Operations & Strategy Asia Pacific News

July 4, 2022

All-inclusive Resorts are Regaining Popularity

All-inclusive resorts, as the name suggests, typically provide guests with bundled services and amenities ranging from accommodation, multiple dining options with unlimited meals and beverages in most cases, to spas and various sports, entertainment, and cultural activities as part of the pre-paid resort rate. The packages may differ from one property to the next, but one thing is certain travelers can completely relax and enjoy the vacation, knowing that there won’t be any surprise payments when they check out.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

May 30, 2022

Sports Tourism – A Rewarding Opportunity for Hotels

The global sports tourism industry, as per Industry Reports valued at US$ 458.8 billion in 2019, is one of the fastest-growing segments in tourism, with a CAGR of 16.1% expected to reach US$ 1,803.7 billion by 2030. In 2019, the US alone recorded 180 million sports-related visitors, generating 69 million room nights for hotels. The sports tourism market, like all other tourism segments, took a hit due to the COVID-19-related restrictions on travel, with the segment’s value declining to US$ 323.42 billion in 2020. Having said that, unlike corporate meetings and other events, sports events cannot be hosted online.

By Dipti Mohan and Saniya Zanpure

India

Opinion Article

May 23, 2022

Alternative Accommodation – Threat or Opportunity for Indian Hotel Sector?

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of the alternative accommodations segment, which is disrupting the Indian hotel sector. Tired of being locked up in their homes for months, several domestic leisure travelers took road trips to motorable destinations, preferring to stay at vacation rentals, villas, or homestays instead of hotels for their first vacation after the pandemic because they provided more privacy and a private bio-bubble.

By Dipti Mohan and Mandeep Lamba

India

Opinion Article

May 16, 2022

Soft Brands – the New Norm in the Indian Hotel Sector?

In recent years, the Indian hotel sector has seen soft brand launches by domestic and international chains operating in the country, with the shift toward the soft brand model gaining traction post the pandemic. Soft brands typically have more flexible development guidelines that allow independent hotels to join a larger chain while retaining their distinct design and features. The rise in travelers looking for authentic, unique, local experiences and willing to seek alternative lodging to obtain them has pushed hoteliers to respond to these changes by developing unique properties.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

January 3, 2022

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – Crystal Gazing Into 2022

2022 will be a critical year for the Indian hotel sector as it continues its uphill journey on the long road to post-COVID recovery. We expect the strong rebound in domestic leisure demand to continue, as people have embraced the new ‘normal’ of travel in the COVID-world, even if Omicron or other variants that may emerge from time-to-time act as temporary bottlenecks in the sector’s recovery. Similarly, the Indian hotel sector has also learned to adapt quickly, think outside the box and embrace new ideas faster than before - the few upsides of the instability caused by the pandemic in the last two years. We expect India-wide occupancy to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with average rates approaching pre-pandemic levels towards the end of the year.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

December 20, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Indian City Hotels Need to Strike a Balance Between Leisure and Business Travelers

Business and city hotels in India have long overlooked the leisure segment, focusing on corporate clients and groups as their bread and butter. However, domestic leisure travelers came to the rescue of these properties when revenue from traditional business models based on corporate travel vanished suddenly owing to the pandemic. Hoteliers soon adopted the saying that “amidst every crisis, lies a great opportunity,” and quickly adapted to capitalize on the demand.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

December 6, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Corporate Travel is Bouncing Back, but Omicron is a Threat to Recovery

Corporate travel has been gathering up steam globally, albeit slowly, as after several months of virtual meetings and video conferencing, in-person meetings are finally making a comeback. According to a recent report by World Travel & Tourism Council, global business travel spending is expected to rise 26% in 2021 and 34% in 2022, bringing it to two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. This rebound is likely to be led by the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

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Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)

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Why Hospitality Net Leads B2B in Hospitality

Learn what makes us the industry-leader in what we do.

Hospitality Net

Press Release

September 30, 2021

LOTTE HOTEL accredited with 'GBAC STAR™' by ISSA

Ultimate destination for trips to Korea: LOTTE HOTEL safe and clean as a hospital : LOTTE HOTEL, the first Korean hotel brand to achieve GBAC STAR™ for all its 5-star hotels; Equipped with strict hygiene systems to prevent diseases spreading

LOTTE Hotels & Resorts

Korea, Republic of

Opinion Article

September 8, 2021

HVS Musings: Indian Luxury Hotel Segment: The Competition is Heating Up!

