Ho Chi Minh City

HCMC's hospitality market remained gloomy in H1 2023 due to slow international tourist arrivals. Ascott Limited is refreshing its hotel-in-residence model, catering to varying lengths of stays with hotel services and amenities. Dusit International expands in Japan with Dusit Thani Kyoto and plans massive expansion in China and India .

China's summer resort tourism market reaches 1.2-1.5 trillion yuan as residents seek refuge from heat waves. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration expects a 20% increase in tourist visa extensions with the launch of its electronic services platform. SC Capital Partners acquires a portfolio of 27 resort hotels in Japan , focusing on revenue increase and refurbishment works.

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.

Vietnam hotels face challenges: Recession and sluggish tourism lead to hotel sales and closures. High demand in Fiji tourism: Shortage of 4,000 hotel rooms, increased spending. New hotel developments in Asia: 25hour hotel in Jakarta , Lanson Place in the Philippines , Hilton Garden Inn in Islamabad .

Hotels in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, are experiencing closures and are being listed for sale due to lower-than-expected visitors, revenue, and the need for capital expenditure. Centara Hotels & Resorts is entering the Japanese market with the opening of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, featuring 515 rooms, world-class dining options, and extensive meeting facilities. The Philippines conglomerate Alliance Global Group plans to allocate Php4 billion for the expansion of Manila's Newport World Resorts, part of a broader Php70 billion investment for 2023.

Radisson Hotel Group will open the Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok in Q2 2024, aiming to double its footprint in Thailand by mid-2024. The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali , will open in July 2023 after a year of renovations, including the addition of new facilities and restaurants. Legoland Shenzhen Resort , the largest Legoland Resort in the world, is set to open in 2024, featuring theme parks, water parks, and three themed hotels.

Summer travel bookings on Trip.com have surpassed 2019 levels, with intra-regional travel leading the way and significant increases in Asia and European markets. Top booked cities in Asia include Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Taipei , while European users show interest in hotels in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations such as Bali, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Marrakech. Forecasts by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) indicate strong growth in international visitor arrivals across Asia Pacific destinations, although full recovery is expected to vary by scenario and region, with China projected to reach pre-pandemic volumes by 2024.

The global hotel industry is seeing increased activity with notable transactions in Vietnam, Macau, Japan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and India. Key deals include Marriott International's operation of seven hotels from Vinpearl in Vietnam, Accor's new Novotel in Nara, Japan, and DoubleDragon's launch of the largest hotel in Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Several hotel brands are expanding their footprints, with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts signing two agreements with Fulcrum Ventures Asia and Marriott International's Fairfield brand entering Agra, India.

The total number of esports hotels in China exceeded 20,000 by the end of February this year, with the occupancy rate reaching an average of 60%. Trip.com said the interest in travel to mainland China has bounced back since the country resumed foreign visa applications. HVS Anarock’s latest report on India says occupancy will improve to 66% at hotels in 2023.

Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed his cabinet to relax certain visa requirements in a bid to attract more foreign tourists to the country. The Economic Times said many more hotels will be signed in India this year  compared to last year with some chains even considering doubling their signing numbers from last year. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced strong growth in Asia Pacific as it closed out 2022, diversifying its offerings for guests and owners across the region.