Taylor Swift Concerts Boost Singapore Hotel Performance

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended April 6th. Hotel RevPAR in China was down -2.8%, up against a very tough +108.5% comp from last year. While the average daily rate was up 0.8% year over year, occupancy was down -3.5%.

Taylor Swift was cited as the reason Singapore had record hotel ADR and RevPAR in March. There were six Taylor Swift concerts in Singapore that month. March produced the Singapore hotel industry's highest average daily rate and RevPAR in that month on record. Preliminary data from CoStar showed occupancy was up 5.1% to 79.1% while average daily rate was up 12.7% to S$358.91. That resulted in RevPAR of S$284.03 which was up 18.5% year over year. Typically the first half of the year show lower post-Chinese New Year occupancy levels. The Taylor Swift Eras Tour resulted in the highest daily levels of occupancy seen during the six concert dates with March 2nd and March 3rd leading with occupancy at 92.7% and 92.5% respectively. Overall, the market's daily occupancy levels came in above the 70% mark in all but three days. ADR levels hit a high of S$438.36 on March 2.

The Economic Development Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, China said authorities are designing a scheme to allow multiple trips between Hengqin and Macau, and to promote "Macau travel, Hengqin stay." The government is working on an implementation plan to allow mainland tour groups to make multiple trips between Hengqin and Macau. At present mainland travelers visiting Macau are not allowed to make multiple trips to the SAR on their visas, instead allowing only a single entry and exit.

BWH Hotels has continued to expand its portfolio in Thailand with the signing of the SureStay by Best Western Iconic Suvarnabhumi. The hotel has 198 rooms that include a private balcony. There is an onsite restaurant and an outdoor pool. With the new signing, BWH Hotels will offer 13 hotels in the Greater Bangkok region, covering seven of its brands.

Sta. Lucia Land Inc. formally launched its hotel property, the SotoGrande Baguio, in time for the city's recently concluded annual flower festival, the Panagbenga in the Philippines. All the rooms have balconies and air conditioning units. There are 188 room spread throughout the second until the eighth floor. The second floor has 22 rooms while the third to eighth floors have 27 rooms each. Rooms are characterized as standard double, deluxe queen, one-bedroom suite, deluxe corner and corner deluxe with views. Some of the corner suites have a view of the colorful Brent Townhomes. The lobby connects Tower 1, the hotel, with Tower 2, the residences. A bar lounge greets newcomers with beverage offerings, a craft beer station and more. Brisa del Baguio is the all-day dining restaurant. The veranda area beside the restaurant accommodates the guest spillover during mealtime. There also is a heated pool to round out the amenities. SotoGrande has other hotel properties in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Quezon City with a scheduled opening in Bauan, Batangas which will be a property with 168 rooms, four function rooms, and a ballroom, in the last quarter of 2024.

Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd said it signed a lease/revenue sharing agreement with MASA Hotels Pvt Ltd for an upcoming 300 room, 5-star hotel at Mumbai airport T2 terminal. The new property is slated for opening in late 2024. It has over 12 floors and features a banquet ballroom, meeting floor, grand lobby bar and 24 hour interactive food options. The signing of the property follows the recently announced 288 keys 5 star hotel in Surat, Gujarat. Both new properties will be part of the soon to be announced new upscale brand from Royal Orchid Hotels, "ROHL Ownership", according to the company.

Club Mahindra recently expanded its members' vacation options with the inclusion of six new destinations, totaling seven properties across Sikkim, Rajasthan, Assam, Kenya, Georgia and Thailand. The expansion is made possible through a strategic partnership with resorts via an inventory alliance with the primary goal being granting members access to a diverse array of exotic destinations and enriching vacation experiences. The latest additions to Club Mahindra's portfolio include The Chumbi Mountain Retreat in Pelling, Sikkim; Hotel Pushkar Fort Resort in Ajmer, Rajasthan; Summit Green Lake Tea Resort in Kaziranga, Assam; Golden Tulip Westlands in Nairobi, Kenya; Royal Tulip Hotel & Casino in Georgia; Pullman Khao Lak Resort in Thailand; and Radisson Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand. Club Mahindra said the additions through inventory alliances are in line with their target of doubling the room capacity to 10,000 by FY 2030.

Great Destinations Hospitality OPC Pvt Ltd announced the signing and imminent opening of two new properties in Manali in India – Ezzenza Swarg by the Beasand MySpace Express Aalaya. Ezzenza Swarg is a four star luxury resort with 23 elegantly designed rooms, all-day dining, an outdoor restaurant, and a banquet hall. MySpace Express Aalaya introduces a modern twist on communal accommodation, offering 40 beds in bunker/dormitory style setup, aimed at travelers seeking adventure and camaraderie on a budget. The property will initially open with 40 beds but it has a capacity for 70. The property is on 23 acres and includes a nine hole golf course, Ayurvedic Spa, a Convention Center, separate dining area and an entertainment zone feature. Both properties are owned by Mayanagari Himachal Pvt, Ltd.

People Moves

TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts, the Indian hospitality chain owned by Karma Hospitality LLP, announced the appointment of Ajay Mehtani as partner. The newly created role will have Mehtani leverage his experience across hospitality, investment, strategy, growth, technology and brand development to fuel TreeHouse Hotels' continued growth and expansion in India & South Asia. Prior to joining Treehouse, Mehtani was President of Asset Management and Executive Search South Asia and HVS Anarock. Before that he held leadership positions with companies like InterContinental Hotels Group, Quatro Global Services, Duet India Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott International announced the promotion of Sera Cawanibuka-Seruvatu to the position of Marketing – Fiji & Samoa, effective from April 1, 2024. Prior to joining Marriott International Fiji Resorts, Cawanibuka-Seruvatu was with Fiji's national tourism board – Tourism Fiji. Prior to the promotion, she was Director of Marketing Fiji for Marriott.