Accor to Debut 400 Movenpicks in China

STR reported that China hotel RevPAR for the week ending July 15 was up 40.6% year over year. The results were up against a decline of -18.3% a year ago. When compared to the week in 2019, RevPAR was up 8.3%.

The Philippines has reached its 3 million international visitor arrivals mark as of July 19. The Department of Tourism said that from January 1 to July 19, the Philippines recorded 3,000,079 international visitor arrivals. The country's inbound tourism receipts in the first six months of 2023 rose to P212,467,522,100.14, up 502% from last year. Regarding visitor arrivals, the DOT said 91.36% are foreign tourists, with the remaining 8.64% being overseas Filipinos. South Korea led the foreign arrivals with 24.72%, followed by residents from the US at 18.35%. Far below in third place were Australians at 4.87%. China has not picked up steam as expected, only registering 129,077 visitors or 4.30%, not even in the top 5 yet.

The Macau Statistics and Census Service said total visitor arrivals to Macau were up 480% year over year in June to 2,209,662. That was down slightly, -0.2%, from May. The number of visitors from Mainland China was up 330% to 1,444,933. For the first half of 2023, the number of visitor arrivals totaled 11,645,877.

Accor gave an update on their development progress regarding their strategic alliance with Sunmei Group in China to debut the Movenpick by Accor brand. Sunmei and Accor plan to open more than 400 Movenpick by Accor smart technology hotels, resorts, and extended stay properties across China, representing more than 60,000 guestrooms. In the first 12 months since the partnership was formed, 10 new hotel projects have been signed, and more than 100 project negotiations are underway, with multiple openings in 2023. The partnership brings a master franchise model to the premium segment with advanced technology and an eco-friendly mindset. Hotels have been signed for Nanjing, Qingdao, Huangdao, Kashgar, Ganzhou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Shijiazhuang, Suqian, Xuzhou, Zhangjiagang, and Raoping.

Ennismore is gearing up to introduce the 25-hour Hotel The Oddbird in Jakarta, Indonesia, housed in the aesthetically compelling building, District 8. The hotel will feature public spaces designed for both work and leisure. This will be the first 25-hour hotel in Asia. The Oddbird Jakarta, a 25-hour hotel, is owned by Agung Sedayu Group and will provide accommodations for guests in its 345 guest rooms and serviced residences, catering to both short-term and long-term stays. The hotel will feature several F&B venues, including the COPA restaurant offering South American cuisine and the Monkey Bar, bringing a touch of European bar culture to the rooftop. The property will also include a ballroom, themed meeting and event spaces like a Karaoke lounge, and wellness facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool. Guests will have access to other amenities within the mixed-use development, including direct access to the Ashta Mall. The hotel is located 28km away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Club Med will debut its newest Japan ski resort, Club Med Kiroro Grand, this December. This will give them 20 mountain resorts throughout the Alps, Canada, and Asia. Located in Hokkaido, the new resort is expected to attract families, active couples, and avid skiers. It will feature spring skiing until May, 160 days of winter, and night and off-piste skiing with new trails. Club Med Kiroro Grand has 266 guest rooms. The resort is situated on an unspoiled ski domain with 23 courses for all levels and off-piste ski slopes across Asari and Nagamine mountains. The brand's first traditional Japanese onsen features a wellness lounge with a sauna and a hot stone room. The resort includes Japanese-inspired restaurants, the Club Med Spa, an indoor swimming pool, and all-day entertainment. Club Med Kiroro Grand is a 3-minute gondola ride from its sister resort, Club Med Kiroro Peak, and will be the brand's sole mountain destination in Asia.

Iris Capital has listed the newly developed QT Hotel and East End Retail Precinct for sale. CBRE is managing the sale via an Expression of Interest campaign closing on August 24. Iris Capital has invested over $700 million into the reinvigoration of Newcastle's East End in NSW, Australia, as a mixed-use precinct. The hotel and retail are considered the cornerstone, complemented by high-end residences. On completion, the four stages of the East End development will include over 500 homes. The QT Hotel is housed within the 113-year-old heritage David Jones building and offers 104 guest rooms and suites with dining options, including a rooftop bar with views across the harbor and coast. The hotel opened in June 2022 and is managed by EVT under the QT luxury-lifestyle brand.

ICRA, a rating agency, said premium hotel occupancy in India would reach a decade high 70-72 percent, with average room rates expected to be around Rs 6,000 to Rs 6,200 in FY24. ICRA said consistent improvement in consumer sentiments, stable corporate performance, and the recovery of domestic air passenger traffic above pre-Covid levels bode well for travel and hotel demand. ICRA expects 68-70 percent occupancy in FY23. Even with occupancy expected at a decade high in FY24, ICRA said RevPAR will remain 20-25 percent below the peak of FY2008. Gateway cities like Delhi and Mumbai will likely have an occupancy rate of over 75% in FY24. Bengaluru and Pune may lag behind other key cities. Mid-scale hotels have seen traction across cities and are expected to continue reporting strong average room rates and occupancy in FY24. The positive momentum has resulted in increases in new supply announcements and the commencement of deferred projects in the past 12-15 months. The upcoming premium supply is concentrated in select markets, with Mumbai and Bengaluru accounting for most of the new inventory. Significant supply announcements have also been made for tier-II cities and religious destinations. ICRA expects the hotel supply pipeline to grow at a three-year CAGR of 3.5-4 percent, adding approximately 15,000-16,000 rooms to the pan-India premium inventory of about 95,000 rooms across 12 key cities in India. ICRA expects India's hotel industry revenue growth in FY24 to be 13-15 percent.

Pride Hotels Group announced the signing of the Pride Express Dwarka in the city of Dwarka, Gujarat, in India. The hotel will be nestled at the beachfront and adjacent to Dwarkadhish temple, offering guests sea-facing rooms. Amenities include banquet halls, a coffee shop, an open terrace, a fitness center, a kids' play zone, and more, expected to be operational from October 2023.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced their continued expansion in India, collaborating with I-Thum World to bring Best Western I-Thums Galleria to Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the IT, Automotive, Education, and Electronic Industries hub. The hotel will have 165 rooms and guest facilities such as a multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, multiple meeting and function venues, and recreation facilities.