Le Meridien

International arrivals in the Asia Pacific region saw growth in 2022, reaching the strongest level since 2019, with the Pacific region having the highest growth rate. Macau received over five million visitors from Hong Kong in the first nine months of the year, nearing 2019 levels. Radisson Hotel Group announced the rebranding of Fridays Boracay into a Radisson Collection Resort, marking their entry into Boracay, Philippines.

Chinese tourists flocked to the Middle East during Golden Week, benefiting destinations like Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore. Plans were unveiled for a hotel in Braddon, Australia, with a unique design inspired by canyons, featuring 119 suites and retail tenancies. Accor plans to open 30 new properties in India, focusing on tier 2 and tier 3 cities, introducing additional brands like Swissotel, Movenpick, and Handwritten Collection.

Corporate travel data company TRIPBAM reports a 25% increase in booking volumes for US travel in mid-September compared to 2022, with expectations of a return to pre-Covid levels by the end of the quarter and surpassing them in 2024, albeit slower in tech-heavy San Francisco. The third edition of the Hospitality Industry Sentiment survey shows a shift in expectations, with group demand and major events on the rise, while labor costs and supply challenges remain top concerns for the hotel industry. Various hotels announce renovations and openings, including Le Meridien Tampa, Springhill Suites Truckee, Hotel Dena Pasadena, Omni Charlottesville Hotel, and a new hotel project in East Austin. Nashville International Airport opens a new international arrivals facility, and citizenM appoints Rani Gharbie to lead its Americas expansion. Ennismore aims to change the reputation of all-inclusive resorts, and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort announces a LEGO Woodland-themed holiday village. London & Regional is close to acquiring the Kempinski Hotel Bahia in Estepona, Spain.

Macau hotels experience high demand during Golden Week, with standard rooms sold out for at least three nights at 22 casino-associated properties, some offering rooms at around US$400 per night. Samhi Hotels raises Rs 1,370 crore through an IPO, with plans to use the proceeds for debt repayment and corporate purposes, resulting in a 7% trading increase from the IPO price. Blue Chandra Pte Ltd. also sells 50% of its equity holdings in SAMHI. Marriott International opens a Four Points by Sheraton resort in the Philippines and rebrands Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort in Thailand, while Hilton debuts the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. Hyatt announces the construction of the Hyatt House South Melbourne in Australia for a 2025 opening.

Sonder Holdings announces a 1 for 20 reverse split to maintain its Nasdaq listing, with Selina also considering a reverse split. STR reports US hotel data with a slight increase in US hotel RevPAR but a decrease in Group RevPAR for the week ending 9/16. Various hotel acquisitions and developments are underway, including Omni Hotels & Resorts in Raleigh, Travel + Leisure Co.'s sports-themed resorts, Life House in Palm Springs, and more.

Stock market indices, including DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500, experienced declines on Friday, with the 10-year treasury yield also dropping notably. Some lodging companies reported mixed earnings, with Apple Hospitality , RLJ , and Sunstone Hotel Investors beating expectations, while DiamondRock Hospitality and Playa Hotels missed estimates. Several hotel chains, including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and LuxUrban Hotels, Inc. , are making expansion deals, and various hotel properties are undergoing renovations and acquisitions in different locations.

Radisson Hotel Group expands its portfolio in the Asia Pacific region, adding over 60 hotels in Vietnam , India , Thailand , the Philippines , and China . IHG Hotels & Resorts introduces Vignette Collection to Phnom Penh , Cambodia, with the upcoming opening of Vignette Collection Phnom Penh Odom, following the success of Six Senses Krabey Island. Hilton opens Conrad Shenzhen in China's Qianhai business district, featuring 300 rooms and providing elevated luxury accommodations in the city's financial center.

Financial markets experienced declines with the DJIA falling 187 points and the S&P 500 down 13 points, while Nasdaq dropped 18 points. However, lodging stocks showed mixed to higher performance despite the overall market decline. Ashford Hospitality Trust (AHT) expects to return 19 hotels to lenders in various cities, including Las Vegas and Atlanta, due to missed repayment deadlines on a $982 million mortgage pool. AHT faced negative equity in the properties and opted not to pay for an extension, potentially impacting the hotel industry's debt situation. STR's global "bubble chart" update revealed that 85% of markets saw growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019. Occupancy rates played a significant role in driving RevPAR, with coastal countries along the Mediterranean Sea showing strong growth. However, Saudi Arabia experienced the largest decline in RevPAR at 51%.

Philippines aims to become a tourism powerhouse with a new slogan "Love the Philippines" and a five-year plan to boost visitor numbers. Mandarin Oriental in Guangzhou introduces child-friendly MiniMO Jungle Suites and Rooms with themed decor and exclusive amenities. Pan Pacific Hotels Group plans to open Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Bangkok in 2026, featuring 191 suites and leisure spaces.

Nepal hotels are complaining they are not seeing the deluge of reservations they would expect at this time of year. Asset World Public Company Limited signed a hotel management agreement with IHG to launch the Kimpton Pattaya and further demonstrate confidence in Thailand’s tourism industry. ANA Holdings and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan signed a comprehensive commercial agreement.