Alta Thoughts (October 2024)
By Rakesh Patel - It was a pleasure to share a panel on Hotel Investment Returns at HICAP SG. And always good to listen to and exchange thoughts with the hotel community in Asia-Pacific. A few sound bites: 2023/2024 was
Alta Thoughts (September 2024)
By Rakesh Patel - The Federal Reserve kicked-off an easing cycle with a bumper 50bps cut this week. According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, this is not the Fed hitting the panic button on the economy, and thus far markets
Alta Thoughts (August 2024)
By Rakesh Patel - It was a pleasure to share a panel on sustainable tourism with Liz Ortiguera from the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) and K. Oanh Ha from Bloomberg, at the Sustainable Business Summit in Singapore.
Alta Thoughts (July 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — You will have seen the rise of hotel interest in adding wellness and fitness elements into their product offering, given consumer demand and pressure to effectively utilise spare GFA. Does it make sense financially? Good to
Alta Thoughts (June 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — It’s always great to exchange ideas and learn from others, at a good hotel conference. Here are some soundbites from the recent SEAHIS event in Bangkok.
Alta Thoughts (May 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — We have gone from restricted travel to overtourism, in the space of two years. Local residents and organisations in travel destinations around the world, are back lobbying local governments against mass tourism.
Alta Thoughts (April 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — My recent trip to Sri Lanka reminded me of the breadth of beautiful experiences the island has to offer, across the tea county, beaches, sacred Bhuddist sites, wildlife parks, not to mention the food! At the
Alta Thoughts (March 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — We did not attend MIPIM in Cannes – it’s too broad and too far, for a hospitality fund based in Asia. However, given the concentration of real estate insight, it’s always good to follow the MIPIM
Alta Thoughts (February 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — The consistent message in most 2024 travel forecasts, was the robust return of Chinese tourists. So far, so good, looking at the Chinese New Year data. Led by domestic travel once again, total tourism revenues surpassed
Alta Thoughts (January 2024)
By Rakesh Patel — A tale of two cities I love. I have spent most of this month between HK and BKK, observing the challenges and opportunities through a travel lens.