ForwardKeys latest air ticketing data shows in the first three quarters of this year, Asia Pacific destinations show a travel recovery over 50% of their pre-pandemic international arrival volumes, down -45% from 2019. On the book ticket for arrivals during the fourth quarter are showing improvement, tracking at -25% below the same time in 2019. While the Asia Pacific region is recovering the fastest, the Middle East is already on track to exceed 2019 levels during the fourth quarter and the Americas are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels. The Americas are leading the way in terms of outbound travel recovery thanks to the strength of the US dollar and a significant increase in flight capacity. South Asia is showing a strong recovery with the number of visitors to India expected to surpass 2019 levels by 6%. In Oceania, Fiji is making notable progress towards recovery, despite accounting for only 8% of the total arrivals in the region. Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea are said to be showing promising signs of recovery in Northeast Asia.
Marriott International announced the opening of three premium brand hotels in Vietnam’s leisure destinations: Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island, Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, Non Nuoc Beach Villas, and Renaissance Hoi An Resort & Spa. Vinpearl owns the newly opened hotels. Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island comprises 403 rooms and suites plus 426 two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas. Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, Non Nuoc Beach Villas is Marriott’s first all-villa resort in Vietnam offering a collection of two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas, each with private plunge pools and sun decks. Renaissance Hoi A Resort & Spa is a 218 key property that blends the style of a beachfront resort with the bold, theatrical elements of a Renaissance hotel. These three new properties take Marriott’s total nationwide portfolio in Vietnam to 19 hotels and resorts comprising eight of their brands.
S Hotels and Resorts PCL announced a major US$27 million renovation of its resorts in Thailand and Fiji, including an investment of more than US$14.2 million to reimagine the design, facilities, and guest experiences at its three SAii Resorts in Thailand – Saii Phi Phi Island Village, SAii Laguna Phuket, and SAii Koh Samui Choengmon. They will also spend US$12.5 million upgrading Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort. The renovations will begin this year and run until 2025 and include guestrooms and suites, lobby areas, restaurants, spas, swimming pools, and more. The renovations of the guest rooms will take place during the low season to not impact the resort experience. The newly renovated premium rooms at SAii Laguna Phuket and villas at SAii Phi Phi Island Village will be bookable now for stays from December 2023 onwards.
Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Palchan Hotel & Spa, a member of Radisson Individual Retreats in Manali. The hotel is nestled amidst the majestic Himalayan range, located on the Rohtang Highway, around 1.5 hours away from Kullu-Manali Airport in Bhuntar.
Radisson Hotel Group envisions their next phase of growth to be driven by key hotel openings in India’s leading leisure destinations. They are one of the country’s largest international hotel operators with over 165 hotels in operation and development. They continue to be the largest hotel operator in tier-1 markets like Delhi NCR and more than 50% of its portfolio is in tier 2 and 3 markets.
Sarovar Hotels & Resorts announced an agreement with Delite Aravali View to open a 74-room hotel in Faridabad, Haryana. Delite Sarovar Portico will be the first Portico-branded hotel in Faridabad when it opens next year.
Lords Hotels & Resorts said they are making significant progress with its 2023 expansion strategy, recently signing a deal in Dehradun in India. The hotel will offer 29 rooms and suites along with amenities including a rooftop sky lounge and bar. The hotel will include three banquet halls designed to accommodate conferences and weddings. The hotel is situated 5 kilometers from the Dehradun Railway Station. This is Lords Hotels first hotel in Dehradun.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and Preferred Hotels & Resorts are celebrating 15 years of partnership by expanding that to include The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel, The Leela Ashtamudi, a Raviz Hotel, and The Leela Gandhinagar. Those hotels will join the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The two companies also announced the further strengthening of their partnership with two Leela marquee palaces joining Beyond Green, Preferred Hotels’ global portfolio of the most sustainable hotels around the world. Those two will be The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Bengaluru. Beyond Green is a global portfolio that represents sustainability leadership based upon action and impact.
Just before the conclusion of its current session, Thailand’s House of Representatives voted to form a new 60-member committee that will study the issue of casino gaming in the Southeast Asian country. The new parliamentary group is broad in scope and will examine avenues for boosting Thailand’s economy, including the possibility of entertainment and regulated gaming venues, as well as cracking down on illicit casinos. The committee has 90 days to complete the task.
South Melbourne, Australia’s recently developed City Edge Apartment Hotel has been listed for sale. The five-story hotel has a 10-year lease to City Edge. The building comprises 125 square meters of retail space on the ground floor, 69 apartments, a hotel reception, administrative offices, a conference room, a gym, and basement parking. The 69 serviced apartments are configured into 57 studio apartments and 12 one-bedroom apartments, eight of which interconnect with a studio apartment to make a two-bedroom apartment. CBRE and Stonebridge are managing the sale via an Expression of Interest campaign which closes on November 30, 2023.
Personnel Move
ITC Hotels announced the promotion of Zubin Songadwala to the position of Vice President, Operations for the South and East regions of ITC Hotels. One of his responsibilities will be directing the launch of ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo, which marks ITC Hotels’ first foray into the global hospitality space.
