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Chinese become world’s biggest travel spenders

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The second annual Chinese International Travel Monitor reveals significant insights into the changing behaviours of Chinese travellers and how the global hotel industry is adapting.

Surveying more than 3,000 Chinese international travelers and more than 1,500 hoteliers around the world, the Hotels.com report found 75 per cent of hoteliers globally say Chinese travellers now account for up to five per cent of their business and 45 per cent say they have experienced an increase in Chinese guests over last year, with the greatest increases coming in APAC (61 per cent).  Hoteliers see China as a positive growth market over the next three years with one in 10 expecting to see an increase of more than 50 per cent and almost half (47 per cent) anticipating an 11-50 per cent rise.

According to the Hotels.com report the majority of overseas Chinese travel (96 per cent) has been for leisure purposes, while just over half (52 per cent) have also visited other countries for business or education.

In a growing trend, nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of Chinese travellers say they prefer to travel independently and not as part of a group. This development has been confirmed by the hoteliers surveyed, who say 70 per cent of Chinese guests now travel independently, compared with a much more even split in 2012.

United Nations World Travel Organisation reflected that Chinese travellers spending US$102 billion on international travel in 2012, an increase of over 40% on 2011*

Johan Svanstrom, Managing Director of Hotels.com Asia Pacific, said, “The 2013 Chinese International Travel Monitor (CITM) shows the move to independent travel identified in the CITM last year is now preferred by the majority of Chinese travellers. While in-roads have been made in this area, governments will have to take this into account when organising their visa application infrastructure and processes.

In addition, the CITM highlights areas for continued improvement for accommodation providers. The ability to accept Chinese payment methods is seen as the single most important offering from hotels and over a quarter (26 per cent) of Chinese travellers feel this is a key area for improvement.

Three quarters (75 per cent) of Chinese travellers say hoteliers need to improve the provision of translated items, such as welcome literature, websites, TV programmes and newspapers, while almost half (42 per cent) say that they would like more Mandarin speaking staff in hotels.

Highlighting a disconnect between the desires of Chinese travellers and provisions made by hoteliers, a quarter (25 per cent) of hoteliers say they offer cultural awareness training to staff but only one in ten (11 per cent) offer welcome materials in Mandarin. Additionally, globally, just over half (56 per cent) of hotels have invested less than $10,000** in developing programmes and products specifically catering to Chinese guests over the past 12 months.

When it comes to researching and booking travel, personal recommendation plays an increasingly vital role, with almost a third (30 per cent) of Chinese travellers saying they rely on advice from family and friends, followed by online travel booking and review sites.

More than a quarter of Chinese travellers (27 per cent) use social media to help them make decisions on holiday destinations, with this figure rising to 33 per cent among younger travellers under 35.

“These insights highlight the need for hoteliers to adapt their marketing strategies, with a particular focus on online and social media channels, to attract Chinese travellers. While the CITM shows hoteliers are making positive steps towards catering to an increasingly mobile and savvy Chinese travel market, it also shows the need for the global hotel industry to adapt facilities and services to more extensively cater to the world’s largest market of travellers.

“In addition, programmes being implemented by many governments and tourism authorities to attract and facilitate for Chinese travellers are a positive step in the right direction, but the pace of growth in the volume of Chinese travellers appears to be outstripping the pace of change in the hotel industry,” Svanstrom concluded.

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives unveils ‘Mystival’ — spellbinding festive extravaganza

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This festive season, Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives is set to redefine year-end celebrations with the launch of Mystival—a bold and imaginative experience running from 21 December 2025 to 8 January 2026. The event will transform the resort into a vivid tapestry of artistic expression, mystical wonder, and tropical fantasy.

Headlining the celebrations will be internationally acclaimed French duo DJ TRINIX and award-winning singer-songwriter Matilde Girasole. Their high-octane performance on New Year’s Eve promises to be a standout moment in the resort’s vibrant festive calendar. Joining them will be a curated lineup of international acts and local artists, delivering an exhilarating musical landscape across the resort’s three islands: Main Island, Dream Island, and the adults-only Romance Island. Further exciting performer announcements are expected in the lead-up to the event.

DJ TRINIX, the renowned electronic music duo from Lyon, France, bring a genre-blending sound that combines cinematic flair with modern energy. Their musical repertoire has earned over 500 million streams and a place on Top 50 radio charts across Europe. Known for their collaborations with global names such as Akon, Steve Aoki, and Armin van Buuren, and for appearances at iconic venues including Tomorrowland and Zénith Paris, the duo is poised to deliver a truly unforgettable show.

Sharing the spotlight is international pop artist Matilde G, a Singapore-based Italian singer-songwriter celebrated for her dynamic stage presence. With performances spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States—including the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix—she was named Best Singer Residing Outside the Middle East at the 2023 MUSIV Awards.

More than a seasonal theme, Mystival invites guests on a fully immersive journey into the surreal and extraordinary. Inspired by celestial mythology, tropical folklore, and avant-garde design, the resort will come alive with dreamlike visuals, artistic installations, and experiential dining, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Throughout the festive period, guests will enjoy a diverse range of experiences—from serene spa rituals and vibrant underwater adventures to exhilarating watersports and themed gala dinners. Activities include whale shark expeditions, sunset beach barbecues, cultural performances, children’s programmes at the Maakanaa Kidz Club, and exceptional culinary offerings such as teppanyaki dinners and floating breakfasts.

