Opinion Articles

Time to reconnect with China: why and how

Before the Covid pandemic disrupted global travel, China was well established as the biggest tourism source market in the world, with an accumulated 155 million outbound trips and a spend of USD 250 billion in 2019. No other market even came close. Chinese travellers were highly sought after, either for their sheer numbers or for their high travel spend. Sometimes both.

The return of the Chinese tourist?

This second part of EHL Institutional Visibility’s three-part series on China looks into the long-awaited return of Chinese tourists. It also addresses shifting trends in Chinese travel. We turn to Dr Yong Chen, Associate Professor of Economics at EHL Hospitality Business School, for insights.

Riding the Korean Wave with Online Travel Agencies

Where else could you catch a hyperfast train from an ancient royal palace to a coastal paradise, lose yourself in a night of karaoke and stay in a hotel with 600-year-old underfloor heating? From the irresistible appeal of K-pop to the majesty of Joseon dynasty architecture and the stunning scenery of Jeju Island, South Korea is a unique destination on the bucket list of travelers from around the world.

HVS In Focus: Singapore

The Republic of Singapore is a metropolitan city-state and island country in Southeast Asia with a total land area of approximately 714.3 square kilometres. It is situated at the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula, between Malaysia and Indonesia. With an economy supported by its growing population of approximately 5.6 million people, Singapore has witnessed a remarkable record of sustained economic growth throughout the years and bolstered its role as a global commerce, finance and transportation hub.

HVS Monday Musings: Transforming Dining Experiences with Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the world and as per a recent IBM report, global AI adoption is increasing steadily, reaching 35% in 2022, up four points from the previous year. The food and beverage (F&B) industry is also gradually catching up with this trend. From streamlining processes and assisting with waste management to improving guest experiences, AI is emerging as a key facilitator for the industry’s growth. With the addition of Machine Learning (ML) and Big Data, this could become a game-changer for the F&B industry, with endless potential. The global market for AI in the F&B industry is expected to grow from over USD 4 bn in 2022 to nearly USD 28 bn in 2027 at a CAGR of ~44%.

HVS Monday Musings: Indian Hotel Sector – H1 2023 Performance Review

Demand patterns in the Indian Hotel sector are normalizing after the severe fluctuations of the past three years. Even though revenge travel is gradually declining, demand in the leisure segment remains strong. Meanwhile, the MICE segment and corporate travel segment are continuing to recover, despite the hybrid work culture, online meetings, and higher airfares slowing the turnaround rate. As a result, the sector witnessed an average nationwide occupancy rate of 63-65% in the first half of the calendar year 2023 (H1 2023), showcasing an increase of 6-8 percentage points (pp) from the same period in 2022. India’s average hotel rates saw a strong increase of 30-32% in H1 2023 compared to H1 2022 and were 21-23% higher than in H1 2019. The steady rise in average rates helped the nationwide RevPAR to reach INR4,650-4,850, reflecting a growth of 46-48% compared to H1 2022.