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Le Bokor Palace Soft Opening 9 February 2018

By TTG
0

Brought to you by SOKHA HOTELS & RESORTS.

Le Bokor Palace Soft Opening 9 February, 2018
A luxurious and historical Hotel since 1920s is renovated for re-opening

Le Bokor Palace is a luxurious and historical hotel since 1920s situated on cliff at the top of Bokor Mountain (Kampot Province, Kingdom of Cambodia). The hotel offers breathtaking view of mountain and coastline, as known as the health resort that offers natural treatment to visitors.

Because of its cool climate and fresh air, it contributes and promotes blood regeneration, lungs, heart, breathing, nutrition, nervous system, regain strength and health. (Source: from Dr Vallet, Director of Cambodia’s Health Service, 1925)

Le Bokor Palace located between the tropical forest and the “Opal Coast” on Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, nearby Kampot Province and was inaugurated on 14 February 1925 to host royalty and elites for decades. The hotel was revived in the early 1962 by Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, and served members of high-ranking officials, governments and wealthy business people, and it used to be Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s favorite retreat vacation.

Perched on a cliff at the top of Bokor Mountain, this historical hotel commands breathtaking views of what the French once called the Opal Coast. The weather on top of Bokor Mountain ranges between 17 °C – 24 °C (62.6 °F – 75.2 °F) for whole year round. Bokor Mountain is not just tourist destination for traveler, but also a health resort with natural health treatment that effects on lung, breathe, nutrition, nervous system, enable blood regeneration, and regain strength. (Source: from Dr Vallet, Director of Cambodia’s Health Service, 1925)

Le Bokor Palace is four-storied building, toughly and neatly designed, has a powerful presence, embellished with decks and Italian-style pergolas.


Today, Le Bokor Palace is restoring by Sokha Hotels & Resorts. “Le Bokor Palace is a historic hotel that is Cambodia’s treasure, our company has fully refurbished the building, preserving the original features and recreating its colonial interior design, with bathroom fixtures imported from Italy and ornate floor tiles from Spain. After extensive renovation of this grand colonial building for opening in early 2018, Le Bokor Palace includes 36 luxurious rooms and suites.

“Its two restaurants capture the elegance of the hotel’s historic past, with Swiss and Cambodian chefs are preparing both 100 year of renascence menu and Royal Khmer cuisine with freshest organic vegetables and ingredient that grown nearby organic farm. Name Le Bokor Palace is maintained and reserved as the historical French colonial and Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk,” commented Mr. Frugere F. Philippe​, General Manager of Le Bokor Palace.


The remains of the colonial settlement – which included Japanese house, Catholic Church, Wat Sampov Pram, Domnak Sla Kmao, Damnak Sdech, City Hall and other colonial buildings  – can still be seen today, spread out across a plateau and often shrouded in mist.

While visitor stay at Le Bokor Palace known as nature health resort can also visit the spectacular of Mountain Lake, beautiful Popokvil waterfall, Rock formation various shapes of rocks at 100 rice field and a unique shape of rock symbolize a gate between heaven and earth. Meditation is recommended on Bokor Mountain especially at 500 rice field. Bokor Mountain is the only place in Cambodia that has Nepenthes flowers, the local use the flowers for medicine.

For reservation:
Telephone: +855 16 616 126
E-mail: reservation.lbp@sokhahotels.com

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Samrith Bunnich, Marketing Manager
E-mail: nickie.samrith@sokhahotels.com
Telephone: +855 33 683 9999
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeBokorPalaceKP/
Instagram: lebokorpalace / sokhahotels
Website: www.lebokorpalace.com

About Le Bokor Palace

Le Bokor Palace includes 36 luxurious rooms and suites. Its two restaurants capture the elegance of the hotel’s historic past, with Swiss and Cambodian chefs are preparing both 100 year of renascence menu and Royal Khmer cuisine with freshest organic vegetables and ingredient that grown nearby organic farm.

