How the Philippines Plans to Boost Visitor Numbers

Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he is aiming to transform the country into a tourism powerhouse in the coming year, unveiling a new tourism slogan “Love the Philippines”. The nation embarked on a five-year plan to boost visitor numbers and experiences across the country. International tourist arrivals so far this year have reached over 2.02 million with expectations they will continue to grow throughout the year. The country is also targeting a resurgence in domestic tourism, with integrated resorts tailoring promotions to capture the same clientele they leveraged during the Covid period.

The Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou in Guangzhou, China, is welcoming children with their Deluxe Room and Premier Suite transformed into a fun jungle, launching MiniMO Jungle Suites and Rooms. Tailored after the MiniMO collection, the rooms have the collection’s panda, lion, owl, monkey and turtle as part of the décor. Even the room keycard is tailor-made. The child-friendly rooms vary between 60 and 120 square meters and feature a bunk bed with a slide, a panda bed and a lion sofa. The themed room and suite also provide an exclusive MiniMO panda bathrobe and slippers as well as a welcome gift.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group said the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Bangkok, located in the central Thonglor district of the Thai capital city, is slated to open in 2026. The property sits in a prime quarter of Bangkok, just a short walk to nearby cafes and roasteries, rooftop bars, shopping centers and the Thong Lo BTS Skytrain Station. The 34-story building that houses Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Bangkok will have 191 suites with level 14 dedicated to leisure spaces including a pool, poolside restaurant and bar, outdoor gardens, fitness center, wet spa and residents’ lounge.

Narai Hospitality Group announced the signing of an agreement to open Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort in Thailand. Once opened the resort is slated to be a new beachfront destination on Phuket’s sunset coast, overlooking the Andaman Sea, surrounded by the landscapes of Sirinat National Park. The resort is expected to open this coming September, following a major refurbishment with the hotel rebranded to the Marriott International brand. Narai Hospitality is investing in upgrades encompassing every aspect of the guest experience. The resort is expected to have 244 rooms and suites ranging from 40 to 110 square meters in size with a balcony or terrace in every room and views of the gardens, pool or sea. The resort anticipates introducing brand-new pool access rooms, private cabana rooms, two-bedroom suites and private pool suites. The resort will also feature an outdoor lagoon pool, children’s fun pool, kids’ club and outdoor activities as well as a mix of dining options.

Kempinski Hotels announced the latest addition to its Southeast Asian portfolio after signing a management deal for a hilltop hideaway in the heart of Bali. The Apurva Kempinski Ubud, Bali, the latest hospitality project from Indonesian real estate developer PT. Panorama Indah Dewata, will be the second Kempinski property in Bali. The resort will be on the south-facing ridge in central Bali. The resort will have 160 rooms and villas cascading down the jungle-covered slopes around an open-sided lobby lounge. Rooms and suites start from 60 square meters while panoramic Cliff Villas have outdoor decks and private pools integrated into the natural surroundings. There are six 200 square meter villas nestled in the forest. Amenities include an infinity pool, rooftop lounge and bar, specialty restaurant, Balinese Spa and the heart of the resort will have a tropical aviary providing sanctuary for a menagerie of exotic birdlife from Indonesia and beyond. The resort is slated to open in 2027.

Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotel of India has expanded internationally with the launch of Regenta Arie Lagoon in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The retreat is situated in Thalahena, a 30-minute drive from the airport and commercial capital of Colombo. The luxurious accommodations cater to diverse preferences, featuring deluxe rooms, family deluxe rooms, premier deluxe rooms with private plunge pools and premier suites. Amenities include the Arie Spa which includes a foot massage lounge, heated room, dry sauna as well as three treatment rooms. There is the Kalapuwa Lounge and Negombo Seafood Restaurant for the F&B selections as well as the Bar-A-Cuda Bar. There are both indoor and outdoor venues for banquet facilities.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers approved a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the minister of investment promotion to lease an islet and land by a reservoir to build a luxury hotel. UAE-based Capital Investment LLC proposed to acquire land adjacent to the Moussakele reservoir and islet on a long-term basis. They are planning an investment of US$25 million to build a hotel. The property is now in the custody of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Fini Group has set its sights on a 3,463 square meter site in Margaret River, a town south of Perth in Western Australia, to build a hybrid hotel, estimated to cost $8.5 million. The proposed accommodation complex on 10-12 Fearn Avenue comprises 37 accommodation units of both hotel rooms and refurbished family villas, a multipurpose function space, bar, hotel dining area and guest amenities. The accommodation units include 32 rooms to be built in a new three-story building and the redevelopment of five rammed earth dwellings already on the site. Applicant Pasta Shooter Pty Ltd has submitted a development application, prepared by Urbis, to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. Four members of the Fini family are owners of Pasta Shooter Pty Ltd. The project is expected to start construction by mid-2024 and completed in late 2025.

Indian Hotels Company signed Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa, its newest addition to the Taj portfolio in Raichak, West Bengal. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 10 hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands across West Bengal including five under development. Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa will have 155 rooms, multiple dining options, lounge bar and library bar and over 70,000 square feet of banqueting space. The resort will feature a gaming zone and an entertainment arcade. Finally there will be the J Wellness Circle Spa.

Fortune Hotels, a member of ITC’s hotel group, announced the opening of Fortune Inn Heritage Walk, its maiden property in the city of Amritsar in India. The hotel features well-appointed rooms and suites, all day diner Zodiak and more.