Highlights of the season include the Christmas Eve Gala, Santa’s spectacular arrival, and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve countdown under the Maldivian stars, complete with live performances, fire shows, and dancing on the beach. Mystival promises joy for guests of all ages, celebrating island life with flair, imagination, and warmth.

To mark the launch of Mystival, Sun Siyam Olhuveli has introduced an exclusive Festive Offer available for bookings made before 31 August 2025. Benefits include:

  • Complimentary one-way airport transfer for two guests with a minimum five-night stay in any Pool category
  • A 45-minute spa treatment for two guests with a minimum four-night stay in Grand Beach Suites with Pool or Grand Water Villas
  • 25% discount on spa treatments with advance booking
  • 20% discount on water sports activities
  • 20% off à la carte dining for guests on Bed & Breakfast or Half Board meal plans

This is not simply a holiday—it is an invitation to immerse oneself in a world of colour, creativity, and celebration. With soulful rituals and unforgettable entertainment, Mystival at Sun Siyam Olhuveli is set to be the Maldives’ most enchanting festive experience yet.

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Tempo brings high-energy Wellbeing Week to Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

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Tempo has successfully concluded a vibrant Wellbeing Week at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, celebrating a dynamic blend of movement, energy, and community. The week-long initiative showcased an array of group fitness experiences curated by Radical Fitness – a globally acclaimed fitness brand founded in Argentina, renowned for its innovative programmes that integrate music, choreography, and athletic training to deliver impactful workouts across the globe.

The activities unfolded across various locations throughout the resort, offering both land and water-based formats for a comprehensive approach to wellness. A standout session took place in the resort’s main pool, where Tempo’s founder, Zinan, led a distinctive aqua fitness class. This session fused the intensity of mixed martial arts with resistance gloves and the fluid resistance of water, creating a revitalising yet challenging workout suitable for all fitness levels.

On the pool bar deck, further energy-filled sessions were held, led by Yan Fayaz, Tempo’s Commercial Director of Hospitality. Guests and staff participated in back-to-back classes of FightDo and Factor F. FightDo – Radical Fitness’s signature cardio-combat programme – draws inspiration from kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other martial arts disciplines, combining punches and kicks to rhythmically energising music for a full-body workout. In contrast, Factor F focused on strength and conditioning through a circuit-style format that utilised both bodyweight and equipment-based exercises to build power, endurance, and functional fitness. Both classes fostered a spirited atmosphere of teamwork and motivation among participants.

Adding star power to the week, the resort welcomed a special guest appearance by fitness influencer Laura Giromini, known as @Viverennewyork on Instagram, who led a one-off ‘Endurance Elite’ workout session.

Tempo continues to redefine wellness within the hospitality sector through its innovative, multi-dimensional fitness offerings tailored for modern resorts. Its flagship garage gym concept, now available in Malé and Hulhumalé, features high-performance equipment and expert-led coaching, providing members with focused, high-intensity training in an encouraging and personalised environment.

Through strategic partnerships with leading fitness organisations such as Radical Fitness International, Fitness Academy Europe, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), XEBEX, GETRXD, and BH Fitness, Tempo delivers a comprehensive ecosystem of fitness classes, certifications, and high-quality equipment across its resort projects. Notable collaborations include the certification of resort recreation teams via Fitness Academy Europe, as well as the introduction of FightDo and Factor F programmes at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. Tempo has also recently completed two major certifications – the Basic Fitness Trainer certification and Radical Fitness’s Factor F programme – at the prominent Siyam World resort.

By designing purpose-built fitness spaces, integrating technology-driven programming, and aligning with global fitness brands, Tempo has positioned itself as a trailblazer in wellness solutions for hospitality. Its offerings go far beyond traditional gym access, enriching the guest experience with engaging, professional, and holistic fitness journeys.

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Villa Park named Top Hotel Partner 2025 by Schauinsland Reisen

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Villa Park, a vibrant island retreat nestled within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, has been honoured with the esteemed ‘Top Hotel Partner 2025’ award by renowned German tour operator Schauinsland Reisen. This accolade recognises the resort’s exceptional guest satisfaction, outstanding service, and consistent performance as one of the tour operator’s most valued international partners.

Boasting 462 villas – including the Maldives’ most extensive selection of beach pool villas – Villa Park offers a diverse range of accommodation suited to couples, families, and group travellers. Whether opting for beachfront sanctuaries or overwater escapes, guests are assured of privacy and comfort, making the resort a preferred choice for those in search of spacious, flexible, and memorable experiences.

Situated in a marine reserve celebrated for year-round whale shark sightings, the resort is a dream for nature lovers and diving enthusiasts. Families are warmly welcomed, with curated programmes at the Park Players Kids Club that encourage fun, creativity, and exploration for younger guests.

Wellness is also at the heart of the experience. The tranquil Araamu Spa, set amidst lush tropical gardens, offers holistic treatments and traditional Ayurvedic rituals designed to rejuvenate and restore. Meanwhile, Zero Restaurant exemplifies the resort’s commitment to sustainability, serving plant-based cuisine in an open-air garden setting. Ingredients are sourced from the island’s innovative hydroponic and permaculture systems.

Villa Park continues to redefine barefoot luxury through its unique blend of adventure, wellness, and eco-conscious living – all delivered with genuine Maldivian hospitality and a team devoted to exceeding guest expectations.

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