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Asia-Pacific
Sydney Hotels Achieve Record-Breaking Occupancy and Rates
Sydney hotels achieved their highest occupancy levels on New Year’s Eve at 94% followed by 93.8% on December 2nd. There were only two days in the month when occupancy was not above the 60% mark. -
Asia-Pacific
Banyan Tree Celebrates 30th Birthday With a Rebranding
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. -
Asia-Pacific
Nomura Predicts Chinese Tourism Level for 2024
Nomura reports that China’s outbound tourism faces significant recovery challenges through 2024-2025, due to eased supply constraints but hampered by economic issues and reduced consumer demand, with a forecasted recovery to 73% of 2019’s travel levels by year-end. -
Asia-Pacific
Ascott to Add 8 Lyf-Branded Properties
CapitaLand Investment’s the Ascott Limited, is adding eight new properties to its lyf brand portfolio. The additions mark Ascott’s expansion into various global city and resort destinations including Bali, Penang, and Sydney. -
Asia-Pacific
Maldives Hotel Bookings Are Victims of Social Media Spat
China’s hotel RevPAR surged 56.1% year-over-year for the week ending December 30th, showing a significant recovery compared to the previous year’s decline. The Maldives experienced a backlash from Indian tourists, with a significant number of hotel booking and flight ticket cancellations, following offensive comments by Maldivian politicians against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Major hotel groups are announcing new projects and expansions, such as Accor’s partnership to launch Grande Mercure Jaipur Kukas in India, and Oberoi Group’s legal setback in Himachal Pradesh. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand and Vietnam Set Their Tourism Targets
The Thai hotel industry anticipates a full recovery from the pandemic by late 2024, with Phuket remaining a top destination. Thai hotels had a 60% occupancy rate in 2023, a surge attributed to direct overseas flights and visa-free entry for several countries. Vietnam’s tourism authority targets 17-18 million international visitors in 2024, with a revenue goal of 840 trillion VND. In 2023, Vietnam exceeded its 12.5 million visitor target and saw 108 million domestic trips, generating 678 trillion VND in revenue. Marriott International plans to open new Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Marquis hotels in Beijing by 2026, enhancing their presence in China. The Sheraton Colombo Hotel, Marriott’s second in Sri Lanka, has opened, offering luxury amenities and strategic location. -
Asia-Pacific
Regal Hotels’ $5 Billion Venture with Saudi Arabia
Malaysia led Southeast Asia in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 with 26 million visitors, followed by Thailand with 24.6 million. Vietnam attracted 12.6 million foreign tourists, reaching only 70% of pre-pandemic levels, while Cambodia’s recovery rate was at 92.48%. Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism set ambitious goals for 2024, aiming to match pre-pandemic tourism levels despite past challenges. The Philippines exceeded its 2023 tourism target, welcoming over five million international tourists and surpassing pre-pandemic international tourism revenue. Dusit Hotels and Resorts opened Dusit Princess Phatthalung in Thailand, its first in the far south of the country. Regal Hotels International announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment to build about 100 hotels globally, with a significant focus on the Middle East. -
Asia-Pacific
Aman to Debut the Janu Brand in Japan in March
Four Seasons announces two new hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, opening in 2027 with 160 rooms and suites, and Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, now open with 119 rooms, suites, and 11 villas. Marriott International expands in Sydney and Bangkok with the Moxy brand. Moxy Sydney Pitt Street, opening in 2025, will have 314 rooms and the city’s highest rooftop bar. Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, opening in 2024, starts its experience with a 9th-floor bar check-in. IHG Hotels & Resorts opens two new Holiday Inn resorts in Phuket, managed by Destination Group. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach and Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach feature over 220 rooms each, with private balconies and extensive amenities. -
Asia-Pacific
Mandarin Oriental Unveils Three Resorts in Japan
There are notable expansion and renovations worldwide, including the opening of the Hyatt Place Bodh Gaya in India, the launch of Mondrian Hong Kong, and the extensive refurbishment of Peppers Marysville in Australia’s Yarra Valley. Osaka, Japan, aims to attract 20 million visitors annually with the new MGM Osaka resort. Mandarin Oriental announces plans for three unique resorts in Setouchi, Japan. -
Asia-Pacific
IHG’s Holiday Inn Resorts and Express Surpasses Milestones
Wharf Holdings is planning to open 25 Maqo hotels by 2025 and is discussing expansions in China, Japan, and Thailand. IHG is introducing a new Holiday Inn Resort in Maharashtra, India, for 2027 and announced significant growth of their Holiday Inn Express brand in Greater China. ONYX Hospitality Group is expanding its Shama serviced apartment brand with five new properties across Asia, including locations in China, Malaysia, and Thailand.