India

Trip.com Reports Surge in China Inbound Travel Searches

Today's report highlights significant growth in global search results for inbound travel to China, with Trip.com noting a nearly 40% increase in 3Q23. New properties and expansions are underway, including The Grand Mercure Lampung Hotel in Indonesia and the first Four Points by Sheraton in Kuala Lumpur. The Imperial in New Delhi is undergoing a significant reinvention, including refurbishing historical furniture and revamping its food and beverage operations.

Wyndham Grand Makes Debut in Kuala Lumpur

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.

Hilton's Planned Hotel Openings in Asia Pacific

JLL’s Hotel Momentum India  report said a total of 59 hotels comprising around 4,700 keys were signed in  India  in the last quarter. Hilton  announced some of their 2024 planned openings in the  Asia Pacific region. First up will be  Conrad Singapore Orchard  on January 1. The  Sri Lanka Convention Bureau  is working to establish the country’s Northern province as a destination for MICE for South  India .

Accor Has a Record 42 Signed Deals in Asia

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.

China YoY RevPAR Growth up 103% but Still Short of 2019

China experiences a significant year-over-year increase in hotel **RevPAR**, while **India** anticipates robust growth in the hotel industry, driven by domestic and international tourism. Sri Lanka aims to revive its economy by offering free tourist visas to visitors from seven countries, as it targets five million foreign arrivals by 2026. Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Red Planet are expanding their presence in Asia, while Sarovar Hotels opens an upscale Golden Tulip in Bhopal, India.

Accor Plans 30 New Hotels in India Within Five Years

Chinese tourists flocked to the Middle East during Golden Week, benefiting destinations like Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore. Plans were unveiled for a hotel in Braddon, Australia, with a unique design inspired by canyons, featuring 119 suites and retail tenancies. Accor plans to open 30 new properties in India, focusing on tier 2 and tier 3 cities, introducing additional brands like Swissotel, Movenpick, and Handwritten Collection.

Oyo Reported to Get More Financial Backing

Macau's Golden Week holiday saw a surge in visitors, with over 932,000 arrivals and high hotel occupancy rates, mainly driven by mainland Chinese tourists. Indonesia plans a significant expansion in its tourism sector, aiming to attract up to $8 billion in investments for specific destinations. Several new hotel properties by Accor and Hilton are announced in countries including Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia.

IHG to Debut an InterContinental in Chiang Mai

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.

Many of Thailand's Budget Hotels Are Struggling

China hotel RevPAR increased by 50.4% YoY, outperforming a 48.2% comparison and growing 19% compared to 2019, driven by strong recovery. Thai hotels, especially those with three stars or less, faced severe impact from interest rate hikes, uncertain tourism outlook, and competition, prompting calls for regulatory changes. New luxury hotels are opening in historic Japanese and Vietnamese destinations, while major hotel chains like Accor and Melia are expanding their portfolios in Singapore and Vietnam. Additionally, Meriton Suites is expanding luxury offerings across Australia.