Resorts World Cruises optimistic for more Muslim passengers
Resorts World Cruises (RWC), the first international cruise line to homeport in Jakarta in June and July, followed by a six month deployment in Dubai from October, is expecting Muslim passenger growth to increase by 50 per cent.
RWC president Michael Goh said the company projected Muslim passenger growth percentage “may increase from 10 per cent (in 2024) to 15 per cent (in 2025)”.
Resorts World One, deployed in Jakarta during the local school holidays for four six-day/five-night itineraries to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, will feature a variety of halal cuisine, including authentic and popular Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine, and a wide selection of international fare.
Goh said the Asian home-grown cruise line with deep-rooted Asian heritage, and an extension of the Resorts World global brand, with 50 years of cumulative expertise in hospitality, entertainment and cruising, is well equipped to effectively cater to the needs of different ethnic and religious markets within the region.
With its expertise in delivering certified halal offerings on cruise ships and with the enormous potential growth of the Muslim segment in the region, Goh added, RWC is focused on being the first mover and pioneer of that market space for the cruise industry.
RWC was a partner of the first HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2024, launched recently in Singapore by HalalTrip in collaboration with the Singapore Halal Culinary Federation, and he noted: “We are excited to be at the forefront and creating new opportunities to expand our market share with the Muslim segment.”
Halal-friendly services on Resorts World One include prayer rooms, same gender services at the spas, breaking fast during Iftar and special business event sailings that are customised for the Muslim segments.
Goh shared that the percentage of Muslim travellers on its ships is growing across the different demographics and gender, and RWC continues to see a year-on-year increase from the Muslim segment.
“With its strong potential, coupled with the right and innovative offerings and services, we are optimistic that these cruises will continue to gain traction and upward growth. It is a market we remain committed in developing further.”
From Dubai, Resorts World One will offer two- and three-night cruises to Sir Bani Yas, the UAE; Khasab and Muscat in Oman; and Doha in Qatar.
Hilton expands in Indonesia with four new signings
Hilton International has signed four new hotels in Indonesia as part of its South-east Asia’s expansion plan.
Speaking at a recent media round-table in Jakarta, Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton said there was an opportunity to “expand our collection of luxury brands and properties in Indonesia”.
The four Indonesia projects are targeted to open between 2026 and 2029. They are the 200-room Hilton Bandung Padalarang, the 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Manado, the 150-room Hilton Manado, and the 280-room Conrad Jakarta.
These join the Waldorf Astoria Jakarta project, which was announced earlier and is scheduled to open in 2027, marking the entry of the brand into Indonesia.
Commenting on the company’s signing in Manado, in the North Sulawesi Province, Alexandra Murray, vice president and regional head of South-east Asia, said the property would attract both business events and leisure guests, and noted that demand for North Sulawesi was high among international travellers particularly due to its coral triangle status.
Hilton currently operates nine hotels across five brands in Indonesia, including recent openings like the Umana Bali, its first LXR-branded luxury resort in South-east Asia last year, the DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran on March 1, and DoubleTree by Hilton Bintaro Jaya on June 15.
Nobu Hospitality sets opening date for first restaurant in Thailand
The world’s highest Nobu restaurant will open on September 20, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, as its operators, Nobu Hospitality maintains plans to go big in the kingdom.
Nobu Hospitality, together with Asset World Corporation (AWC), will venture into two key districts, detailed Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and president of AWC.
“The new restaurant will be located on the 58th floor and rooftop of Empire Tower in Sathorn, Bangkok’s burgeoning business district; Nobu Hospitality and AWC will also manage The Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa in the restored East Asiatic building on the riverside, alongside launching the River Journey plaza concept and Thailand’s first Nobu Hotel across the street next to the Mandarin Oriental,” she revealed.
The two hotels are expected to open in 2026.
Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, co-founders of Nobu Hospitality, who hosted an exclusive Bangkok press briefing last week, also shared their visions for the company and new restaurant in the Thai capital with TTG Asia.
Nobu Hospitality had its founding roots from when De Niro – a regular customer at Matsuhisa’s eponymous restaurant in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles since 1988 – invited him to collaborate to open another restaurant in New York, something Matsuhisa finally agreed to in 1994.
Nearly 20 years later, the brand made its hotel debut in Las Vegas in 2013.
