Hilton Plans 150 Luxury Hotels in Asia Pacific

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expecting 12.2 million foreign visitors in the last four months of this year. They expect these tourists to generate US$19.9 billion in revenue with the most tourists coming from East Asia, then Europe and South Asia. On the domestic side, TAT is expected 72.5 million trips, generating US$9.8 million in the final four months of the year. From January 1 to August 25th, TAT said over 23 million foreign tourists showed up, spending $31.5 billion. That was led by China, followed by Malaysians and then those from India and South Korea. Even with this strong year, if expectations are met, the 35.99 million foreign tourists will be below 2019 when there were 39.8 million foreign visitors.

Hotelivate said Indonesia's tourism industry is bouncing back strongly, with a notable increase in travelers heading to Bali and Jakarta. The Indonesian government's ambitious goal is to attract $3 billion in investments into its tourism sector, establishing 10 Special Economic Zones specifically focused on tourism and the creative economy. They hope to attract both domestic and international investors. While Indonesia's tourism sector has shown resiliency, they are yet to get back to 2019 levels. Domestic tourism has helped increase both occupancy and then ADR. In Bali and Jakarta, ADR rose by 14% and 11% respectively. Outside of major urban centers they are seeing strength as well but nothing like luxury hotels in Bali. Hotelivate said pre-Covid these hotels were getting $300 to $400 a night in ADR but now they are charging nearly $2,000. Australians currently represent the largest group of international visitors to the country.

The Governor of New Zealand has decided to nearly triple entry fees for tourists. They announced an increase of international visitor and conservation and tourism fees beginning October 1 to NZ$100 from NZ$35. Their statement was this would ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand. Obviously tourism interests are not pleased with this.

Hilton said they plan to surpass 150 luxury hotels in Asia Pacific in the coming years, quadrupling its luxury portfolio across the region compared with the end of 2023. While they discussed the operating and upcoming Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR-branded hotels, Hilton's exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World will help them achieve this goal. Their Waldorf brand will more than double their presence in APAC over the coming years, from six to 13 hotels. They will also add another 21 Conrad Hotels to the existing 27. In addition to the partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hilton has entered the luxury lifestyle hotel market with the addition of NoMad and added Signia by Hilton to its luxury brand lineup.

TriO Capital made its entry into the Thailand market with the acquisition of the Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao. The strategic move marks the company's first investment in Thailand. TriO Capital is an investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development and management of premium hospitality assets. They currently manage assets under the Ovolo Hotels and Mamaka brands. The Hilton Garden Inn Phuket Bang Tao is a recently constructed property with 177 rooms, a restaurant and bar, fitness facilities, and dual rooftop swimming pools. Under a franchise agreement with Hilton, TriO plans to embark on a design and development plan with improvements expected to commence after the 2024-2025 peak season.

The Hilton Garden Inn Rayong opened its doors. The Rayong, Thailand, hotel is a collaboration between Central Pattana Public Company Limited and Hilton and is strategically located next to Central Rayong Shopping Center. This marks the brand's entry into the city, a stone's throw away from the beaches on the eastern gulf of Thailand. The hotel has 200 rooms, all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking the pool and a full equipped fitness center.

Accor's Handwritten Collection announced a new property in Bali, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel – Spa – Handwritten Collection. This is their first property in Bali under the Handwritten Collection brand. All 381 guestrooms and suites include terraces or balconies. The resort includes three outdoor swimming polls and direct access to the beach, comprehensive spa amenities, five restaurants, three bars and a kids club. The resort offers a range of indoor and outdoor event venues for meetings, weddings, intimate celebrations and social events.

Pan Pacific Perth unveiled its fully refurbished rooms and suites. The Western Australian property completely transformed all 392 rooms and suites in the main tower. With the transformation of the main tower now complete, Pan Pacific Perth is on the verge of unveiling its fully refurbished hotel. The lobby changes are nearing completion, and only a few final touches will remain before the grand relaunch.

The owners of the 52-room, four-star Connaught Hotel in Sai Ying Pun in Hong Kong have lowered the sale asking price to HK$600 million from HK$1 billion. Colliers and Knight Frank, the joint agents of the sale, announced the discounted price. This is one of many properties that have been put up for sale in Hong Kong in recent months. The Connaught is owned by a joint venture of Hong Kong-based Hanison Construction and NY-based private equity real estate specialist Angelo Gordon.

Aitken Spence Hotels announced the takeover of the management of Rainforest Ecolodge, the first classified ecolodge in Sri Lanka. The tourism project was initiated by industry stakeholders and similar investors, spearheaded by Prema Cooray, in the hopes of positioning Sri Lanka as a global leader in eco-friendly hospitality. The lodge is the first in Sri Lanka, fourth in Asia and fifth in the world to receive the LEED Platinum certification. The property features 20 eco-chalets, constructed from reclaimed shipping containers and decks made from repurposing railway sleepers, nestled within the 500-acre Enselwatte Tea Estate in Deniyaya, bordering the Sinharaja Rainforest.

Ventive Hospitality, a joint venture between Blackstone Group and Pune, India-based Panchshil Realty, is looking at filing a draft prospectus for an IPO in the next couple of weeks. The JV may be the largest international multi-brand hotel owner in India, when measured by EBITDA. They hope to raise Rs 2,500 crore through a fresh issue of shares. Ventive has luxury hospitality assets of which nine are in India, three in the Maldives and one in Sri Lanka. It also has five office parks and retail spaces of around 3.5 million square feet that are attached to the hotels. The company appointed JM Financial and Kotak Mahindra Capital for the IPO