Hong Kong

Macau Will Pay Some Regional Tourists to Visit

Marriott International announced it signed an agreement with China Central Place, Suzhou to bring the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands to Suzhou. Following in the footsteps of Hong Kong, Macau said they may start paying people to come to visit. Macau’s latest ploy to attract new visitors is an incentive scheme for foreigners that would mimic the promotional arrangement afforded to mainlanders. TIAD is a luxury hotel currently under construction and scheduled to open July 1 in central Nagoya in Japan . They formed a partnership with Marriott International.

Ritz-Carlton Club Refresh Across Asia Pacific

Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton is presenting a newly elevated experience at The Ritz-Carlton Club across its Asia Pacific hotels, joining a successful launch in Mainland China last summer. Hanwha Hotels & Resorts signed a memorandum of understanding with Lodgis Hospitality Holdings to forge a strategic partnership to mutually boost each of their hotel and resort portfolios. New Zealand’s Sotheby’s International Realty is listing an exclusive Queenstown  development site, expected to sell for more than $40 million.

China's Travel Rebound May Speed Up

STR reported China hotel RevPAR was down -17.7% year over year for the week ended 12/31/22. When compared to the same week in 2019, RevPAR was down -23.6%. As of Sunday, the terrible hotel news of the past three years is just that, in the past as borders were reopened in China . The Philippines and China signed a new comprehensive tourism agreement that aims to strengthen mutual development in areas such as hotels, resorts, cruise ships, ports, tourism products and other related industries.

TFE Hotels, ShriGo Hotels and Grand Amanta Expand

STR said China hotel RevPAR the week ended 12/24  was down -21.9% year over year and down -38.9% versus the same week in 2019. Marriott International said its transformation of the Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand  continues to build momentum across the globe. TFE Hotels  will launch into 2023,  opening three new-build hotels  in the first half. The  Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne  will open in Australia in February.

Macau Announces End to Zero-Covid Policy

Macau follows what China’s leadership tells them to and now it is confirmed that Zero Covid is dead. ONYX Hospitality Group unveiled plans to strengthen its serviced apartment brand, Shama . The Novotel Bali Benoa has reopened following a major renovation that will reposition the beachfront resort.

India Hotels Projected to See 23% Growth Over Pre-Pandemic Levels

STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended 11/19. RevPAR was up 9.8% year over year in China while down -37.6% versus the same week in 2019. CapitaLand’s Ascott Limited unveiled its refreshed Somerset brand. This is the second largest brand in Ascott’s Global Portfolio. Crisil Ratings said the Indian hotel industry is likely to witness 23% growth in revenue this fiscal over the pre-pandemic level, driven by a strong recovery in business travel and continued traction in leisure travel.

Singapore Is a Regional Recovery Standout

STR’s global bubble chart for October 22 showed Singapore standing out in the Asia Pacific region while noting continued, steady recovery for most of the world. HG Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with Shenzhen Bay Area Urban Construction and Development Co. Ltd. to develop a new luxury and lifestyle hotel. The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong officially opened The Fullerton Spa , offering best-in-class wellness treatments for Hong Kong guests and travelers.7

Marriott Adding Brands and Properties in India

Marriott International will be adding about 13-14 hotels in India under different brands in the next 12 months. Hong Kong has continued to loosen Covid restrictions , now targeting eventgoers. Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with Wondergrain Exports Private Limited to launch DoubleTree by Hilton Amritsar .

Golden Week Covid Outbreaks Spur China Closures

STR said China hotel RevPAR fell -35.8% for the week ending October 22   on a year over year basis. It is doubtful the RevPAR comps in China will look much better in coming weeks as Covid outbreaks following Golden Week are spurring closures and lockdowns. Best Western Hotels & Resorts signed a strategic partnership for two beach apartment buildings on Vietnam’s southeast coast .

More Covid Restrictions Fall Across Asia

Covid restrictions continue to fall like dominoes . Hong Kong came through with their plan to end their hotel quarantine policy, putting it into effect before October Golden Week, beginning today. Macau’s hotel occupancy rate fell to just 33.3% in August, down -1.1 percentage points year over year. DBS said Singapore’s hospitality industry is on track for a “spectacular” second half of 2022.