The luxury hotel segment, which currently accounts for around 11% of India’s total quality hotel supply, has regained developer interest in recent years due to its tremendous potential on account of limited supply. Domestic hotel brands such as IHCL, Oberoi, and ITC traditionally dominated the luxury segment in India. However, in recent years, several international hotel chains, including Marriott, Accor, Hilton, and Hyatt, have entered the luxury and ultra-luxury hotel categories in the country, making the segment more competitive. As a result, luxury properties contributed 11% of overall brand signings by key in 2020, up from 9% in 2018.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Press Release

May 31, 2021

Ascott Is World’s First Hospitality Company To Offer Global Telehealth, Telecounselling And Travel Security Advisory To Guests

CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is the first hospitality company in the world to offer its guests global access to a comprehensive suite of telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services. In a global partnership with leading health and security services company International SOS, Ascott will provide these complimentary services as part of its enhanced ‘Ascott Cares’ commitment to improve the overall wellness and safety of its guests. Starting 1 June 2021, the services will be available to Ascott’s guests across nearly 200 properties in 86 cities and 27 countries.

The Ascott Limited

Singapore

Opinion Article

April 26, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Adventure Tourism in India

As per a recent travel survey, almost 65% of the Indians who participated in the survey were keen to travel for leisure and adventure in 2021. Several domestic tourists are now looking beyond traditional holidays. They want to try new experiences at open and less crowded places, which is likely to boost adventure tourism in the country. In fact, domestic tourists traveled to adventure sports hotspots in the country soon after the lockdown ended last year.

By Dipti Mohan and Mandeep Lamba

India

Press Release

April 13, 2021

Despite Surge In COVID-19 Cases, Thailand Can Go Ahead With Phuket Pilot To Revive Tourism, Says GlobalData

Following the news that Thailand reported 967 new COVID-19 cases on 11 April 2021.

GlobalData Plc

Thailand

Press Release

March 30, 2021

Quarantine-Free Travel For Vaccinated Tourists Will Expedite Tourism Revival In Thailand, Says GlobalData

Following the news that Thailand will partially open for vaccinated tourists from July 2021;

GlobalData Plc

Thailand

Opinion Article

March 22, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Why Is Franchising Still Struggling To Make A Breakthrough In Indian Hotels Sector?

Franchising is slowly but steadily making its presence felt in the Indian hotels sector. Approximately 17% of the total brand signings by keys in 2020 were franchised properties as compared to 14% in 2019 and 10% in 2018. However, management agreements continue to dominate the sector, accounting for 76-80% of the total brand signings by keys during the same period.

By Dipti Mohan and Akash Datta

India

Press Release

March 17, 2021

SAii Makes An Instant Impression As Two Inaugural Island Resorts In Thailand Receive Rave Reviews From Experience-Seeking Guests

S Hotels & Resorts, the global hospitality company from Singha Estate PCL, is celebrating the successful launch of SAii Resorts in Thailand, after guests gave their seal of approval to this upper-upscale lifestyle brand's first two locations in the "Land of Smiles".

S Hotels & Resorts

Thailand

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Why Hospitality Net Leads B2B in Hospitality

Learn what makes us the industry-leader in what we do.

Hospitality Net

External Article

March 12, 2021

Singapore 'Bubble' Business Hotel Welcomes First Guests

Singapore has launched a travel "bubble" business hotel that allows executives to do face-to-face meetings without a risk of exposure to the coronavirus, in one of the world's first such facilities.

reuters.com

Singapore

Opinion Article

March 8, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: India’s Underserved Leisure Tourism Segment is Leading the Post-COVID Revival

Domestic leisure tourism has been driving the recovery in the Indian hotels sector in the post-COVID era, as inbound tourism continues to be on a standstill even after a year. Key leisure markets such as Goa, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala have been brimming with domestic tourists looking for a break from their COVID-blues, which helped India-wide hotel occupancy to reach 33-35% at the end of 2020.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

February 15, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Rethinking Heritage Tourism in the Post-COVID India

India is ranked 6th on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, with 38 World Heritage Sites, much ahead of global peers such as Australia, the UK, the US, and Japan. Heritage tourism in the country has been growing rapidly over the past few years as India blessed with centuries of intriguing history, numerous forts, palaces, and monuments attracted a growing number of domestic as well as international tourists.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India

Opinion Article

February 1, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Branded Residences – An Evolving Trend in India

Branded residence, a concept that first started in the US in the 1920s, has become a global phenomenon in the past two decades. Traditionally, branded residences have been luxury residential projects co-located or affiliated with well-known hotel brands that provide its residents hospitality services typically offered at a premium hotel. However, with the growth in the sector, standalone branded residences have also been developed across major cities and holiday destinations in the world.

By Dipti Mohan and Akash Datta

India

Opinion Article

January 4, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Crystal Gazing into 2021 – Top Trends

The year 2021 will be a crucial year for the hospitality sector as it emerges from the disruptions and embarks on the path to recovery. We expect demand to improve considerably in 2021, as people make-up for the lost time and give-in to their pent-up desire to travel. However, hygiene, cleanliness and safety will continue to be their top priorities, as it has become a way of life in the post-COVID world.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

India