Weekly Hotel Industry Asia Pacific News Roundup from HVS
Opening of Tokyo’s Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai Commercial Complex
Tokyo’s newest tourist attraction, the Edo-period-inspired Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai Commercial Complex (“The complex”), has officially announced its opening. The complex sits on approximately 11,000 square metres of land and consists of two buildings – the three-storey Toyosu Edo-mae Market (“The market”) and the nine-storey Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club (“The onsen area”). The complex was initially expected to open in 2018, together with the Tsukiji fish market’s shift to Toyosu, however experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Located across the famous Toyosu fish market, in Tokyo’s Koto Ward, the market houses 65 food storefronts that offer meals using fresh fish from the fish market. The onsen area is operated by Japan-based Manyo Club, and comprises hot springs, a sauna, bedrock baths, relaxation areas, 71 guestrooms and suites, and a free-for-public foot bath on the eighth storey, overlooking picturesque waterfront views. It is expected for the complex to attract approximately 2.6 million annual visitors. Visitors can reach the complex via the Shijo-mae station on the Yurikamome line or via the Tokyo Bus Rapid Transit from Shimbashi station.
Resorts World One to be the First to Homeport in Jakarta, Indonesia
Singapore-based Resorts World Cruises has announced the deployment of the Resorts World One cruise ship (“RWO”) to homeport in Jakarta, Indonesia. As the first international cruise line to homeport in Jakarta, RWO will be offering four round-trip, six-day five-night cruises, between 16 June 2024 to 1 July 2024. RWO will first disembark from the port of Tanjung Priok, in Jakarta, to Singapore, and finally, to Port Klang, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. RWO’s offerings include 18 restaurants and bars, a Roman-themed Parthenon Pool, virtual games, duty-free shopping, spas, enrichment workshops, movie nights, and many more.
Thailand Approves THB104.9 Million Budget for 2024 Songkran Festival Celebrations
Thailand’s cabinet has approved a THB104.8 million (USD2.9 million) budget for the “Maha Songkran World Water Festival” in Bangkok and some other key provinces in Thailand, during mid-April. While the Songkran Festival will take place between 11 April and 15 April 2024, welcoming activities will begin on 1 April. Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism expects the Songkran Festival to attract more than 200,000 people and generate approximately THB3.1 billion in revenue. To supplement this, it is anticipated for Thailand to implement policies such as visa exemption, value-added tax refund, and new health insurance programs for international visitors, in the coming period.
Batik Air Launches New Route Between Batam and Kuala Lumpur
On 18 February 2024, Malaysia’s Batik Air launched a new flight service between Batam, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Operating three times a week, the new service will allow passengers to easily connect to Batik Air’s extensive flight network of 53 destinations, via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Moreover, the new route is expected to boost tourism traffic between the two countries.
State Railway of Thailand to Develop Three New Rail Routes
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced plans to construct three double-track railroad routes that span across total of 634-kilometres. The SRT board has approved the combined investment of THB113.1 billion and the project is due to be submitted to the Transport Ministry. This project forms part of the second phase of Thailand’s double-track rail network, and the three new routes include the 281-kilometre Pak Nam Pho-Denchai route, the 308-kilometre Jira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route, and the 45-kilometre Hat Yai-Padang Besar route.
About HVS
HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.