The National Travel and Tourism Office said Chinese travelers spent nearly RMB 2.3 trillion on travel to and tourism-related activities within China in the first half of the year, up 95.9% year over year. Urban residents spent RMB1.98 trillion (US$276 billion) on travel, up 108.9% year on year while travelers from rural areas spent RMB 320 billion (US$447 million) on travel, up 41.5% from last year. The official statistical data show China recorded 2.384 billion domestic tourists in the first six month of the year, up 63.9%. China Tourism Research Institute predicts that 1H23 would have 90 million inbound and outbound tourist arrivals, recovering to 31.5% of the pre-Covid levels. Limited airline capacity and the loss of staff during the pandemic is slowing the recovery but the agency expects to see a big increase in 2H23 onwards.
STR’s preliminary June 2023 report said Jakarta, Indonesia’s hotel industry recorded its highest average daily rate and RevPAR levels since October 2018. STR said in June 2023, occupancy was 66.7%, up 1.2% year over year, while ADR was IDR 996,926.80, up 19.4% resulting in RevPAR of IDR 664,759.69, up 20.8%. The market’s occupancy level was the highest for any month since December 2022. STR said the highest occupancy (82.2%) and RevPAR (IDR 820,272.66) levels were recorded on June 22.
A tax equivalent of US$10 per foreign holidaymaker will be required in Bali from 2024. The tax must be paid electronically and will apply to foreign tourists arriving from overseas and other parts of Indonesia. Local Indonesian tourists will be exempt. The proceeds of the tax will be used for the environment, culture and to build better infrastructure.
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced they opened Holiday Inn Lucknow Airport in Lucknow in India. The new build hotel is located along the Kanpur – Lucknow highway, minutes from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Lucknow’s largest shopping centers – Phoenix Palassio and Lulu Mall, are a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The property features 192 rooms and suites with views of the cityscape as well as the pool. The hotel includes an Executive Suite at 1,044 square feet with a terrace attached for hosting private parties. The hotel also includes a concierge service, 13,000 square feet of meeting and events space with over 32,000 square feet of lawn for all social and corporate event needs. A gym and outdoor pool, an array of F&B outlets including an open-air rooftop restaurant round out the amenities.
Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, is making its Nepal debut with the opening of Dusit Princess Kathmandu and Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel. Dusit Princes Kathmandu opened on July 17 while the Himalayan property will open on July 24. Dusit Princess Kathmandu is located in the heart of the capital’s Lazimpat neighborhood and has 107 guest rooms ranging from 28 to 62 square meters along with a Presidential Suite set over 159 square meters. The new property includes a specialty Thai restaurant, Dusit Gourmet outlet and rooftop Kibu Sky Lounge and Blue bar boasting the city’s highest infinity pool. Dusit Princess Kathmandu will also soon open its Crest spa. A steam room, sauna, and fully equipped Crest Club with a gym are also available to guests along with versatile meeting spaces including a rooftop venue. Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel will open in the Himalayan foothills between the Mahabharat range and Alpine highland ridge. The new property is the first luxury branded resort in Dhulikhel. There are 54 guest rooms and suites ranging from 47 sqm to 57 sqm and 18 exclusive villas ranging from 124 sqm to 247 sqm. The heart of the property is the exclusive Devarana Wellness featuring a traditional Thai healing spa, fitness and movement center, outdoor infinity pool and Jacuzzi. The resort is a sanctuary for over 80 rare and exotic species of birds. Dining options include a farm-to-table concept and a poolside bar. A grand ballroom and smaller meeting rooms are available for special business and social events. Dusit’s debut in Nepal expands the company’s global portfolio to 54 properties operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and over 240 luxury villas under Elite Havens, across 19 countries. There are more than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts in the pipeline worldwide.
Latest data from Airbnb shows Airbnb is seeing a strong rebound in both international and domestic guest arrivals across Thailand. Domestic nights booked on Airbnb in 2022 were up 35% from pre-pandemic 2019. Thailand has emerged as a top destination for Chinese travelers with Airbnb saying searches on their platform puts Thailand at number 1 this summer by Airbnb guests from China. The number of Chinese guests on Airbnb searching for early summer outbound stays, between July 1 and July 15, were up nearly sixfold compared to last year. About half the searches for summer travel were for medium to long term stays, spanning 7 days or longer. Airbnb said Chinese travelers are also looking to visit a wider variety of destinations including Malaysia and the Philippines, both of which recorded more than 10x increases in guest searches on the platform, year on year.
Accor’s Novotel brand reported the opening of a city hotel in Rayong, Thailand. Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre includes 234 rooms inspired by nature. The hotel offers two dining options for guests and a pillarless conference and event venue that can accommodate up to 1,200 guests with a dynamic layout suitable for a range of corporate and social events. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness center, Kids Club and outdoor playground.
Langham Hospitality Group announced the signing of an agreement to manage a Ying’nFlo in Admiralty, Hong Kong. The new property is scheduled to open in September 2023 and follows the successful debut of the first Ying’nFlo concept which launched in the district of Wanchai, Hong Kong in October 2022. The upper midscale brand is described as being aimed at capturing the bold, optimistic spirit of Millennials, GenZ’ers and the young at heart worldwide. The hotel has 251 well-appointed rooms, located in the district of Admiralty, just a two-minute walk from Pacific Place and 15 minute walk from the Hong Kong Convention Centre. A renovation plan will include a soft upgrade of all the guest rooms as well as the installation of the House of Ying’nFlo, located over three stories. The design evolves away from a functional arrival lobby into a warm bustling lifestyle hub. The brand’s lifestyle café restaurant will be introduced in 1Q24. New meeting spaces in the House of Ying’nFlo will also be created along with an upgraded gymnasium and the brand’s signature guest laundry room.
Summit Ascent Holdings has completed the acquisition of a parcel of land in Okinawa, Japan from parent company LET Group Holdings. The transaction was completed on July 14. Summit Ascent plans to develop a luxury hotel with seaside cabins on the 108,799 square meters of undeveloped land in Nishihara, Okinawa prefecture. The hotel will provide a strong potential synergy with Japan’s plans to develop integrated casino resorts with related cross-selling opportunities. The land was first purchased by Summit parent company LET Group, then known as Suncity Group, as part of the company’s efforts to pursue an IR license in Wakayama. Suncity withdrew from the IR bidding in Japan in 2021.
