Conrad Bali marks 20 years in the business
A gala celebration on May 2 marked Conrad Bali’s 20th anniversary, along with the launch of 20 curated guest experiences. The celebration, which had former executive committee members since the pre-opening of the resort, industry partners, and the media among its attendees, tracked the evolution of the property and its expectations of the future.
Kevin Girard, general manager of Conrad Bali, said: “Bali has changed dramatically over the past 20 years – and Conrad Bali is proud to have grown with it. We have seen the addition of one of the island’s most spectacular wedding venues, the Infinity Chapel; the completion of the Conrad Suites in a serene, secluded wing of the resort; and a major redesign of room interiors, among many other enhancements.
“Despite these landmark changes, our resort’s position as a true icon of heartfelt Balinese hospitality is stronger than ever. As we look back on the past two decades, we are also celebrating the bonds forged, the milestones achieved, and the extraordinary moments shared”.
Resort guests can expect gastronomic journeys, cultural encounters, wellness escapes and more from Conrad Bali’s range of anniversary-special experiences.
One example is the weekly beach BBQ dinner, Savour the Source, which features a multi-course menu highlighting fresh local produce sourced from partners such as Plaga Farm, Jungle Gold Chocolate, Kusamba Salt, and Dewi Sri Arak.
A variety of cooking classes are offered, with additional opportunities to explore the resort’s rooftop herb gardens, master the art of salt panning, and learn about regenerative farming.
Art lovers can also look out for traditional Balinese script classes, sustainable craft workshops, and more.
Sensorial experiences, such as fragrance craft, as well as wellness programmes, such as meditation by the sea and sound healing, are available too.
These experiences are presented by exclusive stay packages that are available for booking now and valid for stays from May 1 to December 24, 2024.
Ascott launches Ascott Global Academy for Excellence learning facility
Singapore-based hospitality firm, Ascott has launched its global learning facility, Ascott Global Academy for Excellence (AGAX) as part of its year-long Ascott Unlimited campaign to mark its 40th year of hospitality service.
AGAX is an extension of Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE), a hospitality training centre in Singapore that provides training courses to the wider industry. It will be established in collaboration with accredited learning partners to train Ascott associates from all over the world.
AGAX will serve as a platform with a comprehensive range of offerings for learning and development, based on a systematised and outcome-based learning track.
From apprenticeship programmes to hospitality and service training courses, all programmes will be designed to equip Ascott associates with the skills and knowledge essential for success in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape. Plans are underway for targeted training resources and support to facilitate associates’ adaptation to technology and embrace technological advancements.
There will also be personal development programmes to equip associates with the technical know-how and best practices for the hospitality industry.
Wong Kar Ling, chief strategy officer and managing director, Southeast Asia for Ascott, said: “As we continue to build on a highly resilient flex-hybrid accommodation model and ride on the upswing of travel recovery, we need a robust and holistic talent management strategy to ensure Ascott maintains an ever-ready pool of talent.
“The Ascott Global Academy for Excellence is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to elevate employee engagement, drive operational excellence, and deliver unparalleled guest experiences. By prioritising continuous learning and development, Ascott aims to nurture a workforce that is not only adept at meeting current challenges but also poised to capitalise on future opportunities in the dynamic hospitality industry.”
Adventure Cove Waterpark launches Singapore’s largest bubble festival
Beat the heat with the biggest water park bubble festival at Adventure Cove Waterpark, Resorts World Sentosa from June 1 to August 11, 2024.
Visitors of all ages can explore the eight immersive zones spread across the expansive water park and participate in a range of games and activities.
The Grotto is where the young and young at heart can step and dance on the tiles of the Dazzle Dance Floor, or break out dance moves at Bubble Boogie. Nearby, the Bubble Bounce lets visitors move about in giant inflatable bubbles.
