News

Ascott China And Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region) Join Forces To Accelerate Asset-light Expansion Of Apartment Hotel Brands Quest And Tulip Lodj

The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is pleased to announce that Ascott China has entered a 50:50 joint venture with Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region) to advance the asset-light expansion of their respective apartment hotel brands in China, namely Ascott’s Quest and Jin Jiang Hotels’ TULIP LODJ. Using primarily a franchise model, the joint venture will enable the rapid growth of Quest and TULIP LODJ to meet China’s underserved demand for apartment hotels in the upscale and upper midscale segments, while driving long-term investment success for owners. From the outset, the joint venture company will manage two operating properties in Wuhan and one pipeline property in Shenzhen franchised under TULIP LODJ, totalling about 600 units. Plans are underway to broaden the footprint of TULIP LODJ and launch Quest in China by providing opportunities for franchised partnerships.

onion expands nature-inspired resort with pool villas atop thai mountains

Interior design and architecture studio Onion completes the second phase of Sala Khao Yai in Thailand and expands on the original resort, incorporating three types of villas: a three-bedroom Pool Villa, two Pool Villa Suites, and two Pool Villas. Situated on a mountaintop, the design of the development offers sweeping vistas of the country’s National Park. The masterplan prioritizes the orientation of buildings, maximizing natural light, wind flow, and views of sunrise or, in the case of the three-bedroom Pool Villa, a 360-degree panorama.

Trilogy Hotels marks its entry into the NT, inking a major deal to operate three hotels

Building on its strong growth, independent hotel management company Trilogy Hotels, has set its sights on the Darwin market, announcing today a significant partnership with the notable local family-run DCOH Group. This important deal will see Trilogy take charge of 417 rooms across three hotels, including Novotel Darwin CBD, Frontier Hotel Darwin and Smith Hotel Darwin.

Wyndham Inks Exclusive Development Agreement to Bring Award-Winning Microtel by Wyndham Brand to India

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has signed an exclusive development agreement with NILE Hospitality LLP to introduce its Microtel by Wyndham brand to India, marking the eighth Wyndham brand to debut in the country. This strategic alliance enables Wyndham to leverage a leading regional third-party developer and operator to bring its award-winning brand to India.

Hyatt Enters Joint Venture with China Resources Land to Expand Portfolio Across China

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that affiliates of Hyatt and China Resources Land (CR Land, stock code: 01109.HK) have entered a joint venture and signed a strategic collaboration agreement to expand Hyatt’s brand presence across China. This is part of Hyatt’s asset-light expansion of its brands in Hyatt’s second largest market. Under the initial plans, the joint venture, Yuen Kai Holdings Limited, will develop and manage hotels including six existing Mumian hotels in Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Rizhao as well as two new Mumian hotels in Shaoxing and Shanghai that are set to open in the first quarter of 2025. These properties are expected to become part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt brands. Additionally, Hyatt and CR Land announced a strategic agreement for the development of more Hyatt-branded hotels and have signed agreements for key projects such as Park Hyatt Xi’an and Andaz Dongguan.

IHG Hotels & Resorts Taps into the Future of Travel Planning at SXSW Sydney 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering festival-goes and consumers a stress-free way to plan their next holiday at South-by-South-West Sydney (SXSW) this October 14-20, thanks to innovative technology that taps into the subconscious mind. The aptly-named IHG Hotels & Resorts ‘Mind Lobby’ is a futuristic, experiential activation that will launch on Sydney’s International Convention Centre Forecourt throughout the week-long event and sits at the heart of IHG’s official partnership with SXSW Sydney 2024.

HFTP India Chapter to Host the Inaugural CIO Summit in Goa

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) India Chapter is excited to announce its inaugural CIO Summit, scheduled for October 14-16, 2024, at the luxurious Taj Cidade Heritage, Goa. This landmark event will bring together industry leaders, technology innovators, and hospitality executives to delve into the rapidly evolving technological landscape within the hospitality sector.

Marriott International Announces Marriott Tech Accelerator in Hyderabad, India

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR, “Marriott”) is establishing a new Marriott Tech Accelerator, the company’s first global capability center (GCC) in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state in India. Leveraging Hyderabad’s top tech talent, the Marriott Tech Accelerator is an expansion of the company’s global technology team and will support Marriott’s tech infrastructure, engineering capacity, next-gen solutions, and security capabilities across its global enterprise in 141 countries and territories.

Growing Appetite for Branded Real Estate in Thailand Eclipses USD 5.7 Billion in Market Value

Thailand’s real estate developers are expanding beyond familiar hotel brands into the realms of iconic automotive, fashion, and wellness labels, as they seek identities that resonate with luxury property buyers. Listed property group Ananda made global headlines with their ultra-luxury offering, Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, with eye-catching prices reaching USD 33,000 per square meter (THB 1 million psm). The absolute unit pricing of this offering ranges from USD 15 to USD 40 million (THB 49 million to THB 1.3 billion), marking a new high in the market.

TFE-Heritage Hotels Strategic Partnership Shows Confidence In New Zealand Accommodation Sector

In breaking news, TFE Hotels has partnered with New Zealand’s leading accommodation provider, Heritage Hotels, in a multi-property management agreement that will see five hotels refurbished in the next few years and send a positive signal to the local accommodation sector amid a resurgent international tourism market.