Banyan Tree Debuts in Japan

China has seen a dramatic increase in the number of foreign visitors in the first seven months of 2024, reaching a total of 17.25 million, up 129.9% year on year. The National Immigration Administration estimates that the visitors will contribute to a total consumption exceeding 100 billion yuan during their stays with, on average, each visitor spending nearly 3,500 yuan per day. China also reported a big increase in cross-border travel overall. From January to the end of July this year, the country logged a total of 341 million cross-border travels, a 62.34% increase compared to the same period last year.

Macau's Statistics and Census Service said visitor arrivals in July totaled 3,021,189, up 9.5% from July of 2023. That recovered to 85.6% of July 2019. Mainland China arrivals were up 14.3% year on year to 2,183,397. Hong Kong arrivals were down -10.9% year on year to 589,026. Visitor arrivals from Mainland China and Hong Kong recovered to 85% and 92.8% of July 2019 levels, respective. International arrivals to Macau in July were up 33.3% year on year to 172,983 and, more important since the Macau government is putting so much faith in attracting international visitors, that number was 75.5% of 2019 levels, the closest we have seen since the pandemic. Overall visitor arrivals for the first seven months of 2024 has totaled 19,741,172 which is up 37% year on year and back to 82.9% of the same period in 2019. International arrivals recovered to 68.1% of 2019 at 1,341,605.

Banyan Group announced its premier Banyan Tree brand in Japan through the launch of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. The exclusive retreat is located in the historic Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto, perched atop a hill near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and features 52 opulent guest rooms, the Banyan Tree Spa, a natural Onsen and two unique dining options. It is the sole hotel in Kyoto equipped with a Noh stage. With this launch, the Banyan Group's diverse portfolio in Japan now features eight hotels across five distinct brands. Banyan Group will continue expanding there with four more properties currently under development, including locations in Hakone, Hakuba, Niseko and Hokkaido.

Hop Inn Hotel announced the opening of its 10th hotel in the Philippines in partnership with AirAsia Philippines. Hope Inn has a growing network of more than 70 budget hotels across Thailand, Philippines and Japan, known for its value and consistent quality accommodations, centrally located in key business districts across three countries. They recently expanded to Japan as part of their investment plan of PHP16 billion to expand in the Asia Pacific region. Their mission is to operate over 150 hotels and 14,000 keys across the region by 2030. In the Philippines, the newest opening, their 10th in the country, is in Davao and follows the 7 in Metro Manila and 2 in Cebu and Iloilo.

Accor and Brigade Hotel Ventures announced the launch of its first ibis Styles property in Karnataka, located in the cultural capital of India. This marks the opening of the third ibis Styles hotel in India. The ibis Styles Mysuru will be the fourth hotel opening between Brigade and Accor. The grand opening of the 130-room hotel marked a significant milestone in the city's hospitality landscape. The hotel includes 30 suites which have private balconies. Food and beverage options include The Verandah, the Flamingo Bar in the lobby and soon to open KA 16. Other amenities include a swimming pool, 24/7 fitness center and outdoor catering services.

Minor Hotels announced the arrival of the first NH Hotels & Resorts branded property in the Indian Ocean, with the NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort set to open its doors on September 1st. The resort is located in South Ari Atoll, about 25 minutes by seaplane from the capital of Male. The resort is described as an intimate hideaway with just 51 modern deluxe suites and villas, each with an inner courtyard or beach-facing pool, generously sized by 90 to 231 square meters. Culinary and beverage service offerings include Sea Spray, specialty restaurant Ocean, Glowwhich overlooks the resort's central infinity pool and Malaa. The resort includes a Spa, gym, indoor kids' club and more. The opening of NH Kuda Rah brings Minor Hotels' portfolio of properties in the Maldives to eight and follows the debut of NH Collection to the archipelago last year. It also marks the third resort globally under the NH Hotels & Resorts brand, following NH Marina Portimao Resort in Portugaland the opening last year of NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort in Thailand.

Personnel Move

Minor Hotels also announced the appointment of Torsten Richter as Area General Manager of Indonesia and Malaysia and General Manager of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, effective July 1st. In addition to the day-to-day management of the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Richter's responsibilities include the oversight of the Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort, Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort and the Anantara Ubud Bali Resort. Most recently, Richter served as the multi-property General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Hotel Am Steinplatz Autograph Collection in Berlin, Germany, where he oversaw operations and ensured the highest standards of luxury and service. He previously was with Minor as Cluster General Manager in the Maldives.

Hyatt India and Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences announced the appointment of Robert Dallimore as its new General Manager and Area Vice President for Hyatt West India. Dallimore's career began in 1999 with Hyatt and has held various esteemed roles with the company, including his most recent one as General Manager of Grand Hyatt Jakarta since 2020.

Choice Hotels Asia Pacific announced Caillin Flint was named to the newly created role of Senior Manager – Brand & Franchise Support. Flint was most recently with The Hotel & Wellness Co. as Head of Hotel Operations and previously was with Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific as Director of Operations Asia Pacific – Special Projects & Development.