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  • Singaporeans Embrace Affordable Luxury in China’s Flourishing High-End Hotel Scene

    Singaporeans Embrace Affordable Luxury in China’s Flourishing High-End Hotel Scene

    The high-end hotel landscape in China is undergoing a vibrant transformation, with a flurry of new establishments rising from the urban skyline to serene natural retreats. This dynamic boom is creating fresh opportunities for travelers, especially those from Singapore.

    Hilton’s Ambitious Expansion

    Take Hilton, for example. The hospitality giant has expanded its footprint to over 840 hotels across China and Mongolia, officially recognized as the “fastest-growing international hospitality company” in the region by Wendy Huang, senior vice-president and commercial director for Greater China and Mongolia. Between now and 2024, Hilton plans to open more than 100 new hotels each year. Currently, it boasts 17 luxury properties and aims to double that number within the next decade.

    Marriott’s Growing Portfolio

    In a similar vein, Marriott International has over 600 properties scattered across approximately 140 locations in China. The company operates 70 luxury hotels and has 40 more under development, further enriching the high-end lodging options for international travelers.

    Revival of Interest Among Singapore Travelers

    The flourishing luxury hotel scene is reviving interest in Chinese destinations among Singapore travelers, as reported by The Straits Times. Flight searches from Singapore to Lijiang in Yunnan province skyrocketed by 410% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, according to Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends report.

    Paralleling this trend, Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report highlights China as a top choice among Singapore-based travelers during the holiday season from late December to early January. Notably, searches for Shanghai and Guangzhou surged by 81% and 87%, respectively, with 23% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z travelers expressing significant interest in visiting China.

    Significant Arrival Increases

    This renewed curiosity is translating into increased arrivals. Last year, approximately 535,000 travelers from Singapore visited China, more than doubling from 260,000 in 2023, according to Oxford Economics. While still shy of pre-pandemic levels of over a million visitors annually, this surge indicates a robust recovery in travel demand, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

    Yunnan: A Hot Destination for Singaporeans

    Nitesh Pandey, chief operating officer for Asia Pacific at hotel management company The Lux Collective, noted that the number of Singapore tour groups to China spiked fivefold between June 2023 and June 2024, particularly highlighting Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan as a favored route. “Yunnan is quickly becoming one of the most desired destinations for Singaporeans, celebrated for its scenic beauty and the rich cultural tapestry of 25 of China’s 56 minor ethnic groups,” Pandey remarked to TTG Asia.

    Affordable Luxury

    The affordability of these luxury hotels is a major draw for Singaporeans, bolstered by a strong exchange rate and fierce competition among China’s vast hotel offerings. The Singapore dollar has appreciated against the yuan from 4.61 in December 2021 to 5.55 this past Thursday, making lavish accommodations much more accessible. For instance, a night at Hilton Shanghai City Center in September is priced at around S$211 (US$162), significantly less than Hilton Osaka’s rate of S$408.

    “When comparing four- to five-star hotel prices in China with other destinations, you’re often getting much more value for your money,” stated Edmund Ong, senior regional director for Southeast Asia at the online travel agency Trip.com. Many Singaporeans returning from trips to China echo this sentiment about the country’s affordable luxury.

    Take cybersecurity professionals Lionel Wee, 34, and Joanna Lee, 27; they enjoyed four nights at the InterContinental Haikou Seaview for just S$421 in April. “For an upscale hotel, this is a steal, even if it’s considered on the pricier side for China,” remarked Lee. The duo had also stayed at Glenview ITC Plaza Chongqing last October, spending S$700 for six nights. “I now want to visit China at least once a year; it’s becoming my go-to like Bangkok or Bali—relaxed and easy,” shared Wee.

    Jordy Cheah, who has visited China seven times in the last year, cited affordability as a major allure, alongside the country’s captivating nature, convenience, and vibrant local culture. “It’s close to mountains and lakes, has great weather, delicious fresh produce, and a slower pace of life—all while enjoying plentiful lodging options that are generally cheaper than in Singapore,” mentioned Cheah, a 28-year-old tech sales representative.

    Questions & Answers

    What makes China an attractive destination for Singaporean travelers?
    China offers a rich blend of scenic beauty, cultural diversity, and affordable luxury accommodations, making it a compelling choice for travelers from Singapore.

    How much has travel interest from Singapore to China increased?
    Flight searches from Singapore to various Chinese cities have surged significantly, with a notable 410% increase in interest towards Lijiang.

    What does the current hotel pricing in China look like compared to other destinations?
    Luxury hotel prices in China are generally viewed as more affordable than those in destinations like Japan, with many travelers expressing satisfaction with the value they receive during their stays.

