TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 7th April 2026
Page 1316

Hard Rock unveils concept for Hokkaido IR

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Hard Rock Japan rendering

The concept for the Hard Rock Japan proposed to open in Tomakomai city, Hokkaido, has been unveiled.

Key elements of the design include monorail access from Chitose International Airport, Hard Rock’s signature guitar-shaped hotel, a Four Seasons Resort, a Hard Rock Live venue, multipurpose Broadway-style theatres, a state-of-the-art wellness centre and about two hectares of retail and dining space.

Hard Rock Japan rendering

The design also features an Ainu village experience, designed to help raise awareness for the local indigenous Ainu people.

Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International, shared plans to expand on a 12-year relationship with the New York Yankees to bring the NYY Steak concept and New York Yankee experience to the Tomakomai integrated resort.

Hard Rock also intends to bring a Broadway theatre to the Japan resort – along with exclusive rights to their latest debut, King Kong – through a partnership with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment.

Other partnerships are with HPL Hotel and Resorts in Asia for a Four Seasons hotel, and with NEC for a facial recognition and security services.

In addition, Hard Rock International has plans to have a Music Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in the resort to highlight the musical accomplishments of Japanese, Asian and global artists.

Hilton makes another attempt at Yangon debut

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Signing ceremony between Hilton and Crown Advanced Construction representatives

The Hilton brand will make its first appearance in Yangon after earlier plans to launch the Hilton Yangon in Kyauktada Township with LP Holding failed to materialise.

The US hotel group yesterday signed a management agreement with Crown Advanced Construction to open Hilton Times City Yangon in 2022.

Signing ceremony between Hilton and Crown Advanced Construction representatives

The 308-key hotel is located a 20-minute drive from the airport and 15-minute drive from downtown Yangon. Forming part of a mixed-use development, the hotel will comprise suites and a serviced apartment and sit alongside an office tower, residences and a retail mall.

Hilton Times City Yangon will feature five dining outlets, including an all-day dining restaurant, one specialty restaurant, two bars and a Grab and Go outlet.

Guests can hold meetings and events at the hotel’s event spaces spanning nearly 1,250m2, including a ballroom of over 550m2. There will also be a business center, fitness centre, spa as well as a pool.

“As the commercial and financial capital of the country Yangon holds much of the potential for growth, we are delighted to be bringing our Hilton brand into Myanmar’s largest city to cater to the projected travel boom,” said Paul Hutton, vice president, operations, South-east Asia, Hilton.

Hilton currently operates three hotels in Myanmar: Hilton Nay Pyi Taw, Hilton Mandalay and Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa. In addition to Hilton Times City Yangon, the company has two hotels in the development pipeline which will open in Inle Lake and Bagan over the coming years.

Hong Kong still a hot destination for Chinese tourists

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The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

More visitors from mainland China are travelling to Hong Kong via coach or train in 2018, on the back of growing land connections thanks to the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Nielsen’s Mainland Tourist Study revealed.

The number of mainland tourists who visited Hong Kong in November 2018 surpassed the same period in 2017 with a 26% leap, according to Hong Kong’s Immigration Department – Visitor Arrival Statistics November 2018.

The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

With the ongoing initiatives in the Greater Bay Area and the convenience brought by the new gateway access to Hong Kong, the visitor influx momentum is expected to continue and bring new market potentials for tourism-related industries, especially retail.

[visitor influx momentum: https://www.ttgasia.com/2019/01/09/hk-seeks-answer-to-visitor-surge-capacity-strains-arising-from-mega-bridge/]

In addition, the survey found that spending has increased across all sectors, with each traveller spending HK$21,000 (US$2,678) per trip, a 3% growth versus 2017.

Shopping leads as the highest spend sector (45%), while accommodation, dining and entertainment each contribute evenly on their overall expenses. Overall, spending across all four sectors recorded positive uplifts.

Over 90% of mainland visitors said they will return to Hong Kong again within the next 12 months, with a 4% growth in planned spending for the next trip.

Though spending power is increasing year-on-year, the study found that travel appetite to Hong Kong is facing challenges in that products are perceived to be similar with other mainland cities, hence it is key that Hong Kong steer its focus beyond product offering to service, advised the Nielsen study.

“Transforming each trip from a shopping mission to an inspiring travel experience can drive repeat visitation and such experience can best be offered through the brick and mortar channel in Hong Kong,” said Michael Lee, managing director of Nielsen Hong Kong and Macau.

