Pullman

Macau's Golden Week holiday saw a surge in visitors, with over 932,000 arrivals and high hotel occupancy rates, mainly driven by mainland Chinese tourists. Indonesia plans a significant expansion in its tourism sector, aiming to attract up to $8 billion in investments for specific destinations. Several new hotel properties by Accor and Hilton are announced in countries including Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

The GBTA Business Travel Outlook shows Asia Pacific is forecast for significant growth, with travel spending gaining 41% to US$567 billion this year. Trip.com said outbound travel order for the upcoming Golden Week increased nearly 20 times, and domestic travel increased more than four times over the Golden Week period last year. Accor announced their Novotel brand’s fiftieth hotel opening in Greater China with its newest destination, Novotel Xi’an Aden.

The Royal Thai Government is granting temporary tourist visa exemptions to Chinese and Kazakhstani passport holders from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024, to boost tourism revenue. Macao expects a high number of visitors during the upcoming Golden Week, with hotels projected to have near-full occupancy due to the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday. Galaxy Macau has opened Andaz Macau, the largest Andaz hotel in the Hyatt brand's portfolio, featuring 700 rooms, artworks, and a direct connection to the Galaxy International Convention Center and Galaxy Arena.

Accor Pacific's partners have invested over $300 million in hotel renovations and refurbishments across various locations in the Pacific region to enhance guest satisfaction and maintain a leading position in the industry. Centara Udon in Thailand underwent renovations and now offers remodeled facilities, new dining options, and event spaces. S Hotels and Resorts PCL is set to open SO/ Maldives , a new resort on a private island with beachfront and over-water pool villas, and various dining venues in November 2023.

Japan's hotel sector has seen a significant increase in overseas investment, reaching $691 million year-to-date. Construction and finance costs have led to the cancellation or delay of hotel projects in Australia, resulting in a reduction of almost 1,000 planned hotel rooms. Macau experienced a 270% year-on-year increase in visitor arrivals in May, with Mainland China being the largest source of visitors.

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.

The global hotel industry is seeing increased activity with notable transactions in Vietnam, Macau, Japan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and India. Key deals include Marriott International's operation of seven hotels from Vinpearl in Vietnam, Accor's new Novotel in Nara, Japan, and DoubleDragon's launch of the largest hotel in Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Several hotel brands are expanding their footprints, with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts signing two agreements with Fulcrum Ventures Asia and Marriott International's Fairfield brand entering Agra, India.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in China said domestic travelers reached 274 million during the recent Labour Day Golden Week holiday, topping 120% of pre-Covid levels . Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa is set to introduce a new era of exciting hospitality to Vietnam’s central coast. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Eleven D&C Co., Ltd. to manage Rosewood Seoul , a new build ultra-luxury hotel set to open in 2027.

Hotels were reported to be full in parts of the Philippines during the Holy Week break. The Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District said Macau received over 300,000 visitors during the four-day Easter holiday period . Fosun Tourism expects a sustained boom in Chinese tourism in the second and third quarters. Fosun is planning expansions in resort projects in China’s tier I and tier II cities.

Reuters published an article on how the hoped for, fast out of the gate, revenge travel by the Chinese following the demise of Zero-Covid has not occurred. Instead of a stampede, it has been more like a fast walk . South Korea and Australia were left off the next list of 40 countries to which China will resume outbound group tours as of tomorrow . Macau authorities are easing measures for entry to mainland China for visitors coming from Hong Kong , aimed at further improving circulation between the SARs and the mainland