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  • Thailand Lifts Alcohol Ban on Five Buddhist Holidays at Airports and Hotels, Boosting Tourism Appeal

    Thailand Lifts Alcohol Ban on Five Buddhist Holidays at Airports and Hotels, Boosting Tourism Appeal

    Thailand is stepping into a new era for travelers, as the government embarks on a journey to boost tourism by allowing limited alcohol sales during five prominent Buddhist holidays. Specifically, from Saturday, international airports, hotels, venues hosting major events, and select nightlife spots will welcome patrons looking to raise a glass—even on days traditionally marked by sobriety.

    Selected Venues, Select Days

    However, not every establishment will be joining the celebration; the rule relaxation is strategically aimed at specific locations rather than a blanket policy. In a statement reported by the Bangkok Post, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub emphasized that the change is part of the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign, aimed at providing a much-needed boost to the tourism industry. “It will directly benefit businesses in the tourism sector,” he noted.

    Despite its reputation as a premier tourist hotspot known for stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and being the only Southeast Asian nation to decriminalize cannabis, Thailand has often left visitors scratching their heads. Tourists frequently encounter closed bars during religious holidays, even amid peak travel seasons.

    A Cautious Celebration

    People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a notable advocate for liberalizing Thailand’s alcohol laws, urged caution in celebrating this change. He pointed out that the ban on alcohol sales persists for many retail outlets. “Roadside food stalls, convenience stores, and supermarkets are not included in the new announcement. They still cannot sell alcohol,” he shared on Facebook.

    In recent months, Thailand has taken significant steps toward relaxing restrictions in the alcohol sector. Earlier this year, lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed an amended alcohol control bill, repealing an outdated 1972 military decree that prohibited alcohol sales before 11 a.m. and during certain afternoon hours. This exciting legislation is currently making its way through the Senate, paving the way for further changes in the beverage industry.

    Who knows—maybe soon, you’ll be sipping a cold one during sunset by the beach, even on a holiday!

    Questions & Answers

    What are the specific locations where alcohol sales will be allowed during Buddhist holidays?
    Alcohol sales will be permitted at international airports, hotels, venues hosting major events, and select nightlife spots.

    Why was this change implemented?
    The change is part of the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign aimed at stimulating the tourism sector and benefiting related businesses.

    Are all businesses allowed to sell alcohol during these holidays?
    No, the new regulations only apply to select locations, and many places like roadside food stalls, convenience stores, and supermarkets will still be prohibited from selling alcohol.

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  • HCMC hotel business gloomy as foreign tourists keep away

    HCMC hotel business gloomy as foreign tourists keep away

    Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are suffering from low occupancy rates due to a sharp drop in international visitor arrivals and domestic tourists’ preference for traveling to beaches.

    In May, amid a wave of hotel closures and conversions into office buildings, the Norfolk Hotel in District 1 with over 100 rooms stopped operating.

    In mid-June many hotels in tourist areas such as Bui Vien Street, Bui Thi Xuan Street and Le Thanh Ton – Ly Tu Trong in District 1 temporarily closed due to lack of customers.

    The latest accommodation market report by real estate consultancy Savills Vietnam said hotel occupancy rates in the second quarter were down 8 percentage points quarter-on-quarter.

    All segments suffered as foreign visitor arrivals to the city fell by 13% quarter-on-quarter. The rate of overnight guests in the city was only 19%, the lowest in the country.

    Hotels are currently relying on business guests since the city is a transit point between various provinces and cities.

    Troy Griffiths, deputy general director of Savills, said recovery in international tourism has been slower in Vietnam than other countries in the region.

    He pointed out that the number of visitors from China, the second biggest market, was 78% down in the first half from 2019, the year before Covid.

    Trang Minh Ha, chairman of investment firm North Stars Asia, said the third quarter, when it is the rainy season, is the low tourist season in HCMC, and so occupancy and room rates would continue to be low.

    The number of hotels that close permanently or temporarily could rise sharply, he said.

    The economic difficulties post-pandemic, boring and monotonous tourism products and Vietnam’s difficult visa policies have kept tourists away, he said.

    The city needs to strengthen programs on attracting visitors to compete with countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, he said.

    “HCMC’s hotel industry is waiting for an optimistic signal from the economy for recovery. However, the market may have to wait until the end of 2024 for a solid positive signal.”

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  • Hotels become quarantine facilities to survive Covid

    Hotels become quarantine facilities to survive Covid

    Some 10 percent of hotels in big cities are used exclusively for quarantining Covid-19 patients and those who were in close contact with patients, according to Savills.

    They include 25 in HCMC with more than 3,000 rooms, mostly in Districts 1 and Tan Binh, 20 with 1,600 rooms in Hanoi and 34 with 3,000 rooms in Da Nang.

