Singapore-based Dynasty Travel has put a halt to its “shopping tours” in China, where tours comprise compulsory tourist shopping in certain cities.

Instead, the company seeks to offer customers more quality time for sightseeing in each destination without having to visit any tourist shops.

As a result, prices of the tour packages have been increased by about 30 to 40 per cent, notably in Beijing and Shanghai where shopping tours are more prevalent. For example, an eight-day package to Beijing and Tianjin will now cost S$1,288 (US$946), up from the previous S$938.

Dynasty Travel is the first tour agency in Singapore to start this initiative, the company said in a statement.

The Priceline Group has acquired Momondo for approximately US$550 million in a cash purchase, completing a deal announced in February.

The Momondo Group, which operates European travel meta engine Momondo and global flight comparison and travel deals publishing platform Cheapflights, will now come under The Priceline Group’s leading travel meta brand, Kayak.

Headquartered in the UK and Copenhagen, with an office in Boston, the Momondo Group businesses will report to Kayak CEO Steve Hafner.

Following the completion of the acquisition, the respective chiefs of Momondo and Cheapflights, Hugo Burge and Andrew Shelton, have both announced their departure from the companies.

Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Ha Dat Company to operate dusitD2 Vung Tau, the first dusitD2 branded property in Vietnam.

Slated to open in 2Q2018, the seaside property will comprise 100 rooms set within bungalows, as well as two grand villas. Facilities include an all-day-dining outlet, a seafood restaurant, bar, spa, gym and ballroom. It is located a 90-minute drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City).

dusitD2 Vung Tau

Prior to dusitD2 Vung Tau’s opening, the Thai hospitality company will debut in Vietnam early next year with the opening of DusitPrincess Moonrise Beach Resort on Phu Quoc island.

In Philippines, Dusit International has also signed a hotel management agreement with Robinsons Land Corporation to operate the five-star Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu.

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu

Slated to open in 4Q2018, the 271-key resort will be situated on the northern peninsula of Mactan Island, 30 minutes by car from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and adjacent to RLC’s AmiSa private residence. Facilities include a spa, fitness centre, an infinity pool, three restaurants and over 1,200m2 of meeting space.

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu will be the third property in the Philippines to carry the Dusit Thani brand after Dusit Thani Manila and the upcoming Dusit Thani Residence Davao.

As Princess Cruises continues to homeport in Singapore for its South-east Asian sailings in the upcoming 2017-2018 season, it is training its sights on Indonesian first-time cruisers as a key target segment.

“We are seeing a significant increase in demand from Indonesian guests during our homeporting seasons, especially for first-time cruisers who wish to try shorthaul trips sailing out of Singapore to destinations in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam,” Farriek Tawfik, director of South-east Asia Princess Cruises told TTG Asia during a media briefing in Jakarta last week.

Indonesia’s younger generation – including millennials and those aged 40 to 45 years old – and the rapidly growing middle-class are also a huge target market. “Cruise is new to young travellers who think that cruise is only for old people, and that is why we’re working with the government and travel agents to educate the market”, said Farriek.

Princess Cruises is stepping up engagement with travel agents and the tourism boards to provide the latest ship updates, in addition to participation in road shows and travel fairs across Indonesia’s major cities.

There is great plenty of room for growth in Indonesia’s cruise market, Farriek added, with only 40,000 out of Indonesia’s “huge population” having taken a cruise in 2015.

Cruise Line International Association (ICLA) 2016 Asia Cruise Trends Study shows Indonesia’s share of passenger volume was only 1.9 per cent compared to other Asian countries.

Moreover, Indonesia will receive more inbound travellers during the sailing season – with more than 60,000 foreign travellers expected to stop by in Bali, Lombok, Komodo Island, Ujung Pandang, Semarang and Probolinggo.

Expedia will remove certain wildlife animal interactions from its websites and other distribution channels in a two-pronged move that mirrors TripAdvisor’s policy change and launch of an educational platform last year.

Over the next few months, Expedia will work together with several wildlife and animal protection groups – including The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, US Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, Born Free Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International – to undertake a “thorough review” of wildlife attractions offered on its website.

