TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Monday, 22nd December 2025
Page 42

CBRE report highlights stabilising hotel performance and investment growth in Asia-Pacific

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CBRE’s latest Asia Pacific Hotels & Hospitality Performance & Outlook report provides a comprehensive analysis of hotel performance and investment trends across the region, highlighting the factors shaping recovery and growth.

The report examines tourism demand, emerging travel trends, and investment activity, offering insights into how the Asia-Pacific hospitality sector is positioning itself as a future global tourism hub.

Hotel investment and tourism growth across Asia-Pacific are rising, with cities such as Singapore among the markets seeing renewed activity

Tourism demand and hotel performance in Asia-Pacific are beginning to stabilise, though pockets of growth remain. Tourism is increasing, with travellers influenced by macroeconomic factors and social media trends. Understanding these trends, including changes in foreign exchange rates and travel planning via social media, will be critical to capturing future demand.

Hotel investment in the region remains robust, particularly in liquid markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore. Year-to-date investment volumes in Asia-Pacific reached US$12.1 billion as of August 2025 and are on track to approach the previous record of US$16.3 billion set in 2024. Japan, Australia and South Korea continue to drive investment, while co-living developments are accelerating in markets including South Korea, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong, as investors seek flexible living solutions in tight residential markets.

Hotel performance continues to improve, though hoteliers are advised to adopt revenue management strategies such as demand-based pricing, hyper-personalisation and loyalty programme growth. Supply is expected to remain constrained due to high construction costs, but conversions and rebranding will continue to provide opportunities.

The full report is available here.

Trip.com, Traveloka boost regional attractions reach

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Trip.com has partnered with Traveloka to expand access to attractions and tours (A&T) across Asia. Under the collaboration, both companies will share inventory, enhancing product availability and user choice.

Traveloka will provide Trip.com users with access to its portfolio of experiences in South-east Asia, where it has extensive partnerships. In return, Trip.com will make its network of attractions and tours across Asia and beyond available to Traveloka, allowing South-east Asian travellers to access a wider selection of A&T products worldwide, while also giving Trip.com users more offerings when visiting South-east Asia, particularly Indonesia.

Trip.com and Traveloka collaborate to enhance travel choices and tour options in Asia

The agreement marks another step in Trip.com’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across Asia, providing travellers with seamless access to bookable experiences that make every journey more memorable.

The partnership combines the strengths of both companies. Traveloka’s deep market penetration and local expertise in South-east Asia offers Trip.com users a broad range of authentic experiences through a convenient platform. At the same time, Trip.com’s extensive presence in China and other markets allows Traveloka users to access one of the world’s largest and most diverse A&T networks.

Jim Ji, CEO of attractions & tours and vice president, Trip.com Group, said: “This partnership reflects Trip.com’s commitment to provide travellers with greater choice and convenience, enriching the travel experience for millions of users in Asia and around the world. Users of Trip.com and Traveloka will benefit from an expanded selection of high-quality travel experiences across diverse destinations, demonstrating our ethos of continuously innovating to help our customers pursue the perfect trip.”

Baidi Li, vice president commercial, Traveloka, added: “Through our partnership with Trip.com, we’re putting travellers first – offering them seamless access to a curated selection of exciting attractions, authentic local experiences, best-in-class services, and the confidence that comes with trusted recommendations. Our collaboration means travellers can discover more, book easier, and create unforgettable memories with experiences tailored to their interests and budget.”

IHG to open first Regent resort in Karuizawa, Japan

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IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) will expand its Regent brand in Japan with the opening of its first resort location. The 58-key Regent Karuizawa, a new-build onsen retreat in the historic town of Karuizawa, will feature rooms and villas and is expected to set a new benchmark in upper luxury mountain destinations when it opens in 2028.

Set amid lush forest, hot springs and views of Mount Asama, the resort will offer an exclusive sanctuary for guests seeking tranquillity and modern luxury, reflecting the hallmarks of the Regent brand.

Once opened, Regent Karuizawa will offer luxury rooms, villas and onsen facilities

The property will provide dining and bar options, including a specialty restaurant with valley views. Additional facilities will include meeting spaces, a wellness centre with the resort’s signature spa and onsen, and a gym.