Asked how the brand went from restaurants to hotels, De Niro told TTG Asia: “With hotels, we kept being asked if we would put a Nobu restaurant in a hotel or a residence or some place, and I would say, why are we doing this? We’re being asked to put Nobu in these places for a certain cachet, credibility – why are we not trying this at least?”
According to Matsuhisa, who credits part of the brand’s success to De Niro’s “great ideas” and “negotiation skills”, Nobu’s vision for hospitality is about bringing it back to the basics. “Our formula is simple: good food and good service. Bangkok has changed a lot since my last visit, and now, the quality here is very high. It’s the right time for us to come,” he stated.
Palace Hotel Tokyo debuts new gastronomic stay package
Palace Hotel Tokyo has curated a selection of eating and drinking experiences designed for guests to experience Japan’s vast culinary landscape.
The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy package offers tailored glimpses of Tokyo’s multi-faceted dining scene include a scouring of the city for the best street-eats, ‘ramen hunting’ with an expert, bento-making, and an introduction to Japanese wines with one of the hotel’s seasoned sommeliers.
The package includes two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast in-room or moat-side at Grand Kitchen, and a choice of a kaiseki lunch or dinner accompanied by a matcha tasting at the hotel’s restaurant.
Guests can opt to enhance their stay with more experiences at additional charges, such as the two-hour, two-store A Hunt For Epic Ramen tour; and the Tokyo’s Ultimate Street Eats which offers an introduction to the everyday comfort foods enjoyed by the locals, like Japanese curry tasting, yakitori, gyoza, sake tasting, and more. The Tokyo’s Ultimate Street Eats tour is customisable based on interests and preferences, and can be a half-day or full-day outing.
Aside from tea, sake and wine tasting, guests can also try making their own bento in a three-and-a-half-hour experience comprising a trip to the grocery store, an immersion into the history of bento, hands-on preparation of several bento items, before packing them into handcrafted bento boxes to be enjoyed together once completed.
There is also an insider’s glimpse into Japanese food culture which includes an ingredients tour, a visit to Tokyo’s ‘kitchen town’ Kappabashi, a private cooking lesson, and more.
Rates for The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy stay package start from 400,000 yen (US$2,505).
For more information, visit Palace Hotel Tokyo.
Aloft Singapore Novena brings people together through music
The Aloft hotel brand’s emphasis on innovative music programming through its Live @ Aloft platform is conveyed through its Singapore property in multiple ways – including a meaningful platform that supports local musicians and bands.
Every Friday, from 19.00 to 22.00, Aloft Singapore Novena’s W XYZ lobby bar sets the limelight on a featured local band and invites hotel guests and everyone else to come in for an entertaining evening.
Since its opening in September 2023, when the massive twin-tower hotel was rebranded from Ramada by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park and Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park, Aloft Singapore Novena has showcased over 20 local musicians and bands, surpassing 100 hours of live performances through its Live @ Aloft programme.
An in-house music committee handpicks local musicians and bands, with priority given to versatile ones who can perform a variety of music genres and songs across languages, according to Macy Cheng, director of marketing and Live @ Aloft programme evangelist.
From now until July, acoustic live band AGOPSG (also known as A Group of People) performs at W XYZ. The local band is popular with weddings, corporate events, and private functions.
The hotel will feature a new set every quarter.
Besides Friday evening showcases, guests at the hotel can also enjoy a unique playlist curated just for the Aloft brand, with tunes playing in public areas. The hotel’s Yue restaurant, which specialises in traditional Chinese cuisine and fresh seafood, presents a menu comprising dishes bearing names inspired by popular karaoke songs.
Aligned with its focus on music, the hotel recently celebrated the inaugural World Music Day on June 21 with a private event at W XYZ. It featured a music-pairing menu of innovative dishes from Yue and cocktails by W XYZ’s mixologists – with AGOPSG crooning songs that inspired the dishes as each item was brought out.
For more information, visit Aloft Singapore Novena.
Malaysia extends visa exemption for Chinese travellers
Malaysian leadership announced an extended visa exemption for Chinese travellers until end of 2026 during Chinese premier Li Qiang’s recent three-day official visit to Malaysia.