    The fourth wave of the Covid pandemic led to the lowest occupancy rates in a decade and a drop in room rents.

    Average occupancy rates at 3-5-star hotels in Hanoi regularly topped 74 percent in the decade before the pandemic.

    In 2020, it fell to 30 percent, and the average room rent to $81 from $113.

    In the first half of this year, they declined further to 25 percent and $72.

    In HCMC, the rate this year has been only 18 percent due to stringent social distancing regulations, and the rent fell to $69.

    The switch as medical isolation areas has thrown all of them a lifeline.

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  • Nha Trang hotels up for sale as Covid puts paid to tourism

    Nha Trang hotels up for sale as Covid puts paid to tourism

    Hit hard by the successive waves of Covid-19, hotel owners in tourism hotspot Nha Trang are putting up their properties for sale on realty forums.

    They have price tags of VND20-300 billion ($0.9-13 million), but are mostly in the VND30-70 billion range.

    Most are in the downtown area on streets like Tran Phu, Hung Vuong, Tran Quang Khai, Pham Van Dong, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai.

    A seven-story hotel with 19 rooms on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Road is now available for sale at VND30 billion. “The hotel is a few dozen meters from the beach, and was built a few years ago,” its owner said on a forum.

    The owner of a newer hotel said: “Our hotel operated for only two months and then stopped due to Covid-19. I want to sell it to repay bank loans and engage in another field of business because I think that the pandemic will prolong.”

    According to insiders, in 2015-19, the heyday of Nha Trang’s tourism and property sectors, many non-tourism businesses and wealthy individuals built or bought hotels in the city and hired people to run them.

    However, since 2020, after tourism has been devastated by Covid with almost no international arrivals and few domestic travelers, many have been forced to sell out to cut losses.

    Some two- and three-star properties with 50 rooms or fewer are on sale partly because they face fierce competition from condotels, Phan Viet Hoang, general secretary of the Khanh Hoa Real Estate Brokerage Association, said, pointing out that few four- and five-star hotels are being sold.

    According to the Khanh Hoa Province Tourism Department, there were only 210,000 visitors in the first quarter of 2021, a year-on-year drop of nearly 67.3 percent. The number of foreigners was down 97.6 percent to 10,000, all people stranded due to Covid.

    Hotels in the province reported an occupancy rate of just 8.6 percent during the quarter.

    As of the end of last year Khanh Hoa had over 1,100 tourist accommodation establishments with nearly 50,000 rooms, including 125 hotels rated between three and five stars with 24,000 rooms.

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  • Hotels continue to suffer Covid-19 impacts

    Hotels continue to suffer Covid-19 impacts

    Vietnam’s third Covid-19 outbreak last month has exacerbated the problems of low occupancy and plunging revenues for hotels and resorts nationwide.

    Average daily rates in October slumped 25 percent year-on-year, said Mauro Gasparotti, director of real estate consultancy Savills Hotels Asia Pacific.

    In HCMC, occupancy has hovered under 20 percent since the April lockdown, compared to 72 percent during the same period last year.

    The latest outbreak in HCMC last month followed the second one that hit July and August with hundreds of cases, all linked to Da Nang City, which badly affected the high season for the hospitality industry, Gasparotti said.

    Savills data shows that overall, the resort market is barely crossing the 25 percent occupancy mark, except for some located in drive-to destinations where it is 10 to 15 percentage points higher than the national average.

    “The market is in a slow recovery. Even though local demand has delivered a strong rebound, it has not proven steady enough to support hotel and resort performances.”

    While expectations for 2021 are positive, they are mainly focused on the third and fourth quarter when it is anticipated that travel restrictions will be eased and corporate guests and independent travellers from neighbouring counties will be able to return, partially supporting recovery of the hotel and resort market, he added.

    In the first 11 months of this year, foreign arrivals hit 3.8 million, down 76.7 percent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.

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  • Hotels for sale at new high amid pandemic blues

    Hotels for sale at new high amid pandemic blues

    Hotels with ‘for sale’ signs have mushroomed across different parts of Vietnam, despite scarcity in buyers.

    The sales trend first kicked off in central areas of HCMC and Hanoi’s Old Quarter, but later spread to other tourism hotspots like Phu Quoc Island, Da Nang City, and other coastal towns including Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Quy Nhon.

    Dozens of hotels have been listed for sale each day by brokers or on real estate websites, since the second Covid-19 outbreak hit the country late July.

    Longtime brokers in the real estate market say the current wave of hotel sales is the biggest they have seen in the past decade.

    On the streets of Ly Tu Trong, Le Thanh Ton, Bui Thi Xuan, and a few others, nearby HCMC’s iconic Ben Thanh Market, many 30-100 room hotels are listed for sale. Prices commonly range from a few dozen billion to hundreds of billions of dong (VND1 billion = $43,160), with some going up to VND1 trillion.