Why can’t S’pore create an A&K?

By Raini Hamdi
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Singapore does not lack global brands – think Singapore Airlines, Changi International, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Como Hotels and, in other industries, Osim (massage chairs), Razer (gaming), Charles & Keith (shoes) and Tiger (beer and balm) – but it has yet to produce a global travel agency brand.

This talking point arose when I chatted with sources about Scott Dunn’s acquisition of Country Holidays, a Singapore brand that began 24 years ago and has made a name for itself as a bespoke outbound travel agency. Including offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Dubai, it claims a turnover of S$35 million (US$27 million).

The agency will be rebranded Scott Dunn Singapore and founder Theng Hwee will be Scott Dunn’s new CEO, Asia, reporting to group CEO Simon Russell. London-based Scott Dunn has been pursuing a global expansion since being acquired by Inflexion Private Equity in 2014. In 2016, Scott Dunn bought San Diego-based Aardvark Safaris to make inroads into the North American market, and tried to tap the Asian market by opening a Singapore office that year. Country Holidays accelerates this goal.

The remarks: ‘There goes another local brand.’ The questions: ‘Why does a local brand need foreign expertise to thrive internationally?’, ‘Why not the other way round – established local brands buying a foreign entity to grow internationally?’, ‘Why can’t we be an Abercrombie & Kent or even better?’, ‘Why can’t we be another success story like G Adventures from Canada?’

I asked Theng Hwee himself about it. He said he sensed those sentiments. He admitted that when Raffles Hotel Singapore was sold, he too ‘felt it’. He sold because he needed the financial muscle to go to the next level, pointing out that a move from a SME to an organisation with 300-400 staff on his own would take a while and would be a learning curve. Scott Dunn parachutes that with its advanced technology to tailor products quickly, marketing proficiency, customer service training, aside from boosting staff morale to be part of an international brand, he said.

I thought about A&K, founded by Geoffrey Kent and his parents in 1962 – 56 long years to reach 52 full-time offices worldwide staffed by more than 2,500 people. It’s perfectly alright if Theng Hwee does not want that kind of journey; but it does not mean Singapore companies can’t do it. Then again, if time is all it takes, why are, say, Chan Brothers Singapore, more than 50 years in business, and Dynasty Travel, 40 years in business this year, still largely a Singapore brand?

To me, one reason could be that Singapore travel agencies don’t take branding seriously, don’t see that a name is an asset and has enormous equity. Theng Hwee told me he didn’t know how he came up with the name Country Holidays, when his agency is anything but about country holidays. Another reason could be the comfortable, ‘safety net mentality’ of Singaporeans in general. If I compare young Singapore men and women – even today – to their global counterparts, I’d say few are willing to get up and go into the world. Just like the agencies.

But the fact that those questions are being asked by the local industry players I talked to is a pretty good sign. It reflects an awakening. Hopefully that flame will burn and we’ll see global local brands 10, 20 years down the road.

New deputies sworn in to complete Indonesia tourism ministry’s restructure

By Mimi Hudoyo
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Second part of a major restructuring within the ministry

Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has promoted Nia Niscaya, former director of Europe, the Middle East, US and Africa marketing development to deputy minister for marketing development zone II.

In her new role, she will be responsible for the marketing development in Asia (excluding ASEAN), Middle East, Africa, US and Europe.

At the same time, Rizki Handayani, former director of ASEAN marketing development, is promoted to deputy minister for industrial and institutional development.

Second part of a major restructuring within the ministry

In a ceremony yesterday, both deputy ministers were inaugurated together with other echelon one to four officials in Jakarta.

This marked the second part of the Ministry of Tourism’s major restructuring effort, following the first part held in January.

With the two new deputy ministers inaugurated yesterday, the minister now has four deputies. The two inaugurated in January were deputy minister for marketing development zone I – Indonesia, ASEAN, Australia and Oceania, which is spearheaded by I Gde Pitana, and deputy minister for destination development, led by Dadang Rizki Ratman.

