New hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, The Park Lane Hong Kong, and more
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, Thailand
The Ritz-Carlton marks its brand debut in Thailand with an opening in Bangkok, located in the 216m-high tower at One Bangkok, the capital’s largest integrated district and business and lifestyle destination.
Designed by Chicago-based SOM and Thailand’s A49, the hotel has ascending open-air terraces that provide sweeping views of Lumpini Park and the city’s skyline. Room interiors are a blend of classic Thai artistry and contemporary design, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the surroundings. Deluxe rooms begin from 50m2, Gardenia Suites at 102m2, Marigold and Amaranth Suites at 127m2, and the penthouse at 389m2.
The hotel also offers a club lounge, three dining options including one led by a Michelin-starred chef, spa, and kid’s club.
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom, the largest of its kind in the city, can accommodate up to 1,200 people, while nine function spaces are on a dedicated events floor.
The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection, Hong Kong
Autograph Collection Hotels has debuted its first Autograph Collection brand in Hong Kong with the opening of The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection in the heart of Causeway Bay. Its strategic location puts it in close proximity to landmarks such as Victoria Park, World Trade Center and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as well as shopping malls, night spots and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The 820-room hotel offers views of Victoria Park and Victoria Harbour, while the interior design of guestrooms and suites are inspired by its surroundings.
The hotel features three distinctive dining venues: a lounge, main restaurant with theatre kitchen concept, and a rooftop bar and brasserie. Over 1,700m2 of meetings and events space is also available.
Mercure Kathmandu Sukedhara Heights, Nepal
Mercure has arrived in Nepal with the opening of the 104-key Mercure Kathmandu Sukedhara Heights in the capital. Guestrooms feature contemporary design with traditional Nepali accents.
The property offers five dining options including an all-day dining restaurant with international cuisine and an Indian restaurant, as well as a rooftop lounge and infinity pool, fitness centre and sauna. There are also meeting spaces, including a ballroom, for weddings and corporate events.
Four Points by Sheraton Chennai Velachery, India
Nestled in one of Chennai’s most dynamic neighbourhoods, the 106-room hotel is designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers. Located at the crossroads of the bustling Velachery district and the OMR Business Corridor, the hotel offers easy access to Chennai’s IT hubs, shopping districts, and cultural landmarks.
Elegantly designed rooms feature artwork that reflect Chennai’s modernity and connection to local culture.
The hotel’s all-day dining venue offers international cuisine, while the bar offers a curated selection of spirits and local craft beers.
Indian hospitality industry eyes strong growth in 2025
The Indian hospitality sector is poised for growth this year and beyond, with a promising trajectory projected for revenues, occupancy rates and average room rates (ARRs), say industry stakeholders and recent research.
According to India’s credit rating agency ICRA, the sector’s revenues are projected to grow by seven to nine per cent year-on-year in FY2025 and six to eight per cent year-on-year in FY2026, building on the strong base of FY2024. Further, ICRA estimates pan-India premium hotel occupancy to improve to 72 to 74 per cent in FY2026 from 70 to 72 per cent in FY2025.
“Gateway cities like Mumbai and the National Capital Region (NCR) are forecasted to lead with occupancy rates exceeding 75 per cent, driven by transient passengers, business travellers, and business events,” said Vinutaa S, vice president and sector head – corporate ratings, ICRA.
Shikhar Kumar, managing director of Stonewood Hotels believes that segments such as leisure, weddings and business events will play a pivotal role in driving demand for his hospitality company.
“Spiritual tourism is also expected to witness further growth in 2025, contributing to improved average occupancies and ARRs in destinations like Rishikesh and Prayagraj. We project revenue growth in the range of seven to 10 per cent over the next nine to 12 months. While inbound tourism for key destinations like Goa is likely to show improvement in the coming months, the domestic market will continue to dominate the demand landscape for the Indian hospitality sector in 2025,” added Kumar.
As per ICRA’s research, non-metro Indian cities will generate a meaningful share of demand for Indian hotels in 2025.
Gaurav Shetty, managing director of MRG Group (Hospitality & Infrastructure) said: “As global travel continues to rebound, India will benefit from both domestic and international travel. The government’s focus on promoting the country as a tourist destination with campaigns like Dekho Apna Desh will only bolster the industry growth. With a strategic focus on tier-two cities, we aim to complement the country’s rich cultural heritage while expanding our footprint. Overall, we expect to see a significant growth in RevPAR and occupancy in 2025.”
Agoda pledges up to US$1.5 million for conservation projects in Asia
Agoda has launched its fourth Eco Deals programme in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where it targets to donate US$1 towards WWF’s conservation efforts for every programme booking made at a participating hotel.
The initiative supports the protection of wildlife and the conservation of critical habitats across 10 markets in Asia.
