Taiwan

Taiwan’s travel industry expects inbound tourism to recover, with five new luxury hotels opening this first half of 2024.

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.

Accor aims for a record year in hotel signings across Asia, focusing on Premium, Midscale, and Economy divisions. Thailand offers visa waivers to Indian and Taiwanese tourists to boost its tourism sector. Macau experiences increased hotel occupancy rates, with significant construction plans for additional rooms.

Malaysia is on track to surpass its international tourist target with an expected 18 million visitors, while Hong Kong saw a significant MoM increase in July, driven largely by visitors from Mainland China. Key developments include the Marriott's expansion in China and India , the transformation of Sydney's former Department of Education building into a luxury hotel, and Damac International's progress on its Maldives resort. JLL India reported mixed hotel performance, Blackstone is reinvesting in Japanese real estate due to favorable market conditions, and A bsolute Hotel Services has made key management appointments.

When going up against the same week in 2019, pre-pandemic, China’s RevPAR last week was up 1.3% despite tough Chinese New Year comps due to the timing of the holiday. The average occupancy rate of hotels in Taiwan was 48.06% last year, the fourth lowest in history, but the average room price per night rose to NT$4,195 (US$138), which is a record high. After four years of London being on top as the five-star hotel capital of the world, they have lost that title to Macau, China .

Singapore signaled an end to the Covid-19 era restrictions , removing nearly all remaining mask rules as well as all border restrictions for arrivals who are not fully vaccinated. All travel restrictions for residents of Hong Kong and Macau wishing to go to Taiwan will be lifted on February 20, three years after they were imposed. STR said Australia’s hotel performance turned a massive corner during the first half of 2022 as the Omicron wave subsided and governments relaxed travel restrictions around the country.

Marriott International announced it signed an agreement with China Central Place, Suzhou to bring the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments brands to Suzhou. Following in the footsteps of Hong Kong, Macau said they may start paying people to come to visit. Macau’s latest ploy to attract new visitors is an incentive scheme for foreigners that would mimic the promotional arrangement afforded to mainlanders. TIAD is a luxury hotel currently under construction and scheduled to open July 1 in central Nagoya in Japan . They formed a partnership with Marriott International.

Singapore hotels’ average room rate was up 27.7% in December 2022 from a year ago to a new 14 year high of S$285.84. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos has approved a value-added tax refund program for foreign tourists by 2024 to attract more visitors. The first Hilton hotel in Japan’s Hokuriku region has opened. The DoubleTree by Hilton Toyama is located within a three-minute walk of Toyama Station.

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea has suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean visitors. This is considered the first retaliatory move against nations imposing Covid-19 curbs on travelers from China. The newly inaugurated Fushoushan Farm Guesthouse in Taiwan is fully booked for the Lunar New Year and 228 Peace Memorial Day holidays. Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio continues to expand its footprint in Singapore with the opening of The Serangoon House .

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.