The new structure will enable the Ministry of Tourism to become more customer oriented and adept in understanding the needs of travellers and creation of travel products, paving for higher customer satisfaction and loyalty, tourism minister Arief Yahya remarked.

“As tourism is the business of experiences, the ministry with the new structure must be competent to create extraordinary experiences for travellers,” said Arief.

“Innovation is a must (for us) to catch up with our competitors like Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore,” he added.

IATA objects to new airport tax to fund Changi expansion

By TTG Asia
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Capacity expansion ongoing at Singapore Changi Airport

IATA has expressed its disappointment over the additional fees that Changi Airport will charge passengers and airlines to fund the development of Changi East and T5 project.

Starting July, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) will adjust existing passenger and airline fees, while the government will introduce an Airport Development Levy.

CAG announced that Passenger Service and Security Fee (PSSF) for all passengers departing from Singapore Changi Airport, presently S$27.90 (US$21), will increase by S$2.50 per annum starting on July 1 this year, with the last increase on April 1, 2024. This year marks the mid-point of the estimated construction phase of the Changi East project.

Airline industry wants greater transparency on projected cost of Changi East project and funding model 

There will be no change in the PSSF levied on transfer/transit passengers, who now pay S$6.00 when departing.

Meanwhile, the government is adding an Airport Development Levy – S$10.80 for passengers beginning their flights at Singapore Changi, and S$3 for transit passengers.

IATA yesterday issued a statement expressing the airline industry’s opposition to what it calls a “pre-funding” for infrastructure projects. It also pointed out that the decision to pre-fund was made despite industry feedback.

“It is unfair to expect passengers and airlines to pay in advance for a facility they may or may not use in the future when the facility is ready. It also goes against the International Civil Aviation Organization’s charging principle of cost relatedness – where passengers and airlines are charged for the cost of services actually used,” said Conrad Clifford, IATA’s regional vice president, Asia-Pacific.

Justifying the PSSF adjustment, CAG said: “Under the regulatory regime, CAG has the flexibility to set the amounts for the various aeronautical charges for up to 2030, so long as the overall amount does not exceed the cap set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. This cap will be reviewed if the competitiveness of Singapore air hub is adversely impacted.”

CAG added that funding for Changi East will come from three parties – the Singapore government, CAG and airport users (including airlines and passengers). The Singapore Government will fund the majority of the project’s development cost. CAG has invested S$3.6 billion to date, and will commit a substantial portion of its reserves and future surpluses, including earnings from its airport concessions, to the development.

But this is not enough to show how the cost are apportioned between all three parties – including airlines and passengers – IATA countered, calling for greater transparency on the funding model.

“Aviation is an economic catalyst and the added capacity does not just benefit the aviation community, but the entire Singapore economy. Making air travel more expensive for passengers will have a negative impact on travel, tourism, and as a result aviation’s contribution to an economy. Increasing charges for airlines could also affect the financial viability of their services to and from the airport,” Clifford pointed out.

Gala dinner caps Dynasty Travel’s 40th anniversary celebration

By TTG Asia
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A spirited celebration with partners and loyal customers

Singapore’s Dynasty Travel recently commemorated its 40th year milestone with 350 guests at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach.

There’s plenty in its 40 years worth celebrating, the agency says, including being the first local travel agency to have a website that offers online payments for group tours, and also the first to have a proprietary iPad reservation system.

A spirited celebration with partners and loyal customers

Going forward, it aims to “scale to new heights of innovation” whether it be in its services or destinations on offer.

As part of its corporate social responsibility commitment, Dynasty Travel has since 2013 been conducting annual charity drives, a recent one being Zumba Glow Charity, which raised funds for the Singapore Children’s Society.

In 2018, it aims to continue helping underprivileged children, such as through a year-long donation drive to help improve children service centres.

