Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Tokyo Bay Resort Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sogo Development Co., Ltd. for a Hyatt Place hotel near Tokyo Disney Resort in Chiba, Japan. Upon its expected opening in 2019, Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay will be the country's first Hyatt Place hotel.
CapitaLand's wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is geared up to open Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo - the first luxury serviced residence in Japan under the premier Ascott The Residence brand on 30 March 2017. Located in the prime Marunouchi-Otemachi area, the exquisite property will offer an exclusive living experience in the country's biggest and most prestigious international financial centre.
As part of its strategic marketing alliance, global hospitality company Dusit International, together with Japan's largest hotel chain, Prince Hotels, has launched a Staff Exchange Programme, starting this month.
Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., announced today that it will open Hotel JAL City Nagoya Nishiki, the Okura Nikko Hotel's first property in Nagoya, Japan. The company signed a contract with Enuwan LLC to operate and manage the hotel on January 31.
Hilton Tokyo Bay, a Tokyo Disney Resort® official hotel, today announced the appointment of Roger Brantsma as general manager.Roger brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent over 20 years with Hilton Worldwide. Most recently, he was the cluster general manager for Hilton Auckland and Hilton Lake Taupo (New Zealand). During his four-year tenure, Roger successfully completed a full refurbishment of Hilton Auckland in 2016. And, he was also awarded “New Zealand General Manager of the year 2016” at HM Awards in Sydney, Australia.
Hard Rock International – with presence in more than 74 countries – announces the launch of Hard Rock Japan LLC and the appointment of Edward Tracy as chief executive officer of the company's new division. Tracy's recent appointment is a strategic move designed to support the company's growth plans in the region.
Hard Rock International has launched Hard Rock Japan LLC and appointed Edward Tracy as CEO of its new division. According to the company, the recent appointment is a strategic move designed to support the company's growth plans in the region.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at providing a framework for joint action in the area of sustainable tourism.
The iconic luxury hotel, Park Hyatt Tokyo, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steffan Heerdt as Chef de Cuisine of the hotel’s famed restaurant, New York Grill & Bar.
Leading Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc. launched a campaign to promote its hotel loyalty program to international guests. Enrollment can be done online.Guests can earn and redeem points with the program's membership card at 54 Fujita Kanko properties including: all Washington Hotels and Hotel Gracery properties, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, Hotel Fujita, Hakone Hotel Kowaki-en, Hakone Kowaki-en Miyama Furin, B&B Pansion Hakone, Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun, Hakone Kowaki-en Morinoyu, Ito Kowaki-en, Yufuin Ryokuyu, Towada Hotel, Taiko-en and Camellia Hills Country Club. Guests can also enroll at each of the above hotels' front desk.
Japan has long been a target market for foreign investors and selecting the appropriate investment structure is crucial. The Japanese government doubled its target for annual inbound visitors arrivals to 40 million by 2020 based on the surge in inbound visitor arrivals in response to the easing of visa restrictions and active marketing efforts by the Japanese government. Japan's strong domestic demand fundamentals and surging inbound arrivals have driven record-high hotel market trading performance over recent years.
In the summer of 2015 the owners of a Japanese theme park called Huis Ten Bosch opened the first ever robot hotel. The reason to build a high-tech hotel is simple, according to Kataro Takada, head of corporate planning at Huis Ten Bosch: "Japanese society is aging rapidly. All over the world, this is an issue, but the issue is more pressing in Japan. It has led to a worrying lack of workers in the hotel industry. If we don't come up with solutions, the future of the hotel industry is at risk." This is particularly true for Japan, considering the number of tourists has doubled from 2015 to 2016.
While the Japanese government doubled its goals last spring to 40 million visitors to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, the results revealed by the Japan Tourism Agency this week confirm the excellent health of tourism in the archipelago. The estimation of 24 million visitors in 2016 represents growth by 20% over the previous year.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announced the opening of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba. This is the fifth Holiday Inn hotel in the brand family in Japan, joining others in Sapporo, Sendai, Kanazawa and Miyazaki.
