Speaking at a press conference announcing the development plan in Vietnam held on the afternoon of November 14, a representative of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) said that Vietnam is one of the Southeast Asian countries with the fastest growing economies in the region.
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of East Asia Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts Group, said that Vietnam is witnessing increasing demand for inbound international tourism thanks to the expansion of new routes to many Asian cities.
Vietnam could attract 20 - 25 million international visitors by 2025
In the first 10 months of the year, Vietnam attracted about 14 million international visitors, an increase of 41% over the same period in 2023, and is expected to reach 18 million visitors by the end of this year, recovering to pre-COVID-19 levels. Mr. Rajit Sukumaran assessed that by 2025, Vietnam could welcome 20 - 25 million international tourists.
This is thanks to the rapid growth of air connections from other countries to Vietnam in recent times. For example: Vietjet opens 56 flights/week to India or Vietnam Airlines opens a route to Milan, Malaysia opens a route from Kuala Lumpur to Da Nang, etc.
"The growth of domestic flights is also the basis for tourism in general and the accommodation sector in particular to develop," said Mr. Rajit Sukumaran.
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of East Asia Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts Group. (Photo: H.A).
In addition, consumer demand is also growing again. Mr. Rajit Sukumaran said that demand is booming again, with IHG's room bookings in the third quarter of 2024 reaching a record high not only in Vietnam but also globally.
The RevPar (Revenue Per Available Room) index of revenue per room increased by 12% in the first 9 months of the year globally, with IHG alone growing by 23%, showing the recovery of the tourism industry. Based on the current data, Vietnam tourism has almost overcome difficulties and achieved growth levels similar to the pre-COVID-19 period.
"Looking at the long-term picture in Vietnam, we see that the future of the tourism industry is very bright," said Mr. Rajit Sukumaran.
Vietnam has many advantages in attracting luxury guests
Mr. Rajit Sukumaran also added that well-spending tourists are increasingly interested in the trend of personalization. Vietnam is a country with many advantages to attract this group of guests such as: beautiful natural landscapes, unique culture, unique experiences.
“IHG's city hotels still maintain their appeal to both business and leisure travelers. Resorts in destinations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Ho Tram and Nha Trang continue to be the choice of international and domestic guests. IHG also sees a boom in MICE tourism or group bookings," said Mr. Rajit Sukumaran.
Moire Hoi An Hotel belongs to the Vignette Collection brand, IHG. (Photo: IHG).
Sharing about the upcoming development plan, IHG said that the group will open 6 more hotels under two new brands, bringing the total number of the group's brands present in Vietnam to 9 brands. The two new brands that will be present in Vietnam are Vignette Collection, which is about to open in Hoi An, and Hotel Indigo in Ho Chi Minh City.
Not only focusing on the Luxury & Lifestyle segment, IHG said it will take advantage of new development opportunities related to the high-end and economy hotel segments.
Mr. Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Korea IHG Hotels & Resorts, said that the group will also launch 5 more Crowne Plaza hotels.
In addition, the voco hotels brand will soon be present in Quang Binh through the opening event of voco Quang Binh Resort hotel in the near future.
"In addition, the world-famous Holiday Inn brand continues to be the growth driver of IHG on a global scale. We already have two Holiday Inn hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Tram, and are planning to open 9 more hotels in Vietnam," said the Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Korea IHG.
IHG aims to double the number of hotels in Vietnam, from 16 hotels (about 4,800 rooms) to more than 40 hotels (about 12,000 rooms). Therefore, IHG can bring more mid-range brands to the Vietnamese market, including new names such as Garner, Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn Express.
In response to the growing demand for lifestyle brands, IHG is constantly expanding its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio. According to Mr. Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts, 30% of IHG's upcoming hotel projects are in this category.
