South Korea

Reuters published an article on how the hoped for, fast out of the gate, revenge travel by the Chinese following the demise of Zero-Covid has not occurred. Instead of a stampede, it has been more like a fast walk. Reuters described Chinese consumers as returning to hotels, restaurants and some shops, but they are choosy about what they buy. […]

Singapore has urged Chinese authorities to restore flight capacity between the two nations to pre-Covid levels as soon as possible in a bid to improve business and tourism ties. The Straits Times said Singapore’s Foreign Minister made the request to his Chinese counterpart during a meeting this week. The number of weekly flights between the two is […]

South Korea’s government will remove its entry restrictions for short-term travelers from China. Associated Press said the South Korean officials believe the Covid situation in China is stabilizing. It will begin processing short-term visa applications again but will also maintain its testing requirements for now. All passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau will need […]

Tour groups from mainland China to 20 countries have restarted, 11 of which are in Asia Pacific. This includes Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Macau and Hong Kong. Countries that are not on the list include Japan, South Korea and the US. The battle already is fierce for these low-margin […]

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. All the countries that were making travelers from China take extra tests or any other restrictions were warned that this would happen. The embassy said they […]

Thailand rescinded its entry policy which requires visitors to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination, citing sufficient immunization levels in China and the rest of the world. Thailand’s health minister said checking evidence of vaccinations was inconvenient and a panel of health experts recommended withdrawing the rule that had just been put into effect over the weekend, ahead […]

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 in the September quarter, despite Singapore’s relatively low population. Singapore arrivals are already back at 80% of pre-Covid numbers with 270 flights per week between Changi and Perth Airport. Before […]

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. Absolute occupancy for the week was 49.5%, which compares with 47% during the comparable week last year. More reports are coming out about China’s decision to roll back Covid-Zero rules. People […]

STR reported China hotel RevPAR for the week ended November 26 was up 2.2% year over year. When compared with the same week in 2019, hotel RevPAR was down -33%. Absolute occupancy for hotels in China for the week was 53.7%, up from 50% during the comparable week in 2021. Macau hotels’ had average occupancy in October of 41.8%, up 4.2 […]

CoStar published an article on Swire Hotels and its plans to expand The House Collective to destinations like Tokyo and Shenzhen Bay in China. The House Collective currently comprises four hotels in China and Hong Kong. In July, Swire announced its first international hotel affiliated with The House Collective, a collaboration between L Catterton Real Estate and Tokyu Corporation and Tokyu Department Store, both under the […]

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%. China hotel absolute occupancy for the week was 48.8% compared with 55.2% during the same week in 2021. The South China Morning Post published an article on medical tourism being ramped up […]

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. Macau also ordered citywide testing. Sadly, given the new and more transmissible Covid variants, this is going to continue […]