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Asia-Pacific
Thailand Drops Vaccination Entry Policy
Thailand rescinded its entry policy which requires visitors to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination, citing sufficient immunization levels in China and the rest of the world. Vietnamnet reported thousands of people lined up at the Mong Cai border gates this past weekend to cross into China. The main requirements to cross were removed on December 31. The first Marriott International property to open on the North side of Phu Quoc in Vietnam has launched. -
Asia-Pacific
Western Australia Sees Surge of Singapore Visitors
Data from Tourism Western Australia shows Singapore is now the number one source of foreign visitors, with Singaporeans accounting for 24% of all international arrivals. The Ascott Ltd. has launched Citadines Connect in Lebuh Noordin, Georgetown, Penang , a hotel situated in a two-story pre-war building. Mohegan’s Inspire Entertainment Resort , under development in Incheon, South Korea , signed a management agreement with Hanwha Hotel & Resorts for the operation of five-star hotel towers in the property. -
Asia-Pacific
Hilton Plans More Luxury Rollouts
STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended December 3. RevPAR was down -2.6% on a year-over-year basis while down -40.2% against the same week in 2019. More reports are coming out about China’s decision to roll back Covid-Zero rules . The latest STR report, commissioned by Arabian Travel Market, conducted at the end of September 2022, suggests the GCC region now has over 170,000 hotel rooms under active development. -
Asia-Pacific
Macau’s October Hotel Occupancy Underwhelms
STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended November 26 was up 2.2% year over year. Macau hotels’ had average occupancy in October of 41.8%, up 4.2 percentage points from September. Accor announced details on some of its newest properties across Australia and New Zealand that will be opening in 2023. -
Asia-Pacific
Swire Hotels Plans to Expand The House Collective
CoStar published an article on Swire Hotels and its plans to expand The House Collective to destinations like Tokyo and Shenzhen Bay in China. Pullman Orchard is expected to open its doors within the next month, located in the heart of Orchard Road in Singapore . Banyan Tree Group said they continue to expand one of their latest brand concepts, Homm, with two new properties. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia Ramp Up Medical Tourism
STR reported China hotel RevPAR the week ended October 29 was down -17.1% year over year. When up against the similar week in 2019, hotel RevPAR fell -44.8%. The South China Morning Post published an article on medical tourism being ramped up in Asia. The article focused on Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia courting medical tourists. Bali is seeking to attract world-class hospitals to the tropical island, adding medical treatment to its roster of offerings. -
Asia-Pacific
Lockdowns and Testing in Shanghai, Wuhan and Macau
Shanghai ordered mass testing of all 1.3 million residents amidst another lockdown, Wuhan locked down 900,000 people for at least five days, while in Macau the MGM Cotai casino resort was locked down after a dealer tested positive. The hospitality sector in India is looking at rapidly adding managed hotels to its portfolio. Hong Kong -based Langham Hospitality Group has launched an upper midscale brand called Ying’nFlo . -
Asia-Pacific
Singapore Expects to Recover 80% of Pre-Covid Visitors
Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth said Singapore’s visitor tally this year should be on the higher end of their 4 million to 6 million projection from July. According to September 2022 data from STR , Middle East & Africa was the only world region to show an increase in overall hotel pipeline activity at the end of the third quarter. JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s Hotel Investment Highlights Asia Pacific 2H22 said a combination of pent-up demand, a resurgence of cross-border transactions, and a buoyant travel industry will lift Asia Pacific hotel investment to over US$10.7 billion in 2022. -
Asia-Pacific
Europe Will Supersede APAC as Leading Travel Region
A new report from international travel industry analysts, the Centre for Aviation , predicts the Asia Pacific region will no longer be the world’s largest travel region by the end of 2022. Hyatt Hotels announced the opening of the Fuji Speedway Hotel in Shizuoka, Japan , the first property within The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan. Business Line reported Accor plans to divest its stake in Indian ventures , opting to go asset-light through management contract deals. -
Asia-Pacific
Asia Is Open but Recovery Is Slow
The Wall Street Journal published an article on how Asia Pacific may have reopened to tourism, but the recovery is slow . Oyo Hotels filed new financial documents with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Japan plans to resume visa-free air tickets in October and Taiwan plans to open its borders from mid-to-late October.