    The current situation is completely contrary to 5-7 years ago when a wave of investment in mini-hotels was so popular in Saigon that many street houses were bought specifically for such renovation purposes.

    However, brokers said currently listed hotel prices are still at a higher than expected threshold, complicating the sales process.

    Vo Quoc Phuong Trang, head of hotel investment consultancy at real estate service firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), said the hotel business sector was among the groups first and hardest hit by the pandemic.

    There were no mergers and acquisitions in the hospitality industry during the first half of the year as uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak gripped the sector.

    Mauro Gasparotti, director of real estate consultancy Savills Hotels Asia Pacific, said the limited number of flights have prevented buyers from inspecting properties, and so negotiations are delayed.

    Four- and five-star hotels are still holding up but those with three stars and below are facing challenges since there are few guests, he said, explaining that some are experiencing 10 percent occupancy rates, while the minimum to sustain operations is 35 percent.

    Foreign tourist arrivals in Vietnam between January and August fell 66.6 percent to 3.77 million, according to the General Statistics Office.

  • Here We Come, Osaka! Centara Signs Historic Deal forFirst Japanese Property

    Here We Come, Osaka! Centara Signs Historic Deal forFirst Japanese Property

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, together with Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development, announced a landmark agreement to bring the Centara brand to Japan. The three companies signed an Investor Agreement for Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, an upper upscale property with 515 keys that will occupy a gleaming 34-storey tower on a prime site in Osaka’s Namba district, the centre of leisure tourism for the city and the wider Kansai region. Centara’s first property in Japan is scheduled to open in mid-2023.

    The investment partnership between Centara Hotels & Resorts, Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development marks Centara’s entry into one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Osaka is a key gateway city and Japan’s third largest city, with a population of 2.7 million. Additionally, it is one of the leading Japanese destinations for international visitors, second only to Tokyo, and is considered the cultural heart of the nation. Along with popular attractions such as Universal Studios Japan and the city’s proximity to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, Osaka is expected to see a further boost in tourism when the city hosts the World Expo in 2025.

    “Extending the Centara footprint to Japan has been a long-term strategic objective for the company, and this is a major milestone for the Centara brand as we have successfully added the 14th country to our portfolio,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Centara’s CEO. “This an exciting opportunity to partner with Taisei and Kanden Realty & Development, whose outstanding track records have earned leading positions in construction and property development. We are looking forward to making Centara’s debut and ongoing development in other Japanese cities a great success.”

    “This project is in Namba, an important and bustling district of Osaka and a place of international exchange. It is directly connected to Kansai International airport, making it one Japan’s major gateway cities to the world” said Senior Managing Executive Officer, Taisei Corporation, Katsuyuki Kanai. “It is really a significant milestone both to Japan and to Taisei that Centara, representing Thailand in tourism and hospitality, has embarked on this venture in Namba, the perfect location in Japan for the development of an upper upscale hotel.”

    “As a major Property Development Company based in Osaka, we are honoured to play an important role in this joint investment project to develop Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with such a significant and established Thai partner, Centara Hotels & Resorts, and with Taisei Corporation, who has a long and proven record of success,” stated Managing Executive Officer, Kanden Realty & Development, Munetaka Isoda. “We are committed to working with you in making every effort to ensure the success of this project and we wish you all a very warm welcome to Osaka.”

    The newly built hotel will occupy a stunning new 34-storey tower overlooking Namba Parks, with 360-degree views of the city. The top floors will include a lounge along with customisable space for meetings and events, plus a rooftop restaurant sky bar providing panoramic views in every direction.

    Facilities will include award winning Spa Cenvaree, a fully equipped fitness centre, a diverse selection of restaurants and banquet facilities. And the hotel’s spacious lobby will welcome guests with touches of Thai and Japanese style and ambience.

    The hotel location puts guests at the doorstep of some of Osaka’s leading entertainment, shopping and cultural attractions, popular with visitors and locals alike. A few steps away is Namba Parks, an architectural marvel and the city’s most distinctive mall, complete with a massive rooftop garden with cliffs, ponds, streams and waterfalls, making it a must-see for tourists. The Namba area, also known as Minami, is home to countless restaurants and bars, shopping venues, an electronics district, as well as one of Osaka’s most revered Shinto shrines.

    The addition of its first property in Japan is further proof of Centara’s expansion strategy, which calls for doubling the number of properties under its management by 2022. Centara’s expertise, combined with the local market presence and development experience of Taisei Corporation and Kanden Realty & Development, are sure to boost Centara’s Japan market launch toward long-term success.

  • Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

    Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

     Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is marking its 36th anniversary milestone with a 36-day worldwide customer-focused celebration tied to the company’s 1983 founding. On this occasion, it also marks the 36th anniversary of Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, the first hotel of the group, together with the 10th anniversary of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

    Thirty-six years ago, Thailand’s first shopping centre mega-mall development, Central Plaza, rose from a suburban construction site on Bangkok’s Ladprao Road, complete with a brand new 5-star hotel that launched the Central Group’s hotel business with one of the Group’s largest investment commitments.

    From its first hotel in Ladprao, Centara has grown and prospered. Today, 70 Centara properties with six distinctive brands are operational or under development across 12 countries, and the company is well on its way to doubling its global portfolio by 2022.

    Centara will kick off the 36th anniversary celebration by rolling out a series of enticing offers, attractive promotions and lucky draws on 3rd June 2019, all featuring a special “36” theme. Guests should look out for the following limited-time deals:

    Every Third Night For Just THB 36 – For 36 days (3rd June to 9th July 2019), travellers will be able to stay with Centara for just THB 36. Under this amazing offer, guests who book a minimum three-night stay at any Centara hotel or resort worldwide – including five-star Centara Grand resorts in Thailand and the Maldives – will be able to pay just THB 36 for their third night.

    Lucky Stay E-Voucher – For seven days from 14th to 20th June 2019, guests will be able to book rooms at selected Centara hotels for one set price (only THB 3,600 per night) and enjoy sublime stays with a higher value. This generous offer is valid for room nights worth more than THB 4,500 and available for stays taken up until 31st October 2019.

    Cash Bonus Spending Credit: THB 3,600 for More! – The 36th anniversary celebrations will make your Centara stays even more rewarding this summer. Guests who purchase a stored value credit of THB 3,600 between 21st and 27th June will see its value instantly boosted to THB 5,500. Use the credit to pay for spa treatments, hotel dining and much more.

    LINE Coupons: Exclusive Deals for THB 36 and THB 360 – Sip, snack or feast for less with a series of tantalising weekly coupons. For 36 days (3rd June to 9thJuly), Centara will reveal a series of fantastic F&B deals on LINE, the social media app. Grab a coffee, bakery and other snacks for as little as THB 36, or a relaxing 40-minute massage at spa Cenvaree for just THB 360.

    10 Year Travel in Style Challenge: Photo Competition – Compete in the 10 Year Travel in Style Challenge with Centara, or the 36 Year Challenge if you dare. Guests who post their “now and then” throwback travel photos and use hashtag #36CentaraThrowback could win one of 36 prizes, including one grand prize — a sensational five-night holiday at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, including transfers.

    Exclusive Privilege for Centara The1 – Our Photo Challenge is twice as enticing for members of Centara The1. All Centara The1 member prize winners will also receive 3,600 Centara The1 points, on top of their main prize. To help our winners make the most of their points, Centara will be offering free night redemptions for just 6,363 points at select hotels for a limited time.

    And that’s not all. Guests who stay with Centara during the 36-day anniversary period will be offered the chance to enter a Check-In Lucky Draw. Guests can win on-the-spot prizes including spa treatments, bottles of wine, celebratory cakes, special discounts and more.

    Since it first entered the hospitality industry 36 years ago, Centara has developed a strong reputation for blending gracious Thai-style hospitality with world-class accommodation and exceptional amenities. Now, with an expanded collection of innovative brands, Centara is aiming to write the next exciting chapter in our history, with the goal of doubling our global portfolio by 2022.

    For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://36.centarahotels.com

  • Single-Use Plastic Ban, Food Waste and Local Produce Top Priorities in Centara’s 2019 Sustainability Plan

    Single-Use Plastic Ban, Food Waste and Local Produce Top Priorities in Centara’s 2019 Sustainability Plan

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is focusing on three key sustainability initiatives as part of the company’s recently announced 2019 Sustainability Plan: eliminating single-use plastic products; reducing its food waste footprint; and expanding its support of local farming and produce-growing communities.

    1. No Single-Use Plastic Products by end-2019

    The elimination of single-use plastic items is part of the “Centara Earth Care” programme aimed at encouraging hotel guests and tourists to be proactive about energy saving, waste reduction and sustainable environmental tourism. The sustainability plan covers five types of single-use plastic items, including drinking straws, laundry bags, take-away food containers, fitness centre and poolside plastic bottles, and plastic guest room amenities. They are being replaced with items made from materials designed to minimise environmental impact.

    “Centara strives to operate ethically and sustainably in a balanced manner across the entire portfolio whilst providing an exceptional level of Thai hospitality,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to selecting environmentally friendly produce which, in turn, enables us to further incorporate sustainable strategies and development into our products and services, creating shared value at an environmental, social and economic level wherever we operate. We are also committed to ensuring a respectful, safe and healthy environment to the larger society and our future generations.”

