Minor Hotels to Add 300 Properties by 2027

The Macau Statistics and Census Service said there were 34,928,650 total visitor arrivals in 2024, up 23.8% year-over-year, led by Mainland China visitation, up 28.6% to 24,491,424. The number of international visitors rose by 66% to 2,423,093. Philippines visitation accounted for the largest number of international arrivals at 493,399, up 57.1% from 2023. Korea was close behind with 492,184, up 140%. Overnight visitors only rose by 12.8% to 16 million, while same-day visitors dominated at 18.9 million, up 35%. The year was capped by December visitation up only 3.3% to 3,040,337 thanks to President Xi's visit. International arrivals were up 22.5% in December to 292,202. After President Xi left, the three-day weekend from December 20, a public holiday in Macau, had an average daily number of visitor arrivals at 104,010.

Cambodia's Minister of Tourism said they expect 7.2 million to 7.5 million international tourists in 2025. In 2024, 6.7 million foreign tourists arrived, up nearly 23%, but more importantly, up 1.4% over 2019. Cambodian officials are trying to increase the country's attractiveness to the Muslim tourism market. They want to smooth out arrivals to eliminate the low season – April to September. NagaCorp said in the first 11 months of the year, total international tourist arrivals reached 6 million, with visitors from ASEAN nations increasing to nearly 3.8 million, up 18.2%. Thailand was the leading market, up 31.9%, contributing 1.91 million visitors, followed by Vietnam, up 20.1% to 1.2 million. Chinese visitation was up 54.5%, from a low base, to nearly 770,000.

The Philippines Department of Tourism signed a cooperation agreement on tourism with its Thailand counterpart. The agreement covers the period of 2025 to 2030 and focuses on enhancing bilateral tourism cooperation and promoting mutual growth within the tourism sectors of both nations. The agreement emphasizes key areas of focus, including strengthening travel facilitation, enhancing research and development, and improving tourism management and operations through tourism cooperation. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of strategies in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and domestic tourism development. While there is a lot more to this, a Joint Working Group will be established to oversee coordination and monitor the program's activities and deliverables.

Minor Hotels said they are on track to surpass 850 properties by 2027. Entering 2025, they have a robust pipeline of almost 300 new hotels slated to open over the next three years. They already have more than 560 properties and 81,000 keys already in operation worldwide, with the pipeline of hotels having nearly 47,000 keys on the way to adding to their total. More than 50% of Minor's existing portfolio is currently concentrated in Europe. Still, the addition of more than 100 properties in Asia, more than 60 in the Middle East & Africa, and 40 in Australia and New Zealand will lead to a more balanced global portfolio distribution. Minor is also looking to expand its presence in several priority markets, especially in North America and North Asia. Markets such as Morocco, Egypt and Turkey have also been identified as priority destinations for entry while efforts continue to accelerate the momentum in India following the recent opening of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur Hotel. 2025 will launch two new hotel brands, targeting conversion opportunities. Branded residences will also be an important element of the group's future, with pipeline projects in more than a dozen countries featuring a residential component.

ONYX Hospitality Group announced the opening of its latest property. Amari Colombo opened in Sri Lanka with 167 rooms, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Amenities include a rooftop pool, dining options, including the debut in Sri Lanka of Prego, a celebrated Italian restaurant. The hotel also features premium lounges and bars. Upcoming additions to the Amari portfolio were also announced, with Amari Vientiane in Laos scheduled to open in March 2025 with 248 rooms and suites. Amari The Tide Bangsaen, a beachfront retreat in Thailand, is expected to open in May 2025, just over an hour from Bangkok, with 154 rooms and suites. Their existing Amari Koh Samui announced the completion of a new swimming pool in the resort's Garden Wing, the third dedicated pool at the resort. Amari Koh Samui is also elevating its guest offerings by introducing updated room categories in the Garden Wing. Guests can now choose from Superior Pool Side, Superior Pool View and Superior Garden View rooms. This coming May, the new Tropical Pool Side Connecting Rooms will be launched at the resort.

Radisson Collection has introduced its brand in Sri Lanka with the launch of Radisson Collection Resort, Galle, marking the brand's debut in the South East Asia & Pacific region. The resort is located on the country's south coast and becomes Radisson Hotel Group's fourth property in Sri Lanka and its second in Galle. Located near Unawatuna Beach, the resort provides 70 guest rooms and 36 suites. The highlight of the resort is the 1,200 square meter Grand Penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, a spiral staircase, and a private infinity pool.

Hyatt Hotels announced the opening of the new Hyatt Centric in the port city of Xiamen, China. The new oceanfront property has 196 guest rooms, including 18 suites, with many rooms having private balconies that feature beach or mountain views. Min Bar provides sea views and a rooftop ambiance, along with craft cocktails, wines, and a selection of charcoal-grilled delicacies. The hotel offers The House of Music gathering spot and also houses an outdoor rooftop infinity pool and a gym. The hotel includes a ballroom spanning more than 4,000 square feet, an outdoor terrace, and garden views.

Indian Hotels Company announced the signing of a new hotel in Surat, Gujarat. The Greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. The 125-key Vivanta Surat will be located opposite Surat International Airport. It will feature an all-day dining facility and a poolside café, along with amenities such as a gym and swimming pool. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 29 hotels in Gujarat including 10 under development.

Taj Bandstand will be IHCL's fifth luxury property in Mumbai. The Sea Rock Hotel will be rebranded as Taj Bandstand when IHCL begins construction on the sea-facing plot in the second half of 2025. Sea Rock was suburban Mumbai's first five-star hotel. It has a long history that was not always pleasant, including having a suitcase bomb explode in one of its rooms. ITC Group managed the hotel, but it was closed soon after the 1993 terror attack due to a dispute between ITC and the owner. In 2005, Suresh Nanda of Claridges Hotel acquired the property, and four years later, IHCL acquired an 85% stake. They acquired the remaining stake in 2020.

The Taj Hotel & Convention Center in Agra, India, reopened following extensive renovations. The property offers 239 redesigned rooms and suites, including the Presidential Suite. One of the standout features of the hotel is the Infini Sky Lounge, set beside the Infinity Pool. The hotel offers dining options and wellness facilities including the J Wellness Spa, as well as banquet halls and meeting spaces.