How China, Japan and India Are Shaping the Asian Hotel Market

“As far back as I can remember, I knew I was different,” says Alexander Smalls. Growing up in a Gullah Geechee household in Spartanburg, North Carolina, the chef says he recognized the implication of those differences—in appearance, history, and cuisine. “I discovered early that my friends did not eat any of the foods that I ate. My foods were more akin to West Africa, you know, and very much pronounced in that way,” he says. It wan't until he moved to New York as an adult, that he assimilated the value of that diasporic connective tissue. “Food was a big part of cultural expression and identity of the African diaspora,” he says.

Foreign visitor spending in Japan in the first nine months of this year surpassed 2023’s full-year record of JPY 5.3 trillion ($35 billion).

Grindelwald, the iconic mountain town a train’s ride from Interlaken in south-central Switzerland, is renowned for its breathtaking alpine views of the Eiger and other prominent peaks. The Boutique Hotel Glacier perfectly captures that beauty from your room. The entire south side of the hotel is designed to showcase the stunning views of the Eiger North Face. From the bottom-floor spa to the ground-floor restaurant, floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the scenery, while the rooms feature glass doors that span nearly the entire wall for an uninterrupted view. While the hotel blends into the traditional alpine chalets surrounding it, its elegant, modern updates give it a unique charm. Dating back to 1864, Hotel Glacier effortlessly marries history with contemporary luxury, nestled beautifully against the mountain and local farmhouses.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to escape into a fairytale? To command a dragon, slay beasts, or ride into battle like Norse mythology’s Valkyrie? Hans Christian Andersen, the father of modern fairytales, likely imagined the same. Both the author and his stories were born and raised on the island of Fyn, Denmark (pronounced Foon in Danish).

I’m a devout fan of the Outlander books, so much so that I once spent a week making an 18th-century corset inspired by the main character, Claire. That’s why, when presented with an opportunity to visit Scotland and tour various filming locations for the long-running TV adaptation, I jumped at the chance.

My dad is from a small town in Massachusetts and has never been much for travel, but his eyes lit up like a child’s when I told him I was headed to Stuttgart, the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg in the Swabian region of southwestern Germany. A lifelong car buff, pop knew Stuttgart as the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Driving me to the airport, he gushed about the legendary car museums in his coarse Boston accent: “Christalmighty, Johnny Boy, you’ll see the most gawgeous Muhcedes and Pawsches evah made!” I could only imagine otherwise-polite Germans shuddering at his pronunciation of their cherished automobile brands (but I kept that to myself).

It was only recently that Yatra Online CEO Dhruv Shringi could be heard talking about how Indian carrier IndiGo’s fierce pricing squeeze had led to a drop in revenue.

Point Panama offers one of the best views of the Central American capital from its impressive viewpoint. (Photo Credit: Valentín Fuentes)

Victory Cruise Lines will launch a new “LakeLorian” program in 2025 in partnership with the National Museum of the Great Lakes. 

Oct 15, 2024 • 9 min read

Minimalism, for Gautam Munjal, the founder of Minimalist Hotels, is more than a buzzword — it’s about offering a high-quality experience without excess, appealing to travelers who are increasingly eco-conscious. In the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, catch Munjal in conversation with Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia as he talks about integrating hybrid spaces that cater to both work and leisure needs, while aiming to tap into the growing demand for flexibility among young urban travelers. He also sees food and beverage as an essential part of the guest experience, introducing unique concepts like craft cocktail bars and cozy cafés. 

China reported weaker-than-expected inflation over the weekend, highlighting continued sluggish consumer demand despite aggressive stimulus measures. The disappointing data was accompanied by an underwhelming economic briefing by the Chinese Finance Minister on Sunday, likely leading to further declines in Chinese stock markets following the recent stimulus frenzy.