UAE

Thailand's hotel investment market is poised for continued growth in 2025, following a report of record-breaking THB 22.3 billion in transactions for 2024.

IHG reported strong Q4 2024 results, announced the acquisition of the Ruby brand, raised its dividend by 10%, and launched a $900 million buyback, but investors remained unimpressed despite its strong performance.

Kamah Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in a $70 million deal to develop four new hotels in Dubai and India, focusing on luxury and wellness hospitality under the Trademark Collection by Wyndham brand.

Visitor spending in Macau, excluding gaming, increased by over a third year on year, driven mainly by overnight visitors and significant spending on shopping, accommodation, and food and beverage.

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.

Hotel growth in February was balanced with 64% of markets showing increased occupancy and 70% achieving a higher ADR than last year.

79% of markets showed growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) compared to 2019, with countries like the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Singapore leading. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to open over 10 new hotels in Malaysia, and BWH Hotels announced a new upscale hotel in Vietnam, indicating significant growth and investment in the Asian hospitality market. Chinese airlines are canceling flights to Thailand amidst decreasing traveler numbers, despite visa waivers. Meanwhile, the Philippines surpassed its target for international visitor arrivals, with South Korea being the top source market.

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.

Hotel industry in China shows strong recovery with a 60.4% increase in RevPAR compared to the previous year, despite a slight decline of -5.5% compared to 2019. Prominent hotel openings and expansions include Hotel Morris Sydney in Australia, JW Marriott Auckland in New Zealand, Hotel101 projects in Metro Manila and Cebu-Mactan in the Philippines, and Mondrian brand's global expansion. Anantara unveils luxurious villas in Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort in the UAE, while IHG Hotels & Resorts announces the first voco resort in Egypt's North Coast, and Six Senses Amaala prepares to launch a captivating resort in Saudi Arabia as part of the Vision 2030 program.

Summer travel bookings on Trip.com have surpassed 2019 levels, with intra-regional travel leading the way and significant increases in Asia and European markets. Top booked cities in Asia include Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Taipei , while European users show interest in hotels in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations such as Bali, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Marrakech. Forecasts by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) indicate strong growth in international visitor arrivals across Asia Pacific destinations, although full recovery is expected to vary by scenario and region, with China projected to reach pre-pandemic volumes by 2024.