Ginger

Hard Rock in Malaysia Set to Be Asia's Largest

Efforts to attract Chinese tourists to Southeast Asia are falling short, with drops in arrivals to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam; Thailand's visa exemption offers a temporary boost. Numerous hotel developments across Asia include expansions by Amora Group, partnerships in Malaysia and Indonesia, and potential property transformations in Singapore and Australia. DigiPlus Interactive Corp. aims to resurrect a $500 million casino resort on Boracay Island, hoping for favorable response from the Marcos administration.

Thailand Aims for Record 2 Million Russian Tourists Amid European Travel Restrictions

Thai tourism officials hope for 2 million Russian tourists to visit Thailand next year, as Russian travelers have been unwelcome in many European tourist locations due to their government's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Marriott International's Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is expanding in Asia Pacific with five new properties in China and Japan , showcasing the brand's new design concept. ONYX Hospitality Group announced the grand opening of Amari Raaya Maldives , establishing its presence in the Southeast Asian hotel industry.

Ritz-Carlton Properties in Melbourne and Perth Up for Sale

The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Melbourne and Perth are being sold for approximately $500 million, attracting bids from wealthy Australians and offshore investors. Salter Brothers has purchased the Sofitel Adelaide Hotel for $154 million, marking a significant hotel transaction in Adelaide. The Interlude , an urban wellness retreat, has opened in Melbourne 's Pentridge prison, featuring unique design elements like an underground swimming pool.

Minor Hotels' Plans to Grow Portfolio

Strong RevPAR growth observed in China, Singapore, and India, indicating recovery and resilience in the Asian hotel industry. Minor Hotels plans significant expansion across multiple countries, capitalizing on pent-up demand and strategic partnerships. Radisson Hotel Group signs multiple new hotels in India, while ITC considers a potential demerger of its hotel business, reflecting evolving strategies in the market.

Macau to Get Karl Lagerfeld Hotel, Maldives to Get a Rosewood

Golden Week started off with a bang in the SAR with Hong Kong reporting 165,000 people crossed the border into the city on the first day while more than 110,000 tourists from the Mainland left Hong Kong. In June,  SJM  will open the 271-room  Karl Lagerfeld Hotel  on  Cotai  in  Macau . The project was initially unveiled in 2014 but was delayed for various reasons including the pandemic. The Rosewood Ranfaru  in the  Maldives  is expected to open in 2027, stretched across a striking chain of private islands around a pristine lagoon in the South Male Atoll

India's Hotel Demand Is Outpacing Supply

An HVS Anarock report on the Indian hotel market shows the number of hotel rooms in tier-II and tier-III cities increased to 38% of the total inventory at the end of 2022 from 33% four years ago. Hyatt Hotels and Sun Hung Kai Properties announced the opening of Andaz Nanjing Hexi in Greater China . RCI , part of Travel + Leisure Co , announced its new affiliation with two luxurious resorts in Vietnam: APEC Mandala Phu Yen and APEC Mandala Retreat Kim Boi .

Hong Kong Sees 1 Million Visitors for First Time Since 2019

The Hong Kong Tourism Board announced Hong Kong saw a provisional visitor arrival of 1.462 million in February, three times what arrived in January. Indian Hotels Company announced the opening of Ginger Chennai, OMR in Tamil Nadu in India. The World Trade Center Association and the Merlin Group have partnered to develop a World Trade Center in the Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority area, Salt Lake, West Bengal.

China's Average ADR Surpassed 2019 Levels During Lunar New Year

STR said during the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday period, China’s hotel average daily rate surpassed 2019 levels . In the recently released China Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics , analysts report the country’s total hotel construction pipeline, at the close of the fourth quarter, stands at 3,581 projects/675,074 rooms. Morgan Stanley said Macau’s hotel occupancy and daily room rates are showing unprecedented strength in the post-Chinese New Year period with at least two hotels fully booked through February and many others close to capacity.

Outbound Chinese Tour Groups Have Restarted

Tour groups from mainland China to 20 countries have restarted, 11 of which are in Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, in China , hotels and restaurants are frantically searching for employees. During the first six days of work after China’s Lunar New Year holiday, job openings in the hotel and catering sectors surged 40% from the same period a year earlier. Colliers Philippines said the average hotel occupancy rate in Metro Manila is expected to further increase to over 60% this year, driven by a higher number of domestic and foreign travelers.

Philippines to Start Tax Refunds for Tourists

Singapore hotels’ average room rate was up 27.7% in December 2022 from a year ago to a new 14 year high of S$285.84. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos has approved a value-added tax refund program for foreign tourists by 2024 to attract more visitors. The first Hilton hotel in Japan’s Hokuriku region has opened. The DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama is located within a three-minute walk of Toyama Station.