Vietnam is taking a bold leap forward with its gaming ambitions. The government has officially approved a US$2.16 billion integrated casino resort in Van Don, Quảng Ninh Province, aiming to transform the area into a world-class tourism and entertainment hub.
South Asia is about to welcome a game-changing addition to its luxury tourism scene: City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a $1.2 billion integrated resort built through a landmark partnership between John Keells Holdings and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is scheduled to officially open its doors on August 2, 2025. Located in the heart of Colombo, the property marks the region's first fully integrated luxury gaming resort.
On June 26, 2025, Kangwon Land, South Korea’s government-backed casino resort operator, announced it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a ferry services provider aimed at boosting inbound tourism—particularly from Russian nationals—by facilitating direct maritime travel to its resort destination.
On June 26, 2025, Megaworld—Alliance Global Group’s property development arm—announced a strategic partnership with global hotelier Accor to convert Belmont Hotel Mactan—located in the sprawling 30‑hectare Mactan Newtown township—into Mercure Mactan Cebu, slated for launch in the fourth quarter of 2025. This transformation marks the entry of Accor’s midscale Mercure brand into the Cebu market, bolstering both companies’ ambitions to deliver quality accommodations that balance local character with global hospitality standards.
Macau’s notorious ultra‑luxury property, The 13 Hotel, has finally found a buyer. The 22‑storey, 199‑room property in Seac Pai Van, Coloane, was sold for HK$600 million (US$76 million)—a steep discount from its original HK$2.4 billion valuation. This marks the SAR’s first hotel sale since 2017 and signals renewed investor confidence in Macau’s post-pandemic tourism rebound.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 30/06/2025