At Bubble Blizzard, visitors can dodge, hit or catch inflatable bubbles as they swirl around, while at Colour-Me Cottage, children can give the cottage a new splash of colours. More bubble fun awaits at Bluwater Bay’s Bubble Rave. Furthermore, in collaboration with DJ Dispensary, kids can try their hand at being a DJ every Friday to Sunday and on June 17, from 11.00 to 15.00.
Bubble Playhouse features a ball pit with giant bubbles for children, while at Bubble Rumble, they can dash and bash their way across a maze of giant inflatable bubbles as giant bubble potions blast bubbles around them.
Adventure Cove Waterpark will also launch a new retail merchandise collection, The Nostalgic Adventure, that reflects the water park’s journey over the last 12 years.
Tickets start from S$40 (US$29.50) per adult and S$33 per child and include admission to Adventure Cove Waterpark, the eight immersive zones of bubble-themed activities, and a complimentary Bubble Rainbow Twirler.
Visit Bubble Fiesta for more information.
A luxurious stay at the iconic Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Brought to you by Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Singapore’s famed shopping district, Orchard Road, is home to a vibrant mix of high-end fashion brands, unique local boutiques, luxurious hotels, a myriad of dining concepts, nightlife entertainment and more.
Be it for business or leisure travel, staying at the heart of Orchard Road is perfect for experiencing unmatched convenience and access to Singapore’s premier business and shopping belt at your doorstep.
Boasting a towering green-tiled and octagonal pagoda-styled roof, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel stands out as an iconic architecture that is strategically nestled right above Orchard MRT station.
With 403 guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants and bars, and a host of business & leisure facilities, this five-star hotel delivers wonderful hospitality and memorable experiences for all travellers by offering contemporary comfort and an array of dining pleasures accompanied with personalised hospitality.
Where modernity meets elegance
Bask in the comfort of contemporary guest rooms and suites across 10 categories, each fitted with state-of-the-art furnishings, large walk-in rain showers, extended vanity spaces, and more.
Whether you’re checked into a Premier Deluxe Room, Executive Premier Room or the luxurious Tang Sok Kiar Suite, every room boasts the right mix of comfort and elegance; offering spectacular views of Orchard Road’s skyline. It’s perfect for travellers seeking for an experiential stay in Singapore.
Experience utmost exclusivity at the esteemed M Club, a premium concierge lounge, available to guests staying in Executive Room categories and above, or for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite members and above.
Located beside the hotel’s swimming pool amidst a tranquil resort-style environment, M Club boasts a sophisticated design alongside a stylish space to retreat, recharge and refocus. Guests will be treated with daily complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails, upscale all-day food and drink options, and many more.
Recharge and unwind
Make time count by soaking in the sun and unwinding at the outdoor pool with cabanas and lounge chairs – it’s ideal for recharging after a long day of shopping. For those looking to get a good workout in, the hotel’s well-equipped 24-hour fitness centre and basketball court will let guests work up a good sweat.
Diverse culinary delights
With plenty of dining options to choose from, the award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is a must-visit.
Serving traditional and exquisite Cantonese cuisine since 1995, each dish is a celebration of quality and authenticity. Menu highlights include Deep-Fried Cod Fish with Crab Meat and Hairy Crab Roe, Stewed Beef Cheek with White Pepper Root and Bean Curd Sheet, and more.
The alfresco Crossroads Cafe promises a chill and relaxing environment to wine, dine, and people-watch. This all-in-one outdoor spot offers an enticing selection of cocktails, premium wines, and draft beers on tap. Alternatively, dine in comfort at Crossroads Buffet and indulge in a lavish international buffet spread brimming with an array of fresh seafood, premium meat carving, Asian delight, decadent desserts, and more.
For a laid-back afternoon, bask in the old-world charm at Lobby Lounge with an afternoon high tea featuring a lavish selection of dainty sweet and savoury treats accompanied with fine tea or coffee.
Travelling for business or leisure? Book the Explore Orchard Road package with Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s prime location and benefit from exclusive privileges like 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points, complimentary buffet breakfast for two, a complimentary photo guide to explore Orchard Road and explore highly recommended photo-worthy locations with rich history and architecture.
