Australia

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.

Japan's Hotels Record Fivefold Increase in Overseas Investment

Japan's hotel sector has seen a significant increase in overseas investment, reaching $691 million year-to-date. Construction and finance costs have led to the cancellation or delay of hotel projects in Australia, resulting in a reduction of almost 1,000 planned hotel rooms. Macau experienced a 270% year-on-year increase in visitor arrivals in May, with Mainland China being the largest source of visitors.

New Marriott and Pan Pacific Properties in Singapore

Marriott International partners with Hiap Hoe Limited to bring the Aloft Hotels brand to Singapore, opening the largest Aloft branded hotel in the world with 785 rooms in Zhongshan Park. Pan Pacific Hotels Group unveils its flagship hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, featuring terraced greenery and a unique Atelier-in-Residence program, along with three dining concepts and a gin distillery. Gran Melia Nha Trang in Vietnam is set to open as an all-villa property with private pool villas, Asia's first outpost of the Spanish restaurant Hispania, and a range of wellness offerings.

Minor Hotels' Plans to Grow Portfolio

Strong RevPAR growth observed in China, Singapore, and India, indicating recovery and resilience in the Asian hotel industry. Minor Hotels plans significant expansion across multiple countries, capitalizing on pent-up demand and strategic partnerships. Radisson Hotel Group signs multiple new hotels in India, while ITC considers a potential demerger of its hotel business, reflecting evolving strategies in the market.

Surge in Global Summer Travel Bookings

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.

Chinese Domestic Tourism Surges During May Day Holiday

Chinese domestic tourism rebounds strongly, reaching 119% of pre-pandemic levels during the May Day holiday, while international travel remains slow. Fitch Ratings highlights the encouraging recovery trajectory of the domestic tourism industry, driven by pent-up demand and limited outbound flight options. Despite the increase in domestic trips, spending remains nearly flat due to factors such as low-income travelers, visits to lower-tier cities, and short-distance trips.

Singapore Has Another 1 Million Visitor Month

The Singapore Tourism Board said 1.13 million tourist arrivals were recorded in April, the second consecutive month of more than a million arrivals. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism believes they may attract 10 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, surpassing the target of 8 million previously set. Savills Hanoi said the hospitality industry of Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi is on the mend on the back of surges in both international and domestic tourist arrivals .

China's YoY RevPAR Growth Nearly Doubles

STR  reported China hotel RevPAR was up 99% year over year for the week ended May 13 . According to Lodging Econometrics’ latest China Construction Pipeline Trend Report , China’s total hotel construction pipeline stand sat at 3,659 projects/680,959 rooms at the end of Q1 2023. Macau visitor arrivals rose 16.2% in April from March, up 275% year over year, to 2,274,050.

Saudi Arabia Signs to Get IHG, Accor and Rotana Hotels

STR reported China hotel data for the week ended May 6. Hotel RevPAR in China was up 140.9% year over year. The South China Morning Post said Macau’s casinos are still struggling with finding labor as hotel rooms stay shut and the resorts are unable to fully satiate the booming demand from mainland China tourists . Araiya Hotels and Resorts and Kamakhya Hospitality Services Private Limited announced plans for a new urban resort Soul by Araiya, Dharamshala, A Kamakhya Hotel , anticipated to open in Q4 2023.

Cambodia to Revive Coastal Tourism Projects

A white paper on the Corporate Travel Management Market said some 84.5% of companies in China are expecting an increase in domestic travel business budgets for 2023 . Cambodia is making plans to finish developing large tourist areas along its coast on the Gulf of Thailand. Dusit Hotels and Resorts is set to expand its global and domestic footprints by opening three hotels in the next 30 days, including two new properties in Bangkok.