Fukuoka

Boutique Corporation Public Company Limited has secured a position as one of only three third-party operators under Accor in Thailand. Plus more hotel deal and development news items.

Japan's Seibu Holdings will acquire NY-based Ace Group International for $90M, gaining 8-hotel portfolio including NYC, Kyoto, Brooklyn, Athens locations plus creative agency Atelier Ace. Plus more hotel deal and development news items.

Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports delays tourist fee until 2026, citing external uncertainties and tourism demand assessment.

Macau had 2,928 hotel rooms under construction by the end of 2024, with a total of 4,229 potential new rooms if all planned projects are approved.

China's Golden Week started with 96,671 visitors to Macau on Monday, and despite last year's high numbers, the tourism office predicts a lower daily average of 100,000 arrivals from October 1-7.

A new report says that hotel franchising is rapidly expanding in Southeast Asia, providing local hotel owners significant growth opportunities despite market challenges.

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.

Foreign investors like Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Blackstone have invested $2 billion in Japanese hotel deals this year, driven by a hotel business rebound and favorable exchange rates. Hilton plans substantial growth in Southeast Asia, introducing a new Hilton Garden Inn prototype and adding seven new hotels in Malaysia, including new brands like Curio Collection and Waldorf Astoria. Accor expands across Asia with 30 new hotels, focusing on markets like Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India, while also partnering to introduce the Swissotel brand to Malaysia with Swissotel Genting Highlands.

Radisson Hotel Group plans to open more premium and luxury hotels in Thailand , Cambodia , Laos , and Vietnam over the next five years, with a focus on popular tourist destinations such as Bangkok , Phuket , Chiang Mai , and Samui Island . Wyndham Hotels & Resorts aims to open over 15 hotels with 5,000 additional rooms in Thailand to catch up with the country's tourism industry recovery, but they don't expect a return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. IHG Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its Hotel Indigo brand in Thailand , with plans to open the Hotel Indigo Bangkok Thonglor in 2026, offering 250 rooms, restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, gym, and meeting spaces.

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.