Airlines leaving passengers to their own devices

By Pamela Chow
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Panasonic Avionics' Jon Norris; SpiceJet's Kamal Hingorani; Inmarsat's Otto Gergye; and Jet Airways' Narendra Mansukhani

Airlines in Asia are increasingly letting passengers take in-flight entertainment into their own hands, as they turn their attention to building in-flight connectivity instead.

At the Aviation Festival Asia, Kamal Hingorani, senior vice president & head inflight services and customer experience of Indian LCC SpiceJet, shared that while installing seat-back screens is inexpensive, the maintenance of the equipment and possibility of glitches would cost the LCC much more.

Panasonic Avionics’ Jon Norris; SpiceJet’s Kamal Hingorani; Inmarsat’s Otto Gergye; and Jet Airways’ Narendra Mansukhani

Instead, the airline will focus on the BYOD (bring your own device) model and instead offer “quality Wi-Fi connection” as well as customised passenger greetings, said Hingorani.

He cited a London School of Economics study, which predicted that more short- and medium-haul flights will adopt BYOD.

Still, SpiceJet may consider alternatives for its future longhaul wide-body aircraft, such as in-seat power.

Jet Airways’ head of guest experience Narendra Mansukhani concurred, and added that the airline has special features on its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft for BYOD passengers. These include smartphone and tablet holders, and in-seat power may be introduced for longer flights, such as between Delhi and Singapore.

Both airlines asserted that they will aim to offer in-flight connectivity services free of charge.

Airbnb grows through more Experiences

By TTG Asia
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New categories include Concerts, Social Dining, and Adventures

Following its recent announcement to expand its core home-booking platform with more categories, Airbnb will by the year’s end increase Experiences from 60 destinations to cover 1,000 cities, including Easter Island, Tasmania and Iceland.

Airbnb says Experience bookings grew by 2,500 per cent in 2017 – 25 times faster than Homes did in its first year. The Trips platform, which houses Airbnb Experiences, was launched in November 2016.

New categories include Concerts, Social Dining, and Adventures

It is also introducing new Experience categories such as Airbnb Concerts, Social Dining, and Adventures, in addition to expanding its existing Social Impact category.

Over 50,000 hosts have applied to host Experiences, but Airbnb says it is stringent about quality. “We select them based around the uniqueness of the offering, and the special expertise and passions of the host,” an Airbnb statement reads.

Aviation roundup: Air New Zealand, AirAsia and more

By TTG Asia
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Air New Zealand takes off to Taipei
Air New Zealand will start five-times weekly flights between Auckland and Taipei from November 1, 2018, with NZ77 departing Auckland at 10.35 and arriving in Taipei at 16.50. NZ78 will depart Taipei at 18.30 and arrive in Auckland at 10.20 the following day. With a flight time of just over 11 hours, the non-stop service will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

AirAsia links up Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia will soon begin four-times weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to the Thai coastal town of Hua Hin from May 18, 2018, marking the Malaysia-based LCC’s seventh destination in Thailand. AK830 will depart Kuala Lumpur every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10.00, arriving in Hua Hin at 11.00. The return leg, AK831, will depart Hua Hin at 11.30 to land in Kuala Lumpur at 14.35.

Cathay Pacific to launch seasonal service to Cape Town
Cathay Pacific will launch a seasonal non-stop service to Cape Town later this year, its second destination in South Africa after Johannesburg. The thrice-weekly service, operating from November 13, 2018 to February 18, 2019, will be operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The outbound flight, CX795, will depart Hong Kong at 23.45 every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and arrive in Cape Town at 08.05 the following morning. On the return, CX794 will take off from Cape Town at 11.05 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, landing in Hong Kong at 06.55 one day later.

