Philippines

International arrivals in the Asia Pacific region saw growth in 2022, reaching the strongest level since 2019, with the Pacific region having the highest growth rate. Macau received over five million visitors from Hong Kong in the first nine months of the year, nearing 2019 levels. Radisson Hotel Group announced the rebranding of Fridays Boracay into a Radisson Collection Resort, marking their entry into Boracay, Philippines.

Cushman & Wakefield reported significant growth in China's hotel industry, with domestic tourism on the rise and strong performance in the hotel market. Las Vegas Sands is embarking on a $3.3 billion expansion project in Singapore, while Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expanding in Vietnam, including a massive complex on Bai Dai beach. Fine Acers Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd is partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to open a luxury Wyndham Grand Hotel & Branded Residences in Amer, Jaipur, India.

Macau's Golden Week holiday saw a surge in visitors, with over 932,000 arrivals and high hotel occupancy rates, mainly driven by mainland Chinese tourists. Indonesia plans a significant expansion in its tourism sector, aiming to attract up to $8 billion in investments for specific destinations. Several new hotel properties by Accor and Hilton are announced in countries including Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

Philippines sees over 4 million foreign tourist arrivals in 9 months, exceeding tourism spending targets. Thailand's visa-free travel policy for Chinese tourists results in a 30% increase in hotel bookings, approaching 2019 levels. Various developments in the hotel and tourism industry, including a new skyscraper in Tokyo and changes in travel intentions worldwide.

Macau hotels experience high demand during Golden Week, with standard rooms sold out for at least three nights at 22 casino-associated properties, some offering rooms at around US$400 per night. Samhi Hotels raises Rs 1,370 crore through an IPO, with plans to use the proceeds for debt repayment and corporate purposes, resulting in a 7% trading increase from the IPO price. Blue Chandra Pte Ltd. also sells 50% of its equity holdings in SAMHI. Marriott International opens a Four Points by Sheraton resort in the Philippines and rebrands Le Meridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort in Thailand, while Hilton debuts the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. Hyatt announces the construction of the Hyatt House South Melbourne in Australia for a 2025 opening.

Chinese hotel RevPAR surged by 59.6% YoY but remained 5.1% below 2019 levels for the week ending September 16th. The Philippines is close to surpassing its 2023 tourist arrival target, with 3.87 million foreign visitors contributing Php316.9 billion in revenue. Thailand aims to attract a record 40 million tourists in 2023 through visa-free systems, promotional efforts, and expanding direct flights, targeting international travelers with a focus on Chinese visitors.

Hotel prices are surging during the upcoming Golden Week in popular cities, driven by the extended Golden Week, which includes the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday. Sydney, Australia, experienced record-high performance levels in August 2023 due to the FIFA Women's World Cup, with increased occupancy and average daily rates. Accor is expanding its presence in Japan by adding 23 properties and over 6,000 rooms to its network, with renovations and rebranding set to take place, doubling its presence in the country.

Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix expects lower attendance in 2023 but higher receipts compared to pre-Covid levels, with foreign attendees driving up hotel room rates. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is expanding into New Zealand, adding three properties to its portfolio in the Oceania region. Mana Hotels expands beyond Rajasthan with a new homestay in Rishikesh, while IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to add more hotels to its Indian portfolio, with a focus on Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands.

Foreign arrivals in the Philippines reached 3.3 million in the first eight months of 2023, approaching the government's annual goal of 4.8 million. South Korea was the top source of inbound tourists. Trip.com Group reported robust recovery in domestic and international business in 2Q23, with strong growth in domestic hotel bookings in China. However, outbound hotel and air reservations remained down compared to pre-Covid levels. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts signed three new agreements with Indonesia Hospitality Group, expanding its presence in Indonesia. This follows the earlier launch of the Howard Johnson by Wyndham brand in Indonesia.

Both Thailand and South Korea are implementing strategies to entice Chinese tourists, including visa exemptions, tax refunds, and rewards. Thailand's response comes after a drop in Chinese tourist arrivals, while South Korea offers incentives like visa fee waivers and cultural experiences. The Philippines establishes a Korea Visa Application Center to handle increased visa requests between the two nations. Travel between Korea and the Philippines has surged, showing potential to surpass pre-pandemic levels. Avani Hotel construction begins in Australia, Accor expands its properties with Novotel Living in Vietnam, and Marriott introduces new properties in Bali and Thailand. Deepak Ohri departs from lebua Hotels and Resorts, while Vaibhav Verma becomes Chief Revenue Officer at juSTa Hotels & Resorts. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon assumes leadership at Thailand's Tourism Authority.