Japan's hotel industry has benefitted substantially from the devaluation of the Japanese yen, experiencing four consecutive years of double-digit percentage growth in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR), according to STR.As reported in STR's Profitability Review, Japan's GOPPAR reached JPY12,512.18 in 2015, the country's highest GOPPAR value since the time of the global financial crisis in 2008.STR analysts point to a clear correlation between the devaluation of the yen and Japan's increase in international arrivals. According to Tourism Economics, the country welcomed nearly 20 million overnight tourists in 2015, a 47% increase compared with the previous year. Of those arrivals, the main source markets were China, South Korea, Taiwan and the U.S. Currencies for the aforementioned countries all gained in value against the Japanese yen in 2015 (example: U.S. dollar, +14.4%), making travel to Japan cheaper. Although the yen has regained some value in 2016, Tourism Economics is projecting an increase of 17.8% in overnight tourist arrivals for the year. In terms of hotel performance, Japan posted a 4.6% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) through the first nine months of 2016, driven by a 6.5% rise in average daily rate (ADR) to JPY15,226.89. Occupancy declined slightly (-1.8% to 82.0%) compared with the same year-to-date time period last year, but 2015 marked Japan's highest full-year occupancy level on record. Thus, the comparison base is exceptionally strong. "Interest in Japan as a destination has dramatically increased in recent years," said Shiori Sakurai, STR's business development manager for Japan. "The extended period of cheaper travel to the country has created long-term benefits for the tourism and hospitality industries, which will hopefully continue as the yen picks up in value along with the demand increase of overseas travel from Asia to Japan."Looking ahead, Japan currently has 61 hotel projects and 16,426 rooms in the three phases of the development pipeline (In Construction, Final Planning and Planning). Almost half of that development is in Tokyo, with 23 projects and 6,001 rooms, as the city prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.STR's Profitability Review is available in nine separate editions and covers 50 countries and 80 markets, providing in- depth insights on revenues, expenses and profitability trends based on aggregated 2015 data. To order, please contact [email protected].
In the shadow of Higashiyama Mountain in the temple district of Japan's ancient capital, a modern oasis of serenity and style opens the doors to a city that is both beautiful and mysterious, breathtaking and inspiring. This is Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, secluded amid a five acre 12th century pond garden, yet just moments from key centres of business, culture, history and natural wonders."Kyoto is one of the world's most alluring cities, but she can be shy in revealing her secrets – our mission at Four Seasons is to help our guests discover her wonders and experience all the city has to offer," says General Manager Alex Porteous, who leads the 270-person team at the intimate hotel with 123 rooms and 57 Hotel Residences in the historic Higashiyama District, close to downtown.Introducing the Experience Creator at Four SeasonsTo help guests immerse themselves in Kyoto's traditional culture as well as its cutting edge innovation, Four Seasons invents the Experience Creator. Hana Morioka was born in the city, and remembers seeingShakusuien, the ikeniwa (pond garden) as a child, long before the Hotel was built around it. Her mandate is to secure the many keys to the city that will take Four Seasons guests places even locals don't know about."We have prepared many surprises already, and I am excited to begin putting together custom programs that satisfy each guest's personal curiosities and interests," says Hana.Kyoto experiences may include a genuine Kiyomizu ceramics- making class using traditional techniques, with one's own handmade pieces shipped home once the intricate process is complete; or lantern making that the whole family can enjoy together. Guests can have a ninja training session including kuji-in meditation, movement and weaponry. For the culinary traveller, Four Seasons helps decipher the Japanese palate, and points the way to the city's most outstanding restaurants. The amateur chef even has the opportunity to take home a personally monogrammed Aritsugu kitchen knife made by a centuries-old artisan shop that originally crafted swords for the Imperial House of Japan.For those who wish to explore the city, Four Seasons has developed three rickshaw tours, and Hana – who speaks fluent French as well as Japanese – can also arrange for multi-lingual guides for custom tours by car, rickshaw or foot.Start planning a trip to Kyoto now: The new Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto presents an Introductory Offerincluding Hotel credit, as well as special savings on advance bookings and a bed and breakfast rate.Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel KyotoA Good Night's Rest: Guest rooms – including 13 suites – are designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates to showcase views of the pond garden, Myoho-in Temple and surrounding neighbourhood. Traditional elements such as shoji panels, polished woods, locally crafted Kyoto- style fusuma screens and urushilacquerware are paired with modern at-one's-fingertips technologies. Selected accommodations, including the lavishly appointed Presidential Suite, also have balconies. At 245 square metres indoors plus additional furnished outdoors space, the Presidential Suite is one of Kyoto's largest. All guest rooms and suites feature the signature Four Seasons Bed.Dining at Four Seasons: In a city renowned for its continuing history of innovative cuisine, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is a destination unto itself. The Brasserie brings the spirit of modern bistro fare to the city with a distinctive local twist. Dishes include Chef Tsuyoshi Iryo's miso-marinated foie gras terrine and ox tongue bourguignon with local daikon and sprout salad. The pinnacle of Edo-Mae style sushi is showcased at the exclusive Sushi Wakon, produced by Michelin-starred Chef Red Masuda, with Chef Masashi Yamaguchi serving just 10 guests per seating at the eight metre long hinoki (cypress) counter. Two private dining spaces for 4 or 8 guests are also available.In the inviting Lounge, guests are treated to gourmet bites to accompany selections of fine domestic and imported whiskies and other spirits, creative coffee drinks, "gastro" teas, and other beverages. Across the historic pond, a tea house awaits at Shakusui-tei, with a menu of local sakes and premium champagnes to sparkle alongside the water's reflections in the evening.Health and Well-Being: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is grounded in the Japanese aesthetic ofenso, connecting mind and body. A menu of ceremonious rituals, results-oriented therapies and indulgent journeys are performed by skilled therapists in one of seven treatment rooms, including a couple's suite. Of special note are skin care treatments using Tatcha, a luxury brand inspired by the 200 year old style guide called Miyakofuzoku Kewaiden. French high-performance line Biologique Recherche and all-natural Sodashi from Australia are also featured alongside Kotoshina products formulated with organic green tea from Uji, Kyoto and French spa water for beautiful skin.The Spa complex includes sauna, steam and whirlpool; a full-service beauty salon; state-of-the-art fitness centre; and 20 metre indoor pool.Four Seasons in JapanThe new Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is the sister property of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, suggesting an opportunity for travellers to experience the ancient and modern capitals of Japan in Four Seasons style. The company recently announced plans for a third hotel in Japan, in Tokyo's Otemachi business district.For more information on Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, click here.
Leading Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko Inc. is now accepting reservations for its newest addition to its Hakone Kowaki-en resort complex, the new upscale Japanese hot spring (onsen) resort, Hakone Kowaki-en Tenyu, scheduled to open in April 2017.
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills has announced the appointment of Ross Cooper as General Manager.
Airbnb announces a brand-new innovation lab called Samara, whose first project is a novel community center in Japan. Two years ago, the founders of Airbnb were asking themselves what the company could become, now that its vision of becoming the world's largest home-share community had come true beyond their wildest expectations. That’s when they happened across a list of the top 10 tech companies of the 1990s. They were stunned—and scared. Nine of those once-hot companies were now floundering or dead, and they had all done everything right. But by simply focusing on their core businesses, each of those startups had allowed competitors to copy them. Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk realized that if they weren’t thinking of what else their business might become, Airbnb would eventually become a dowdy has-been.
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts has opened an idyllic beachfront property in Japan that combines all the key elements of a tropical seaside vacation. Located on the main island of Okinawa, where the warm, shallow waters of Nago Bay lap gently against the golden shore, Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach creates the perfect setting for guests seeking sun, sea and sand.