In Pakistan, Best Western plans to debut in the coming years with hotels in Swat, Abad Hunza, Rawaplindi and Malam Jabba. December 2025 will bring the 80-room Best Western Premier Hotel Kalam Heights Swat and 50-room Best Western Premier Hotel Karim Abad Hunza. In December 206, the 113-room Best Western Plus Hotel Lake Junction Rawalpindi and 50-room Best Western Premier Hotel Malam Jabba are expected to open. In Vietnam, BWH plans to debut in the coastal city of Venezia Beach and Ho Chi Minh City. Best Western signed a strategic partnership in Venezia Beach for two beach apartment buildings. The two Hometel beach apartment buildings will be the Best Western Premier Residence Venezia Binh Chau that will feature a total of 872 apartment-style units across two buildings and 260 villas. In Ho Chi Minh City, BWH signed to provide consultancy services for the Sunshine Diamond River development, Best Western’s first property in the city. The 3,125 keys will include a mix of smart residences, penthouses and sky villas. This follows five hotels opening in Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand. The Best Western Premier Sonasea Villas Phu Quoc opened in October in Vietnam while two hotels were opened in the Philippines – SureStay Studio by Best Western Clarkview and Best Western Plus Metro Clark. In Thailand, BWH is about to open the Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin.

In India, Royal Orchid Hotels Limited reported the expansion of their projects in Dharamshala with a new property. The new Regenta Resort Exotica Dharamshala on Hilltop is the result of a refurbishment of the existing Regenta Exotica. The hotel has 25 rooms and suites with each room promising a sunrise view.

Eden Beruwala, formerly known as The Eden Resort & Spa, owned and operated by Browns Hotels & Resorts in Beruwala, Sri Lanka, reopened after a major reinvestment of Rs. 1.5 billion earlier this year. The reopening this month is yet another of Browns Hotels & Resorts properties that have recently underwent extensive renovations. The Eden Beruwala features 158 rooms, equipped with various luxe amenities.

All six of the existing Concession and sub-Concession holders in Macau were awarded new 10-year concessions to continue operating their casino resorts in Macau. While the tax rate only increased a small amount, expected to be around 40% of the gross gambling revenue, from 39%, the six companies are expected to invest around US$14.9 billion in the next 10 years. A total of at least $13.6 billion must be invested in non-gaming projects. The proposals that were made public from the companies suggested they expect to invest more than what is required of them.

Dubai-based developer Deyaar will build real estate projects worth AED 300 million in Al Furjan, which will include a total of 400 hotel apartments and homes. The first project will be Amelia Residences, which will include one- to three-bedroom properties, while the two remaining projects will be announced in 2023.

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah is welcoming guests. This is Marriott’s first resort in the UAE, a sprawling beachside haven geared towards leisure travelers. The family-friendly property is set on Palm West Beach and is spread over 7,000 square meters and has more than 600 guest rooms with every room and suite with at least one private balcony and views over the Arabian Gulf. While this is the first-ever Marriott resort in the UAE, it is Marriott’s fiftieth property in Dubai. Guests can choose from five restaurants and bars, now open in soft launch, with another five opening next year. Those guests staying in club rooms will have access to Marriott’s M Club, a 24 hour lounge serving complimentary drinks and snacks, afternoon tea and breakfast for guests who prefer a more intimate dining experience. The property also has meeting rooms. The Saray Spa is still in development with the Middle Eastern-inspired spa expected to open next year. There is a 24-hour fitness suite and more.

Personnel Move

La Vie Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Shankar Sreekumar as head of South and South East Asia. He will be based at La Vie’s regional office in Bangkok, Thailand. Shankar previously held numerous operations-focused roles in his near two decades of experience including that of vice president for Onyx Hospitality Group. He also was director, center of excellence, new hotels for IHG, AMEA.