“Unlike other destinations with abundant cultural attractions, developing an inspired travel experience in Hong Kong would require a seamless, cross-industries (shopping, accommodation, food and entertainment) collaboration. This helps to turn our cultural similarities with Mainland visitors to an advantage for making the experiential retail a true success,” Lee suggested.

The study also reported that almost 30% of mainland visitors make online purchases in overseas e-commerce platforms. Cross-border online shopping has started showing its impact on mainland visitors’ shopping behaviour during their trips to Hong Kong, with more claiming spending in the brick and mortars shop during their trip would be lowered as a product is available online.

“An integrated omni-channel strategy can help Hong Kong retailers to address the change of traveller purchase behaviour as they convert part of their purchase to online,” said Lee.

Twin appointments at Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts

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Thipwimon (left) and Paritchawan

Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts has appointed Thipwimon Chatchavansilachai as the resident manager of the upcoming Twinpalms MontAzure, and Paritchawan Kraiponrak as the director of sales and revenue.

Thipwimon now heads Twinpalms MontAzure, an upscale hotel and residences slated to open along Phuket’s Kamala Beach in July 2019.

Thipwimon (left) and Paritchawan

She has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has held various management roles in leading companies such as Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Minor Group, Compass Hospitality and Deevana Group.

Making a comeback to the Twinpalms group is Paritchawan, who during her seven ways away led the sales departments at Angsana Laguna Phuket and Centara Hotels & Resorts Phuket. She has over two decades of work experience within Phuket’s hospitality industry.

Garuda and travel agents meet halfway on new commissions model

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An intense discussion between Garuda Indonesia and travel agencies associations in Indonesia over a new commissioning model last week came to an amicable conclusion, according to a statement from The Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO) made available to TTG Asia.

Pauline Suharno, secretary general of ASTINDO said in the statement: “ASTINDO and ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies), together with Garuda, had an intense discussion and come up with decisions to improve the business ecosystem between Garuda and agents.”

Agents and Garuda have come to an amicable conclusion regarding the change in service fees

The discussion last week resulted in Garuda maintaining it would pay agents their service fee in the form of Agency Debit Memo (ADM), but increase the percentage to seven per cent instead of five per cent.

Pauline explained to TTG Asia that a three per cent service fee on international ticket sales had so far been given to agents but it was deductible upon ticket issuance. Initially, Garuda wanted to increase this to five per cent although the airline had intended for it to be paid to agents in the form of ADM per issuance period.

In other words, service fees earned in IATA’s Bank Settlement Plan (BSP) period one was to be paid in BSP 3 period.

“On top of that, (the earlier plan stipulated that) sales of a minimum of 50 million rupiah (US$3,450), the agents would get another three per cent sales fee (in the form of incentives) payable after the segment is flown.

“Garuda will instead grant payment (the following month) after the issuance of tickets.” Pauline said. The same will apply to domestic tickets.

Pauline said: “What is (now hanging) is our request for Garuda not to impose a minimum sales of 50 million rupiah for domestic ticket sales to be eligible for a three per cent sales fee.

“After all, it does not matter how small an agency’s sales performance is, it still has the right to a commission,” she opined.

The Garuda negotiating team, led by Garuda vice president coordinator international sales, distribution & charter Pikri Ilham Kurniansyah, has agreed to discuss the matter further with the airline’s board of directors. The new policy, which was planned for implementation on January 21, will be postponed awaiting the result.

Leisure long-stayers, APAC key to Oakwood’s aggressive expansion plans

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As luxury serviced apartment provider Oakwood Worldwide maps a hefty expansion plan to grow its global portfolio from 48 to 150 properties by 2021, it has sights set on Asia-Pacific and the underserved leisure long-stay segment.

Dean Schreiber, managing director of Oakwood Asia Pacific, told TTG Asia that upcoming projects to meet this goal will be developed “predominantly in Asia-Pacific”.

Schreiber: upcoming Oakwood projects will be mainly in the APAC region

The latest announcement is Oakwood’s debut in the Middle East, where the property is planned for 2,500 keys “with the potential to go to 5,000 keys”, shared Schreiber. In South-east Asia, Oakwood has also signed to develop properties in Indonesia and Thailand.

Schreiber said: “China is a massive area for us in terms of growth potential; likewise, we’re seeing very good growth in Indonesia. In Thailand, we’ve just signed a deal to roll out 10 properties over the next 10 years.

