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Asia-Pacific
Malaysian Budget Hotels to Raise Rates 30%
Malaysian budget hotel owners are raising room rates due to increasing operational costs and taxes, amidst pressures from unlicensed accommodations. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand’s PM Pushes for Six-Nation Visa for Southeast Asia
Thailand’s Prime Minister proposes a six-nation visa to enhance regional tourism, potentially extending visa validity to 90 days, with a target of 80 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2027. -
Asia-Pacific
Cambodia’s Tourism Rebound Strategy Is Focusing on Chinese Visitors
Cambodia’s tourism, rebounding to 82.5% of 2019 levels in 2023, aims to boost Chinese visitation, focusing on initiatives including potential mutual visa-free policies and increased flights. -
Asia-Pacific
Seibu Prince Is Creating a New Membership Program and Unifying Its Brand
Seibu Prince Hotels will offer a consolidated membership program and unify its brand identity under a single brand. -
Asia-Pacific
Chinese Outbound Travel Expected to Surge to Visa-Free Destinations
China’s outbound travel bookings for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays have surged more than 10 times compared to the previous year. -
Asia-Pacific
$750 Million Expansion of Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands in Singapore’s expansion plans received another increase. Marina Bay Sands said they launched the second phase of its significant reinvestment program. -
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
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
China and Singapore to Launch Bilateral Visa-Free Policy
IHG chose Kuala Lumpur as the site of its 150th Hotel Indigo. The new hotel features unique amenities like a living vertical garden and a large-scale installation made from recycled plastic bottles. Pro-invest is preparing to sell an $800 million hotel portfolio, including eight Holiday Inn Express properties across Australia and New Zealand. Best Western is launching its first Aiden property in Southeast Asia in Phu Yen, Vietnam. -
Asia-Pacific
Hilton’s Planned Hotel Openings in Asia Pacific
JLL’s Hotel Momentum India report said a total of 59 hotels comprising around 4,700 keys were signed in India in the last quarter. Hilton announced some of their 2024 planned openings in the Asia Pacific region. First up will be Conrad Singapore Orchard on January 1. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau is working to establish the country’s Northern province as a destination for MICE for South India .