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Asia-Pacific
Japan Tourism Numbers Are Finally Going Up
The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose to nearly 500,000 in October, the first month it fully reopened to overseas visitors after more than two years of being closed due to Covid restrictions. Visitor arrivals to Macau in October totaled 580,333, up just 4% from September despite October being a month with a Golden Week. Radisson Hotel Group is planning to grow its portfolio in India from 140 hotels to 200 in FY24. -
Asia-Pacific
China Continues Outbound Tour Suspensions
STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended 11/12 was up 17.5% year over year. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced it would continue to suspend outbound tours by mainland travel agencies. In the recent China Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics , LE analysts report that China’s total hotel construction pipeline, at the close of Q3 2022, stands at 3,604 projects/684,288 rooms. -
Asia-Pacific
China Eases Some Zero-Covid Policies
On Thursday, China’s new top leadership body reaffirmed Beijing’s “dynamic zero” Covid-19 policy in their first meeting since the Communist Party’s Congress last month. Chinese hotel operator Atour raised $52 million in an initial public offering in the United States. Indian Hotels Company said they plan to emerge as the most iconic and most profitable company in South Asia by 2025 and that plan is on track. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia Ramp Up Medical Tourism
STR reported China hotel RevPAR the week ended October 29 was down -17.1% year over year. When up against the similar week in 2019, hotel RevPAR fell -44.8%. The South China Morning Post published an article on medical tourism being ramped up in Asia. The article focused on Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia courting medical tourists. Bali is seeking to attract world-class hospitals to the tropical island, adding medical treatment to its roster of offerings. -
Asia-Pacific
Lockdowns and Testing in Shanghai, Wuhan and Macau
Shanghai ordered mass testing of all 1.3 million residents amidst another lockdown, Wuhan locked down 900,000 people for at least five days, while in Macau the MGM Cotai casino resort was locked down after a dealer tested positive. The hospitality sector in India is looking at rapidly adding managed hotels to its portfolio. Hong Kong -based Langham Hospitality Group has launched an upper midscale brand called Ying’nFlo . -
Asia-Pacific
Accor to Add Five-Star Property in Sydney
Accor said they signed an agreement with Panthers Group for a new five-star Pullman hotel at the Penrith Panthers precinct in Western Sydney . InterContinental Khao Yai is a new resort in Thailand , located in Nakhon Ratchasima province in Khao Yai National Park . IHG , in cooperation with Bao Quan Investment & Construction Joint Stock Company , will open its first Crowne Plaza hotel in Vinh Yen City in the northern province of Vinh Phuc this November. -
Asia-Pacific
China Won’t Ease Zero-Covid Policy Anytime Soon
The commentary from President Xi at the National Congress in Beijing certainly did not sound like the Zero-Covid policy that has hampered tourism and business travel in and outside of China is going to change anytime soon. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort recently hosted an event to celebrate the renovations at the property. Chatrium Hospitality is set to unveil Chatrium Grand Bangkok on November 28, 2022. The hotel is located in the city’s Siam area and is an enhanced version of Chatrium’s luxury collection. -
Asia-Pacific
Golden Week Covid Outbreaks Slow Recovery
While Golden Week was a bit tarnished for hoteliers in China , it created a breeding ground for Covid cases and that was not a disappointment. The number of Adelaide hotel rooms filled in one night hit a new high last month. For Macau , a Covid boom means new quarantine and other measures, bringing down the mood after there were 163,000 mainland visitors entering the city during the seven days of Golden Week. -
Asia-Pacific
Macau Arrivals Highest Since June Outbreak
Macau saw 65,677 visitor arrivals over the weekend in the first two days of the National Day Golden Week. Marriott International announced their JW Marriott brand opened the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, an all-suite luxury retreat nestled in a serene beachside setting on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast. Hilton Grand Vacations announced the grand opening ceremony for The Beach Resort Sesoko, a Hilton Club. -
Asia-Pacific
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.