Latest news with #visitorarrivals
Skift
08-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
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.
CNA
23-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Thai businesses adapting after nation loses crown as most visited ASEAN country
Thailand's tourism industry has not started off well in the first half of the year. It lost its crown as the most visited country in ASEAN, and arrivals from what used to be its biggest visitor market has also been falling. Jeremy Koh with the details from Bangkok.
Skift
19-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Dusit Thani Misses Filing Deadline as Family Dispute Escalates
The Singapore Tourism Board said April visitor arrivals were up 4.5% year-on-year to 1.40 million, with Indonesia the top feeder market. The number of overnight visitors was 1.01 million, up by 1.9% year on year and 72.1% of the visitor total. Indonesia led with 236,850 visitors, followed by China with 207,500. Indonesia and China were down by 2.9% and 5.9%, respectively, year-over-year. For the first four months of 2025, visitor arrivals to Singapore were up by 1.2% to 5.71 million, with 4.19 million being overnight visitors. The heirs of Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, founder of Thailand's Dusit Thani, are seeing an acceleration in the feud when, during the company's annual general meeting, Chanut and Sons Co., Ltd refused to approve the company's 2024 financing statements. Thanpuying Chanut's three children control the company, which is a major shareholder. The financial statements had already been audited, certified, and reported to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Dusit Thani cannot appoint auditors for 2025 now and missed the May 15 deadline for submitting 1Q25 results, which triggered an automatic suspension in the trading of its shares. The oldest son has been serving as Chief Executive, and the three siblings have been feuding over the direction of the company. They have a 49.74% stake in the company. Company officials tried to calm shareholders, telling them they would continue operating with their existing business plan. They had filed their 1Q financials, but the stock exchange had advised shareholders to wait for the shareholder meeting to make sure the auditors were appointed. That did not work out the way the company officials wanted it to. Vietnam's government has approved a $1.5 billion investment plan by the Trump Organization and local developer KinhBac City to build a large-scale real estate and golf complex. The project will span 990 hectares and include golf courses, hotels, resorts, and residential developments. Construction is expected to begin this quarter and continue through the second quarter of 2029. The companies had disclosed plans for up to four golf and hotel developments across Vietnam back in March. Hilton's Waldorf Astoria brand will make its India debut in Jaipur in 2028. Hilton is partnering with the Dangayach Group to bring the brand to India. Waldorf Astoria Jaipur will have as many as 51 expansive pool villas and 174 guest rooms in a campus spanning 22 acres overlooking the Aravalli Hills. It will come with a luxurious spa, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, five dining experiences, including the famous Peacock Alley, over 2,400 square meters of meeting space, and open lawns, courtyards, and gardens over 3,000 square meters. Hilton will also launch its high-end LXR Hotel at Bengaluru and Signia and Conrad at Jaipur in the coming months. Marriott International announced the signing of an agreement with Grey Group to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Ludhiana, known as India's 'Manchester' for its vibrant textile and manufacturing industries. JW Marriott Ludhiana will be part of a mixed-use development featuring retail and residential spaces. The hotel is expected to open in January 2029. It will feature 160 rooms and suites, diverse dining options across multiple venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty dining venue, a Lobby Lounge, and a Pool Bar alongside the JW Market. Multiple tranquil wellness spaces are being planned to include the brand's signature JW Garden, including the Spa by JW, a fitness center, and a swimming pool. The hotel also plans to feature 1,500 square meters of versatile banqueting space. Marriott International announced the opening of JW Marriott Auckland, marking the brand's first presence in New Zealand. The hotel will be located in the heart of downtown Auckland. One notable feature of the development will be the 'Watersplash' chandelier by Lasvit, which artistically interprets NZ's rivers and lakes. The hotel will offer 271 guest rooms and 15 suites, ranging from the 133-square-meter Presidential Suite to two-bedroom Governor Suites with full kitchens. The 220 square meter Wellness Center is central to the hotel's offerings, featuring a heated indoor pool, cold plunge pool, dry sauna, steam chamber, and fitness center. There will be two food and beverage venues and six meeting and event spaces. Pan Pacific Hotels Group is refurbishing Pan Pacific Perth. The hotel's 488 rooms, lobby, and Pacific Club Lounge will feature Western Australia-inspired finishes, incorporating repurposed denim, hand-pressed herbs, and recycled plastics for sustainability. The hotel's 2,500 square meter convention floor, the largest in Perth, now has new LED screens and updated audiovisual equipment. Pan Pacific is upgrading properties across its Australian portfolio. Parkroyal Melbourne Airport refurbished its 276 rooms, conference facilities, and public areas. Parkroyal Parramatta, Sydney, has refreshed its 286 guestrooms and meeting spaces. Duxton Reserve, a 49-key boutique hotel in Tanjong Pagar in Singapore, has been sold by Singapore-based hospitality company The Garcha Group to a family officer for S$80 million. JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group said the hotel was sold to Lotus One Investment, the Singapore-based investment arm of Lotus Singapore. Duxton Reserve Hotel comprises eight three-story conservation shophouses with a built-up area of about 34,000 square feet. The hotel operates under the Autograph Collection brand from Marriott International. YTL Hotels announced the official opening of two new properties in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The Moxy Kuala Lumpur Chinatown marks the debut of the Moxy brand in Malaysia's capital. The 320-room hotel is located in the historic Oriental Bank building on Jalan Hang Lekiu. The AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh includes 291 guest rooms, restaurants, and meeting rooms. Ayala Land Hospitality, the hotel and hospitality arm of Ayala Land Inc., is looking for a new partner to operate a 500-key property in Metro Manila, which it plans to acquire soon. They did not identify the hotel, but rumors narrowed down the possibilities to either the New World Hotel or Dusit Thani Manila. The rumor mill is leaning towards the 598-room New World Makati.
