Stranded Chinese tourists choose Bali over Wuhan

DENPASAR – Thousands of Chinese tourists stranded in Bali are ready to put their feet up and enjoy an extended stay rather than risk a trip back to China during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Indonesian government’s decision to halt flights to and from mainland China, which began  Wednesday midnight, does not stop Chinese tourists from transitting home via some of Indonesia’s neighbours.

Most of them, however, are hoping to get a visa extension rather than risk exposure to the Wuhan coronavirus, the […]

GHM dives into the Maldives with Chedi launch

Luxury hotel group GHM will be launching The Chedi Kudavillingili, its first resort in the Maldives, later this year.

Located on a 1km coral island called Kudavillingili, The Chedi Kudavillingili will be located a 25-minute speedboat ride away from the Malé International Airport.

The Chedi Kudavillingili is slated to open later this year

The 99-villa property will feature 36 overwater villas, 63 island-based villas, a 150m central pool, a spa with eight treatment rooms, a beach club and bar, an all-day dining restaurant […]

Asian outbound travel stumbles over flu challenge

Health and safety concerns rising along with the number of Novel Coronavirus cases in China and beyond are stifling travel confidence in Asian markets, with outbound agencies in Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka reporting cancellations and postponements for the next few months.

Anticipating sliding travel demand from Singaporeans, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) has postponed its popular NATAS Travel Fair 2020 from February 21-23 to May 1-3 as a measure to “lower the risk potential for the public […]

Onyx to open two Bangkok hotels; targets 99 hotels by 2024

Shama Serviced Apartments by Bangkok-based Onyx Hospitality Group will be doubling its presence in the Thai capital with the addition of Phrom Phong and Yen Akat to its portfolio in 2020.

The two new properties – Shama Sukhumvit 39 Bangkok and Shama Yen Akat Bangkok – will complement the existing Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok in Ploenchit and Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok.

A rendering of Shama Yen Akat

Developed by Walton Asset and managed by Onyx Hospitality Group, Shama Sukhumvit 39 Bangkok in Phrom Phong […]

Coronavirus: China occupancy falls 75% over 2 weeks

The Chinese government’s efforts to stem the effects of the deadly coronavirus are at full speed, but the increase in travel and hotels since 2003’s SARS outbreak and the dates of the spread of the coronavirus occurring over the country’s most-important holiday are having a chilling effect on metrics.

By  Terence Baker

tbaker@hotelnewsnow.com
@terencebakerhnn

GLOBAL REPORT—The first data from STR has been published as to the effect of the coronavirus on Chinese hotel performance, the numbers covering the first 26 days of 2020.

According to STR, […]

Swiss-Belhotel set to launch 12 new hotels in Indonesia

Swiss-Belhotel has unveiled plans to open a further twelve hotels in Indonesia by 2022.

The new properties, which would give the group a portfolio of 84 hotels in the country, will encompass four brands: Swiss-Belexpress, Swiss-Belhotel, Swiss-Belinn and Zest. They will be located across the archipelago including Cilegon, Bali, Surabaya and Jakarta.

Nine of the new properties will open this year: the 115-room Swiss-Belexpress Cilegon; the 163-room Swiss-Belhotel Arjuna, Legian, Bali; the 88-room Swiss-Belhotel Cendrawasih Biak; the 227-room Swiss-Belhotel […]