One of the Worst Hotel Ideas in Macau Ever

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended June 29th. China hotel RevPAR was down -9.4% year over year for the week, up against a +50.4% comp in the same week in 2023. Occupancy for the week was down -2.7% year over year.

China Trading Desk's most recent Travel Sentiment Survey showed the second quarter of 2024 saw the continued recovery of the outbound travel market. The survey showed over 1.5 million trips during Golden Week and overall outbound travel for the quarter reaching 87% of 2019 numbers. The survey found that over 59% of outbound travelers in the quarter were female, with over 63% between the ages of 18 and 29. The top destinations for Chinese travelers in the quarter still included favorites like Singapore (15.6%), Thailand (13.8%), Malaysia (12%), Japan (11.7%) and South Korea (11.5%). An emerging trend found that Chinese travelers are showing an interest in health, wellness and nature tourism.

Macau's hotel occupancy rate for this year's summer season is expected to surpass 90%. The Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association said mid-July to late August is expected to show a significant increase in guests and despite the increase in hotel rooms since the pandemic, 90% occupancy is achievable. As of May, Macau had 143 hotel establishments, up 13% from last year. The number of guest rooms is up 9.3% to 47,000 and the average occupancy in the month was 83.6%.

All this talk of increased Macau's hotel occupancy has resurrected one of the worst ideas ever in Macau, the 13 Hotel. The bankrupt property, which couldn't even achieve 10% occupancy when it was operating, has reopened its doors. The hotel still has a valid hotel operating license until December 31st. The parent company is bankrupt and there were no bidders for the hotel at an auction in March. The Macao Government Tourism Office said the hotel's opening is limited and coincides with renovation works.

Colombo, Sri Lanka's earnings from tourism rose to more than US$1.5 billion in the first six months of 2024, up 77.9% on arrivals jumping 61.7% to 1.01 million. Tourism earnings in June were US$113.4 million, up from US$100.3 million a year ago.

The Philippine Hotel Owners Association said new hotels being developed will boost the Philippines' tourism and hospitality industries. The PHOA is composed of 217 hotels across the Philippines with an inventory of around 40,000 rooms. The PHOA believes the country should have 80,000 rooms to compete with regional hotels in Asia and that new hotel investments will make them more competitive. They expect to develop 50 to 55 hotel projects from 2024 to 2028, adding another 15,000 rooms to the inventory. A survey report by PHOA and Leechiu Property Consultants said Bohol's Panglao Island has garnered significant interest among hotel developers with 41% of respondents exploring hotel development on the island. Following Bohol in preferred destinations for hotel investment were Metro Manila, Cebu City, Siargao, El Nido, Mactan in Cebu, Coron, Boracay and Davao.

Marriott International sees India as a significant market for branded residences and plans to launch a dozen projects in the next few years, including a property in Gurugram that will be the biggest Westin Residences project in the world. The Gurugram property will have an investment of more than Rs. 5,600 crore, developed in phases by Whiteland Corporation and will encompass an area of 6 million square feet. Marriott is also looking at Mumbai and Bengaluru to expand its branded residences portfolio. Whiteland Corporation owns 22 acres in Sector 103 along the Dwarka Expressway where the project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will be about 2 million square feet and will consist of 674 residences, launched in the second quarter of this financial year.

IFF Holdings announced an agreement with Marriott International to open The Residences at Arbora, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Quangnam, Danang. The project, when open in 2026, will introduce the first Luxury Collection Residences in Asia Pacific, expanding the brand into the Southeast Asia region. The property will be located on Non Nuoc Beach between Danang and Hoi An in Vietnam. It will feature 220 hotel rooms, 12 hotel villas, 63 residential villas and 74 residential sky villas, each equipped with private lifts and pools. The resort will feature culinary offerings, a comprehensive wellness center spanning over 2,000 square meters, state of the art fitness center, and a modern conference and art exhibition center covering 1,500 square meters.

The Fusion Hotel Group announced the opening of Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang, their new flagship property. The luxury beachfront property has views overlooking Non Nuoc Beach and comprises 85 upscale private villas and a 157 key hotel tower. This is the only property in the Fusion Resort brand that offers guests both villas and upscale hotel rooms. The villas range from one to five bedrooms. The 157 hotel rooms range from one to three bedrooms. 29 of them have private pools. Maia Spa is one of the biggest hotel spas in Vietnam in terms of size and facilities. It offers guests a range of massage treatments and wellness activities and features a 261 square meter heated indoor pool, two infrared saunas, two steam baths, a fitness center and yoga studio. There are various dining and bar options.

IHG Hotels & Resorts will open a luxury hotel in the town of Hoi An in the fourth quarter of this year. Moire Hoi A will be under IHG's Vignette Collection, located on the banks of Hoai River, featuring 128 guest rooms, including pool villas and suites. Other amenities at the hotel, located 30 minutes by car from Da Nang International Airport, include two restaurants, a bar, a swimming pool, fitness center, boutique spa and other modern amenities.

Accor announced their launched their first ibis Styles property in the Philippines. The ibis Styles Manila Araneta City offers 286 rooms, a meeting room, fitness center, co-working space and four dining options. The hotel is located near the Araneta Coliseum, one of the largest indoor arenas in Asia.

Tiong Nam Hospitality Group announced its expansion into the marina industry with the addition of a marina to Pinetree Marina & Resort, Puteri Harbour. The group has been managing the 107 room resort since 2018. Tiong Nam also manages the Hard Rock Puteri Harbour, Hard Rock Café Ioph, Fraser Place Puteri Harbour, BRIX KILA and the upcoming 1975 Hotel and Avenue, all in Malaysia.