For more information, visit www.marriotttangplaza.com.
Vote for Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel at the TTG Travel Awards 2024! Your vote means a lot – show support by casting your vote under the “Best Luxury Hotel” and “Best Hotel – Singapore” categories by July 31, 2024.
Singapore maps 2040 tourism vision while keeping global trends in sight
Singapore’s tourism leadership has unveiled its vision for the industry across the next two decades while highlighting a global landscape fraught with intensive competition for the tourism dollar and challenges of a rapidly ageing world as well as business opportunities arising from Asia’s continued importance to the global economy and further technology advancement.
Singapore’s minister for sustainability and the environment and minister-in-charge of trade relations, Grace Fu, underlined three visions for Singapore as the country approaches 2040: a world class destination with diverse, unique and inspiring experiences for visitors; a vibrant and endearing home that Singaporeans and residents proudly advocate for; and a global hub of innovative and productive tourism enterprises, where companies and talents co-create sustainable tourism growth.
Reflecting on these visions, Fu said: “While 2040 may seem like some time away, the work starts today. Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 is expected to be operational around mid-2030s. URA is also reviewing the Master Plan for 2025 which will outline key developments and plans for the next 10 to 15 years.
“We need to act decisively today to capture future opportunities. For a start, we should start thinking about where we want to be collectively as one destination Singapore, and set plans in motion to develop our competitive advantages.”
To set the route towards Tourism 2040 objectives, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will conduct a series of engagements and workshops with industry players, members of the public, and representatives from institutes of higher learning, with the intention of encouraging all to contribute to the conversation on the future of tourism.
Between now and then, Singapore’s tourism industry players will need to pay attention to “global trends and major shifts over the next decades that will impact our workers, our business and our industry”, as they leverage immediate opportunities to collectively “fend off the competition”, remarked STB’s chief executive Melissa Ow.
“The world is ageing rapidly,” she said, noting that the population of individuals aged 65 and above is estimated to double to more than 1.3 billion – and half of this demographic will reside in Asia.
“This phenomenon will be one of the greatest social, economic transformations of our time and will no doubt, impact consumption patterns, lifestyles, and of course, travels,” she said.
Ow also noted that Asia will remain as the engine of growth for the global economy, driven by the major economies of India, China and South-east Asia. This region will also lead the way for global wealth, thanks to the vibrant start-up scene and wealth creation of first-generation entrepreneurs and inter-generational wealth transfers
This could well spur business event activity in Singapore while growing affluence would fuel leisure travel and demand for experiences.
“At the same time, the quality of lifestyle experiences and tourism offerings in the home countries of our visitors and across many of our competitor destinations will become more compelling. There will be a premium on what is intrinsically unique and that which truly delivers quality and value,” she forecasted.
Pointing to a third trend to watch, Ow said technology advancements would accelerate in the next decade, potentially bringing about greater product innovations and productivity breakthroughs.
“The key question for us is, will Singapore continue to appeal and win over our visitors?
“Tourism 2040 is therefore a planning roadmap to identify and align our efforts around new growth areas for the sector as we embark on the next phase of our quality tourism journey,” Ow added.
While recognising the value of a yield-driven strategy, Ow said incremental growth in visitor numbers was just as “necessary to sustain a baseload demand for many of our tourism businesses”.
To achieve that volume, Singapore must grow its core visitor base that is made up of leisure, business and corporate event visitors.
Expanded partnership to enhance charms of Singapore’s Marina Bay precinct
Marina Bay Sands (MBS), UOB and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) inked an MoU this morning, underscoring their commitment to driving awareness and strengthening visitorship to the Marina Bay precinct.
This follows on from an earlier partnership, headlined by the Masterpieces. Made in Singapore marketing campaign in 1Q2024, which delivered the high profile The Legend of the Dragon Gate – Drone Show by the Bay as well as over 50 exclusive experiences supported by 26 precinct partners, from hotels to restaurants. The campaign attracted 3.2 million video views and 47 million impressions over a two-month period.
