The Indian Hotels Company Ltd

A recent implementation of unilateral visa exemptions for 13 European countries was credited for the strong growth in arrivals from the UK, France, Germany, and Russia in January.

India has now slipped to the fifth position for tourist arrivals into Maldives in January, with just over 13,000 visitors. This is per the latest data from the Maldives tourism industry and is quite different than the commentary last week from the Maldives.

In 2023, the Taj brand strengthened its presence in key metro and commercial cities, including Delhi, Cochin, Dhaka, and Bhutan. Vivanta and SeleQtions collectively added 17 hotels while Ginger signed agreements for six new hotels.

Savills Vietnam predicts a substantial increase in hotel real estate supply in Vietnam, focusing on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, due to new projects from 2024 to 2026.

Minor International said they expect foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand to exceed 34 million, ahead of the government’s forecast.

Banyan Tree Group is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the change in name to Banyan Group. The company said the brand shift reflects the group’s evolution into a dynamic, multi-brand hospitality powerhouse.

The Philippine Department of Tourism achieved over 5 million international visitors in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a focus on their National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028. China's tourism rebound is driven by domestic demand, though sustainability into the next year is uncertain. The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels announced executive changes effective 2024, with a formal search for a new CEO.

79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with countries like the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Singapore leading. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to open over 10 new hotels in Malaysia, and BWH Hotels announced a new upscale hotel in Vietnam, indicating significant growth and investment in the Asian hospitality market. Chinese airlines are canceling flights to Thailand amidst decreasing traveler numbers, despite visa waivers. Meanwhile, the Philippines surpassed its target for international visitor arrivals, with South Korea being the top source market.

Macau's gaming tourism area hosted over 245 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events in the third quarter of 2023, a 231% increase from the previous year. Several new hotels are opening or being signed across Asia, including the Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou in China, the first TRIBE NATION hotel in China, and Mandarin Oriental's Villa Mayavee in Phuket Mohegan Inspire Entertainment in South Korea begins a soft opening of its non-casino areas, and Indian Hotels Company announces its sixth Ginger brand hotel in Kerala, India.

China launches a pilot project allowing visa-free travel for visitors from several countries, with Malaysia reciprocating for Chinese and Indian visitors. IHG, Accor, SM Hotels, Hilton, and Artyzen Hospitality Group announce new properties and partnerships across Asia. The former Palazzo Versace in Australia is up for sale with a $100 million price tag.