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North America
New York City Market Dominating Recent Hotel Sales
As of November 11, 2023, 79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with leadership positions shifting from Europe to other regions as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter. New York City led U.S. hotel sales in the last three months with transactions totaling $1.35 billion, despite a significant decrease in overall disclosed hotel transaction volume in 2023 compared to 2022. Several key hotel developments and acquisitions include KSL Capital Partners acquiring Hersha Hospitality Trust, the opening of the avid hotel Chattanooga South – Ringgold, and proposed sales like the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh Airport hotel. -
Asia-Pacific
Outbound Chinese Travel Preferences Shift to Singapore, Europe and South Korea
Chinese tourists are showing decreased interest in Japan and Thailand, partly due to Japan’s Fukushima wastewater release and negative perceptions from movies about Thailand. Consequently, Singapore, Europe, South Korea, Malaysia, and Australia have become more popular destinations. M Social opens its first hotel in Suzhou, China, and Indian Hotels Company plans to expand its Ginger brand across India. Other developments include the opening of the Ramada Encore by Wyndham in Amritsar, India, and new properties in Goa and Hong Kong under different brands. Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka reopens after renovations, and Berjaya Land Bhd secures a loan for developing the Four Seasons Resort in Okinawa, Japan. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand Sees Early Results From Visa-Free Travel Period for Chinese Tourists
Philippines sees over 4 million foreign tourist arrivals in 9 months, exceeding tourism spending targets. Thailand’s visa-free travel policy for Chinese tourists results in a 30% increase in hotel bookings, approaching 2019 levels. Various developments in the hotel and tourism industry, including a new skyscraper in Tokyo and changes in travel intentions worldwide. -
Asia-Pacific
Singapore and Thailand Lead the Hotel Recovery in APAC
Global hotel businesses are rebounding to pre-pandemic levels except in Asia-Pacific. Vietnam lags in recovery with reduced Chinese tourism and increased flight costs, despite aggressive hotel development since 2016. Macau’s August hotel occupancy averaged 88.7%, with significant visitor growth during the Golden Week, particularly from mainland China, showing signs of a robust recovery to near 2019 levels. Wyndham Hotels unveils its first Auckland hotel, Espire Hospitality launches the ZANA Forest Resort in India, and Ascott Limited partners with Vimut Hospital in Thailand to offer combined lodging and healthcare benefits. -
Asia-Pacific
Asia Pacific to Regain 92% of Its 2019 Business Travel This Year
The GBTA Business Travel Outlook shows Asia Pacific is forecast for significant growth, with travel spending gaining 41% to US$567 billion this year. Trip.com said outbound travel order for the upcoming Golden Week increased nearly 20 times, and domestic travel increased more than four times over the Golden Week period last year. Accor announced their Novotel brand’s fiftieth hotel opening in Greater China with its newest destination, Novotel Xi’an Aden. -
Asia-Pacific
South Korea Takes Steps to Woo More Chinese Tourists
China hotel RevPAR increased by 30.7% YoY but was down by -6.8% compared to 2019. South Korea aims to attract 1.5 million Chinese tourists, lifting group visit bans with incentives. H World Group refines strategy for post-pandemic tourism in China, focusing on quality growth and lower-tier cities. -
Asia-Pacific
Thailand and South Korea Act to Woo Chinese Tourists
Both Thailand and South Korea are implementing strategies to entice Chinese tourists, including visa exemptions, tax refunds, and rewards. Thailand’s response comes after a drop in Chinese tourist arrivals, while South Korea offers incentives like visa fee waivers and cultural experiences. The Philippines establishes a Korea Visa Application Center to handle increased visa requests between the two nations. Travel between Korea and the Philippines has surged, showing potential to surpass pre-pandemic levels. Avani Hotel construction begins in Australia, Accor expands its properties with Novotel Living in Vietnam, and Marriott introduces new properties in Bali and Thailand. Deepak Ohri departs from lebua Hotels and Resorts, while Vaibhav Verma becomes Chief Revenue Officer at juSTa Hotels & Resorts. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon assumes leadership at Thailand’s Tourism Authority. -
Asia-Pacific
China Resumes Group Tours to South Korea
China ‘s hotel RevPAR rose by 22% YoY as of the week ending August 5th, and by 6.7% compared to the same week in 2019. China lifted its ban on group tours to over 70 locations, including countries in Asia Pacific, Europe , Africa , and North America . Notably, group tours to South Korea are resuming for the first time in six years. Indonesia’s ONE°15 Marina Nirup Island opened, with phase two set to include a Westin Hotels & Resorts property by Q4 2024. -
Asia-Pacific
Australia’s Boutique Hotel Boom Continues
China Hotel RevPAR: China Hotel RevPAR increased by 44% YoY for the week, but compared to the same week in 2019, it was down by -5.9%. Macau Hotel Occupancy: Macau ‘s hotel occupancy rate in May rose by 44.6 percentage points YoY, reaching 78.9%. Three-star hotels had an 81% occupancy rate, while five-star hotels reached 79%. Boutique Hotel Market in Australia: Australia ‘s boutique hotel market is experiencing growth due to a travel evolution sparked by the pandemic. Boutique properties outperformed international hotels in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR, driven by domestic, leisure-based tourism. -
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam’s Booming Hotel Sector
The global hotel industry is seeing increased activity with notable transactions in Vietnam, Macau, Japan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and India. Key deals include Marriott International’s operation of seven hotels from Vinpearl in Vietnam, Accor’s new Novotel in Nara, Japan, and DoubleDragon’s launch of the largest hotel in Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Several hotel brands are expanding their footprints, with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts signing two agreements with Fulcrum Ventures Asia and Marriott International’s Fairfield brand entering Agra, India.