Sydney

Wyndham Grand debuts in Kuala Lumpur and Hilton's Curio Collection enters India, while Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point launches after a significant refurbishment. Hyatt and IHCL plan extensive expansions in India, while Genting invests in Sentosa. The Westin Tokyo undergoes a major makeover, and Candeo Hotels integrates a historic temple in Osaka.

STR reported strong hotel performance in China, with an 88.7% year-over-year increase in RevPAR for the week ending October 28th. The region is showing signs of rapid post-pandemic recovery, reaching occupancy levels similar to Europe and America. Macau recorded over 22.72 million visitor arrivals, with a recent increase in daily arrivals, and the first 10 months of the year reaching 68% of 2019 levels. Various hotel-related developments and partnerships were announced by brands like IHG, Accor, and CapitaLand Ascott Trust across Asia, including new property openings, divestments, and expansions, highlighting continued growth in the region's hospitality industry.

Efforts to attract Chinese tourists to Southeast Asia are falling short, with drops in arrivals to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam; Thailand's visa exemption offers a temporary boost. Numerous hotel developments across Asia include expansions by Amora Group, partnerships in Malaysia and Indonesia, and potential property transformations in Singapore and Australia. DigiPlus Interactive Corp. aims to resurrect a $500 million casino resort on Boracay Island, hoping for favorable response from the Marcos administration.

Hotel RevPAR in China surged by 77.2% year over year due to Golden Week, with a 53.2% increase compared to 2019. Japan's hotel industry saw an elevated average daily rate in July but struggled with occupancy recovery. Melbourne's hotel industry reported a decline in RevPAR in September despite increased occupancy, and October occupancy is on par with the previous year.

In Vietnam, foreign tourist arrivals for the first nine months of 2023 increased significantly by 4.7 times compared to the previous year, with a 13.4% decrease in September from August. Cambodia witnessed a 251% year-on-year increase in foreign visitors for the first eight months of the year, targeting 4.5 to 5 million arrivals in total for the year. Macau's visitor arrivals during Golden Week exceeded 150,000 on the third day, with plans for Galaxy Macau Phase 4 to open in 2026 with fewer hotel rooms than initially planned.

China's travel and tourism sector is projected to grow by 150% to $1.48 trillion by the end of 2023 and contribute over $4 trillion to the economy by 2033, with significant job growth. Asset World Public Company Limited partners with IHG to launch the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, part of a larger mixed development project in Thailand. NH Hotel brand plans to build a 12-story hotel near Sydney Airport, while Fusion Hotel Group opens HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong in Vietnam, emphasizing "Workation" tourism.

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.

China's hotel industry saw a significant year-over-year increase in RevPAR, up 58.1% compared to a decline in the previous year. Hong Kong's tourism sector experienced a gradual recovery, with August visitor arrivals reaching 84% of pre-pandemic levels. Wharf Hotels introduced Maqo, a new premium lifestyle brand, expanding its portfolio and aligning with its "25 by 2025" growth vision. Maqo's inaugural hotel will be in Changsha, China, and it aims to provide unique, edited experiences for its guests.

Singapore's August visitation decreased by -7.8% compared to July, with 1.31 million visitors. Total eight-month arrivals remain nearly -30% lower than 2019. Accor SA aims to sign approximately 125 hotel partnership projects in China this year, with plans to introduce the Orient Express brand. Hilton plans to expand its Hilton Garden Inn brand throughout the Asia Pacific region, with a new regional room prototype introduced in Australia and New Zealand.

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) expresses concerns about new regulations that exclude accommodations with up to eight rooms and 30 guests from the hotel business, anticipating a 15% to 20% loss in tourism revenue and increased safety risks. The THA believes these regulations have more disadvantages than benefits, while the Tourism Council of Thailand supports them. Speculation grows regarding the legalization of casino gambling in Thailand within three years, attracting international and regional operators. The text emphasizes the importance of the government's approach to legalization, as it could affect investor interest, citing examples from other countries like Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. New World Hotels & Resorts, an upper-upscale hotel brand under Rosewood Hotel Group, is actively expanding in Asia. They plan to have 18 operating hotels by the end of the year, with two more opening in 2024. The brand is entering various markets, including Mainland China, Vietnam, and Japan.