Expedia suspends travel listings from mainland China amid coronavirus outbreak
ChinaTravelNews learned on February 14 that Expedia's Chinese website has temporarily taken down listings of hotels, flights and local tour offerings in mainland China.
ChinaTravelNews learned on February 14 that Expedia's Chinese website has temporarily taken down listings of hotels, flights and local tour offerings in mainland China.
Amid the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), STR analyzed historical data for China and found that the country's hotel performance recovered quickly following the containment of SARS in 2003. Recovery around the current outbreak situation of 2020 could follow a similar timeline. "Significant market, economic and social changes over the past two decades render a direct comparison of coronavirus to SARS rather complex when it comes to hotel performance," said Jesper Palmqvist, STR's Area Director for the Asia Pacific region.
In an effort to prevent the infectious disease from spreading further at home and abroad, medical teams from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing have gathered in Wuhan to help.
Preliminary data and analysis from STR shows a hotel occupancy decline of 75% in Mainland China from 14-26 January 2020. Performance during the Chinese New Year holiday period was significantly worsened by the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)."The Chinese New Year holiday week, extended by three days this year, normally sees a significant shift in travel patterns across the country with very specific hotel occupancy movements," said Jesper Palmqvist, STR's Area Director - Asia Pacific. "
Timed to coincide with the Lunar New Year 2020 (Saturday, Jan. 25), Hilton has released the latest installment of its acclaimed "Room 702" video docuseries, profiling Nick Li, Manager of Safety and Security at the Hilton Chengdu in China's Sichuan province.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Fuzhou South, a 17-storey, 242-room new-build hotel that will welcome business and leisure travelers visiting Fuzhou, the gateway city of the ancient "silk road on the ocean" with more than 2,000 years history. DoubleTree by Hilton Fuzhou South is owned by Fujian Sandi Grand Hotel Management Co. Ltd. and managed by Hilton.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) announce the inaugural HITEC® Asia to take place December 8-10, 2020 in Macau, SAR, China. The two international, nonprofit associations are the sole organizations that bring hospitality professionals together for education, networking, best practices, innovation and exclusive marketplaces.
Thomas Schmitt-Glaeser has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Sukhothai Shanghai and Vice President for The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts, effective on 15 January 2020. Prior to joining The Sukhothai Shanghai, Thomas had been the General Manager of The Sukhothai Bangkok since 2016.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the debut of its flagship brand Hilton Hotels and Resorts in Guiyang, with the opening of Hilton Guiyang, a new-build 299-room, state-of-the-art hotel in the Guanshanhu district. The breathtaking natural scenery, coupled with the authentic local culture, makes Hilton Guiyang a unique offering in the heart of a thriving business hub. Hilton Guiyang is poised to be an ideal destination for business and family travelers visiting from across the globe.
Key Mainland China hotel markets are projected to report performance growth in 2020 despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, according to the latest forecast from STR and Tourism Economics. "China's economy, and by extension its hospitality industry, remains strong even with concerns around the trade war with the U.S. and an overall global economic slowdown," said Christine Liu, STR's Regional Manager, North Asia. "A decline in Chinese departures to other countries, combined with significant government investment in infrastructure is driving domestic demand in key markets. However, the country's resiliency to difficult macroeconomic situations will be tested if the trade war continues to decelerate economic growth."At the market level, Beijing should continue on its growth trajectory with a forecasted increase of 3.7% in revenue per available room (RevPAR). Average daily rate (ADR) is expected to continue to grow (+1.8%) after a strong 2019 in the metric."Demand growth is key for Beijing as supply continues to increase at a healthy rate," Liu said. "The newly opened Beijing Daxing International Airport, projected to be one of the busiest in the world; and Beijing preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics, highlight potential growth for the tourism and hospitality sector." After a challenging 2019, Chengdu is forecasted for ADR growth of 1.4%. The market is projected to report the country's second-largest supply growth rate (2.8%) with close to 18,000 rooms in the development pipeline. Demand will be helped by China's high-speed train system and subsequent meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) business. As the international trading center and comprehensive transportation hub of China, Guangzhou is expected to show RevPAR growth of 3.4% with solid increases in both occupancy and ADR. Hangzhou, known for welcoming a mix of leisure and business travelers, is set to see its run of performance growth end in 2020 (RevPAR: -2.4%). Among key markets in Mainland China, Hangzhou should see the largest increases in supply (+4.1%) and demand (+4.7%).Following three years of occupancy declines caused by the impact of new supply, 2020 is expected to be Shanghai's year of recovery. RevPAR growth is expected to reach 2.5% as the market is likely to pick up displaced demand caused by continued protests in Hong Kong.
ONYX Hospitality Group, one of the region's leading hotel management companies, today announces the signing of a management agreement with Hangzhou East Bay Headquarters Base Construction Co. Ltd., introducing Amari East Bay Hangzhou, a new landmark in the Qiantang New Area of Hangzhou. This will be ONYX Hospitality Group's second Amari in China.
Shangri-La Group today unveils its signature culinary experiences in Zhoushan with the phase I opening of Shangri-La Zhoushan. Under this phase of the opening, Shangri-La presents a new approach to hospitality by concentrating the guest experience around its standalone food and beverage outlet, CHAO No.18 and the corresponding premium event - catering business.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the opening of Lushan West Sea Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, a new resort nestled in a private-owned island of Lushan West Sea. With all 110 rooms boasting lake views and housed within 80 villas, the resort hosts the best of the Lushan West Sea, one of China's most well-preserved natural landscapes. As the latest addition to the collection, Lushan West Sea Resort is owned by China Overseas Property and managed by Hilton.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Hengqin in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. With 493 rooms, six dining outlets, and 40,440 square feet (3,757 square meters) of event space, the hotel is designed for business and leisure guests alike seeking a seamless, intuitive experience in the city.
JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the opening of JW Marriott Sanya Haitang Bay, located on the Haitang Bay, the National Coast of China. The property marks JW Marriott's second resort on Hainan and eighteenth hotel in Greater China, seamlessly blending in with the lush landscape of Haitang Bay and illustrating the beguiling charm of the entire coast.
Lohkah Hotel & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Francesco Pantalone as Managing Director. With vast hospitality expertise imbued with passion in his respective roles, Pantalone will provide the luxury urban resort's strategic direction and drive expansion of the brand's footprint in the region in 2020.
Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai has announced that it will embark on an extensive renovation program that will see all areas of the Hotel completely transformed, offering a fresh new design, ambience and facilities. The program will see the Hotel close from June 1, 2020.
Thailand-based, global hospitality company Dusit International, represented in China by Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, has opened Dusit Thani Sandalwoods Resort Shuangyue Bay Huizhou, Guangdong, a deluxe resort overlooking the emerald waters of the South China Sea in Pinghai Ancient City.
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts continues expanding the world's largest luxury hotel brand in China with the opening of InterContinental Xi'an North in the historical and cultural hub of China. InterContinental Xi'an North is InterContinental's first hotel in Xi'an and Northwest China, exemplifying the high standards and unique brand features that make InterContinental Hotels & Resorts top class in the hospitality industry.
Tijn Bremmers has recently joined InterContinental Hong Kong as Executive Sous Chef. With 15 years of culinary experience across five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, he is eager to work with the hotel's Food & Beverage team to delight guests with creative dining concepts & menus.