Shanghai

Q2 '23 saw 14,572 global hotel projects. Luxury and upscale chains dominate, led by Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. Urban hotels lag in post-pandemic recovery compared to resorts and suburban counterparts, with rate management playing a vital role. Notable new hotels, rebranding, and appointments are taking place, with Hilton, Riu Caribe, Choice Hotels, and Sonder making moves. London's Broadwick Soho hotel is set to open with unique additions.

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 generated $2.98 billion in travel and retail spending in NSW, boosting the economy and drawing record audiences to hospitality venues. Hilton plans to open 25 new luxury hotels in the Asia Pacific region, including its Waldorf Astoria brand in countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and India. Hotel Properties received approval for a S$1-2 billion project to redevelop prime properties on Orchard Road. The redevelopment includes twin skyscrapers, retail, office, residential spaces, and a performance theater, making it Orchard Road's largest property redevelopment.

China has a hotel construction pipeline of 3,666 projects with 678,965 rooms. Mid-level upscale and upper midscale projects are active. Hilton, IHG, and Marriott lead the franchise companies. Vietnam's luxury hotel supply grew 6.2% in H1 2023, with 235 five-star and 354 four-star hotels. The country served 4.3 million overnight visitors. Accor plans 10+ new hotels in India and supports unbranded hotels with the Cozzet Collection.

China hotel industry shows strong rebound: RevPAR up 36.9%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 5.4%. Hong Kong hotels attract investors with discounts up to 30%, driven by cash-rich buyers seeking business district properties. Vietnam's tourism recovery gains momentum: July international arrivals tripled compared to last year, reaching 79% of 2019 levels.

American visitor arrivals to Japan increased by 3.6% in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, making the U.S. the only Western nation, apart from Mexico, to experience a rise in tourism to Japan. Hongkong Land unveiled its $8 billion Shanghai West Bund Financial Hub project, which will include office buildings, luxury residential apartments, hotels, a public art center, and retail spaces. The development will be completed in three phases by 2027, and Hongkong Land plans to roll out 10 new developments in China in the next five years. Macau Legend Development announced its intention to sell its Laos gaming operation for $45 million to a Japanese citizen, as the company has faced financial difficulties and its owner has been arrested. After the sale, Macau Legend will have remaining plans to build a hotel and casino in Cape Verde.

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.

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.

Golden Week started off with a bang in the SAR with Hong Kong reporting 165,000 people crossed the border into the city on the first day while more than 110,000 tourists from the Mainland left Hong Kong. In June,  SJM  will open the 271-room  Karl Lagerfeld Hotel  on  Cotai  in  Macau . The project was initially unveiled in 2014 but was delayed for various reasons including the pandemic. The Rosewood Ranfaru  in the  Maldives  is expected to open in 2027, stretched across a striking chain of private islands around a pristine lagoon in the South Male Atoll

Hotels were reported to be full in parts of the Philippines during the Holy Week break. The Commerce Federation of Macau Central and Southern District said Macau received over 300,000 visitors during the four-day Easter holiday period . Fosun Tourism expects a sustained boom in Chinese tourism in the second and third quarters. Fosun is planning expansions in resort projects in China’s tier I and tier II cities.

Macau saw over 93,000 tourists come to the SAR on Saturday over the Easter weekend. Macau tourism officials continue to try to narrow the gap between current visitation and 2019. Macau average hotel occupancy was about 75% in March . Officials are expecting up to 90% occupancy during the upcoming Labor Day holiday. Accor has 56 operating hotels in India . They entered the country almost two decades ago in 2004. Accor’s vision is to have 200 in five years’ time.