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Asia-Pacific
Malaysia and Hong Kong See Significant MoM Tourism Bumps
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. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand Aims for Record 2 Million Russian Tourists Amid European Travel Restrictions
Thai tourism officials hope for 2 million Russian tourists to visit Thailand next year, as Russian travelers have been unwelcome in many European tourist locations due to their government’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Marriott International’s Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is expanding in Asia Pacific with five new properties in China and Japan , showcasing the brand’s new design concept. ONYX Hospitality Group announced the grand opening of Amari Raaya Maldives , establishing its presence in the Southeast Asian hotel industry. -
Asia-Pacific
Accor’s $300 Million in APAC Hotel Renos and Refurbs
Accor Pacific’s partners have invested over $300 million in hotel renovations and refurbishments across various locations in the Pacific region to enhance guest satisfaction and maintain a leading position in the industry. Centara Udon in Thailand underwent renovations and now offers remodeled facilities, new dining options, and event spaces. S Hotels and Resorts PCL is set to open SO/ Maldives , a new resort on a private island with beachfront and over-water pool villas, and various dining venues in November 2023. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand Gets Hotels by Melia and Accor
Hotel RevPAR in China increased by 41.5% for the week, compared to a year ago. New hotel openings include InterContinental Shenzhen WECC in China, Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre in Thailand , and INNSiDE by Melia hotel in Bangkok . NH Collection brand will debut in the Maldives with NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort , and Mondrian Singapore Duxton has opened in Singapore’s Chinatown. -
Asia-Pacific
Chiang Mai Tourism Bounces Back
China hotel RevPAR in the week ending June 10th: Up 66.7% YoY, down 2.6% compared to 2019. Chiang Mai ‘s tourism industry recovering with increased hotel occupancy rates and visitor numbers. New developments in the hospitality industry: Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens in Jiuzhaigou , Bookmark Resorts announces first wellbeing resort, and Karl Lagerfeld hotel in Malaysia . -
Asia-Pacific
Surge in Global Summer Travel Bookings
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. -
Asia-Pacific
Macau Labor Day Numbers Exceed Expectations
STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended April 29 was up 138.2% year over year. The Association of Macao Tourist Agents said the first Labor Day holiday after lifting all Covid curbs had exceeded expectations. The General Statistics Office of Vietnam said the number of Chinese citizens traveling to Vietnam is on the rise with 112,000 visiting in April, up 61.5% year on year. -
Asia-Pacific
Mandarin Oriental’s New CEO, Radisson’s Deal With La Vie
Mandarin Oriental announced that Laurent Kleitman will be taking over for James Riley as group chief executive from September 1, 2023. Radisson Hotel Group and La Vie Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a Master Collaboration Agreement to add over 30 hotels to the Group’s portfolio over the next 10 years. ONYX Hospitality Group has signed a business alliance agreement with Walton Asset Management Co., Ltd. to manage Shama Luxe Sukhumvit Bangkok . -
Asia-Pacific
Macau to Get Karl Lagerfeld Hotel, Maldives to Get a Rosewood
Golden Week started off with a bang in the SAR with Hong Kong reporting 165,000 people crossed the border into the city on the first day while more than 110,000 tourists from the Mainland left Hong Kong. In June, SJM will open the 271-room Karl Lagerfeld Hotel on Cotai in Macau . The project was initially unveiled in 2014 but was delayed for various reasons including the pandemic. The Rosewood Ranfaru in the Maldives is expected to open in 2027, stretched across a striking chain of private islands around a pristine lagoon in the South Male Atoll -
Asia-Pacific
Meetings and Events Boost Southeast Asian Hotels
STR said Southeast Asia’s hotel industry is seeing the return of MICE . While leisure travel has shown the most resilience in the region, much of the recent demand in Southeast Asia can be linked to MICE travel and events. The Singapore Tourism Board said the number of visitors from India rose by 3.5x in the first quarter of 2023, year over year. IHG Hotels & Resorts announced plans to expand its presence in Asia through developments in Nepal and Indonesia .