Tourism Australia Projects $220 Billion Sector Value by 2030

Tourism Australia told attendees of the annual Destination Australia conference that the tourism sector will be worth $220 billion to the nation's economy by the decade's end. They welcomed more than 8 million visitors in the past year, the first time in five years, with arrivals rising 15% year over year in 2024. Total visitor expenditures also grew to a record $48.8 billion. Their recent Tourism Investment Monitor showed the investment pipeline reaching a record high of $63.4 billion across 346 projects.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with Strategic Alliance to bring its InterContinental brand to the heart of South Australia's Barossa Valley. The InterContinental Barossa Resort and Spa is scheduled to open in 2028 and will become the first international-branded luxury hotel in one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions. The 150-room resort will offer unrivaled views of the Barossa Valley, combined with luxurious accommodations and exceptional amenities. IHG will manage the $100 million resort and will feature a 130-seat high-end restaurant, extensive function spaces, a wellness day spa, a fitness center, and a pool. The new resort adds to a strong pipeline for IHG in the region that includes 22 hotels already open and 9 in development.

IHG said they have a pipeline of 60 hotels due to open in India over the next three to five years. They currently have 47 hotels operating across five brands – Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express. The total number of rooms for IHG in India currently is 7,719. Their new projects are focused on major tier-I and tier-II cities, religious places and leisure locations. Their newest project is being signed in Penn in Maharashtra.

Minor International Plc is looking to have a strong presence in India in the next decade. They are targeting 50 hotels by 2035. They established their presence in the country with the recent launch of their 150 room Anantara Jewel Bagh hotel in Jaipur. Once again, the talk is that having three of their hotels featured in the HBO show The White Lotus has led to a huge demand for the hotels which is being seen not just in Thailand.

Accor announced plans to expand in China with the signing of a new Swissotel property in Chengdu, in collaboration with Beijing Tianheng Group. The Swissotel Chengdu Beihu Lake is slated for a 2026 opening and will offer a luxurious blend of Swiss precision, cultural authenticity, and exceptional hospitality to the Beihu community. The 150-room hotel will be located just 10 minutes from the Giant Panda Base. Beihu Ecological Park covers 3,700 acres and is the largest artificial and ecological lake area in Chengdu. The hotel will feature resort-style architecture and will focus on promoting well-being and sustainability. The hotel will include a restaurant and bar, a spa, private meeting rooms and more.

The Ascott Limited announced the signing of Oakwood Thanjavur, a 100-room Oakwood Hotel and Apartments in collaboration with Sensation Hospitality Avenues. The development in Tamil Nadu is considered another milestone in Ascott's expansion in India. Ascott's expansion in the country is being expanded beyond the metropolitan cities to key cultural and economic hubs.

Patina Osaka is the inaugural property in Japan from Patina Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is set to open on May 1, 2025. Patina Osaka will introduce Patina Journey, an exclusive package designed to immerse guests in the art of discovery and mindful living. The hotel occupies a 20-story tower and will offer 221 rooms and suites that reflect the Japanese concept of kisetsukan, or seasonal awareness. The Patina Suite spans 233 square meters and offers views of Osaka Castle. The hotel curates a signature program of engaging experiences. It includes the OJAS Listening Room, an immersive audio haven where custom-built speakers transcend functionality to become sculptural masterpieces. Dining experiences include Inaki, a Basque-inspired grill; P72, the signature dining venue; the Nijiri Tea Lounge and Sonata Lounge & Bar, as well as Barin, which will provide an intimate teppanyaki journey. Patina Wellness spans a dedicated floor, offering 1,400 square meters of carefully curated space for rejuvenation and healing. The Patina Spa includes a 20-meter swimming pool and a state-of-the-art gym.

Dusit Thani is developing 114 rai of land in Hua Hin, home to the Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel, for a branded residence. The residence will have 96 units worth 2 billion baht, offered under a 60-year leasehold agreement. The plot spans both the beachfront and Phetkasem Road, with the development of the branded residence on 20 rai facing the road. Dusit Ajara Hua Hin will be the first Thai-branded residence in Hua Hin. The project consists of seven low-rise buildings, comprising three six-story towers and four three-story buildings, with no more than 20 units in the former and 10 units per building in the latter. The company is building a sales gallery in Hua Hin and plans to launch the project next month. Construction will begin next year, with completion scheduled for 2028. Dusit Central Park is a mixed-use development featuring the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, two residential projects, as well as retail and office spaces.

Melia Hotels International signed an agreement with Vietnamese real estate developer CityLand Group to launch a new five-star resort on Phu Quoc island, set to open in 2028. The hospitality management agreement marks Melia's first collaboration with CityLand Group. The upcoming Melia Phu Quoc Forest Bay will be the company's third property on Vietnam's largest island. Melia has grown from six properties in Vietnam in early 2022 to 20 hotels in operation and six in the pipeline. Melia Phu Quoc Forest Bay will be developed on a 21-hectare site within the Bai Thom master pan, a 173-hectare area in northern Phu Quoc. The project will be completed in two phases, with the first opening in 2028 with 128 luxury villas and 130 hotel rooms. The second is expected in 2030 and will add 108 villas, bringing the total to 773 accommodations. The resort will offer contemporary villas with private pools, multiple dining venues, an oceanfront pool, wellness facilities, a luxury spa, a kids club, and an event space for weddings and conferences.

Personnel News

Shri Rajesh Rana has been appointed as the Director (Commercial & Marketing) of India Tourism Development Corporation. He held key positions at IRCTC for 19 years across Regional, Zonal and Corporate Offices.