Alan Woinski

American visitor arrivals to Japan increased by 3.6% in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, making the U.S. the only Western nation, apart from Mexico, to experience a rise in tourism to Japan. Hongkong Land unveiled its $8 billion Shanghai West Bund Financial Hub project, which will include office buildings, luxury residential apartments, hotels, a public art center, and retail spaces. The development will be completed in three phases by 2027, and Hongkong Land plans to roll out 10 new developments in China in the next five years. Macau Legend Development announced its intention to sell its Laos gaming operation for $45 million to a Japanese citizen, as the company has faced financial difficulties and its owner has been arrested. After the sale, Macau Legend will have remaining plans to build a hotel and casino in Cape Verde.

Stock market: DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 showed gains, while lodging stocks were mixed. American travelers: High excitement for travel, but concerns about finances and travel costs have increased. Hotel developments: Renovations and new constructions announced in various locations, including Alabama, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Massachusetts.

Thai hotel occupancy rates drop below 50% as government campaign termination impacts domestic and international markets. IHG Hotels & Resorts opens voco Ma Belle Danang in Vietnam . OYO plans to add 300 hill station hotels to its portfolio by August 2023 and aims for 1,800 new hotels overall.

Stock Market: DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 showed gains, while lodging stocks had mixed performance. San Francisco Hotels: Park Hotels plans to surrender ownership, raising concerns about more foreclosures. Multiple hotels face loan due dates in the next two years. Hotel Updates: Various hotels undergo management changes, renovations, and new openings in different locations, including California, Illinois, Texas, and Canada.

Radisson Hotel Group will open the Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok in Q2 2024, aiming to double its footprint in Thailand by mid-2024. The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali , will open in July 2023 after a year of renovations, including the addition of new facilities and restaurants. Legoland Shenzhen Resort , the largest Legoland Resort in the world, is set to open in 2024, featuring theme parks, water parks, and three themed hotels.

US stock indexes rose slightly on Friday, but lodging stocks were mixed with SOND surging 23% after a downgrade of Park Hotels & Resorts by ISI Evercore Group. Chicago broke hotel occupancy records last weekend thanks to Taylor Swift concerts and other events, generating more than $39 million in hotel revenue. Marriott International announced its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Cancun, expected to open in 2024, and JW Marriott Mexico City completed renovations of its guestrooms and suites, with more upgrades to come by 2023.

Stock market sees mixed performance, with DJIA and Nasdaq rising while lodging stocks show mixed results. Wells Fargo initiates coverage on Airbnb with an Underweight rating. Significant developments in the hotel industry, including new hotel projects in Ann Arbor, Ottawa, Mexico City, and Portland, as well as the restoration of Book Tower in Detroit.

Hotel industry in China shows strong recovery with a 60.4% increase in RevPAR compared to the previous year, despite a slight decline of -5.5% compared to 2019. Prominent hotel openings and expansions include Hotel Morris Sydney in Australia, JW Marriott Auckland in New Zealand, Hotel101 projects in Metro Manila and Cebu-Mactan in the Philippines, and Mondrian brand's global expansion. Anantara unveils luxurious villas in Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the UAE, while IHG Hotels & Resorts announces the first voco resort in Egypt's North Coast, and Six Senses Amaala prepares to launch a captivating resort in Saudi Arabia as part of the Vision 2030 program.

Hotel industry experiences mixed stock market performance, with DJIA rising while NASDAQ and S&P 500 show declines. Renovations and upgrades abound, with notable projects including the multimillion-dollar renovations of Houston Marriott South and Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans. Exciting developments on the horizon, such as the opening of Raffles Boston and the planned multimillion-dollar mixed-use project by Beck Ventures in Midtown Dallas.

Marriott International partners with Hiap Hoe Limited to bring the Aloft Hotels brand to Singapore, opening the largest Aloft branded hotel in the world with 785 rooms in Zhongshan Park. Pan Pacific Hotels Group unveils its flagship hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, featuring terraced greenery and a unique Atelier-in-Residence program, along with three dining concepts and a gin distillery. Gran Melia Nha Trang in Vietnam is set to open as an all-villa property with private pool villas, Asia's first outpost of the Spanish restaurant Hispania, and a range of wellness offerings.