This week's 5-Star Hotel Briefing highlights significant expansion and investment within the global hospitality sector, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. New luxury hotels and resorts are being developed by major brands like Kerzner International, Mandarin Oriental, and Hyatt, with a focus on emerging markets and niche segments such as hot spring ryokans. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions are also driving growth, as seen with Hilton and YTL Hotels expanding their collaboration in Thailand and Japan, and Accor rebranding several Australian properties. Furthermore, the briefing touches upon evolving industry trends, including a growing demand for student accommodation in Australia and the increasing integration of smart technology in hotel rooms, alongside insights into hotel performance in key Australian cities and the rising importance of digital tipping for hotel staff.