Along with the development of the tourism industry, the international big hotel brands have been constantly expanding their portfolio in many destinations.
Even during the pandemic, “giants” in the industry still launched or planned to open many new hotels and resorts. For instance, Hyatt opened its first Hyatt Centric hotel in Australia at the end of 2021. Regent Phu Quoc of IHG debuted in early 2022. The Crowne Plaza brand under IHG opened in Phu Quoc in summer 2021, and in Vinh Phuc at the end of 2022, etc. IHG Hotels & Resorts also planned to add 74 Crowne Plaza properties in its portfolio in coming years. Accor is set to launch the first Mövenpick hotel in Jakarta in Q3 2023. Accor’s Tribe brand will come to Thailand in Q4 this year, and more.
Vietnam in recent years has attracted more and more international hotel brands to invest. They have been quickly remembered and loved by Vietnamese travelers. In Q1, The Outbox Company recorded Vietnamese travelers’ selection and announced the international hotel brand ranking.
Dream hotels chosen by Vietnamese tourists
In Q1 2023, top 3 international hotel brands in the wishlist of Vietnamese travelers are JW Marriott, Novotel, and Sheraton, respectively. The first JW Marriott hotel was born in 1957. Up till now, the luxury brand owns more than 100 hotels in over 32 countries and territories around the world. In Vietnam, JW Marriott is currently located in two famous tourist destinations including Hanoi and Phu Quoc. With just two properties, JW Marriott still leaves a strong impression on Vietnamese travelers thanks to its very big scale, beautiful and sophisticated architecture, as well as high-class service. With its long history, JW Marriott was chosen by Vietnamese tourists as their dream international hotel brand in the first 3 months of the year.
The second rank after JW Marriott in top dream hotels for Vietnamese travelers in Q1 was Novotel. Founded in 1967, Novotel is the first and most enduring brand operated by Accor. Until June 2021, there were a total of 514 Novotel hotels in 62 countries. Vietnam is now the location of 6 Novotel properties. By the end of 2023, the 7th hotel, Novotel Phan Thiet, is expected to officially come into operation. Novotel offers high-class and consistent services, spacious rooms, many facilities and promotions for families, and a modern equipped meeting space.
Sheraton, another big brand from Marriott, ranked No.3 in top dream hotels in Q1 2023. Sheraton owns more than 440 hotels in over 70 countries and territories, including 4 in Vietnam (Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Grand Danang Resort & Convention Center, Sheraton Hanoi, and Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa). Sheraton focuses on offering guests familiar feelings wherever they are. Sheraton continues to enhance the brand through innovative guest experience, differentiating design, multi-channel marketing and a sharp focus on service. Its new vision is reflected in intuitive design, cutting-edge technology experiences, and elevating public spaces and F&B service to flexible meeting spaces.
Most known hotels chosen by Vietnamese travelers
In addition to top dream hotels, Outbox also ranked top most known international hotel brands for Vietnamese travelers. The top 3 still featured the 3 brands mentioned above, but the order was a little bit different. Specifically, Novotel topped the list with more than 10% of choices, followed by JW Marriott. Sheraton maintained the #3 position.
Currently, the impact of COVID-19 and the economic and financial difficulties causes the uncertain tourism real estate market. However, that does not mean that brands will reduce communication and marketing activities, or narrow its portfolio. In Q2, will the ranking see any change or will any new brands appear? Hotel brands will need to keep upgrading their services, experiences and awareness in order to win the hearts of Vietnamese travelers during the recovery phase.
