14-05-2025
Hilton Brings Tru Brand to Asia Pacific with Vietnam Openings
According to the Q1 2025 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics, the total pipeline in the Asia Pacific region, excluding China (APEC), stands at 2,074 projects/408,213 rooms. At the close of the first quarter, there are 872 projects/198,640 rooms under construction throughout the region. Projects scheduled to start construction in the next 12 months stand at 328 projects/55,559 rooms. At Q1, the early planning stage project total stands at 874 projects/143,014 rooms. Standout chain scale segments in the APEC region at the Q1 close include the upscale chain scale with 519 projects/103,815 rooms and the upper upscale segment with 388 projects/83,070 rooms. Construction starts in the region saw considerable growth in Q1 2025, with 115 projects/19,855 rooms breaking ground. The APEC region also recorded 124 new project announcements with 20,181 rooms at the close of the first quarter, while combined hotel renovations and brand conversions stand at 211 projects/43,230 rooms. The top countries in the APEC region by project count are led by India with 693 projects/88,884 rooms, followed by Vietnam with 251 projects/90,738 rooms, Thailand with 170 projects/43,730 rooms, Indonesia with 170 projects/29,797 rooms, and then Japan with 164 projects/27,572 rooms. APEC cities with the largest pipelines by project count are led by Bangkok, Thailand, with 71 projects/17,531 rooms; Jakarta, with 45 projects/10,135 rooms; Phuket, Thailand, with 39 projects/9,810 rooms; Melbourne, Australia, with 35 projects/6,655 rooms; and Bengaluru, India, with 32 projects/6,282 rooms. During the first quarter, 65 new hotels comprising 11,151 rooms opened in the APEC region, with an additional 296 new hotels/58,972 rooms forecast to open through Q2-Q4 2025. LE is forecasting a total of 361 new hotels and 70,123 rooms to open by year-end 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, LE analysts anticipate 311 new hotels and 63,544 rooms to open throughout the APEC region.
Ascott, the lodging business of CapitaLand Investment, said it expects to create more than 12,000 jobs, including 1,500 property leadership roles, to support the opening of more than 300 properties by 2028. This comes a month after it announced three new agreements to add 600 units to its India portfolio. Ascott Accelerate, a fast-track structured talent management program, will be launched to help fill the jobs. Penang, Malaysia, home to 21 of Ascott Malaysia's more than 40 properties, was selected as the launch site for the talent development programs.
Hilton announced the opening of the first four of 14 Tru by Hilton properties in Vietnam, in partnership with ROX Group, formerly TNG Holdings Vietnam. The new hotels mark the entry of the Tru by Hilton brand in Asia Pacific. The new Tru by Hilton properties are expected to be open before the end of 2025, bringing Hilton's total pipeline of hotels under development in Vietnam to 29. Hilton currently operates six properties across Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hilton Garden Inn brands. The first hotels launching will be the 129-room Tru by Hilton Hanoi Station and the 90-room Tru by Hilton Ha Long Hon Gai Centre. Following the first openings in Hanoi, Ha Long, Lang Son, and Nam Dinh, additional planned openings include cities such as Da Nang, Thai Binh, Bac Giang, Hoa Binh, Hau Giang, Lao Cai, Dak Lak, Viet Tri, Can Tho, and Tam Ky.
The Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers in Kowloon has completely transformed its Grand Ballroom, as well as new function rooms, adding to the property's MICE portfolio. The 15,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and its function spaces have been transformed by employing the theme of urban chic. The 782 guest rooms have also received an upgrade after a two-year, extensive refurbishment program. The rooms and suites range from 204 square feet to a sprawling 1,646 square feet for the Penthouse Suite.
Las Vegas Sands' Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has completed the renovation of its entire hotel room inventory as part of their massive US$1.75 billion multi-year transformation of the integrated resort. The renovations expanded their suite offering with MBS now having a total of 1,850 hotel rooms, including 775 suites. They previously had 180 suites available. Another 570 suites will be added in the coming years as the company embarks on a US$8 billion expansion project that will see a fourth hotel tower being built. The Sands Collection, one of two distinct hotel collections launched under the transformation of the three existing towers, became fully refreshed last week, comprising 1,480 rooms and suites. The remaining 370 suites belong to the ultra-luxurious Paiza Collection and include the three to four-bedroom Chairman Suite and the two-bedroom Presidential Suite. Guests in the Paiza Collection receive round-the-clock service from a 160-strong Butler Services team. MBS will next launch Jin Ting Wan, the property's fully owned and operated authentic Cantonese restaurant, in July, followed by other refurbishments such as LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar in the second half of the year. Also in the pipeline are lobby enhancements and a new spa.
Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of the 212-key Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront Srinagar, under its lifestyle brand Radisson Collection. The hotel is the largest in the Jammu and Kashmir region in India by rooms. With the opening, Radisson Hotel Group has over 165 hotels in operation and development in India.
ITC Hotels announced the expansion of its Mementos brand into Siliguri, West Bengal. They signed a management agreement with LR Berlia Group for a property near Bagdogra Airport. The development marks the brand's entry into eastern India, expanding ITC's footprint in the region. The hotel will have 180 rooms and other amenities. ITC Hotels will manage six properties in the state, with another six under development.
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort will open its doors this summer, the first luxury resort for IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Halong Marina Urban Area in Vietnam. The resort will feature 174 rooms and suites, 60 apartments, and 41 private villas. There will be six restaurants and bars, including the rooftop Roku & Sky Bar, inspired by the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. The resort will also introduce a holistic wellness experience and a range of creative recreational activities, including a Spa in partnership with UK luxury skincare brand Margaret Dabbs London and Australian clean beauty brand Sodashi. There will be five dedicated event venues, open-air spaces, and state-of-the-art technology.
Personnel Move
Dusit International announced that its Vice President – Operations (Central & Southern Thailand) and Government & Business Relations, Ms. Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, has been appointed President of the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association for the 2025-2026 term.