Under the latest agreement, partners will present the Marina Bay precinct as a vibrant must-visit destination with a riveting suite of experiences and explore ways to promote hotels, attractions, entertainment venues, retail and dining establishments in the area. Efforts will also be made to attract world-class events and experiences, and stage them in Singapore.
The partners will also be working on programmes for the Christmas and Chinese New Year festive periods.
MBS will continue to enliven the precinct by through world-class experiences, including Broadway hits Hamilton and Miss Saigon at Sands Theatre, and The World of Studio Ghibli launching at ArtScience Museum from October, among others.
MBS’ Irene Lin said: “This next partnership recognises that the precinct has limitless potential to compete on the world stage as a leading lifestyle and business destination. Our ongoing efforts to elevate Marina Bay Sands signal our commitment to enhance the bay, and we look forward to working with our partners to create more compelling experiences over the long term.”
UOB’s Jacquelyn Tan said: “This unprecedented partnership is the latest in our array of innovative and pioneering entertainment propositions we have acquired for our eight million customers across (South-east Asia), who have over the past months enjoyed exclusive ticketing access to concerts and festivals featuring internationally-renowned artistes across different genres. We will further leverage our leadership position in the lifestyle space and our unparalleled footprint across the region, to bring more unforgettable retail, dining, travel and entertainment experiences to the precinct for our local and regional cardholders.”
STB’s Kenneth Lim added: “Building on the success of the pilot partnership, we look forward to collaborating with the wider Marina Bay precinct partners to curate exciting experiences for both locals and overseas visitors to enjoy. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire exploration of Singapore by promoting unique offerings and programming in the Marina Bay precinct, demonstrating our continued appeal as an attractive and vibrant destination.”
Witnessed by Singapore’s minister for sustainability and the environment and minister-in-charge of trade relations, Grace Fu, UOB deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong, MBS’ chief operating officer Paul Town, and STB’s chief executive Melissa Ow, the MoU signing ceremony took place alongside STB’s Tourism Industry Conference, which was hosted at Sands Expo and Convention Centre this morning.
The signatories were MBS’ senior vice president and chief marketing officer (resort marketing) Irene Lin, UOB’s head of group personal financial services Jacquelyn Tan, and STB’s assistant chief executive (marketing group) Kenneth Lim.
Breaking down barriers
Why did Banyan Group expand into the lesser-known beach destination of Nakhon Si Thammarat with the Banyan Tree Beachfront Residences Sichon?
This is part of our attempt to support the Thai government’s call (for responsible tourism operators) to promote tourism in other beautiful places in Thailand.
Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani are just off the coast of Samui. The water is not as great as in Phuket, but they’re very nice places.
Nakhon Si Thammarat is just a stone’s throw away from Phuket and Samui. You can drive from Phuket to Krabi, and on to Nakhon Si Thammarat, then take a ferry to Samui. That whole part of southern Thailand has huge potential, and we would like to contribute to developing that.
Previously you discussed resort hubs forming the nucleus for broader development. Similar to Honolulu, you said that Phuket could also be a hub. How do you view Phuket now?
Even more so now. A recent report grouped Phuket with Miami and Dubai in the realm of branded residences. That’s saying a lot because Miami is so big and Dubai is so big. For Phuket to be mentioned in the same way indicates that Phuket is really coming of age.
Does the launch of your first branded residences in Sichon align well with your overall goals?
The timing is great because it gives us an opportunity to announce the launch of Banyan Living, a new platform for marketing and managing branded residences.
We’re not very large in terms of how many hotels we own, but in branded residences, we rank very highly. In a recent survey, we came in fifth globally after Marriott and IHG, which is significant when compared to our size.
