TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 10th March 2026
Page 2048

Business travel demand drives APAC room rates up in 1Q

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HOTEL room rates were mostly up across the board in Asia-Pacific as business tourism surged this quarter, according to HRS Hotel Price Radar.

Macau, Sydney and Hong Kong were found to have the highest average hotel room rates, in the Singapore dollar, from January to March.

Room rates in Macau leapt 64 per cent year-on-year to hit S$269 (US$202), likely because Macau has been very proactive in developing MICE and business events to diversify and move away from relying only on gaming and mass Chinese tourism.

Sydney was in second place at S$243 despite a negative 2.3 per cent drop in average rates compared to the same time last year. Hong Kong prices soared by 20 per cent for an average of S$242 per night.

Business capitals in the region such as Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta and Bangkok all saw double-digit growth, indicating increased levels of business travel.

Todd Arthur, managing director Asia-Pacific for HRS, commented in a press release: “Asia-Pacific continues to draw visitors from across the world, and as this quarter’s HRS Hotel Price Radar shows, the business tourism segment in particular is going strong.

“In comparison with other markets, Asia-Pacific has also seen the highest overall increase in hotel rates this quarter.”

Conrad Seoul welcomes new director of business development

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THE Conrad Seoul has appointed Vanessa Williams to the position of director of business development.

The hospitality veteran, who brings to her new role more than 20 years of experience, will be responsible for managing all sales and marketing of the hotel.

A Swiss national, Williams was most recently the director of business development for the Waldorf Astoria Beijing.

She has chalked up extensive experience in luxury hotels over her 20-year employment history, working at distinguished hotels including Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills; and Sandy Lane Barbados across Asia and the US.

Germany touts tradition, culture in new Indian campaign

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THE German National Tourist Office (GNTO) is aiming to strengthen the country’s image as a traditional and cultural destination through its new campaign, Germany – Traditions and Customs.

Introduced to the Indian market yesterday, the campaign promotes Germany’s traditional costume and dance, beer breweries, craft villages, culinary specialties as well as festivals like the German Grape Harvest Festival in Neustadt and Oktoberfest in Munich.

“The overnight stay of Indian tourists has gone up by 72 per cent since 2007. We would now like to encourage Indian tourists to explore the diversity of culture, customs and historical sights of the lesser-known German cities,” said Michael Steiner, German ambassador to India, to TTG Asia e-Daily.

Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin are currently the top three German destinations for the Indian market.

The tourism board will be depending on strategic marketing activities like newsletters, outdoor advertorials, joint promotions with travel trade, media and trade fam trips.

Roadshows and social media to increase awareness of the campaign, said Romit Theophilus, director, sales & marketing, GNTO India.

GNTO will also advertise 150 scenic routes throughout the country.

Tribute Portfolio to leverage popularity of independent hotels

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STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is recruiting Asian hotels into Tribute Portfolio, its latest collection of independent hotels meant to cater to changing customer demand.

With the radar on four- and five-star upper upscale hotels, this brand, which was launched last month, is looking to welcome at least 100 independent hotels and resorts globally over the next five years.

Alison Taylor, the newly appointed senior vice president of Starwood’s sales organisation, told TTG Asia e-Daily at the Asia launch of the brand that although the initial focus of growth will be in North America and Europe, there is ongoing discussion with hotels in Asia who have expressed interest in coming on board.

Tribute Portfolio, the company’s 10th brand and second collection of independent hotels, currently has five hotels under its wing, including the Royal Palm South Beach Miami.

Taylor explained: “We see a big number of requests coming from our guests to stay in independent hotels and it is because these people enjoy the unique flavour and personality of such hotels.”

“This new brand gives us a huge opportunity to work with independent hotels that can utilise our booking channels and reward programmes that results in a win-win situation,” she added.

According to Starwood, 50 per cent of upper upscale hotels in the US are independent, and 60 per cent of four-star hotels globally are not affiliated with a brand flag, which in turn provides Starwood with a vast landscape to grow the Tribute Portfolio.

Taylor also revealed that Starwood will be announcing plans for their largest portfolio – Sheraton, which holds 40 per cent of the property count – towards the middle of the year.

She said: “We are not going to rework the brand, but we want to heighten awareness about Sheraton through enhanced marketing and sales efforts.”

Dusit International launches Middle East sales office

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THAI hospitality company Dusit International is reaching into the Middle East with a new regional sales office in Riyadh.

Through its newly minted presence there, Dusit aims to build on a growing customer base in the region while providing support to its recent joint venture agreement with Dyar Hotels and Resorts.

Saudi Arabia is the top source market from the Gulf Cooperation Council for Dusit’s properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and the Maldives.

Amr Mekkawi has been appointed as director of sales, Saudi Arabia and will run the new office, driving business and raising awareness of Dusit’s global portfolio among the country’s travelling population.

“With Dusit focusing on expansion in the Middle East and Africa, and in light of the projects recently announced, we have decided it is an opportune time to have a Dusit representative based in Riyadh,” said Sameh Shawkat, Dusit International’s regional director of sales and marketing – Middle East and Africa.

Overwhelming show of support for quake-stricken Nepal at ATM 2015

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BUYERS attending this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) came out to show some love to Nepal, which was hit by a devastating earthquake last month.

While the Nepal Tourism Board withdrew from the tradeshow to deal with the crisis at home, four out of five confirmed participants came to ATM, including Bijay Amatya, CEO Kora Tours in Kathmandu.

