Melbourne

China hotel RevPAR showed significant year-over-year growth of 50.4% for the week ending July 1, 2023, compared to a decline in 2019 and 7.6% decline in the same period. Vietnam's international visitor numbers reached 70% of their 2023 projection but remained below expectations due to fierce competition and an economic recession. Domestic tourism in Vietnam is also experiencing a decline. Worldwide Hotels Group made significant acquisitions in Melbourne and Singapore , representing the largest hotel transaction in Melbourne in over six years and the largest single-asset Singapore hotel transaction in Asia Pacific in 2023.

Hilton, InterContinental, Melia, Wyndham, Accor, Hyatt, and Marriott are among the hotel chains expanding their presence in various cities across Asia-Pacific. New hotel openings and renovations are bringing luxury accommodations and unique experiences to destinations like Hainan Island, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney , and more. From all-women managed hotels to rooftop pools and innovative dining options, these developments cater to the diverse needs of travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and memorable stays.

H World Group sells one-fifth of its OYO stake, generating 500% return on investment. Dalian Wanda Group seeks to offload assets amid financial challenges, including selling a Shanghai hotel and shopping malls. IHG Hotels opens new Holiday Inn property in Melbourne, featuring modern amenities and conference facilities.

The Singapore Tourism Board said 1.13 million tourist arrivals were recorded in April, the second consecutive month of more than a million arrivals. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism believes they may attract 10 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, surpassing the target of 8 million previously set. Savills Hanoi said the hospitality industry of Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi is on the mend on the back of surges in both international and domestic tourist arrivals .

STR  reported China hotel RevPAR was up 99% year over year for the week ended May 13 . According to Lodging Econometrics’ latest China Construction Pipeline Trend Report , China’s total hotel construction pipeline stand sat at 3,659 projects/680,959 rooms at the end of Q1 2023. Macau visitor arrivals rose 16.2% in April from March, up 275% year over year, to 2,274,050.

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended May 6. Hotel RevPAR in China was up 140.9% year over year. The South China Morning Post said Macau’s casinos are still struggling with finding labor as hotel rooms stay shut and the resorts are unable to fully satiate the booming demand from mainland China tourists . Araiya Hotels and Resorts and Kamakhya Hospitality Services Private Limited announced plans for a new urban resort Soul by Araiya, Dharamshala, A Kamakhya Hotel , anticipated to open in Q4 2023.

Vietnamese travelers are said to be opting for outbound tours due to the significant increase in the price of domestic flights as the holiday season approaches, according to travel agents and tour operators. The South China Morning Post said hotel room rates in Hong Kong are surging ahead of the Labour Day holiday. The number of visitor arrivals to Macau in March rose by 271.4% year over year to 1,956,867, according to the Statistics and Census Service.

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.