Melbourne

Bloomberg published an article saying foreign investors are buying up Japanese hotels at a scale unseen in almost a decade , as the nation’s tourism recovery, weak currency and low-interest rates drive an appetite from abroad. As expected, the Japanese government wasted no time in approving the Osaka prefecture Integrated Casino Resort plan once the Governor was reelected and the first poll came out showing a favorable view. Accor is expanding its presence in Japan with the signing of ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East , centrally situated in the shopping and entertainment district of Ginza.

STR reported  China hotel RevPAR, the week ending April 8, was up 108.5% on a year-over-year basis. It was up against an easy -49.5% comparable in 2022. STR said Melbourne’s hotel occupancy was the highest for any month since February 2020 in March 2023. Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano was interviewed at the HICSA Conference in Bengaluru, India this week. He said Marriott plans to expand to at least 10 new cities in the country in the next two years with over 100 properties .

The Bulgari Hotel Tokyo has opened its doors. The hotel is located on floors 40-45 of Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, a new skyscraper overlooking the Tokyo Station, the Imperial Palace Gardens and the city. The Singapore Tourism Board said the number of visitors arriving in the first quarter of 2023 reached 2.9 million, representing 62% of its 1Q19 visitation figure . STR reported on China hotel data for the week ended April 1. China hotel RevPAR rose 153.9% year over year for the week against easy comps.

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended March 18. China hotel RevPAR rose 134% on a year-over-year basis, up against an easy -46% comp result in 2022. Marriott International announced the milestone opening of  hotel number 1,000  in Asia Pacific , signaling its continued confidence in the long-term growth potential of the region. Sabre said they have found strong demand among Chinese outbound travelers, despite high airfare costs.

Nepal hotels are complaining they are not seeing the deluge of reservations they would expect at this time of year. Asset World Public Company Limited signed a hotel management agreement with IHG to launch the Kimpton Pattaya and further demonstrate confidence in Thailand’s tourism industry. ANA Holdings and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan signed a comprehensive commercial agreement.

CNBC produced a segment on how hotel rates in Asia Pacific are surging . CBRE said Australian hotel sales hit $2.14 billion in 2022, the second highest transaction volume on record The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka will open its doors on June 21, 2023 on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan.

STR said the reopening of Japan’s international border several months ago, along with the National Travel Support campaign, have helped boost Tokyo’s hotel average daily rate beyond pre-pandemic comparables for two straight months. Nikkei reported that Japan will launch a project to encourage global hotel operators to open luxury properties in national parks as early as in 2024. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee announced the general requirement for indoor and outdoor masking has been lifted.

The Philippines Hotel Sales and Marketing Association said hotels in the country remain optimistic of the industry’s performance this year as the average occupancy has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Marriott International is planning 14 new luxury properties opening in the Asia Pacific region this year. IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of voco Bangkok Surawong with Tawanna Property Company Limited, a real estate investor and developer in Thailand .

Singapore signaled an end to the Covid-19 era restrictions , removing nearly all remaining mask rules as well as all border restrictions for arrivals who are not fully vaccinated. All travel restrictions for residents of Hong Kong and Macau wishing to go to Taiwan will be lifted on February 20, three years after they were imposed. STR said Australia’s hotel performance turned a massive corner during the first half of 2022 as the Omicron wave subsided and governments relaxed travel restrictions around the country.

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.