Phuket as a city now ranks third in the world for branded residences. We are very big in Phuket and we have a lot of products, which we are now consolidating on one platform called Banyan Living. We have vacation ownership under Laguna Vacation Club; the Banyan Tree Private Collection, which is a sort of vacation membership club; and Sanctuary Club, which is an exchange programme for all property owners.
How do you see branded residences growing into tourism?
Real estate, which is generally ownership of an asset, has nothing to do with hospitality. Then you’ve got hospitality, which is purely tourism, hotel rooms and so on. They’ve been existing separately before.
Branded residences are where the two overlap. That’s a phenomenon stemming from a number of factors – Covid and growth of technology with the Internet and working from home. That’s one data point.
Another data point is people wanting a second home as a safe haven. Phuket is a safe haven, because everyone sees that Thailand is welcoming. It’s safe here as long as you abide by the rules; the food and weather are great. So, Thailand has come up in the world as a very popular place for branded residence.
Branded residence owners are generally not living there full-time. Even the super rich will figure, why waste it and not let it out? I may not get a fantastic return, but if I let it out when I’m not there, it can probably pay for all the expenses and give me a little decent return.
Banyan Living is a platform where now, if you own a unit in Sichon, not only do you get some revenue, but you can also visit many of the other properties that we have in the world.
It’s a big thing now to have branded residences and be able to participate in the (exchange of room credits) as part of our membership programme. That’s what Banyan Living is all about, and we are leaders in this field, given our size.
How does Phuket’s development trajectory over the past three decades as a resort destination compare to other popular beach destinations around the world?
We started in Phuket in 1985, when we first built the Dusit Laguna Resort. At the time, it was still zero – nothing at all.
Everything has an inflection point where it takes off and becomes something qualitatively different. Before Covid, Phuket was going along as a nice destination. After Covid, because of this need for safe havens by the Chinese and the Russians, and people looking for better weather to stay during winters, infrastructure began to develop.
We have about 4,000 rai of land in Phuket, which is approximately four square kilometers. We’re the largest developer and landowner in Phuket. Our property sales this year will be 4.5 times more than pre-Covid. Growth has been amazing. Because we have so much land, we can continue to grow.
You are developing a new lifestyle district in Phuket. Is there a market for it now?
Laguna Phuket is the name for the whole project, which is about four square kilometers. Laguna Lakelands is being developed as a big residential project of about one square kilometer in size. It may not be the biggest project in Thailand by population because you cannot go up to 50 storeys high.
But in terms of land area, it’s likely one of the biggest in Thailand. It will also be the first project where we bring in social sustainability. That’s very different from environmental sustainability.
Phuket has no park of any kind whatsoever, because it grew from being a small tin mining city. People who live in Phuket – whether Thais or foreigners – have no place to go.
Now, we are going to develop 15 kilometers of walking trails and bicycle trails, botanic gardens, and a Laguna Phuket community club for the family. Currently, if you are living in Phuket with children, and you want the kids to take some enrichment courses, your husband wants to practice golfing, and you want to do Pilates, there is no place for that. Laguna Lakelands aims to fill that gap.
Why is it important that you do this?
There’s been a big focus on sustainable tourism development (but) sustainability is not just about the environment. It is about different communities coexisting with each other.
We want to make sure that what we are building in one square kilometer will benefit local people, because we are the biggest developer in Phuket by far. If we don’t lead the way, the divide will only grow.
For a society where people are so tolerant and welcoming, as a developer we have a responsibility to enhance that cooperation.
Singapore updates tourism performance forecast for 2024
Strong recovery in global flight connectivity and travel activity, continued NTO campaigning as well as fresh partnerships to stimulate international interest in Singapore as a tourism and events destination, have lifted the confidence of the country’s tourism industry, prompting the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to update its forecast for 2024.
This year, STB is projecting between 15 million to 16.5 million international visitor arrivals, and for tourism receipts to reach between S$27.5 billion (US$20.3 billion) to S$29 billion.
The initial forecast, shared in February, was 15 million to 16 million in arrivals and S$26 billion to S$27.5 billion in tourism receipts.
