Myanmar

Thailand's tourist arrivals fell 7% to 32.6M through Dec. 28, hurt by Chinese actor abduction, Myanmar quake, flooding and stronger baht. Plus more hotel deal and development news.

Thailand is projected to see tourism decline by more than 7% in 2025 due to rising travel costs, coupled with geopolitical instability and inflation. Plus, more hotel development news.

Choice Hotels International is expanding in China, announcing a distribution and franchise agreement with SSAW Hotels & Resorts Group.

Hilton partnered with NILE Hospitality to open 75 Hampton by Hilton hotels in India, expanding its presence in the upper-midscale segment.

Schloss Bangalore, owner of The Leela hotel chain, has filed for a US$599 million IPO to fund expansion and debt repayment, with Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, JPMorgan, and Citi managing the issue.

Thailand's Prime Minister proposes a six-nation visa to enhance regional tourism, potentially extending visa validity to 90 days, with a target of 80 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2027.

Oberoi Group plans to open 50 new hotels by 2030, doubling the number of rooms under management.

Samaras Construction plans to build a high-end hotel in Adelaide, Australia, featuring 175 luxurious rooms, a lavish lobby, a hotel-style bar, and a restaurant. Pan Pacific Perth is undergoing a $50 million refurbishment of its luxury hotel and convention spaces in Adelaide, including guest rooms, suites, and convention facilities. Keppel has completed the divestment of Sedona Hotel Yangon in Myanmar for $57.4 million, while Galaxy Entertainment Group is not re-entering a resort project in the Philippines.

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 .

H ilton’s Asia Pacific president, Alan Watts , told Nikkei Asia that they expect hotel guest numbers in China to return to their pre-pandemic levels by year-end . The Macau Daily Times said they are being told the recent spike in hotel room prices in Macau is driving international visitors away. SJM Holdings Ltd said they plan to launch the remainder of the hotel room inventory at its Grand Lisboa Palace on Cotai in Macau  within the next quarter.