Cebu Pacific Air starts Melbourne-Manila flights in August
Cebu Pacific Air will begin flying out of Melbourne to Manila from August 14, 2018, operating the non-stop service thrice weekly on a 436-seat Airbus A300-330 aircraft. From Manila, 5J049 will take off at 06.05 before arriving in Melbourne at 15.50, while the return 5J050 will depart Melbourne at 17.05 to land in Manila at 23.15.

Nanchang, Pekanbaru added to Scoot’s network
Scoot will begin thrice-weekly flights from Singapore to Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi Province in south-eastern China, on July 2, 2018. Meanwhile, Scoot will also be taking over sister airline SilkAir’s services to Pekanbaru in Indonesia in 2Q2018. Both services will be operated by A320 aircraft.

Eastin Thana City Golf Resort tees off with discounted rates

By TTG Asia
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Guests at the resort get access to golf course and sports club facilities

Eastin Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok will open its door within the Thana City mixed-use development on April 1, 2018.

For stays from April 1 to October 31, the resort is offering savings of up to 50 per cent, and introductory rates start at 1,899 baht (US$61) per night for a Superior room.

Guests at the resort get access to golf course and sports club facilities

Thana City, which includes the newly renovated Thana City Golf and Sports Club, is located 10 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport and 25 minutes from Bangkok’s downtown area.

Eastin Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok will feature 194 rooms; an outdoor pool; a playground, kids’ club; a 24-hour gym; as well as futsal, badminton, tennis and squash courts.

Guests will also be able to enjoy facilities at the neighbouring Thana City Sports Club, which includes an international-class 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman.

‘Cesspool’ label a wake-up call for Boracay to clean up its act

By Rosa Ocampo
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About 60 establishments in Boracay have been issued with notices of violation

A six-month resuscitation effort has begun on Boracay, after the tourist hotspot was recently described by the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte as a “cesspool” for its water pollution, ecosystem damage, lack of proper town planning, and lax implementation of rules and regulations.

According to the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has ordered the closure of tourism establishments in Boracay found violating environmental laws and regulations, including easement as well as water and solid waste disposal.

About 60 establishments in Boracay have been issued with notices of violation

Within six months, hotels without individual water treatment facility must acquire one and have it connected to the centralised sewerage system.

The DOT also stated that in coordination with other government agencies, it will press “criminal and administrative charges against those establishments/operators responsible for the seawater contamination in violation of environmental and tourism laws”.

About 60 establishments in Boracay, including hotels and resorts, have been issued with notices of violation out of the 300 initially identified. The island has approximately 500 accommodation establishments.

Despite the outrage against the desecration of the island renowned for its fine white sand and clear waters, regional tourism director Helen Catalbas said only 192 tourist have cancelled their bookings and that “tourist traffic remains relatively similar or heavier as compared to the past days and weeks”.

In a statement, Boracay Foundation, of which majority of hotels and resorts are members, said it welcomes “the six-month ultimatum” by Duterte to address the island’s issues.

But rather than close Boracay as Duterte had threatened, Boracay Foundation pressed for a simple solution “to strictly implement existing environmental laws and local ordinances and close all erring establishments immediately”.

Tourism Congress of the Philippines president Jojo Clemente agrees that while there’s no denying that Boracay needs to heal itself, “it can be done without adversely affecting establishments that have complied and the people who rely on these establishments for a living”.

“It is now incumbent on the government and the local stakeholders to address the situation in the short, medium and long term,” Clemente added.

Marjorie Aquino, Blue Horizons Travel and Tours’ senior sales and marketing manager, said Boracay’s rehabilitation is long overdue. If the island is continuously destroyed by lack of proper planning and implementation of building clause, she reckons “Boracay will be gone in maybe 10 years”.

“We can still correct things although we cannot bring back Boracay as it was,” she pointed out.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
TTG Asia | PATA Singapore Chapter debuts industry dialogue on hot issues
TTG Asia | Hilton teams up with Explora Journeys to expand loyalty programme to luxury ocean voyages