It will fund a wide array of conservation activities, including restoring wetlands in Japan, protecting spoonbills in South Korea, and ongoing projects such as advancing tiger conservation in Malaysia, protecting whale sharks in the Philippines, conserving elephants in Thailand, safeguarding saolas in Vietnam, restoring ecosystems in Indonesia, developing urban wetlands in Laos, and supporting rangers in Cambodia.
The Eco Deals programme will be open to consumers for bookings from January 20 to December 19, 2025.
Agoda is also introducing the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund in collaboration with WWF-Singapore and UnTours Foundation. The fund provides low-interest loans from US$10,000 to US$25,000 to support businesses addressing sustainability challenges in the tourism sector.
Agoda is designating US$100,000 to the fund, with the potential to increase to US$150,000 upon reaching the $1.5 million donation target.
Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer at Agoda, said: “In partnership with WWF, our goal is to ensure that future generations can explore the world affordably while preserving its natural beauty. The Eco Deals programme has been an important initiative for our hotel partners since its inception in 2022, offering them an accessible way to support wildlife protection and habitat conservation projects. Additionally, the launch of the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund will provide crucial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), empowering them to adopt sustainable practices and contribute meaningfully to the tourism industry’s future.”
Through the Eco Deals programme, hotel partners can offer customers discounted rates of up to 15 per cent. In exchange, participating partners receive the Eco Deals badge and are featured prominently across various Agoda platforms, including social media, banner promotions, customer emails, and in-app notifications, enhancing their visibility. Customers can easily find Eco Deals through Agoda’s dedicated landing pages.
Resorts World Cruises to homeport in Mumbai
Resorts World Cruises will soon debut in India with the deployment of the Resorts World One cruise ship in Mumbai from March 5 until June 1, 2025.
The 1,800-passenger ship will offer three weekly round-trip itineraries including the Two Night Weekend High Seas Cruise departing on Fridays; the Three Night Lakshadweep Cruise to Agatti Island departing on Sundays; and the Two Night Goa Cruise departing on Wednesdays. All cruises depart from Mumbai International Cruise Terminal.
Destinations include some of India’s top coastal destinations such as the popular beachside city of Goa and the pristine coral atoll of Agatti Island, as well as join a variety of activities including glass bottom boat tours, snorkelling, scuba diving and other water sports.
“In support of the recently announced Cruise Bharat Mission by the Indian government and the new world-class Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, we are excited to further boost India’s cruise tourism sector and bring the Resorts World One cruise ship to homeport in Mumbai,” said Michael Goh, president of Resorts World Cruises.
“Mumbai is the main gateway to cruising in India and Indians will have the convenience of departing from their ‘doorsteps’, without the need to fly to another country”, he added.
Resorts World One will offer certified Indian vegetarian, Jain and halal cuisine.
Hotel entirely staffed by women opens in Sri Lanka
In a bid to carve out career opportunities for women in a male-dominated hospitality industry, a resort staffed entirely by women has opened in central Sri Lanka.
Amba Yaalu at Kandalama is a 33-room resort led by 80 staff – all women in various positions, from resort manager to gardener. It offers panoramic views of the Kandalama Lake and the surrounding mango garden with 457 trees, while its interiors celebrate Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
Owned by Thema Collection, which has several resorts across Sri Lanka, the property was built at a cost of 800 million rupees (US$2.7 million).
Company chairman Chandra Wickremesinghe said the resort’s opening last week: “We envisage a radical change with more women joining the hospitality industry; our women need not seek employment in other countries, leaving their families, if they can be gainfully employed here.”
While women make up nearly 70 per cent of the global tourism workforce, in Sri Lanka, female participation in the formal hospitality sector is low at 10 per cent. This is despite women comprising 52.8 per cent of the population and achieving high literacy rates, the company said in a statement.
Thema Collection added that due to cultural and social norms, traditional gender roles and societal expectations can limit women’s career choices and their mobility while concerns about safety and security, especially in jobs that require travel or late hours, can deter women from pursuing careers in hospitality.
Asia-Pacific airports among top 10 world’s busiest airports
The strength of Asia-Pacific airports has shone through in OAG’s ranking of the world’s busiest airports in 2024.
Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) maintains its position as the third busiest airport worldwide, with a 4.8 per cent year-on-year capacity growth, reaching 55.2 million seats.
Guangzhou’s Baiyun International and Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport take seventh and ninth places respectively. The latter rose from the 15th to ninth spot in just a year, driven by a 29 per cent year-on-year capacity growth and making it the fastest-growing airport in the global top 10.
The full ranking of the world’s busiest airports by seats comprises Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in first place; Dubai International Airport in second place; Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) in third; London Heathrow Airport in fourth; Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in fifth; Denver International Airport in sixth; Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in seventh; Istanbul Airport in eighth; Shanghai Pudong International Airport in ninth; and Chicago O’Hare International Airport in 10th.
