Business Travel Grows in APAC

CM Consulting's latest Global Trends Report said strong passenger demand, the desire for in-person meetings, conferences and events, and positive travel industry momentum over the last six months continue to drive incremental growth for business travel. The IATA said global passenger demand was up 9.1% in June 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, with international passenger demand up 12.3%. Global hotel occupancy rose to nearly 70% by the end of the first half of this year. FCM is forecasting travel demand to grow steadily through the next quarter. Their business analytics team reported that the hotel average room rate across the top 100 corporate cities was US$182, down US$5 versus the first half of 2023. A year after China's border reopening, Asia's average room rates remained strong, with Singapore remaining the priciest destination for hotel stays in 1H24 with rates averaging US$298, up 27% compared to the first quarter of this year, followed by Hong Kong and Tokyo. Shanghai saw a 3% rise, bringing its average hotel room rate to US$146. In India, Bangalore has taken the lead with the highest ADR at US$152, followed by Mumbai at US$147 and Delhi at US$142.

Singapore's August visitor arrivals fell -3.75% from July to 1.54 million. July was the best month in 2024 at 1.60 million. On a year-over-year basis, August was up 17.3%. For the first eight months of the year, the Singapore Tourism Board said there were 11.32 million visitor arrivals, up 25.5%. That represents an 88% recovery from the first eight months of 2019, which was a record year. Visitors from mainland China to Singapore totaled 403,120 in August. China has been the top source market for the first eight months of the year, with 2.26 million visitors representing 86.9% of what the total was in the first eight months of 2019.

Marriott International is planning to add 20 new hotels in Malaysia. Marriott's Chairman, David S. Marriott, said the group is open to mergers, acquisitions and partnerships to achieve this target. The company currently operates 50 hotels in the country with seven already in the pipeline. The new hotels are expected to open between this year and 2029, starting with The Millen, an Autograph Collectionhotel, slated to launch in Penang this year. Marriott also signed a franchise agreement with Penang Sdn Bhd to open the Marjorie Hotel, Penang, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, in 2024. Sheraton Johor Bahru and AC Hotel n Ipoh are slated to open next year. Marriott also entered into management agreements with Westfield Global Sdn Bhd to bring The Westin brand to Penang and with SKS Group to open Courtyard by Marriott Subang, both in 2026.

The Pan Pacific Hotels Group introduced Gurney Bay Hotel, a PARKROYAL Hotel to its portfolio, continuing its expansion in Malaysia. This follows the openings of PARKROYAL Services Suites Jakarta in January, PARKROYAL A'Famosa Melaka Resort in February and Pan Pacific Jakarta in June. They took control of the Gurney Bay Hotel on September 1 and embarked on a phased soft renovation to enhance guest experiences. The 368-room hotel is located within the Gurney Bay lifestyle precinct, developed by the Penang State Government as part of the Penang2030 Vision. The hotel features a 220-seat all-day dining restaurant, Lobby Lounge & Bar and a Ballroom that can accommodate up to 550 guests, as well as four meeting rooms for smaller gatherings. The Health Club has recreational facilities on the second floor, including two swimming pools, steam and sauna rooms, outdoor tennis courts and a gym.

Media in Taiwan reported that the 516-room Novotel Taipei Taoyuan Airport will soon be rebranded as a Hyatt Regency. The hotel has been branded as a Novotel since 2009. The contract is up for renewal after 15 years and the owners have plans to change the branding to a Hyatt Regency with the expectation that it could occur in the coming weeks. The property is owned by SkyTeam carrier China Airlines and is located at the carrier's headquarters. This will be Hyatt's fifth property in the Taipeiarea.

Karuizawa's Mampei Hotel in Japan, which has been closed for major renovations, will have its grand opening on October 2nd. Reservations for the renovated Alps Hall and Usui Hall began on September 2nd.

Tourism Fiji's CEO told the media they are excited about working with a global brand who is helping develop a new 122-room hotel in Namaka. He did not name the brand but said he is enthusiastic about the collaboration. The new hotel will be near Nadi Airport and will feature four conference rooms with an indoor and outdoor pool. The development is said to be backed by a local investor, but like with the brand, no details were given.

Indian Hotels Company Ltd announced they will launch a new Vivanta hotel in Puducherry in India. The initiative is part of a greenfield project. IHCL entered into an agreement with Auroma Soft Resorts and Hotels Pvt Ltd, a company promoted by Ajay Virmani and Sandip Ganguli. The new 85-key Vivanta Hotel will feature an all-day diner, gym, meeting rooms and pre-function areas.

Lemon Tree Hotel, Nashik, managed by Carnation Hotels, is set to open in 2026. The Indian hotel will have 57 rooms, a restaurant, bar, banquet hall, pool and spa. Carnation Hotels Private is the management arm of Lemon Tree Hotels.

Enrique Razon's Bloomberry Resorts said they are expecting to open another integrated casino resort in the Philippines, the latest in Cavite, in 2028. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp CEO told attendees to the Inside Asian Gaming Summit that at least six integrated casino resorts will rise over the term of the Marcos administration. There will be one launched in the Entertainment City area next year as well as other potential projects in Cebu and Boracay by 2026.