    Centara began phasing in its elimination of single-use plastic products in 2018 across all 39 of its operating properties. Under the plan, alternative products which are reusable and made from environmentally friendlier materials, including plant-based, compostable and bio-degradable plastics, will be fully phased in by year-end.

    • Phase I, targeting the elimination of plastic straws, began in August 2018. The single-use plastic straws being eliminated take up to 200 years to decompose; the new bio-straws replacing them decompose within six months. Once the change is fully enacted throughout all Centara properties, the reduction in plastic straw consumption will total nearly 2.2 million straws per year.
    • Phase II, eliminating the use of plastic laundry bags, began in December 2018.  Moving forward, these practices will also become Centara’s standards for all existing and new properties.
    1. Food Waste Reduction

    Centara’s new and continuing food-related sustainability initiatives include:

    • further reducing food waste and minimising each property’s carbon footprint with expanded purchasing of fresh local foods from herb, fruit and vegetable growers
    • making same-day donations of surplus food to charities located near each property
    • providing local farms with pre-separated organic waste for composting
    • transforming waste at select properties into biogas fuel, a blend of mostly methane and carbon dioxide gases which can be used in place of fossil fuels.

    In 2018, Centara supported the Bangkok-based foundation Scholars of Sustenance (SOS Thailand) by making same-day donations of more than 28,000 kilogrammes (kg) of quality surplus food. The donations provided over 86,000 servings to those in need, while the reduction in Centara’s food waste saved over 54,000 kg of GHG equivalent emissions.

    Both Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket have biogas machines on-site capable of converting 30-100 kg of organic waste each day into an equivalent number of litres of organic compost and biogas comparable to nearly five kg/day of LPG fuel. Since July 2018, the Cowtec Composting & Biogas Production Machine installed at Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien has been processing organic waste from the property’s kitchens, staff canteens and landscaping works. By the end of 2018, the machine had composted more than 5,700 kg of organic waste and produced 262 kg of biogas equivalent LPG.

    1. Strengthen Local Communities

    Centara’s 2019 Sustainability Plan further expands the company’s support for local communities’ small farms and producers who grow food for Centara hotels and resorts in their area.

    The company attributes much of its carbon footprint reduction to making approximately 70% of total produce purchases from local sources. Beyond the economic benefits to the community, expanding farm-to-table dining enables each property to provide the freshest available food items to guests.

    The company’s ongoing engagement with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism, continues to yield consequential improvements in key sustainability metrics. To date, 15 Centara hotels and resorts have achieved EarthCheck certification and another four properties are enrolled in  EarthCheck’s Evaluate Plus programme, leading to significant reductions in carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions across a number of Centara’s certified properties.

    Most recently, the company’s leadership in environmental sustainability was recognised by the Stock Exchange of Thailand, which awarded Centara Hotels & Resorts (CENTEL) its “Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI)” designation, an annual recognition for listed companies that operate with responsibility for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects.

    Further recognition for properties includes the “Green Hotel 2018 Award” from the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion at Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, awarded to Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin and Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien.

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  • Vietnam needs more hotels as tourism blooms

    Vietnam needs more hotels as tourism blooms

    The “golden age of tourism” in Vietnam presents robust hotel development opportunities in Vietnam’s biggest cities. Troy Griffiths, deputy managing director of real estate consultant Savills, said Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are “under-hoteled per population, per travel and per airlift capacity”.

    “Hotel is a particularly dynamic sector at the moment as Vietnam is experiencing a golden age of tourism, with international tourism rising 20-30 percent year-on-year and more Vietnamese travelling than any time before,” Griffiths said.

    “There’s a demand for five-star hotels which will be really a strong asset class for the future,” he added.

    As of November, 14.12 million foreigners visited the country, up 21.3 per cent year-on-year and exceeding last year’s 12.9 million, according to the General Statistics Office.

    South Koreans dominated the surge at 46.5 percent, followed by Hong Kong (32.8 percent), Finland (29.6 percent), mainland China (26.9 percent), Taiwan (15.6 percent), and Denmark (15.4 percent).

    In the same period, domestic travelers rose 20.91 percent.

    “Hanoi and HCMC had been pretty quiet in the past as they went through a bit of a bad phase, when international visitors would pass and go straight to Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.

    “Now we see they are actually coming to Hanoi and HCMC because they are both very charming cities for international tourists,” Griffiths said.

    “And their stay is lengthening. That means more five-star demand.”

    Vo Quoc Phuong Trang, head of hotel investment consultancy at real estate service firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), also said that Hanoi and HCMC, with their steady economic and tourism growth, would continue to draw foreign investors in the high-end hotel segment, which Trang said has low risk but offers steady revenue.

