Malaysia

Philippines sees over 4 million foreign tourist arrivals in 9 months, exceeding tourism spending targets. Thailand's visa-free travel policy for Chinese tourists results in a 30% increase in hotel bookings, approaching 2019 levels. Various developments in the hotel and tourism industry, including a new skyscraper in Tokyo and changes in travel intentions worldwide.

Global hotel businesses are rebounding to pre-pandemic levels except in Asia-Pacific. Vietnam lags in recovery with reduced Chinese tourism and increased flight costs, despite aggressive hotel development since 2016. Macau's August hotel occupancy averaged 88.7%, with significant visitor growth during the Golden Week, particularly from mainland China, showing signs of a robust recovery to near 2019 levels. Wyndham Hotels unveils its first Auckland hotel, Espire Hospitality launches the ZANA Forest Resort in India, and Ascott Limited partners with Vimut Hospital in Thailand to offer combined lodging and healthcare benefits.

The GBTA Business Travel Outlook shows Asia Pacific is forecast for significant growth, with travel spending gaining 41% to US$567 billion this year. Trip.com said outbound travel order for the upcoming Golden Week increased nearly 20 times, and domestic travel increased more than four times over the Golden Week period last year. Accor announced their Novotel brand’s fiftieth hotel opening in Greater China with its newest destination, Novotel Xi’an Aden.

The Royal Thai Government is granting temporary tourist visa exemptions to Chinese and Kazakhstani passport holders from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024, to boost tourism revenue. Macao expects a high number of visitors during the upcoming Golden Week, with hotels projected to have near-full occupancy due to the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday. Galaxy Macau has opened Andaz Macau, the largest Andaz hotel in the Hyatt brand's portfolio, featuring 700 rooms, artworks, and a direct connection to the Galaxy International Convention Center and Galaxy Arena.

CoStar and STR analysis reveal Australia's hotel market normalization as leisure demand plateaus and corporate business strengthens. Occupancy and ADR figures show progress compared to last year but remain slightly below 2019 levels. Choice Hotels APAC reports positive Q2 results in Australia and New Zealand, adding new deals and Ascend Hotel Collection locations. Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya opens, featuring music-themed rooms; DoubleDragon Corp starts construction on its first overseas hotel in Hokkaido, Japan. Macau experiences impressive hotel occupancy rebound in July; IOI Properties partners with Marriott for a new hotel in Singapore's Marina View property; juSTa Rudra Resort & Spa to open in India; The Greenwood Hotels and Resorts Group invests in Northeast India expansion; The Roxy Impiana Hotel prepares for opening in Kuching, Malaysia.

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.

Malaysia is on track to surpass its international tourist target with an expected 18 million visitors, while Hong Kong saw a significant MoM increase in July, driven largely by visitors from Mainland China. Key developments include the Marriott's expansion in China and India , the transformation of Sydney's former Department of Education building into a luxury hotel, and Damac International's progress on its Maldives resort. JLL India reported mixed hotel performance, Blackstone is reinvesting in Japanese real estate due to favorable market conditions, and A bsolute Hotel Services has made key management appointments.

Bloomberry Resorts ' new integrated resort in Quezon City , Philippines, Solaire Resort North, is facing further delays, potentially pushing the opening from the first quarter of 2024 to the second quarter. Philippines developer Megaworld is set to open the country's largest hotel complex, Grand Westside Hotel, in Manila's Entertainment City, with the first tower opening before the end of the year and the second tower in 2024. Discovery World Corp has opened a five-star resort hotel, Discovery Samal, in Limao, Philippines, featuring 128 hotel suites and extensive facilities, aiming to boost tourist arrivals in the region.

The Philippines Department of Tourism surpasses its tourist arrival target for 2022 and sets a higher goal of 4.8 million tourists for 2023. Banyan Tree Group expands its portfolio with new hotel openings in Vietnam and Japan , along with plans for future properties in various countries. ITC considers demerging its hotels business and exploring alternative business structures after a strong recovery in the industry, with plans for separate listing of the hotel section.

China hotel industry shows strong recovery with a 59.8% increase in RevPAR compared to last year. Ascott Ltd. plans to expand its properties in Malaysia and diversify into the hotel business. Raimon Land Plc announces three luxury projects in Phuket and Bangkok, targeting the luxury segment.