Amatya told TTG Asia e-Daily 30 per cent of historical monuments that attract tourists were destroyed in the April 25 tragedy, but that hotels like Raddison Hotel Kathmandu and Hyatt Regency Kathmandu have resumed operations.

“Many people walked to our counter and offered their support and said, ‘We want to come (to Nepal)’,” he said, adding: “We believe Nepal will be back in business by June.”

Homa Mistry, CEO at Gurgaon-based Trail Blazer Tours India, sells India-Nepal packages and has seen his US buyers offer tremendous support to Nepal.

“In fact as we speak, a four-member team from our US office is now in Nepal, at one of our popular sites, checking with local communities how they can help,” he revealed. Travel associations like Skål International are also pitching in.

Nepal’s plight was highlighted further when the country received ATM’s Frontiers Recovery Award for bouncing back from a landslide in the Sindhupalchok district last year that killed 156 people. The US$10,000 prize will help in Nepal’s exhibition costs at ATM next year.

Rishav Agarwal, co-owner of Kathmandu-based Nebuti Travel, who accepted the award on behalf of Nepal’s tourism authorities, told TTG Asia e-Daily: “The Nepalese spirit does not die easily. We will recover.”

Nepal drew some 800,000 foreign visitors last year.

Regal Hotels tempts with MICE offers

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MICE organisers can benefit from Regal Hotels’ Book More, Enjoy More promotion; the more rooms booked, the more privileges offered.

From now until December 31, planners who book at least 15 guestrooms for any meeting and conference event at Regal Hotels in Hong Kong and China can pick at least three privileges.

For bookings of 15 to 35 rooms, event attendees can choose from Option A:
– one room upgrade to the next category
– in-room local phone calls
– coffee, tea and soft drinks throughout the meeting
– 10 per cent discount on rental of in-house audiovisual equipment

Groups that reserve up to 54 rooms can choose four privileges from Option A and the following perks, Option B:
– one room upgrade to Suite with Executive Club Floor privileges
– upgrade to themed break
– Internet access in general session meeting room
– 10 per cent discount on F&B consumption in the hotel’s restaurants and bar for in-house guests

Delegations that take up more than 55 rooms may select from Option A, B and C.

Option C entails
– use of one secretariat room
– one evening cocktail reception for one hour
– one free guestroom for the event
– 10 per cent discount on event master bill.

Terms and conditions apply.

For enquiries, visit www.Regalhotel.com.

Grand Hyatt Incheon launches Grand Value Meeting Package

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DESIGNED to give guests an opportunity for work and play in South Korea, Grand Hyatt Incheon is offering a new Grand Value Meeting Package until June 30, 2016.

Available for groups with at least 20 pax, the package provides half- and full-day meeting options, which include rental of meeting rooms for five hours and nine hours respectively, and coffee breaks and lunch.

Wi-Fi access, conference amenities as well as free rental of LCD projectors and flip charts will also be offered. A dedicated event planning personnel will handle all meeting arrangements from start to end.

The half- and full-day packages cost 77,000 won (US$71) and 99,000 won per pax respectively.

For planners with longer events in mind, meeting and stay options include a one-night stay plus breakfast. The full-day meeting package with stay is available for 285,000 won per pax, while the half-day meeting package including stay costs 263,000 won per person.

Package guests also enjoy a special discount at Inha International Medical Centre and can choose between a Seoul or Incheon day tour, a gala dinner or transportation to and from wherever they want to visit.

All prices stated include 10 per cent VAT.

For reservations, call (82) 32-745-1234 or visit www.incheon.grand.hyatt.com.

New resort and conference centre joins Accor’s MGallery brand

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THE A$100 million (US$79 million) beachfront resort and conference centre, Elements of Byron, opens in December on Belongil Beach in Byron Bay, New South Wales as part of Accor’s MGallery brand.

The new build with its “1987 beach shack” aesthetic will feature 193 one- and two-bedroom villas, 94 of which will be completed by Christmas.

A large lagoon pool will weave its way throughout the resort, which will also be home to a signature restaurant and lobby bar, pool bar, gym and a five-suite garden spa.

Elements of Byron will also be equipped with a dedicated conference wing with capacity for 400 delegates in one room or across four spaces.

Accor vice president franchise hotels, Dino Mezzatesta, said the resort’s beachfront location made it a perfect fit with the MGallery’s Serenity category and that the resort would appeal to key Asian markets including China, India, Singapore and Malaysia.

“Accor has identified that our luxury and upscale growth sits comfortably within the Asia-Pacific region and we have an increased focus on elevating our luxury product via a number of channels, including tradeshows at which Elements of Byron will be showcased,” said Mezzatesta.

“There are few true resort venue options in the Byron Bay market, so Elements of Byron will certainly be a distinct and sought-out option for leisure and business travellers.”

BCCK expands ‘cook-and-chill’ method to the buffet line

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BRINGING the cook-and-chill method of food preparation to the buffet line next month is the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), which hopes that this will ensure consistency in the quality of food served.

Already deployed for off-site catering and western set menus, the cook-and-chill method also does away with the need for the food to be kept at high temperatures for long periods of time.

The decision was announced in a BCCK media statement. Commenting on the effectiveness of this method for western set menus, executive chef Thomas Schmid said in the release: “A set menu for 1,500 guests can be served in less than 20 minutes with food being at its absolute peak of freshness. The flavour and appearance are retained as well.”

He added that BCCK intends to develop new menus and revise current popular menus to benefit from the cook-and-chill process.

“Our focus is on careful and thorough experimentation to bring out the best that food can deliver, especially in large event settings where time is of the essence,” said Schmid.