    A report released in July this year by global consulting firm Grant Thornton stated that increasing numbers of well-to-do Vietnamese citizens are choosing to stay in five-star hotels and spend lavishly when they travel within the country.

    Vietnamese citizens accounted for 19.2 percent of 4-star and 5-star hotels guests in 2017, according to the report. Although this is a slight decrease from last year’s figure of 20.8 percent, the number of domestic guests staying at upscale hotels had increased for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.

    The country has seen a strong influx of international hotel brands and hotel management companies in the last few years. From 30 hotels with international brand names in 2010, the number had increased to 79 at the end of last year, according to Savills.

    There has been a particularly big jump this year with recent announcements by Mandarin Oriental and Movenpick in HCMC and Best Western Premier in the central province of Quang Binh, it said.

    The emergence of Vietnamese hotel operators is also a highlight in the local hospitality landscape.

    “Vietnamese hotel developers are also getting mature. They are acquiring international knowledge and becoming a really strong force in their own right as we have already seen across the resort cities with Vingroup, FLC, BIM and Sun Group,” Griffiths noted.

    Savills’ third-quarter report shows that the 5-star segment in Hanoi continued its strong performance in Q3 though the high travel season for foreign tourists lasts from the beginning of Q4 to April.

    Occupancy rate of five-star hotels in the capital city was highest, at about 80 percent, followed by four-star hotels (65 percent) and three-star hotels (59 percent).

    Average revenue of five-star hotels was $100/room/night, double that of four-star and three times that of three-star properties, the report said.

    Data said, ten out of 19 high-end hotels in the best locations in HCMC have foreign owners. These include Sheraton, Caravelle, InterContinental, Asiana Saigon, and Sofitel.

    In Hanoi, nine of 16 high-end hotels have foreign firms as major owners such as Melia, Sheraton, Sofitel Metropole, Nikko, and Pan Pacific being the major names.

  • Centara listed in Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) 2018 for Sustainability Performance Excellence

    Centara listed in Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) 2018 for Sustainability Performance Excellence

    Centara Hotels & Resorts (CENTEL), Thailand’s leading hotel operator, was categorised a “Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI)”, an annual recognition for listed companies that operate with responsibility for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects. The THSI list aims to recognise and motivate companies for their efforts towards sustainability, while offering investors an alternative investment in high-performance ESG stocks.

    Centara Hotels & Resorts aims to balance its operations to attain financial goals and practice good governance, while creating positive social impact, reducing its environmental footprint, and encouraging innovation to sustain the organisation’s competitiveness. The company has formally developed environmental, social, and innovation initiatives since 2008, including energy, water, waste and safety management. Centara also engages management, staff, suppliers, guests and communities, for both the long-term growth of its business and vitality of the destinations where it operates. One testament to this commitment is that 15 of Centara’s properties have already achieved Gold and Silver Certifications by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking and impact assessment body for sustainable travel and tourism.

    “Centara intends to operate ethically and sustainably across our entire portfolio. We are committed to sustainable practices throughout our hotel operations, whilst delivering an exceptional level of Thai hospitality for our guests,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer. “Companies that respond effectively to the challenges of sustainability can gain a competitive advantage and increase share value. We strive to develop sustainable hospitality strategies and encourage sustainability wherever we operate.”

    Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) was first created in 2015 to recognise companies that adopt ESG principles into responsible and sustainable business management to create a positive impact on the Kingdom. This year, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) selected Centara as one of 79 listed companies that incorporate a high level of ESG practices to support sustainability. This effort is in line with SET’s vision “To Make the Capital Market Work for Everyone”, supporting a vision of capitalism that benefits all stakeholders.

  • Airbnb looms as major threat to HCMC hotels

    Airbnb looms as major threat to HCMC hotels

    Hotel and serviced apartment tariffs outside the city center are leveling off and on the brink of declining as a result of competition from apartments leased on Airbnb and others.

    CBRE’s senior director, Duong Thuy Dung, said since 2016 a total of nearly 100,000 apartments have been built and sold in Saigon, and a large proportion of them are on Airbnb.

    So far this year only 43 new properties have hit the HCMC serviced apartment market. This low number was because investors had to consider reducing supply to avoid the competition from short-term lease apartments, Dung explained.

    Nevertheless, grade A serviced apartments in the downtown area saw high occupancy rates thanks to their superior location and inherent differences in brand and utility, she said.

    But grade B and C serviced apartments are under pressure, as are hotels.

    CBRE study, released in September, showed demand for three-star hotels have been gradually falling because of growth of Airbnb in both HCMC and Hanoi.

    Airbnb, launched in 2008, has over five million registered rental properties in 191 countries, while the 10 largest hotel chains in the world only have 6.1 million rooms.

