Singapore

China’s outbound travel bookings for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays have surged more than 10 times compared to the previous year.

Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands in Singapore’s expansion plans received another increase. Marina Bay Sands said they launched the second phase of its significant reinvestment program.

Nomura reports that China's outbound tourism faces significant recovery challenges through 2024-2025, due to eased supply constraints but hampered by economic issues and reduced consumer demand, with a forecasted recovery to 73% of 2019's travel levels by year-end.

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.

China's hotel RevPAR surged 56.1% year-over-year for the week ending December 30th, showing a significant recovery compared to the previous year's decline. The Maldives experienced a backlash from Indian tourists, with a significant number of hotel booking and flight ticket cancellations, following offensive comments by Maldivian politicians against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Major hotel groups are announcing new projects and expansions, such as Accor's partnership to launch Grande Mercure Jaipur Kukas in India, and Oberoi Group's legal setback in Himachal Pradesh.

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.

Wharf Holdings is planning to open 25 Maqo hotels by 2025 and is discussing expansions in China, Japan, and Thailand. IHG is introducing a new Holiday Inn Resort in Maharashtra, India, for 2027 and announced significant growth of their Holiday Inn Express brand in Greater China. ONYX Hospitality Group is expanding its Shama serviced apartment brand with five new properties across Asia, including locations in China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

STR reported a 54.2% increase in China's hotel RevPAR compared to last year, with Jakarta hotels reaching record occupancy and RevPAR levels, boosted by events like a Coldplay concert. Accor announced the opening of five new properties in Asia, along with the first Movenpick by Accor destination in Qingdao, China, as part of a strategic alliance with Sunmei Group, planning over 400 new properties across China. IHG, Radisson, and Wyndham announced new hotel openings in Amritsar, Surat, Goa, and Cebu, with IHG's voco Amritsar Airport and Radisson's Uday Palace Navsari targeting diverse locations.

Macau expects 28 million visitors in 2023, nearing 74% of 2019 levels, with predictions for further growth in 2024. New hotel developments and renovations across Asia , including the Courtyard by Marriott in Kyoto , Japan , and the Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel in Thailand . Radisson expands in South-east Asia, targeting markets like Sri Lanka and the Philippines , while Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Lemon Tree Hotels in Karnataka, India , announce new properties.

IHG chose Kuala Lumpur as the site of its 150th Hotel Indigo. The new hotel features unique amenities like a living vertical garden and a large-scale installation made from recycled plastic bottles. Pro-invest is preparing to sell an $800 million hotel portfolio, including eight Holiday Inn Express properties across Australia and New Zealand. Best Western is launching its first Aiden property in Southeast Asia in Phu Yen, Vietnam.