Karuizawa is one of Japan’s oldest and most renowned mountain resort towns, offering year-round activities including scenic waterfalls, nature walks, ski resorts, golf courses, upscale shopping and dining. Popular with the Japanese Imperial Family and owners of holiday homes, it is approximately one hour from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Regent Karuizawa will join another IHG property, Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, offering a range of experiences for visitors.

IHG has 55 open hotels across 10 brands and 17 pipeline properties in Japan. Regent Karuizawa will be the brand’s second entry into the market, following Regent Kyoto, which is also scheduled to open in 2028.

Abhijay Sandilya, managing director, Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, said: “We are delighted to announce the addition of Regent Karuizawa, our first Regent resort destination in Japan. Karuizawa is a special location within easy reach of Tokyo, renowned for its outstanding natural habitat.”

He added that Regent Karuizawa will help meet rising demand from international travellers and establish a new standard for luxury hospitality in the area, while complementing the under-construction Regent Kyoto and highlighting the attractiveness of the Regent brand to owners “looking to open properties in city and resort locations across Japan”.

Club Med launches inaugural Padel Cup in Asia-Pacific

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Club Med held the inaugural Club Med Padel Cup across Asia-Pacific to mark its 75th anniversary, promoting active living and community participation.

The tournament began in Singapore with the Club Med Prime Open at the new Prime Padel Dempsey from August 15 to 17, drawing nearly 1,000 spectators. A total of 112 teams competed in 169 matches, highlighting the social and accessible nature of padel.

Players and fans come together for the inaugural Club Med Padel Cup across Asia-Pacific

Anais Gomar and Timote Loew emerged as Singapore’s champions and will represent the country at the Grand Slam in Bali from November 6 to 9, competing against national champions from other Asian countries for a five-night stay at Club Med Marbella, Spain, and exclusive Babolat equipment. Larissa Lim and Sergil Dolmans were the runners-up.

The Grand Slam will be held at Club Med Bali in Nusa Dua, where players and guests can take part in tournament matches alongside wellness activities such as sunrise yoga and spa treatments. The resort combines beachfront views, Balinese cultural experiences and modern comfort.

Other Club Med destinations offering active escapes include Club Med Kani in the Maldives, a private island resort with padel, marine activities, overwater villas and watersports; Club Med Phuket in Thailand, which has been recently renovated to include family-oriented spaces such as the Lai Thai Family Oasis, a Splash Park and an adult-only Zen Area, alongside updated dining and social areas; and Club Med Bintan in Indonesia, a short ferry ride from Singapore, which offers wellness activities, water sports and an international golf course, with refurbishments in 2026 planned to include redesigned rooms, enhanced family areas and new dining concepts.

The Singapore tournament was the first stop in a regional series including Seoul, Sydney, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, with champions advancing to Bali for the Grand Slam.

JNTO appoints new executive director

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Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Singapore Office has named Kenji Yoshida as executive director. He succeeds Takuya Shiraishi, who has returned to JNTO headquarters in Tokyo.

Yoshida joined JNTO headquarters in 2016, where he was responsible for digital marketing, before serving as executive director at JNTO Hanoi Office.
In his new role, he will oversee JNTO’s initiatives in Singapore and work with local stakeholders to strengthen tourism links between Singapore and Japan.

Jakarta implements temporary tax relief for hotels and restaurants

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The Jakarta provincial government is introducing a temporary tax reduction for the city’s hospitality sector, a move welcomed by hoteliers as timely relief amid rising costs and sluggish demand.

Under the governor, hotels will receive a 50 per cent tax reduction from late August to September, dropping to 20 per cent from October to December. Restaurants will benefit from a 20 per cent cut across the same period.

The measure provides up to 50 per cent tax reduction for hotels and 20 per cent for restaurants in Jakarta, offering financial relief amid rising costs and lower occupancy

To qualify, hotels must commit to submitting transaction data electronically through the city’s E-TRAPT system, which officials say will ensure transparency and accountability.

Jakarta governor Pramono Anung stated the policy was introduced after careful calculation and positioned it as both recognition and strategy.

He said: “Jakarta’s tax receipts from hotels and restaurants are already 14 to 15 per cent above the national average. This relief helps businesses continue to operate and grow.”

The policy is set to remain in place until the end of the year, with a review scheduled to determine whether it should be extended into January 2026.

