Skift Take
Accor opened its 800th hotel in Greater China as Vietnam’s hotel market gains ground on rivals like Phuket across Asia. Plus, more hotel deal and development news.
STR/CoStar reported China hotel data for the week ended April 4th. Hotel RevPAR in China was up 6.8% year-over-year. It was up against an easy comp of a decline of 4.3% in the year-ago week. For the 2026 week, ADR was up 2.5% year-over-year, while occupancy was up 4.2%.
CoStar’s STR’s area director of Asia Pacific, Jesper Palmqvist, believes Vietnam is slated to be one of the top hotel performers in the region for an extended period. He noted that infrastructure and foreign investment will buoy Vietnam’s hotel market going forward. The island of Phu Quoc was named as having long-term potential to shine as one of the major tourism destinations across Asia Pacific. He asked the question if Phu Quoc can compete with Phuket over the long term. For now, it has seen better hotel performance to start 2026 than Phuket. Overall in the AP region, Palmqvist said some markets, like India, are being impacted more by the Iran conflict than others, noting that Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam have very low, single-digit dependency on Middle East travelers. India sees a higher degree of Middle East traveler demand than others.
Vietnam’s e-visa system upgrade has resulted in faster processing, improved payment integration, and real-time support, aiming to boost international arrivals and strengthen competitiveness in Southeast Asia’s tourism market. The updated platform was launched by the Ministry of Public Safety on April 4th and addresses previous challenges, including processing delays and payment issues reported by international travelers. Under the new system, visa processing times have been reduced to 48 hours, down from 3-5 business days. This positions Vietnam among the fastest in Southeast Asia for electronic travel authorizations. This forms part of Vietnam’s strategy to attract 18 million international visitors by the end of 2026.
ITC Hotels Limited announced the milestone 50th hotel signing for the Welcomhotel brand in India with the addition of new hotels in Shirdi and Bhubaneshwar. The soon-to-open destinations for the Welcomhotel brand include Gangtok in Sikkim and Bhopal & Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. ITC Hotels entered into definitive agreements with M/s. Sandy Resort Private Limited to operate its upcoming 73-room hotel in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The new alliance between the two companies also extends to a second 84-room hotel in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha,under the Welcomhotel brand. The brand now has 51 hotels with over 5,500 keys, of which 30 are operating, and 21 are in the pipeline. ITC has had 16 locations signed in the past 12 months in India.
Accor announced the grand opening of its 800th hotel in Greater China – the Sofitel Changzhou Hi-Tech District. The tower is set amid a neighborhood of modern, ecologically-minded businesses, high-end offices, and tech enterprises. It was developed in partnership with High-speed Railway New City Company and Changzhou Hi-Tech Group Co., Ltd. The hotel has 293 guestrooms and suites with public areas promoting well-being with lake-view pools and spas under rhythmic arches. Event spaces span 4,000 square meters. Dining venues merge global and local flavors.
Far East Consortium Limited subsidiary Dorsett Hospitality International announced that the opening of Dao by Dorsett Puteri Cove will be on May 15, 2026. This will be the first Dao by Dorsett in Asia. The new hotel will feature 213 rooms across four categories. Amenities include a swimming pool, gym, meeting facilities, and a spa/jacuzzi. The hotel is just 4 kilometers from LEGOLAND Malaysia.
Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels Ltd announced the signing of the Regenta Z Vrindavan hotel in Mathura, marking further expansion into India’s religious tourism segment. The property will be located 6 kilometers from Prem Mandir. The greenfield project is scheduled for handover in April 2027 and will operate under the Regenta Zbrand, designed for boutique hospitality with a focus on efficiency and service standards. The hotel will feature 36 rooms, along with a multi-cuisine restaurant and a banquet hall for social events, religious functions, and small corporate gatherings. The property is owned by Sachin Aggarwal.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, becoming the first Anantara-branded resort in Asia to be welcomed into the independent luxury hotel collection. The Thailand resort includes all suite, pool villa, and penthouse categories with uninterrupted views across Phang Nga Bay’s emerald waters. For an ultimate escape, guests can spend the night aboard My SKY, the resort’s ultra-luxury yacht. The resort is accessible by speedboat, just 35 minutes from Phuket or 30 minutes from Krabi.
Personnel Moves
Atmosphere Core announced the promotion of Christopher Baker as Vice President Operations – Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts. He will oversee operational performance and growth across the brand portfolio in India, Italy, the Maldives,and Nepal.
Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as Public Relations Officer for Sikkim, strengthening its engagement with government institutions and local markets in the northeast of India.
Source: https://dlr.skift.com/2026/04/09/accor-opens-800th-hotel-in-greater-china/