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Sri Lanka Sees Marriott and Radisson Expand


Skift Take

Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists in 2024, with new hotel developments and significant growth in Indian visitors leading the way.

Morgan Stanley Chinese New Year 2025 hotel survey indicates the average daily rate for most hotels in Macau is expected to be 15-40 percent lower than in CNY 2024. The rates will also be 10-30 percent below the October Golden Week in 2024. The survey suggested the standard room ADR for Macau hotel during CNY 2025 stands at HK$3,911. The Venetian Macau and Grand Lisboa Palace have the biggest year-over-year declines at down -60% and -54% respectively. The Andaz Hotel at Galaxy MacauW Hotel at Melco's Studio City and the Parisian Macao are showing price increases from last year. The average occupancy rate for the Morgan Stanley surveyed hotels is 71%, flat with last year but up by 15 percentage points from the last October Golden Week. As for visitation with the new visa changes, on January 18th Macau set a new single-day record with 803,000 border crossings, up 6.6% from the previous peak set in August.

Sri Lanka is hoping to attract three million tourists this year, boosting last year's increase to two million overseas tourists. Hotels are hoping to cash in on the increased visitation. New hotel openings in Colombo last year included the ITC Ratnadipa and Cinnamon Life and this year, Radisson and Marriott are expected to add new hotels. That includes a Radisson Collection hotel in Galle and JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Negombo and Mirissa, respectively. In 2024, 20% of all the foreign arrivals were from India, growing 37% year on year. RussiaUKGermany and China were the other key source markets.

Minor Hotels has entered into an agreement with Sichuan Dexinhousheng Enterprise Management Co. Ltd to develop Anantara Xiling Snow Mountain Chengdu Resort. Slated to debut in October 2025, Anantara's first property in Sichuan province, located in Dayi County, an hour's drive from Chengdu city. The 111 key luxury resort is surrounded by nature, with guests enjoying world-class skiing at Xiling Snow Mountain as well as the ancient Huashuiwan Hot Springs. Guest rooms and suites range from 100 to 500 square meters, providing access to piped hot spring water. There is also a swimming pool, Anantara Spa, wellness center and an entertainment center. Culinary offerings include a Chinese restaurant with eight private dining rooms, all-day dining venue and a specialty restaurant. There will be 800 square meters of banquet and meeting space at their disposal. The Anantara Xiling Snow Mountain Chengdu Resort is the third resort to launch in China under the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand.

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali has unveiled newly refurbished Premium Rooms and the exclusive Owner's Penthouse. The latter spans over 240 square meters, offering an exquisite retreat that embodies the essence of refined living, including a living room, king and twin bedrooms, luxurious bathroom setup and a pantry for in-room dining convenience. A dedicated butler service is available throughout the stay. The newly refurbished Premium Rooms span 48 square meters.

Marriott's Four Points by Sheraton brand announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Chennai Velachery, located just 10 kilometers from Chennai International Airport and 8 kilometers from the city center. The hotel offers 106 guest rooms with views of the lively Velachery streets or the OMR skyline. The hotel offers two dining venues – Salt & Sage and The Liquid Library. Other amenities include a rooftop pool, 24-hour fitness center, and 438 square meters of meetings and banquet space.

IHG Hotels & Resorts said they accelerated the international expansion of their newest midscale conversion brand, Garner Hotels, with the debut of the brand's first three properties in Japan. This marks the entry of the brand into the Asia-Pacific market. The three hotels are Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi StationGarner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Midosuji, and Garner Hotel Osaka Honmachi Kita Senba, now welcoming guests in Osaka.

Accor's midscale hotel chain Mercure has expanded its global portfolio with the launch of a new property in Garut City CenterIndonesia. The Mercure Garut City Center features 160 rooms and suites, along with facilities such as a swimming pool, a gym, and a restaurant. It is the first Mercure hotel in Garut. The hotel also offers four versatile meeting spaces, including two ballrooms that can accommodate up to 450 guests. The Mercure brand consists of over 1,000 hotels in more than 60 countries with over 220 properties currently in development. Accor also announced the signing of Swissotel Shanghai Hongqiao, set to open in mid-2026. The new Swissotel is located in the Shanghai Hongqiao Gubei Business Development Area. It will cater to both business and leisure travelers with 249 guest rooms and 62 Swissotel Living Apartments for extended stays.

BWH Hotels said they continue expanding in BangkokThailand, opening the SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak. The modern hotel is located in the trendy Ari district of the Thai capital, close to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The newly rebranded hotel, just 19 kilometers from Don Mueang International Airport, features 157 contemporary rooms, an outdoor swimming pool with serene relaxation areas, a fitness center, a specialty coffee roaster and eatery, and an on-site restaurant for breakfast. With the launch of this hotel, BWH Hotels now offers a portfolio of 14 hotels in Bangkok, covering seven of their brands, making it one of the city's leading hotel operators.

City Developments Limited is launching a full takeover of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand. They already own 75.86% of the company and will use this to consolidate that position.

OYO has, once again, started work on filing its draft red herring prospectus as the Indian company once again tries for an IPO. They plan to file the prospectus by the first quarter of this new financial year. This will be their third attempt at going public. Just last week it was reported that some of their early investors are trying to sell their stake.

The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal has ordered the liquidation of the Tulip Hotels brand after the creditors of the company failed to receive any viable resolution plan. The tribunal also appointed Krishna Gopal Ratanlal Maheshwari as the liquidator. The company was admitted in March 2023 under the corporate insolvency resolution process due to a default of INR 900 crore. The company had defaulted on payments under two guarantees in its capacity as a guarantor for repayment of two loans worth INR 450 crore disbursed by the lender to Cox and Kings and Ezeego One Travel & Tours Ltd.

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