Addressing industry stakeholders at the STB Tourism Industry Conference 2024, held this morning at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, STB chief executive Melissa Ow, said: “This is no mean feat, as the upper bound of our Tourism Receipts projection, if achieved, will be a new record for Singapore, and it will mean that we have emerged even stronger after the pandemic.”
Elaborating on the drivers of such optimism, Ow pointed to the recovery of global flight connectivity and capacity, which she said “bodes well for us to sustain growth”.
“As of first week of May 2024, international flight capacity – based on seat capacity – has recovered close to pre-Covid levels, with some of our top source markets such as China, India and South Korea exceeding pre-Covid flight capacities,” she noted, adding that new flights have also enabled Singapore to deepen its reach across source markets.
Also instrumental to STB’s improved expectations of tourism performance are the intensified marketing efforts “to attract increasingly discerning…travellers who are looking for more purposeful travel to Singapore”.
Ow recalled the Made In Singapore (MIS) global brand campaign that was launched last September across key visitor source markets. 3D billboards were taken in high traffic areas such as Times Square in New York, London’s Piccadilly Circus , and Xintiandi in Shanghai to stoke interest and drive travel to Singapore.
STB also engaged key influencers to share their unique experiences in Singapore, and inspire a wider audience including their fanbases to visit.
“To sharpen our competitive edge, we will continue to develop our six global positioning campaigns, supported by a mix of products and experiences,” said Ow. One of these campaigns is the recent World’s Best MICE City Campaign, which profiles Singapore as a leading events destination that drives purposeful outcomes.
To ensure continued interest in Singapore, be it for holidays or business, STB has forged several partnerships that leverage the power of film, music and television as well as the positive influence of convenient payment solutions.
Recent mass media partnerships include one with JTBC, a leading South Korean TV network which has produced wildly popular shows; and Yuewen Global, a leading Chinese media and entertainment subsidiary of Tencent group.
With JTBC, a three-year MOU was inked to support production of variety programmes in Singapore. For a start, Singapore’s landmarks and attractions will be featured in its most popular dating reality show, My Sibling’s Romance.
With Yuewen Global, Singapore hosted the star-studded Yuewen Global IP Awards earlier this year, which took place outside of China for the first time. The live broadcasts attracted over 30 million viewers.
Multi-year partnerships with leading online TV platforms, iQiYi and Mango TV, have also materialised. Popular reality show, Divas Hit the Road, will air in June, just in time to entice Chinese visitors to choose the Lion City for their peak summer holiday.
Furthermore, STB has renewed its partnership with Trip Group for another three years, which will result in a series of marketing campaigns in eight markets, including China, the UK, and Thailand. The partnership also entails collaboration with Hong Hu Travel, which is Trip’s premium arm for customised travel, opening doors to high-yield visitors.
In India, a two-year partnership with PhonePe, India’s largest payments platform, will boost spending ease among Indian visitors.
Ow emphasised that “engaging with our fans and visitors and extending our reach to new markets would all be in vain if not for a great destination that continues to deliver quality experiences”.
Hence, Singapore has to be “relentless in the pursuit of novel tourism concepts, steadfast in the refresh of our existing products, and nimble in securing major events”.
IHG signs new Kimpton in Teneriffe, Brisbane
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) will open a brand new Kimpton, its first managed luxury hotel in Brisbane, in 2028.
Announced at AHICE Asia Pacific, the news follows the signing of an agreement with Kokoda Property to bring the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand to the trendy suburb of Teneriffe.
The 155-room property will form part of Kokoda Property’s $1.5 billion mixed-use development comprising extensive ground floor hospitality and retail amenity, commercial offices and multiple residential towers in a lifestyle precinct.
The luxury lifestyle hotel will offer design-led rooms and suites, including marquee suites that will cater to celebrity guests and VIPs; a 200-plus-seat signature restaurant and bar on Level 14, a spa with multiple treatment rooms, fitness centre, and 618m2 of flexible indoor and outdoor event space.
