In this week's 5 Star Weekly Briefing, there are several key trends, including new developments, strategic investments, and a notable shift towards upscale conversions. Frasers Hospitality, in collaboration with UK-based YOTEL, has launched YOTEL Tokyo Ginza, marking its first ground-up development and investment in Japan. In Australia, Cabra-Vale Diggers is unveiling plans for Novotel Sydney Cabramatta as a central feature of the Cabravale Club Resort, with Sam Fakih leading as Pre-Opening General Manager. Salter Brothers is investing over AU$10 million to transform the Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa into the flagship property for its new luxury brand, Ardour Hotels and Estates, reopening as Ardour Milton Park Bowral. IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its luxury and lifestyle portfolio with the upcoming Kimpton Bali Ubud in Indonesia and rebranding two existing properties in Japan to ANA Holiday Inn hotels through an agreement with FET SYSTEM INC. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Sands has broken ground on an $8 billion resort in Singapore. The trend of upscale conversions is prominent, with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Salter Brothers planning to relaunch several Crowne Plaza and InterContinental properties as Regent/InterContinental brands, a strategy also observed by Marriott, where conversions represented approximately 40% of its new signings in APAC in 2024.Leadership shifts and recognitions are also a key trend across the industry. Michael Johnson, former CEO of Accommodation Australia, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his leadership. Jennifer Brown of InterContinental Sydney was named Executive of the Year, and Anthony Flowers from Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour received Chef of the Year at the Accommodation Australia NSW Awards. Significant leadership appointments include Emilie Couton as Chief Executive Officer of Accor Plus, and at Marriott International, Jen Mason will succeed Leeny Oberg as Chief Financial Officer, with Shawn Hill becoming Chief Development Officer upon Oberg's retirement. Other new General Manager roles include Dony Andrian at Crowne Plaza Sydney Burwood (IHG Hotels & Resorts), Dagmara Konieczna at Rydges Gold Coast Airport, Luke Roberts-Lalli at QT Newcastle, Michael Stamboulidis at QT Auckland, Jerry Feng at Imperium Group for its Luxury Collection, and Sunil Rawat at Hilton Adelaide. These movements underscore the dynamic nature of the industry's recovery and strategic growth.