In terms of international seat capacity, Seoul’s Incheon International Airport is the highest ranked Asia-Pacific airport, handling 41.6 million international seats and climbing from seventh place in 2023 to third in 2024.
Singapore’s Changi Airport emerges as a close contender in fourth position with 41.5 million scheduled seats, followed by Hong Kong International Airport (in ninth) with 34.6 million seats, showcasing an impressive 40 per cent year-on-year capacity growth. Both hubs remain powerhouses for connectivity and serve as key transit hubs in the region.
The full ranking of busiest international airports by seats is topped by Dubai International Airport in first place, followed by London Heathrow Airport and Incheon International Airport.
OAG’s head of Asia Pacific, Mayur Patel said: “Our latest rankings confirm the strength of the Asian market recovery through 2024, with Shanghai Pudong the fastest growing among the top ten entrants and Guangzhou Baiyun International entering the list for the first time. The strength of hubs like Seoul Incheon, Singapore Changi, and Hong Kong highlights the region’s critical role in global connectivity and catering to evolving traveller demands.”
Cambodia gets better connected
Tourism players are hopeful that vastly improved infrastructure will help position Cambodia as a standalone destination, making remote destinations easily accessible.
The opening of Cambodia’s first expressway, connecting Phnom Penh to the coastal city of Sihanoukville in late 2022 was deemed a gamechanger, cutting travel times from about five to six hours to about two, making the coast and islands more accessible to travellers.
The nation’s second expressway, connecting the capital to Bavet on the Vietnamese border, is slated to open in June, with plans underway to create another highway connecting Phnom Penh with Siem Reap and Poipet on the Thai border.
Significant work is also being put into improving the nation’s national roads, which Din Somethearith, president of Cambodia Tourism Federation (CTF), said will play a major role in transforming Cambodia into a standalone destination.
“Visitors will be able to access places such as Koh Kong, Battambang, and Pursat. The improved infrastructure is significant,” he said.
Sinan Thourn, chairman of PATA Cambodia and IMCT, noted that infrastructure development not only allows visitors to experience more remote areas, but also plays a role in providing communities living in those area with the chance to tap into the tourism dollar.
“Improved connectivity will encourage more tourists to explore remote areas, enhancing their overall experience and boosting local economies,” he noted.
Sivlin Chhay, president of Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA), said infrastructure development is vital in enhancing the country’s tourism competitiveness.
According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, the average stay in Cambodia was 7.6 days in 2023, up from three days in 2022.
Raffles Sentosa Singapore opens for bookings
Ahead of its March opening, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is now taking enquiries for bookings, including stays, weddings and events, and spa and dining experiences.
The 62-villa property, said to be Singapore’s first all-villa property, is nestled within 100,000m2 of tropical greenery on Sentosa island.
“Raffles Sentosa Singapore will be an enchanting sanctuary, where nature, heritage, and wellness come together with the legendary traditions and world-class hospitality of the Raffles brand to create truly unforgettable experiences,” said Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, cluster general manager of Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa.
“The resort will also offer the perfect setting for private retreats, family gatherings, and celebrating significant milestones.”
Villa sizes range from 210m2 for a one-bedroom pool villa to 650m2 for the four-bedroom Royal Villa. Each comes with a private pool and outdoor terrace.
The resort aims to be a destination for weddings and events, with two state-of-the-art ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Penang ramps up tourism push in India, ambitions lifted by new Chennai flights
The Malaysian state of Penang is intensifying efforts to attract Indian tourists, capitalising on the launch of its first daily direct flight connection to Chennai in November 2024.
Wong Hon Wai, Penang state executive councillor for tourism and creative economy, recently led a multi-city roadshow in India, titled Discover Penang. The four-city event, which covered Mumbai (January 13), New Delhi (January 15), Kolkata (January 17), and Chennai (January 20), witnessed an impressive turnout of around 200 buyers attending each session.
“This is the eighth edition of our roadshow in India, and this year’s theme highlights the destination’s versatility for heritage, culture, nature, weddings, festivals and business. With the direct Chennai-Penang flight and visa-free travel for Indian tourists, we expect India to become one of our top 10 international source markets in 2025,” said Wong at a press conference in New Delhi.
During the roadshow’s New Delhi leg, the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian OTA EaseMyTrip, aimed at enhancing Penang’s visibility and appeal among Indian travellers.
“EaseMyTrip has been bringing Indian tourists to Malaysia, but with this MoU, we are expecting a more focused approach to promote Penang. We are also open to similar collaborations with other Indian OTAs,” Wong stated.
Under the agreement, EaseMyTrip will introduce customised travel packages featuring unique Penang attractions.
Penang, a key port of call for cruise liners in South-east Asia, already counts India among its top three source markets for cruise arrivals. Wong expressed optimism about converting cruise visitors into longer-stay tourists. “We want these cruise tourists to return and spend more days exploring Penang,” he added.
Penang welcomed close to three million international tourists in 2024.