    As of August this year Hanoi and HCMC had 21,994 properties on Airbnb. The average rental is around $36 per room per night in Hanoi and $44 in HCMC, making them very competitive.

    CBRE concluded that with their rapid expansion in the Vietnamese market, short-term room rental services are now a direct competitor to three-star hotels due to the similarity in their prices.

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  • Thai hotels booked up ahead of funeral of revered king

    Thai hotels booked up ahead of funeral of revered king

    The funeral will run for five days next week. Hotels in Bangkok’s bustling old town, home to a backpacker enclave favoured by foreign tourists, are booked up as Thailand prepares to host the lavish funeral of its revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej next week, the hotel association said on Monday.

    The funeral of King Bhumibol, who died on Oct. 13 last year after seven decades on the throne, will run for five days next week, with most events centering on the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang, a public square in the historic quarter.

    About 250,000 mourners are expected to attend the funeral, which will feature gold-tipped pavilions built for the occasion, and Oct. 26, the day of the cremation, has been declared a national holiday.

    “Many Thais wishing to attend the cremation feel it would be more convenient having a place to stay nearby, so most hotels have been booked out already,” Supawan Tanomkieatipume, president of the Thai Hotels Association, told Reuters.

    A Reuters survey of three hotels on the Khao San Road, the main artery of the Banglamphu backpacker area, found no rooms were available.

    “We are fully booked during the royal cremation,” said Preechaya Amngeun, 23, a guest services agent at the Ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai, part of French hotel group Accor .

    “Around 80 percent of the guests we have are Thais. The other 20 percent are foreign tourists.”

    Thailand’s tourism industry, which accounts for 12 percent of GDP, has been a rare bright spot for an economy that has struggled since a 2014 coup. It has weathered political turbulence and a major natural disaster over the past decade.

  • Tokidoki Plans to Open 10 to 15 Hotels in China in the Next Five Years

    Tokidoki Plans to Open 10 to 15 Hotels in China in the Next Five Years

    Devotees of Tokidoki, the overly cute character lifestyle brand, will in future be able to book a room in a Tokidoki-adorned hotel. Cofounders Pooneh Mohajer and Simone Legno plan to open 10 to 15 Tokidoki hotels in China in the next five years, with the first one expected to be welcoming guests by the end of next year. Chasing young professionals who favor ultra-clean design with touches of art, the company is laying the groundwork for its own affordable luxury hotels. The Tokidoki branded hotel will feature its own designed decor, including hospitality products that will be available for purchase at the hotel. Legno, creative director, said, “It is a 360-degree experience as a designer. I have a graphic design background so I will apply that to stationery for the Tokidoki hotel, as well as a new logo.” (His fine art will also be sprinkled throughout the hotel.)

    Tokidoki’s interpretation of Kartell “Ghost” chairs will be in the hotel rooms. The company just unveiled the $480 Louis Ghost chair and the $185 Lou Lo one for children, reimagining the iconic seats that Philippe Starck designed for the company. Legno said, “We will promote it for sure. Why not? That’s the wonderful part of a design project.”

    The name Tokidoki means “sometimes” in Japanese, but the Asian-inspired products are made by an Italian artist now living in Los Angeles. The mash-up of cultures has led to collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, LeSportsac, Marvel and Hello Kitty, among others, and a global following. The new Kartell chairs, for example, will be sold via Tokidoki’s site, Kartell’s New York and Miami stores and its wholesale accounts. With 10 Tokidoki stores, including outposts in Shanghai and a two-month pop-up shop at Galeries Lafayette in Beijing that featured big-screen animation. The 12-year-old company, which has flagship in IAPM Mall in Shanghai, plans to open 20 more before the end of this year.

    In January, the brand teamed with the conglomerate Chow Tai Fook for fine jewelry which is being distributed through more than 1,500 outposts in China, as well as stores in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

    This week alone included stays in Singapore, Los Angeles and New York. Monday they will be off to Vancouver. Next month, trips to New York, London, Milan and Indonesia are slated. “A year feels like it goes by in a month,” Mohajer said. “It’s pretty insane.”

    Reminded of his recent trips to India and Thailand, Legno said, “You have to push as much as possible when it’s a hot moment. We’re trying to focus on a global label and expand the brand as much as possible.”

    Li & Fung, Toki’s master licensing partner for China, Taiwan and South Korea, coordinated the hotel deal, and is scouting new ones for jewelry and cosmetics. A jewelry collaboration is in place and more shoppers are in search of Tokidoki’s vinyl art collectible figurines. Mohajer said of Li & Fung, “They’re constantly generating good flow. It’s been amazing to work with them. They were part of negotiating and procuring a retail partner for us for China.”