08-07-2025
Vietnam Posts 30% Tourism Growth, Leads Asia-Pacific Region
The latest World Tourism Barometer from the UN Tourism Organization shows Vietnam emerged as Asia-Pacific's top performer in international tourism growth for the first quarter of 2025, posting the region's highest increase in visitor arrivals. Vietnam experienced a 30% increase in international tourist arrivals in 1Q25, year-over-year. That puts it sixth globally and first in the APAC region, ahead of Japan and Palau. The General Statistics Office of Vietnam reported that the country welcomed nearly 10.7 million international visitors in the first six months of 2025. That was up 26% over the first half of 2019. June saw 1.46 million arrivals. Vietnam ranked second globally in recovery of international arrivals, up 34% over 2019 levels. Key source markets were led by Northeast Asia, contributing nearly 60% of total arrivals. China remains the top source with 2.7 million visitors, followed by South Korea, with over 2.2 million. Vietnam officials have an ambitious goal of 22 million to 23 million visitors as a target for the year, so they are below that pace, but October to December is the peak season.
Melia Hotels International is increasing its presence in Asia Pacific, with one in every three new properties planned for the luxury segment. This will include the regional debut of its Paradisus by Melia and The Melia Collection brands, starting with Paradisus Bali, the group's first all-inclusive resort in Asia, scheduled to open in December 2025. Paradisus Bali will have 485 rooms and suites and seven private villas as well as The Reserve, an adults-only area with exclusive services and Family Concierge, a program tailored for families. The Melia Collection will debut in Asia in 2026 with the Melia Ba Vi Mountain Retreat in the Vietnamese highlands; Grand Luang Prabang in Laos and in Inner Mongolia, The Melia Collection Arxan. For context, see Skift's Meliá Hotels CEO Eyes Growth in Emerging Destinations as U.S. Travelers Boost European Resorts.
Hyatt Hotels Corp is set to welcome guests to its newest five-star property in Kuala Lumpur, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown. This will mark the return of the Hyatt Regency brand to Kuala Lumpur and represents the group's seventh hotel in the city. The Hyatt Regency will be located opposite the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center, with the standout feature of the property being a dual offering of hotel rooms and fully serviced residences. The hotel offers a total of 15 room types and 22 suites, including Regency Suites, Diplomatic Suites and the exclusive Presidential Suite. The hotel is expected to open on August 26th.
Kimpton Hotel is set to make its grand debut in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, launching bookings starting November 1, 2025. The hotel will have nearly 500 contemporary rooms and suites offering sweeping vistas of Victoria Harbour. There are connecting rooms and suites for families, five on-site restaurants, and the Swim Club at the 50th-floor rooftop pool. Wellness offerings include a spacious spa offering rejuvenating treatments.
Marriott International's Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts brand announced the opening of Le Meridien Ahmedabad, a transformation of what was the Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. The hotel is set in the heart of India's first UNESCO World Heritage City. The property features 164 guest rooms and suites, with the bespoke lobby being the visual anchor with art that is an ode to the rich heritage of Ahmedabad.
Brigade Hotel Ventures, the second largest private owner of chain-affiliated hotels in South India, successfully raised Rs 126 crore in a pre-IPO placement. The company issued 14 million equity shares to 360 ONE Alternate Asset Management, priced at Rs 90 per share, accounting for 4.74% of the pre-offer share capital.
Saigon Tourist Corporation held the groundbreaking ceremony of the 5-star Saigon – Da Nang hotel on July 4th. The hotel is being developed with a total investment of more than 779 billion VND, expected to be completed and put into commercial operation in the third quarter of 2028. The project is designed to include a 23-story building, including 2 basements, 22 floors above ground, and 1 roof floor. The hotel will provide 5-star standard amenities, including luxury rooms, high-class restaurants, modern conference services, an entertainment game area, a swimming pool, an event space, and more.
Banyan Group announced the launch of Wisteria, a new residential building at the Residences at Garrya Phuket, located within the integrated Laguna Phuket resort. Wisteria is located just steps from the shores of Bang Tao Beach. The completion of Wisteria will coincide with the opening of Garrya Hotel Phuket, the first new hotel to open in Laguna Phuket for many years. The hotel is being designed to promote health and well-being, offering state-of-the-art facilities such as rejuvenating spa treatments, fitness programs, tranquil relaxation areas, and more. Wisteria will have one and two-bedroom configurations ranging from 57 square meters for one-bedroom units to 116 square meters for two-bedroom units.
Australia's Star Entertainment has secured a last-minute reprieve from Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, the investors who decided to terminate the agreement to buy Star's 50% interest in the Queen's Wharf IR casino. Both sides agreed to extend talks until July 31 to allow parties to finalize long-form documents. While media reports stated that Star would have to repay A$10 million it received from its Hong Kong partners within 30 days, a new report suggests that the actual amount is A$37 million, which Star cannot afford. That must include the reimbursement of the partners' share of equity contribution made to the new casino and hotel complex since March 31.
Personnel Moves
La Vie Hotels and Resorts announced the appointment of Amanda Cottome as Director of Operations – Pacific, effective immediately. She joins La Vie following her most recent role as Group Director of Brand Experience & Sustainability at Ovolo Hotels.
