China

STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended 8/20 was up 89.7% year over year, up against an easy -43.4%. Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism said that while tourism is recovering, almost 50% of businesses in Cambodia’s main tourism hub of Siem Reap are still closed . In India, mid-sized hotel brands have embarked on aggressive plans and are signing up hotels at a record pace, encouraged by a major turnaround in performance across the country.

Macau’s tally of visitors reached 81,798 for the seven days from August 12 to August 18 inclusive, a daily average of about 11,685. According to the latest Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics , the total China hotel construction pipeline is at 3,693 projects/701,974 rooms. Hilton signed six new luxury hotels in Asia Pacific which will open over the next four years.

China reported 2,181 new Covid cases on Saturday , with infections surging to a three month high. Real Commercial said Sydney hotel occupancies are beginning to slip but hoteliers are still charging higher room rates. Tuan Sing Holdings is close to announcing plans to redevelop its 550 room Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne’s Collins Street into a major mixed-use development.

The average occupancy rate of Macau’s hotels and guesthouses fell by -6.3 percentage points year over year in June to a very weak 39.1%. Ascott Residence Trust is proposing to acquire nine quality serviced residences, rental housing and student accommodation properties across five countries from its sponsor, The Ascott Limited. Accor , Ennismore , and Funyard shared the early progress of their recently announced strategic partnership to develop the international lifestyle brand, JO&JOE, across China.

China reported 2,312 new Covid infections nationwide today , the first time in more than three months that cases topped 2,000 for three consecutive days. Singapore’s Changi Airport emerged as the busiest airport in Asia in the three months to June 30, 2022, recording more than double the number of passenger movements than its nearest rival. The newly built 229 keys midscale Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie managed by Accor has officially opened in Shah Alam, Selangor in Malaysia.

STR said things really improved in China following the belief that the Covid outbreaks were over. Hotel RevPAR for the week ended July 30 th in China was up 8.5% year over year while down only -10.3% versus the same week in 2019. Travelers from Japan, Taiwan and Macau will be temporarily allowed to enter South Korea without a visa this month. Baring Private Equity Asia announced its affiliated real estate funds completed the acquisition of the Sydney Hilton hotel for A$530 million.