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Radisson’s Strategic Expansion in South-East Asia

December 12th, 2023 at 7:30 AM EST

Skift Take

  • Macau expects 28 million visitors in 2023, nearing 74% of 2019 levels, with predictions for further growth in 2024.
  • New hotel developments and renovations across Asia, including the Courtyard by Marriott in Kyoto, Japan, and the Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel in Thailand.
  • Radisson expands in South-east Asia, targeting markets like Sri Lanka and the Philippines, while Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Lemon Tree Hotels in Karnataka, India, announce new properties.

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Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, said the government is expecting the total number of visitor arrivals to the SAR this year to hit 28 million. In the first 11 months of the year they are already at 25 million. That would get Macau to 74% of the record 2019 levels. Davis Fong, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and a professor at the University of Macau, predicted Macau could get to 80% of 2019 levels in 2024, or 32 million. The upper range he is expecting is 90% or 36 million.

JR Tokai has decided the hotel it plans to construct near Kyoto Station in Kyoto City in Japan will be named Courtyard by Marriott. Demolition of the existing building has already begin and the new hotel is planned to open by the end of FY2026. This is the seventh hotel for the JR Tokai Group and the first to be built in the Kansai region. The construction site is a three minute walk from the Hachijo East Exit of Kyoto Station.

The newly renovated Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel, formerly Le Meridien Chiang Mai, has emerged as a landmark of luxury in Thailand. Strategically located in Chiang Mai’s vibrant district, the hotel is said to combine the allure of Northern Thailand’s culture with modern sophistication, catering to both leisure and business travelers. The renovation included 383 rooms and suites. F&B options include The Ping Cuisine and Bar and Favola Restaurant. Other amenities include the Quan Spa, event space, fitness center, resort-style swimming pool, and dedicated children’s area.

Centara Ayutthaya, a new luxury hotel by Central Pattana and Centara Hotels & Resorts, opened in Thailand’s historic Ayutthaya. Central Pattana, in collaboration with Centara Hotels & Resorts, welcomed the new property on December 8th. The hotel is located in the historic heart of Thailand’s former capital, Ayutthaya, an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The hotel features 224 rooms and suites, diverse dining options, a rooftop pool bar, fitness center and MICE facilities.

Artyzen Singapore held its grand opening this past Sunday. The hotel soft opened more than two weeks ago. Artyzen Singapore is a 142 room vertical green oasis on Cuscaden Road, just off Orchard and is the new flagship property of the premium lifestyle hotel brand Artyzen Hotels & Resorts as well as their first hotel to open outside of China. On Level 4 of the hotel is a new fine dining restaurant co-created by Victor Liong, a celebrated Melbourne chef. The top floor of the hotel includes The Roof Garden with a sunken lounge and a 25 meter cantilevered infinity pool with a partially transparent base.

Radisson is getting aggressive in South-east Asia, being flexible with its hotel operating models. In Asia Pacific, excluding China, the chain has made its biggest impact this year in India where it signed the most number of hotels. They have to work harder in South-east Asia where chains such as Marriott, Accor, and IHG are bigger and have been in the market longer. The flexible approach seems to be working. Radisson struck a deal with La Vie Hotels & Resorts in May to bring more than 30 hotels under five Radisson brands over the next 10 years. Key markets include Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Fiji and Vanuatu. The first three hotels have already materialized in Sri Lanka, marking Radisson’s entry there. TTG Asia said the agreement marks acceptance by global hotel chains and Asian owners of the third party or white label management operator model, common in the US and Europe but relatively new to the East. They also are working with owner-operators, such as in the Philippines where they signed a master development agreement with SM Hotels & Convention Corp in April for 20 hotels across the country by 2028. Latest signings under the deal are a Radisson Red Cebu Mandaue, opening in 2024, and Fridays Boracay, a Radisson Collection resort. Radisson currently has around 60 hotels in operation and development in South-east Asia and the Pacific.

Sun Siyam Pasikudah unveiled its transformed five star retreat on the East Coast recently. The resort is a member of the boutique collection under Sun Siyam Resorts. Originally launched in 2014 as Sun Aqua Pasikudah, the property underwent a rebranding in 2020, becomes part of the Sun Siyam Resorts collection and adopting the name Sun Siyam Pasikudah. The five star boutique retreat is located on the unspoiled eastern coastline of Sri Lanka. It has 34 spacious and contemporary one to two bedroom, garden or beach pavilions, with or without pools.

Lemon Tree Hotels announced its latest signing, Lemon Tree Hotel, Kundapura, Karnataka. The property is expected to open by FY27 and shall be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned unit and management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. The hotel will feature 80 rooms along with restaurants, meeting room, swimming pool, fitness center and other public areas. The hotel is 90 kilometers away from the Mangalore International Airport.

Fortune Hotels, a member of the ITC Hotel group, announced the signing of its latest operating agreements for two Fortune Park brownfield projects in Kochi, one each in Athani and Kakkanad. The two hotels, scheduled to open in 2025, mark Fortune Hotels’ entry into Kerala. The Athani hotel is expected to debut by March 2025, offering 72 stylish rooms and suites. The hotel will be situated just a 10 minute drive from the Cochin International Airport and is set to be the first branded hotel in the area in its segment. The Kakkanad project, a business hotel, is scheduled for a late 2025 launch and will encompass 67 rooms. The hotel will be located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala.

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