Hoteliers say the impact is already being felt. Amanda Irawan, chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Hotel General Managers Association, said the immediate benefit was stability in day-to-day operations.

“Occupancy is still lower than last year, while costs climb higher. The incentives help bridge that gap, enabling us to keep service levels steady, protect jobs, and look beyond immediate challenges,” she said.

For Parveen Kumar, vice chairman of the Jakarta Hotel Association, the most valuable aspect is financial breathing space. “Cash flow is the lifeblood of hotel operations, and the relief eases immense pressure. It also helps us manage rising utility and waste management costs, which have been difficult to absorb,” he explained.

Kumar added that the flexibility created by the savings allows hotels to look beyond survival.

“With better cost management, we can compete more effectively through promotional offers or value-added packages, stimulating demand while protecting margins. Guests benefit from more affordable choices, and hotels are able to sustain business.”

Both Kumar and Irawan agreed the policy might not solve every challenge but signalled a clear commitment from the government to support the sector.

As Kumar put it: “It shows that Jakarta is backing its hospitality players, giving the industry confidence to move forward.”

Taoyuan delegation visits Japan’s Kansai region to boost tourism links

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Taoyuan City has strengthened its tourism ties with Japan’s Kansai region through a promotional mission to Kobe and Osaka on September 11-12, 2025.

Led by director Chen Ching-Fang of the Taoyuan Department of Tourism, the delegation included local tourism businesses engaging with the Kobe Tourism Bureau, JATA Hyogo Branch, Arima Hot Spring Association and regional partners, shifting from government-level dialogue to business-to-business connections.

The promotional mission to Kobe and Osaka highlighted Taoyuan’s attractions, cultural tours and culinary offerings, aiming to strengthen travel demand from Japan

The department hosted a promotional event in Osaka, inviting Japanese travel companies including JTB, Nippon Travel Agency and Kinki Nippon Tourist to support Taoyuan’s overseas tourism development.

In Kobe, the delegation visited local schools with the city’s Education Bureau to explore student travel and SDG initiatives. Chen noted that the partnership with Kobe, established in 2022, has already yielded results in school trips and now offers broader industry engagement opportunities.

On September 12, Taoyuan held its first tourism seminar in Osaka, introducing Taoyuan: The Starting Point of Your Journey. Japan is Taoyuan’s largest overseas market, with over 1.32 million Japanese visitors to Taiwan in 2024, including 140,000 overnight stays in Taoyuan. The city promoted travel from Taoyuan International Airport, highlighting cultural tours at the Pearl Coast, historical walks in Daxi Old Street, tea experiences in Longtan and eco-tourism at Lalashan and Xiao Wulai.

Taoyuan showcased its three tourism brands – Pearl Coast, Great Dragon Gate and Northern Cross-Island Exploration – and its culinary offerings, from goose dishes to indigenous cuisine. A promotional video featuring Japanese celebrity Angela Sato at Taoyuan’s night market attracted attention in Taiwan and Japan, supported by ads in Osaka’s Umeda Station.

The mission concluded with a visit to JATA Kansai, where both sides agreed to deepen collaboration and expand mutual promotion, boosting Taoyuan’s presence in Japan’s tourism market.

Onyx Hospitality Group launches Japan sales mission to strengthen trade partnerships

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Onyx Hospitality Group is reinforcing its commitment to Japan as a key strategic market through a development initiative. As part of its growth plan in North-east Asia, Onyx will conduct a Japan Sales Mission from September 29 to October 3, 2025, to strengthen trade partnerships and lay the groundwork for future expansion.

The initiative focuses on one-on-one meetings with key partners, reflecting Onyx’s consultative approach and its dedication to cultivating long-term relationships within the Japanese travel trade.

The mission trip will showcase Amari Pattaya, pictured, and other Thailand properties, reinforcing the group’s commitment to the Japanese market

The sales mission will highlight Onyx’s key properties in Thailand, a popular destination for Japanese tourists in medical and wellness tourism, golf travel, and long-stay or retirement segments. Bangkok and Phuket are among the preferred destinations, creating opportunities for flagship properties under the Amari, Ozo and Shama brands, including Amari Bangkok, Amari Phuket, Amari Pattaya, Ozo North Pattaya, and Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok.

There is growing interest in emerging destinations such as Chonburi Province, home to Bangsaen and Pattaya, where properties include Amari Pattaya, Ozo North Pattaya and the newly opened Amari Bangsaen. Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province represents a market for Amari Vogue Krabi.

