Four Seasons and NetJets: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and NetJets, the world’s largest private aviation company, announced a partnership. Three distinct itineraries will offer customizable Four Seasons experiences via NetJets private jet in Four Seasons destinations in Jackson Hole, Vail, Lanai, Paris, Milan and the south of France.
China tourism growth: By 2022, Euromonitor expects that China will be the world’s largest source of outbound tourism demand, with 128 million trips, overtaking the US as the country with the highest propensity for travel abroad. Growth is set to be very strong, at 8.4% over the period 2017-2022. Outside of Asia, the US and France are likely to benefit the most, due to their China-ready approach.
Africa performance: The hotel sector in Sub-Saharan Africa has evolved during the past decade due to high demand growth, entrance of new global brands and increasing supply in major markets, according to an overview presented by Xander Nijnens, executive vice-president, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL Sub-Saharan Africa at a forum in Africa.
The report confirms hotel operating performance in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 and 2017 has been challenging. There is little doubt that the long-term investment case is strong, yet the economic slowdown has impacted demand at a time when new supply growth has been strong in many markets. Nijnens said that while this may be the case, the region is incredibly diverse and opportunities in new markets and new segments are constantly presenting themselves.
Southeast Asia hotels residences: According to a C9 Hotelworks report on Southeast Asia focused hotel residences market trends, between 2018 and 2020 new completed units will represent a massive 83% rise over existing supply. The top five pipeline project locations in order of volume are Danang, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Bintan.
OTA market share predictions: According to Credit Suisse, OTA market share will not climb “infinitely” given that much of the market using it is leisure oriented and that the corporate market continues to use a wealth of other methods to acquire its rooms.
Carlson Rezidor Ethiopia: The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group will add another Radisson Blu hotel in Ethiopia in the city of Bishoftu. The newly constructed hotel will open in 2020. Carlson Rezidor is operating a Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa, since 2011 and plans to open its second Blu in the city within the next 18 months.
Crescent managing: Crescent Hotels & Resorts will manage the 310-room Marriott Fairfax, Virginia at Fair Oaks.
Mandai eco-resort: Mandai Park Holdings appointed Banyan Tree Holdings as the operator of an eco-friendly resort to be located within the new integrated nature and wildlife destination in Mandai, Singapore.
Bon in Nigeria: Following on their commitment to Nigeria and the development of its hotels and tourism segment, Bon Hotels has acquired an additional four properties to its portfolio, bringing the total to sixteen hotels under its management agreement within only 18 months – making the company the largest hotel operator in Nigeria. The four hotels include Bon Hotel Tripod Owerri, a 70-room hotel catering to the corporate and leisure markets due to open early next year; Bon Hotel Sunshine Enugu, a 4-star, 120-room hotel primed for business travellers which opens in January; and Bon Hotel Newland Abuja and Bon Hotel Airport Enugu, both which are still under construction and due to open in eight to 12 months.