Philippine Hotel Pipeline Reaches 40,000 Rooms

Macau's Public Security Police Force said there have been more than 150 million departures and arrivals so far this year, reaching that figure nearly two months earlier than in 2023. As of September 16th, Macau residents had 54.2 million departures and arrivals alone, accounting for 36.1% of the total. Visitor arrivals were 31.98% higher than in 2023. As for the Mid-Autumn Festival, Macau saw 125,314 arrivals on Sunday and 124,261 on Monday.

The Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc., in collaboration with Leechiu Property Consultants, unveiled an existing inventory of 158 accommodation establishments with 40,084 rooms under development. This was part of the 2024 Philippines Accommodation Pipeline Report. Luzon accounted for 50% of the developments in the report, driven by economic activities in Manila and the Bay Area. The Visayas, known for its leisure destinations, holds 42% of the projects, while Mindanao accounts for the remaining 8%. Mindanao is identified as an underserved market with opportunities for both local and international mid-scale hotel brands. Metro Manila remains a key market with around 8,000 rooms in the pipeline while Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City combined showing growth with about 6,000 to 7,000 rooms under development. Boracay, despite infrastructure challenges, continues to attract significant investment in hotel projects, according to the report.

The Hilton Brisbane in the CBD stopped taking bookings beyond September 30th. The word is that this is due to ongoing lease negotiations but employees and potential guests are thrown in turmoil. The issue is tied to a lease dispute between Hilton and the property's owner, ISPT but the two parties gave an official statement that the pause in bookings is due to refurbishment plans, not lease issues. The Courier Mail said lease negotiations have taken longer than executed but are expected to be resolved shortly. Hilton and ISPT said bookings will resume soon.

Marriott International's Autograph Collection Hotels announced the opening of Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection, expanding the brand's presence in Thailand. The hotel features 174 guest rooms and suites. The lobby features period-inspired art and furnishings that echo the eclectic mix of Western and Thai influences present in the nearby Rama V-era Phaya Thai Palace. The signature restaurant in the hotel is Medici Kitchen & Bar while fine dining Babette's Restaurant is on the 19th floor. There also is the Speakeasy Rooftop Bar. The 24th floor has a boardroom with a private terrace and an adjacent Cigar Loungeand terrace with private dining rooms.

The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok will debut in Thailand's capital in November 2024. The 260 key Marriott International Luxury Group portfolio hotel overlooks the city's Lumpini Park. The rooms include the Ritz-Carlton Suite, Gardenia Suite and Deluxe Rooms with private outdoor spaces. The hotel is set within the new retail, entertainment and cultural hub, One Bangkok. The hotel will include four dining venues and bars, Ritz-Carlton Club with a Club Lounge, Club Concierge, Ritz-Carlton Spa, Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom and five other MICE spaces.

Indian Hotels Company announced the signing of a Vivanta and a Ginger hotel in Mahindra World City, Chennai. The greenfield projects will be developed on a three-acre land parcel near Kolavai Lake, in the heart of the integrated business city. The 100-key Vivanta MWC will offer rooms and suites, an all-day diner and a specialty restaurant featuring a bar. A state-of-the-art wellness center with a gym and swimming pool, along with a versatile banquet space, will cater to both leisure and business travelers. Ginger MWC will feature 200 contemporary rooms with an all-day dining cum bar and modern amenities like a gym and meeting facilities. Asbri Energy is the developer/owner of the hotels. With the addition of the hotels, IHCL will have a presence of 22 hotels with six under development in Tamil Nadu. IHCL also announced the signing of a resort in Barnala in Punjab. This hotel will be under the Gateway brand. Spread across nine acres, Gateway Barnala will feature a unique low-rise design with 100 villas and rooms. It will offer an all-day diner, specialty restaurant and a bar as well as a gymnasium and a health center. The 7,000-square-foot banquet hall coupled with meeting rooms for corporate and social gatherings. The hotel is owned by BRH Eaton Pvt. Ltd. With this hotel, IHCL will have three hotels in Punjab with two under development.

Singapore's CapitaLand Investment Ltd. is in advanced talks to buy a minority stake in French luxury resort chain Club Med SAS from Fosun International Ltd. Reports suggest CapitaLand Group Pte is seeking to acquire 20% to 30% of the hotelier for several hundred million euros. Sources said the Singaporean firm has emerged as the likely buyer for the stake after outbidding others, including private equity firms. Club Med operates over 60 resorts globally in destinations including the French Alps and the Maldives. CapitaLand is part of Temasek Holdings Ptd.

Centara Hotels & Resorts announced the official opening of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives on November 1, 2024, as scheduled. The underwater world-themed paradise will be Centara's third property in the Maldives and fourth resort in the group's portfolio under the Mirage brand. The Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is another that is expected to open in early 2025 and their fourth Maldives outpost. The Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is situated within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a multi-island wonderland that will include the Grand Lagoon Maldives as well. Come November, guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor water complex, Candy Spa and the Spa Cenvaree.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo officiated the Nusantara Swissotel opening and broke ground for the Nusantara Duty-Free Mall in Nusantara Capital City, East Kalimantan Province. The 191-room, five-star hotel was developed by Agung Sedayu Group within less than a year.

Personnel Moves

Shangri-La Group announced the appointment of Christian Pertl as their new VP of Commercial for the Middle East, India, Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas region.