Novotel

Asia-Pacific

China Pushes Back at Outbound Tourism Restrictions

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told the media that many foreign nations had responded warmly to the country’s newly relaxed Covid-19 regulations. The Macau government said that, as of this Sunday, they will officially end all quarantine requirements for all nationalities entering Macau. Vietnam said its tourism sector raked in about US$408.3 million in revenue during the three-day 2023 New Year holiday .
North America

Highgate Will Purchase Viceroy Hotels

JP Morgan said they see more compelling value and better risk-rewards in gaming versus lodging , given better values and differing sets of investors’ expectations for fundamentals. Barclays gave their US Gaming, Lodging & Leisure outlook, saying their preference is the Cruise Lines out of the sub-sectors. Highgate has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Viceroy Hotels & Resorts.
Asia-Pacific

Accor Reveals Asia Property Openings for 2023

Accor announced its list of highly anticipated properties that will open in 2023 . Marriott International announced it expects to reach 50 hotels in Thailand by mid-2023, including adding an anticipated eight hotels next year. Anantara Veli Maldives Resort reopened on December 1, following nine months of extensive renovations.
Asia-Pacific

Macau Announces End to Zero-Covid Policy

Macau follows what China’s leadership tells them to and now it is confirmed that Zero Covid is dead. ONYX Hospitality Group unveiled plans to strengthen its serviced apartment brand, Shama . The Novotel Bali Benoa has reopened following a major renovation that will reposition the beachfront resort.
Asia-Pacific

Vietnam Hits a New Post-Pandemic Tourism High

Sri Lanka Tourism outlined key strategies to double the arrivals to 1.5 million and generate an income of over $5 billion highlighting the sector as a major economic driver. The number of international tourists arriving in Vietnam reached 596,900 in November, the highest monthly total since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Marriott International announced the opening of Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong  and Moxy Seoul Myeongdong , showing how they continue to expand their lifestyle offering in Seoul, South Korea .
Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific Construction Pipeline at Close of Q3

The supposed reopening trade for China stocks hit a speed bump as the realization set in with investors that Covid cases are not going down, in fact they continue to go up. ONYX Hospitality Group said they reinforced their expansion plan with a strategic focus on its home territory of Thailand and neighboring destination, Malaysia . According to the recent Q3 2022 close of the Construction Pipeline Trend Report , Asia Pacific’s total construction pipeline, excluding China, stands at 1,881 projects.
Asia-Pacific

China Moves to Ease International Travel Requirements

Chinese authorities signaled a move to ease international travel requirements, just a couple of days after President Xi reiterated his Zero-Covid policy. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Sun Hung Kai Properties announced plans for a new Four Seasons hotel in historic Suzhou, China . Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton brand announced the Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will open its doors in the first quarter of 2023.
Asia-Pacific

Maldives’ Outlook Downgraded Despite Tourism Recovery

Fitch Ratings revised the Maldives’ outlook to Negative from Stable while affirming its Long Term Currency Issuer Default Rating at B-. Hilton announced plans to expand the presence of Conrad Hotels & Resorts through Conrad Singapore Orchard . Singapore’s Far East Organization is planning to develop a new hotel in Sydney’s Rocks district , with a proposal to redevelop the Clocktower Square with a luxury new property.
Asia-Pacific

Europe Will Supersede APAC as Leading Travel Region

A new report from international travel industry analysts, the  Centre for Aviation , predicts the  Asia Pacific region  will no longer be the world’s largest travel region by the end of 2022. Hyatt Hotels  announced the opening of the  Fuji Speedway Hotel  in  Shizuoka, Japan , the first property within  The Unbound Collection by Hyatt  brand in Japan. Business Line reported  Accor   plans to divest its stake in Indian ventures , opting to go asset-light through management contract deals.