The OTA also plans to launch the Wildlife Tourism Education Portal later this year to present travellers searching for animal-related activities with detailed information about specific activities offered through Expedia.

The new portal will include information on whether an activity involves human interactions, providing links to allow travellers learn more about wildlife tourism and animal welfare, participate in the conversation and take action.

“Expedia can play an integral part in educating travellers about the diverse views related to wildlife tourism, so they can make informed decisions that align with how they travel and how they interact with the animals that share our planet,” said Jen O’Twomney, vice president, Expedia Local Expert.

“As travellers, it is important that we know more about the places we go, the activities we engage in, and the ways in which we leave lasting impacts on our destinations. As we help people go places, we want to help them do it thoughtfully, and responsibly.”

The relationship between travel and wildlife exploitation again came under the spotlight when World Animal Protection released a recent report revealing that 77 per cent of the 2,923 elephants used in Asian tourist venues surveyed are kept in “severely cruel conditions” with tourism growth contributing to the problem becoming more widespread. The reported also advocated tourist education as a way to tackle the issue.

Singapore-headquartered homesharing platform Roomorama.com has stopped accepting bookings worldwide, citing a challenging environment due to “increasing competition and regulatory headwinds”.

Roomorama was founded in 2009, and in 2012 moved its headquarters from New York to Singapore to focus more on Asia-Pacific. It also merged with European rival Loftly in 2012, before launching B2B arm Bridge Rentals and partnering Ctrip, Tujia and HomeAway in subsequent years.

It however continued facing competition from homesharing giant Airbnb and leading hotel booking sites, in addition to regulatory challenges worldwide.

The startup said in a statement that all existing bookings will be honoured. Customers can email info@roomorama.com for assistance.

Taipei-based luxury hospitality company Regent Hotels Group has unveiled a trio of mixed-use developments comprising hotel and branded residences in Vietnam, Indonesia and Montenegro.

In Indonesia, Regent Hotels & Resorts is collaborating with KG Global Development to launch Regent Jakarta and Regent Residences Jakarta. Scheduled to open in 2018, Regent Jakarta will form part of the new Mangkuluhur City mixed-use development in the capital city.

The group last month sealed a management contract with Vietnamese property developer BIM Group to develop a mixed-use development in Phu Quoc. Regent Phu Quoc is expected to open in 2019 to feature a luxury resort and branded residential units.
Opening this month is the Regent Pool Club Residences at Regent Porto Montenegro, which has direct access to the facilities and services to the existing Regent Porto Montenegro hotel next door.

Steven Pan, chairman of Regents Hotels Group, said the mixed-use business model reflects the group’s “commitment to maximise owner return through innovative concepts and entrepreneurship” as it continues its global expansion.

Hong Kong-based LCC HK Express and online travel activities booking platform Klook have teamed up to launch U-Explore, an online travel activities planning tool.

The partnership is expected to give HK Express guests greater flexibility in booking tours, them park visits, airport transfers and Wi-Fi device rentals.

HK Express’ Andrew Cowen (left) and Klook’s Eric Gnock Fah

The deal will see HK Express customers given a hyperlink to a U-Explore webpage (www.klook.com/hkexpress), from where they can book activities in their destination, upon purchase of tickets via the airline’s website or mobile app.

Six Senses is expanding in Europe with the signing of its first hotel in Switzerland, the 47-room Six Senses Crans-Montana, scheduled for opening in 2020.

Located in the canton of Valais about two hours from Geneva by car and train, the resort will feature 47 guest rooms and suites, a 2,000m2 spa specialising in alpine treatments, two restaurants, a sun terrace and bar, gyym and fitness studio, as well as retail space.

The Bangkok-based hospitality company currently houses two other hotels in its Europe portfolio – Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal and Six Senses Residences Courchevel in France – and seven spas – in Paris, Crete (Greece), Mykonos (Greece), Marbella (Spain), Gstaad (Switzerland), Courchevel (France) and in Etihad lounges at London’s Heathrow Airport.