As the hotel will be located by the waterfront, guests will have easy access to the waterfront and enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline from an infinity pool overlooking the Brisbane River and an open-air Garden Terrace bar.
The Teneriffe neighbourhood itself is a vibrant and social inner-city locale with trendy wine bars, restaurants, breakfast cafés, dog parks, artisan bakeries and locally loved microbreweries all within walking distance.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our Kimpton brand to Brisbane, particularly in such a strategic location that perfectly aligns to the aspirational ethos of the brand. Kimpton has an ardent global following amongst the lifestyle-led and socially inclined, which will resonate strongly as part of the Skyring Terrace precinct and within Brisbane’s luxury hotel market. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Kokoda Property in pursuit of our common vision to elevate the hospitality space in South-East Queensland,” said Cameron Burke, director of Development, Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts.
“The strength of IHG’s brand portfolio, particularly within the luxury and lifestyle segments, is accelerating the growth of our Australian estate – and this signing is a significant testament to that,” he added.
“The Kimpton brand was the ideal choice for, and will be the centrepiece of, our striking Teneriffe development. The brand’s lifestyle centric positioning, design and playful guest experiences will fit perfectly into this exciting and unique pocket of Brisbane,” said Mark Stevens, founder and managing director, Kokoda Property.
The signing adds to IHG’s fast-growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio and reinforces its focus on its growing presence in Australia. In the luxury and lifestyle segment, IHG has 14 open hotels and has a further five in the pipeline in Australia for brands including InterContinental, Six Senses, Hotel Indigo, and now Kimpton.
The three-day PATA Annual Summit 2024, set for Macau from May 15 to 17, will see the debut of the PATA-WTCF China Dialogue, supported by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and sponsored by Dragon Trail International; the signing of two partnerships; and the launch of a social impact initiative.
The PATA-WTCF China Dialogue will explore the dynamic landscape of China Inbound Tourism, delving into the various challenges and opportunities.
Fresh MoUs between PATA and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and between PATA and the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF), will be signed during the Partnerships for Tomorrow session.
Furthermore, PATA will launch the PATA Kind Hearts initiative to underscore the association’s commitment to positively impacting local communities in the destinations where PATA events are hosted. This involves a donation of approximately 100 children’s books to Instituto Cultural de Macau (Macao Cultural Institute) to nurture a love of reading among the young.
PATA Annual Summit 2024 is hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and co-hosted by SJM Resorts, bearing the theme, Reimagining Tourism.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “While sustainability remains a focal point, this year’s summit will certainly delve into broader discussions, thought-provoking conversation, encompassing areas such as travel technology trends, marketing strategies, tourism policy, and cultural advancements. It will catalyse positive change transcending current norms across various dimensions of tourism.”
PATA said this year’s registration numbers have been the highest since the end of the pandemic.
“I am thrilled to see that when PATA members come together in full force at such a flagship event like the PATA Annual Summit, it will present an opportunity for the association to come into full form that can recalibrate the strength of what PATA is all about. We can only get stronger when we are together. Hence, it is our hope that members from across the world will seize this opportunity to find touch-points to collaborate with each other as the travel and tourism industry is recovering to its fullest potential,” added Noor Ahmad.
MGTO director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, said, “It has been several years since our destination last staged a PATA flagship event, and it will be a great opportunity to provide delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region with a first-hand experience (of) the new dynamic development of Macau as a world centre of tourism and leisure.”
Summit attendees can expect to hear from a line-up of esteems industry professionals, such as SJM Resorts, managing director, Daisy Ho; Hong Kong Tourism Board, executive director, Dane Cheng; Ministry of Tourism, India, director general (tourism), Manisha Saxena; World Travel & Tourism Council, regional director Asia, Sarah Wang; OAG, head of Asia, Mayur Patel; and Sobie Aviation analyst, Brendan Sobie.