Japan’s booming tourism, driven by a weak yen and rising demand, has pushed hotel costs so high that even business travelers are priced out, prompting shifts to alternatives like Airbnb and further tax hikes in places like Kyoto.
Marriott International opened its 50th property in Malaysia, the Penang Marriott Complex, featuring three hotels, while announcing plans to shift six Samhi Hotels in India to managed operations by October 2024.
Tycoon Manuel Villar Jr. plans to open his first casino in Manila by 2025, investing $1 billion in two integrated casino resorts, with the first located at Vista Mall Global South in Las Pinas and the second in the Villar City development.
Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's first urban hotel in Japan, has opened in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, featuring 81 rooms and suites, a spa with unique treatments, and diverse dining options.
Cambodia's tourism, rebounding to 82.5% of 2019 levels in 2023, aims to boost Chinese visitation, focusing on initiatives including potential mutual visa-free policies and increased flights.
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.
Accor is rebranding 23 Daiwa Resorts properties in Japan as Mercure and Grand Mercure hotels in 2024.
The first Hyatt Place hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is now open, connected to Paradigm Mall.
Swiss-Belhotel International rebranded an upscale property in Surabaya, Indonesia, as the Grand Swiss-Belhotel Darmo.
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.