The 30-day visa exemption was first announced by Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in November 2023, and it came into effect on December 1.
In May this year, China had agreed to extend its visa-free policy for Malaysian tourists until the end of 2025 and the visa-free duration per trip had also been extended from 15 to 30 days.
Anwar and Li said in a joint statement that they welcomed the keen interest in continuing consultations and discussions on mutual visa exemptions to facilitate the entry of Malaysian and Chinese citizens.
Uzaidi Udanis, chairman of the Consortium of Inbound Tourism Alliance, opined that the visa exemption for Chinese travellers to Malaysia as well as Malaysians travelling to China, will allow the travel trade from Malaysia and China to continue with their campaigns and promotions to attract quality tourists and niche segments such as business travellers from both countries.
He shared: “It is also a timely announcement by the Malaysian prime minister as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. It will encourage more Chinese travellers to visit Malaysia and help the country achieve its target of 35.6 million tourists and target receipts of RM147.1 billion (US$31.2 billion).
“China is very important market as it is the top medium-haul inbound market in terms of number of tourists. Also, with this latest announcement, it will encourage airlines (based in) Malaysia and China to improve their connectivity and frequencies between Malaysia and China.”
Hwajing Travel brings Costa Serena back to Port Klang for December sailings
Hwajing Travel has chartered Costa Serena for the December holiday season, with an offer of five sailings from Port Klang, Malaysia. Options include a four-day/three-night trip to Thailand’s Phuket; a three-day/two-night trip to Malaysia’s Penang; and a six-day/five-night exploration of Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Notably, Costa Serena is the only cruise ship departing from Port Klang to Phuket in December, offering Malaysians a convenient, affordable, and all-inclusive island vacation.
Kenny Cheong, managing director of Hwajing Travel and Tours, said: “Following our inaugural season in March this year, we are thrilled to welcome back the magnificent Costa Serena to homeport in Port Klang. We are proud to contribute to the growth of cruise tourism in Malaysia and support local businesses in the Port Klang area, while providing Malaysian and regional travellers with an economical, convenient, and relaxing travel option within the region.”
Upon embarkation at Port Klang, guests will be treated to a range of culinary, recreational, and entertainment experiences. Highlights include a Venice Carnival Party and the thrilling Water Chute Slide, with numerous activities suitable for all ages.
Cheong explained that the itineraries are designed to maximise guests’ time at the ports of call in Phuket and Penang, ensuring a smooth disembarkation process. In Phuket, guests can unwind on idyllic beaches or explore the vibrant dining and nightlife scene. In Penang, Georgetown offers rich cultural experiences with heritage-lined streets, charming cafes, and renowned hawker fare.
The first sailing will take place on December 4, as a roundtrip from Port Klang to Phuket and back.
Costa Serena’s final sailing for the season will be on December 15, from Port Klang to Vietnam’s Phu My and Hong Kong. Guests will have the opportunity to explore bustling Ho Chi Minh City from Phu My, before continuing onwards to Hong Kong.
Prices start from RM599 (US$127) per person while early bird promotional perks such as Kids Cruise Free and a 10 per cent discount for seniors apply.
Nirwana Gardens invests in coral reef rejuvenation
Indonesia’s Nirwana Gardens resort in Bintan has kicked off its latest Coral Reef Building Project in a bid to enhance marine biodiversity and support sustainable tourism.
The initiative will create artificial coral reefs in the pristine waters surrounding Lagoi Bay using iron racks as a solid base for the growth of natural coral structures.
These reefs will not only provide habitats for a diverse array of marine life but also serve as educational and research platforms for scientists and tourists alike.
Currently, Acropora corals have been secured to these structures with the aim of providing a foundation for coral development and growth. These corals live in colonies and develop in the shape of sunshades and act as an ideal refuge for many invertebrates and fish.
Nirwana Gardens’ staff dive into the sea daily to monitor the condition of these corals. During monsoon season, the six racks will be moved to a deeper area to prevent destruction.
Ascott enters long-term partnership to set new standards for accessible accommodation
Singapore-based hospitality firm, Ascott, has signed an MoU with SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in the country, that will see both forging a long-term partnership to elevate disability inclusion and set new standards for accessible accommodation in the hospitality industry.
