Minor International said they expect foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand to exceed 34 million, ahead of the government’s forecast. Minor is expecting a bigger increase in Chinese arrivals, boosting the results past the government’s 33.5 million foreign arrivals target. The government is forecasting 8 million Chinese arrivals in 2024, up from 3.5 million in 2023. Last year Thailand registered 28 million foreign visitors who spent 1.2 trillion baht. In 2019 there were 39.9 million foreign arrivals generating 1.9 trillion baht.
Macau registered 2.94 million visitors in December, up 13.9% from November. 1,962,223 of them came from Mainland China. For all of 2023, Macau was 28.21 million visitors. For 2024, the Macao Government Tourism Office is expecting 33 million visitors.
Choice Hotels Asia Pacific said they are expanding their presence in Australia with the acquisition of the City Edge Apartment Hotels franchise. The new additions double Choice Hotels Asia-Pac’s portfolio in the inner city Melbourne market, adding 271 apartment-style rooms across five prime locations near key business hubs – South Melbourne, North Melbourne, Melbourne CBD, East Melbourne, and Box Hill. The acquisition includes CityEdge’s active franchise agreements, the brand, and associated IP and is the result of a strategy to drive growth in the region. The deal was brokered by ResortBrokers on behalf of owners Peter and Irena Cushen.
ITC Hotel Group is gearing up to launch its first international luxury hotel. ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo, Sri Lanka, will feature about 352 rooms. The India-based company is reported to have invested about Rs 3,000 crore in the Sri Lankan luxury property, which is being set up under the WelcomHotels Lanka subsidiary. This was disclosed during the reopening of the company’s Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels in Chennai in India. ITC said they expect to launch their maiden international venture in Sri Lanka by the end of this fiscal. ITC also expects to continue to launch new hotels in different geographies in the country as there is a robust pipeline of projects. ITC Hotel Group operates under six brands – ITC Hotels, Mementos, Welcomhotel, Storii, Fortune, and WelcomHeritage. They have about 130 properties with about 12,000 keys in 80 destinations across the country. They opened 22 hotels in the past two years and expect to open 25 in the next two years. ITC overall is targeting 200 hotels with about 18,000 keys over the next five years with two-thirds of the keys in the managed portfolio. The new Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels in Chennai is the former Chola Sheraton.
Indian Hotels announced the opening of their 200th operating hotel, Gorbandh Palace, an IHCL SeleQtions hotel in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The hotel has 83 keys, set amidst lush gardens in the heart of Jaisalmer. The hotel includes an all-day diner called Bazaar, Seray with Italian cuisine, and a bar called Musafir Khana. There is over 80,000 square feet of outdoor lawns and an ornate banquet hall of over 3,000 square feet. The Spa offers holistic rejuvenation rooted in India’s ancient healing wisdom. The hotel is owned by the family of Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr. Lakshyaraj Sigh Ji Mewar of Udaipur. With this addition, IHCL has 23 hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger in Rajasthan including seven under development.
IHCL also announced the opening of Ginger Durgapur, Rajbandh in East India. With this addition, IHCL has all its brands present in the state. The 55-room Ginger Durgapur is nestled in the heart of Rajbandh, strategically positioned for convenience. The hotel features Qmin, their signature all-day diner, a welcoming bar, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel also offers five banquet spaces. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 10 hotels including five under development, across Taj, Vivanta, SeleQtions, and Ginger brands in West Bengal.
Sarovar Hotels and Resorts in India has unveiled its latest business model named “A Sarovar Affiliate”. It is aimed at facilitating growth and expansion in line with the company’s five-year business plan. The group aims to incorporate numerous mid-market and premium-category hotels across India through this new model. The initial step in the direction involves a partnership with Bengaluru-based Grand Continent Hotels for the management of its upcoming hotels in key metropolitan and secondary cities nationwide. Sarovarplans to add more than 10 hotels to its existing portfolio over the next five years, including the recently opened Grand Continent Hosur with 45 rooms in Tamil Nadu and the 48-room Grand Continental Hebbal in Bengaluru. Under the agreement, Sarovar will provide comprehensive sales and marketing support to Grand Continent Hotels, leveraging Sarovar’s extensive network of regional sales offices across 11 cities and Louvre’s global distribution platform.
Spree Hospitality unveiled Zip by Spree Hotels in Gangtok, India. The EaseMyTrip subsidiary announced the grand opening of Zip by Spree Hotels, located in Gangtok, Sikkim. The hotel is located just a short walk from MG Marg and includes spacious state-of-the-art rooms. The hotel has a rooftop restaurant called Treat, and the Chesum Temple Room, a distinctive Buddhist Temple room where guests can engage themselves in prayer and immerse themselves in a tranquil cultural experience. Zip by Spree Hotels in Gangtok marks Spree’s 32nd property across India.
Signum Hotels and Resorts recently signed a deal for a beachfront resort in Dwarka, Gujarat, their third property in the Indian state. The resort is set to open its doors in the fourth quarter of 2024, situated along Dwarka Beach. The Signum resort will have 30 rooms divided into two categories, an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, and a banquet venue. The resort targets leisure guests looking for a blend of tranquility and comfort.
Lemon Tree Hotels announced the signing of its latest property, Keys Select by Lemon Tree Hotels, Anjar. The franchised property is not expected to open until the fiscal year 2027 and will offer 61 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, a fitness center, a lounge, banqueting facilities, meeting rooms, and other public areas.
