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North America
Wyndham Hotels’ Instant Group Booking Windows
Group bookings across the industry’s largest portfolio of economy and midscale hotels will soon take minutes, not days, thanks to Groups360 and the rapid rollout at over 5,600 Wyndham hotels. -
Asia-Pacific
Sri Lanka Steals Tourism Share From Maldives
The tensions with the Maldives have Indian tourists diverting to other coastal tourist destinations and Sri Lanka is already reaping the benefits, surpassing Maldives in the number of tourists for the first time. -
Asia-Pacific
Fosun Explores Selling a Stake in Club Med
Fosun International was reported by Reuters to be exploring the sale of a minority stake in Club Med, targeting a valuation of US$800 million for the whole business. Reuters said Fosun has been in discussions informally with potential buyers and advisors about the sale but no firm bid has emerged. -
Asia-Pacific
Indians Cancelled 8,000 Bookings to Maldives
India has now slipped to the fifth position for tourist arrivals into Maldives in January, with just over 13,000 visitors. This is per the latest data from the Maldives tourism industry and is quite different than the commentary last week from the Maldives. -
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam’s Hotel Room Supply Is on the Rise
Savills Vietnam predicts a substantial increase in hotel real estate supply in Vietnam, focusing on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, due to new projects from 2024 to 2026. -
Asia-Pacific
Ascott to Add 8 Lyf-Branded Properties
CapitaLand Investment’s the Ascott Limited, is adding eight new properties to its lyf brand portfolio. The additions mark Ascott’s expansion into various global city and resort destinations including Bali, Penang, and Sydney. -
Asia-Pacific
Regal Hotels’ $5 Billion Venture with Saudi Arabia
Malaysia led Southeast Asia in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023 with 26 million visitors, followed by Thailand with 24.6 million. Vietnam attracted 12.6 million foreign tourists, reaching only 70% of pre-pandemic levels, while Cambodia’s recovery rate was at 92.48%. Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism set ambitious goals for 2024, aiming to match pre-pandemic tourism levels despite past challenges. The Philippines exceeded its 2023 tourism target, welcoming over five million international tourists and surpassing pre-pandemic international tourism revenue. Dusit Hotels and Resorts opened Dusit Princess Phatthalung in Thailand, its first in the far south of the country. Regal Hotels International announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment to build about 100 hotels globally, with a significant focus on the Middle East. -
Asia-Pacific
Aman to Debut the Janu Brand in Japan in March
Four Seasons announces two new hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, opening in 2027 with 160 rooms and suites, and Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou, now open with 119 rooms, suites, and 11 villas. Marriott International expands in Sydney and Bangkok with the Moxy brand. Moxy Sydney Pitt Street, opening in 2025, will have 314 rooms and the city’s highest rooftop bar. Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, opening in 2024, starts its experience with a 9th-floor bar check-in. IHG Hotels & Resorts opens two new Holiday Inn resorts in Phuket, managed by Destination Group. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach and Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach feature over 220 rooms each, with private balconies and extensive amenities. -
Asia-Pacific
The Peninsula’s Parent Company Seeks a New CEO
The Philippine Department of Tourism achieved over 5 million international visitors in 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a focus on their National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028. China’s tourism rebound is driven by domestic demand, though sustainability into the next year is uncertain. The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels announced executive changes effective 2024, with a formal search for a new CEO. -
Asia-Pacific
Hyatt Unveils Tokyo’s Toranomon Hills
In China, hotel RevPAR for the week ended December 2nd saw a significant year-over-year increase of 55.6%, contrasting with a -2.6% decline in the previous year. However, compared to the same week in 2019, there was a -7.4% decrease. Marriott International announced the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Perth, Murdoch in two months. AppleOne Group has started constructing the JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort & Residences in Bohol, Philippines, expected to complete in 2027.