This partnership is the first of its scale in Singapore’s hospitality industry, spearheading a range of initiatives that will deliver inclusive stay experiences through design and programming across Ascott’s properties in the country. It will also serve to foster workforce diversity and contribute to capability-building, not only within Ascott but also throughout the hospitality sector.
Ascott and SG Enable will jointly develop and deliver essential resources and disability inclusion training tailored for the hospitality industry at the Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE) training facility. Insights gained from the joint initiatives will be used to develop a comprehensive playbook in 2025 to steer the disability inclusion efforts of Ascott’s properties around the world.
Key initiatives will centre around five pillars: Inclusive Spaces, Inclusive Programmes, Inclusive Digital Interfaces, Inclusive Hiring, and Inclusive Training.
Eric Chua, senior parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development, said at the signing ceremony: “Partnerships such as this are crucial for driving positive change in our community.”
The partnership coincides with Ascott’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations.
Beh Siew Kim, chief financial & sustainability officer, lodging, CapitaLand Investment and managing director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, said: “Marking 40 remarkable years in hospitality service, Ascott has embarked on a transformative journey to go ‘unlimited’ for our guests and associates. To create ‘unlimited good’ as a positive changemaker, we are deepening our commitment to championing inclusivity under our Ascott CARES sustainability framework.
“As a leading global hospitality company headquartered in Singapore, our vision is to strengthen Ascott’s culture of care and respect by cultivating a more inclusive operating environment for both guests and associates. We are thus delighted to find a like-minded partner in SG Enable to jointly establish new standards for accessibility in the hospitality sector and positively impact the future of travel. This MOU will mark an integral step towards our goal of scaling up Ascott’s disability inclusion efforts globally.”
Ku Geok Boon, CEO of SG Enable, acknowledged the partnership as “a significant milestone in our journey of championing disability inclusion and accessibility”.
In addition to the ceremony on June 20, three persons with disabilities and their family members were invited to share their stay experiences at Ascott Orchard Singapore. They affirmed that Ascott Orchard Singapore was wheelchair friendly and easy to navigate, and the experience was complemented by the warm hospitality of the service team who had gone through disability management training by SG Enable.
Ascott Orchard Singapore is the country’s first serviced residence to be certified Universal Design Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority for its user-friendliness. It features sheltered walkways seamlessly linked to the adjacent mosque and shopping mall, complemented with clear and informative signs that are accompanied by braille and tactile maps. Accommodation options include accessible guestrooms catering to wheelchair users as well as dual-key units that facilitate multi-generational living. All public toilets are equipped with accessibility features; the swimming pool deck is accessible via a ramp; a Kipsu messaging platform facilitates communication with guests with hearing loss or visual impairment.
Part of the serviced residence’s service crew has completed SG Enable’s disability management course, and more will undergo training by end-2024.
International arrivals are on the rise at Japan’s regional airports, particularly those with direct flights from neighbouring countries such as Taiwan and South Korea, as the speed of inbound recovery to the country’s regions increases.
The post-lockdown rebound of Japan’s inbound travel has been swift so far, with 25.1 million international travellers in calendar year 2023 (almost 80 per cent of the 2019 level) and record-high numbers of arrivals in 2024.
Most tourists, though, have arrived via airports in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Okinawa.
Now, as air routes are resumed or launched and the number of flights increase, smaller regional airports are enjoying greater recovery. Nationwide, traffic reached about 60 per cent of the 2019 level during fiscal year 2023 (April 2023 to March 2024), according to aviation data.
Airports serving nearby destinations are faring better and even seeing growth. Eight of Japan’s 43 regional airports reported passenger numbers in excess of pre-pandemic levels in the last fiscal year.
In 2023, Kumamoto Airport, which offers direct flights to Taipei, Seoul and Hong Kong, welcomed 233,000 international passengers, double that of 2019, and passenger load had risen to 80 per cent as of May 2024.
International tourists have also been arriving at Kochi Airport in southern Shikoku for the first time following the launch of low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan’s flights in November 2023. The airline is experiencing increasing traffic on its two flights per week between Taoyuan and Kochi.
Still, some airports remain hampered in their recovery due to a lack of ground staff and the slow recovery of the Chinese market. Only 2.4 million Chinese travellers visited Japan in 2023, equating to about one quarter of the number in 2019.