Cebu

Vietnam's Visitation Rate Is 69% of Pre-Covid Levels

In Vietnam, foreign tourist arrivals for the first nine months of 2023 increased significantly by 4.7 times compared to the previous year, with a 13.4% decrease in September from August. Cambodia witnessed a 251% year-on-year increase in foreign visitors for the first eight months of the year, targeting 4.5 to 5 million arrivals in total for the year. Macau's visitor arrivals during Golden Week exceeded 150,000 on the third day, with plans for Galaxy Macau Phase 4 to open in 2026 with fewer hotel rooms than initially planned.

IHG to Debut an InterContinental in Chiang Mai

China's travel and tourism sector is projected to grow by 150% to $1.48 trillion by the end of 2023 and contribute over $4 trillion to the economy by 2033, with significant job growth. Asset World Public Company Limited partners with IHG to launch the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, part of a larger mixed development project in Thailand. NH Hotel brand plans to build a 12-story hotel near Sydney Airport, while Fusion Hotel Group opens HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong in Vietnam, emphasizing "Workation" tourism.

Macau Casinos Experience High Demand as Golden Week Approaches

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.

Ritz-Carlton Properties in Melbourne and Perth Up for Sale

The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Melbourne and Perth are being sold for approximately $500 million, attracting bids from wealthy Australians and offshore investors. Salter Brothers has purchased the Sofitel Adelaide Hotel for $154 million, marking a significant hotel transaction in Adelaide. The Interlude , an urban wellness retreat, has opened in Melbourne 's Pentridge prison, featuring unique design elements like an underground swimming pool.

Japan's Hotels Record Fivefold Increase in Overseas Investment

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.

Sydney's Newest Boutique Hotel

Hotel industry in China shows strong recovery with a 60.4% increase in RevPAR compared to the previous year, despite a slight decline of -5.5% compared to 2019. Prominent hotel openings and expansions include Hotel Morris Sydney in Australia, JW Marriott Auckland in New Zealand, Hotel101 projects in Metro Manila and Cebu-Mactan in the Philippines, and Mondrian brand's global expansion. Anantara unveils luxurious villas in Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the UAE, while IHG Hotels & Resorts announces the first voco resort in Egypt's North Coast, and Six Senses Amaala prepares to launch a captivating resort in Saudi Arabia as part of the Vision 2030 program.

Radisson Signs Deal to Expand in the Philippines

Radisson Hotel Group announced the latest phase of their expansion strategy in the Philippines with the signing of a deal with SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has completed the renovations on over 850 hotels rooms. Millennium Hotels announced the launch of M Social in Suzhou , the maiden property for the brand in China.

Marriott Promises 100 Properties in India by 2025

STR reported  China hotel RevPAR, the week ending April 8, was up 108.5% on a year-over-year basis. It was up against an easy -49.5% comparable in 2022. STR said Melbourne’s hotel occupancy was the highest for any month since February 2020 in March 2023. Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano was interviewed at the HICSA Conference in Bengaluru, India this week. He said Marriott plans to expand to at least 10 new cities in the country in the next two years with over 100 properties .

Fosun Expects Sustained Chinese Tourism Boom

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.

Marriott Talks APAC Map Quest 

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended March 18. China hotel RevPAR rose 134% on a year-over-year basis, up against an easy -46% comp result in 2022. Marriott International announced the milestone opening of  hotel number 1,000  in Asia Pacific , signaling its continued confidence in the long-term growth potential of the region. Sabre said they have found strong demand among Chinese outbound travelers, despite high airfare costs.