Robust air connectivity between Thailand and Japan, including direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, supports frequent visits by leisure, business and long-stay travellers.

The mission will also feature properties under the newly established Onyx Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust, including Amari Bangkok, Amari Pattaya, Ozo Pattaya and Ozo Phuket, all with average occupancy above 80 per cent. This highlights the group’s integrated approach to combining operational management with asset optimisation.

The sales mission reinforces Onyx’s commitment to the Japanese market by strengthening relationships with wholesalers, OTAs and retail agencies, aligning offerings with traveller preferences, and gathering market insights to inform future product and marketing development.

“Japan is a market that rewards consistency, depth, and cultural alignment,” said Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group. “Success here relies on strong, ongoing partnerships with travel agents and tour operators, and we are fully committed to nurturing these relationships. This sales mission is a key part of our long-term strategy to tailor our offerings to the evolving needs of Japanese travellers and steadily grow our presence through thoughtful, partner-led development.”

Plaza Premium Group opens regional headquarters in Riyadh

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Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has opened a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, its second base in the EMEA region, marking a milestone in the company’s Middle East and Africa expansion and 10 years of operations in Saudi Arabia.

The opening ceremony on September 14, 2025, was attended by representatives from government entities, airport authorities, airlines and industry partners. The event included Song Hoi See, founder and CEO, Ali Bora İşbulan, deputy CEO, and Okan Küfeci, senior vice president EMEA, who outlined the group’s plans for growth and its role in airport hospitality in the region.

The new office will serve as a hub for the company’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting airport lounges, hotels, meet-and-greet, fast track and concierge services

The Riyadh office will coordinate PPG’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting airport lounges, hotels, meet-and-greet, fast track and concierge services. The new base reflects the company’s focus on innovation and providing consistent airport hospitality services.

The group operates in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Red Sea International Airport, with over 350 staff in Saudi Arabia and around 100,000 guests served each month. Saudization currently stands at 60 per cent, with a target of 80 per cent, supported by a graduate training programme for future aviation and hospitality leaders. The expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to local expertise and economic growth.

“The opening of our Riyadh regional office is a proud milestone as we advance our presence in Saudi Arabia and broaden our impact across the region. Our local partnerships and talented workforce continue to set new standards in airport hospitality, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Song.

İşbulan added: “Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of our global strategy, and Riyadh is the ideal base for our regional headquarters. This office not only strengthens our operational presence but also serves as a hub for innovation, partnerships, and delivering world-class passenger services that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

Star Voyager to resume South-east Asia cruises from November 2025

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Star Voyager will return to South-east Asia for the winter season, offering three- and four-night cruises to Penang, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Bintan.

Singapore departures from November 20 to December 14, 2025, include three-night weekend cruises to Penang, departing Thursdays, and four-night sailings to Phuket and Penang, departing Sundays.

The ship will offer sailings from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Phuket, Pulau Bintan and Kuala Lumpur, concluding the season in Hong Kong on February 13, 2026

From December 18, 2025, to February 5, 2026, itineraries will include four-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Phuket, departing Sundays, and three-night weekend cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Pulau Bintan, departing Thursdays.

Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang) departures from December 19, 2025, to February 2, 2026, will include three-night cruises to Pulau Bintan and Singapore, departing Fridays, and four-night cruises to Phuket and Singapore, departing Mondays.

Guests can embark at the Singapore Cruise Centre or from Kuala Lumpur via the Port Klang Cruise Terminal.

The itineraries feature South-east Asia destinations including Singapore, Penang, Phuket, Pulau Bintan and Kuala Lumpur, with opportunities for cultural exploration, beaches, eco-tours, golf and water sports.

In addition, Star Voyager offers additional departures to meet demand during the holiday season.

Special one-way repositioning cruises will be offered at the start and end of the season. A four-night Hong Kong-Nha Trang-Singapore cruise will depart Hong Kong on November 16, 2025, calling at Nha Trang, Vietnam, before arriving in Singapore on November 20, 2025. A five-night Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang-Hong Kong cruise will depart Singapore on February 8, 2026, calling at Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, returning to Hong Kong on February 13, 2026, in time for Lunar New Year.

For more information, visit StarDream Cruises.