“We’re exploring some new geographies this year too. We’ve signed our first deal in Cambodia, we’re looking at some opportunities in Sri Lanka and we’re also targeting some of the leisure destinations, which we had not been really looking after.”

He explained that Oakwood had traditionally been courting business travellers, but now has eyes on the growing leisure long-stay segment.

The bedroom in the Oakwood Showroom

“We feel that there’s a big gap in the extended stay space in leisure markets. Phuket and Pattaya are the first couple of opportunities (for us). We’re also looking at Niseko in Japan for a ski resort,” he revealed.

To ensure consistent quality and feel to its properties across Asia, Oakwood last week launched The Oakwood Showroom in its corporate office in Singapore for its property owners to view and purchase in-room amenities.

The showroom is a mock-up of a suite that features the latest gadgets, furnishings and other homewares from various product partners, such as Samsung, Bang & Olufsen and Serta.

Ant-Man and The Wasp attraction buzzes into HK Disneyland this March

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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) will unveil its newest Marvel-branded attraction, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, on March 31.

The new ride will mark HKDL’s second Marvel-themed attraction, as part of the theme park’s multi-year expansion contract. A third Marvel-themed attraction is also currently in the works.

Shrink to ant size and fight against Hydra in Hong Kong

This opening will also mark the world’s first attraction featuring Ant-Man and The Wasp, as well as the first Marvel-themed attraction featuring a female superhero as a lead character.

This upcoming attraction is the result of a “close partnership” with Marvel Studios to “transform the powerful cinematic appeal into an immersive battle experience”, with the movie director, leading actors, as well as the score composer of Ant-Man and The Wasp all involved, said Bryan Thombs, creative director of the attraction from Walt Disney Imagineering.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! attraction will send guests on a critical mission with Ant-Man and The Wasp to defend Hong Kong against Hydra’s attack.

This high-tech interactive adventure begins with a visit to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion. The visit will soon be interrupted by Hydra, which is not only attempting to steal the Arc Reactor atop Stark Tower in Kowloon, but its artificial intelligence Arnim Zola has also sent an army of Swarmbots to infiltrate the S.H.I.E.L.D. Pavilion in order to steal a Data Core that contains highly confidential information.

As he battles Swarmbots in Kowloon, Iron Man calls in Ant-Man and The Wasp to defend the pavilion, because only they can shrink down to get between the bots’ armour to destroy them from the inside.

And that’s where guests come in to help Ant-Man and The Wasp. Aboard one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s newest combat vehicles, D/AGR, the Defense/Assault Ground Rover (aka “the Dagger”), guests are issued an EMP Blaster and engage in a battle alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp to defeat Zola and his Swarmbots.

Centara dangles deals for three properties in the Indian Ocean

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Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa

Thailand-based hospitality group Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering several promotions for its trio of properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

At the 165-key Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa in Sri Lanka, nestled on a strip of land between the Bentota River and Indian Ocean, the resort’s Meal Plan Upgrades promotion will entitle guests who book a two-night stay before June 30, 2019 to a complimentary upgrade to the next meal plan and free Wi-Fi. For example, guests who book a half-board stay will be automatically upgraded to All-Inclusive Package.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa

Guests who book a choice of accommodation (beachfront or overwater) at its two Maldivian properties – Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa – before June 30, 2019, for stays before December 23, 2019, will enjoy 20 per cent off and free transfers from and to Malé International Airport. Members of CentaraThe1 will also enjoy an extra 10 per cent off.

Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA

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Swimming Pool

Location
Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA is located less than a 10-minute drive to both KLIA and KLIA2, which makes it a perfect hotel for those in transit and seeking a place to rest, or for unexpected flight delays. For guests’ convenience, the hotel provides a complimentary air-conditioned shuttle service to and from the airport every two hours.

It is also about a five-minute drive to Mitsui Premium Outlet Park. The factory outlet also provides complimentary shuttle service every hour to and from the hotel, from 10.00 to 22.00 daily.

The hotel is also situated a 10-minute drive away from the Sepang International Circuit, making it a perfect accommodation base for motorsports enthusiasts.

Rooms
There are 333 rooms in total. The Deluxe Room I stayed in was modern, with sensors that detect a guest’s presence whenever the room door opens, automatically turning on the lights and air condition. Similarly, the smart sensors can detect when the last person leaves the room, and turns off the electricity.

Each room has a smart TV, which in addition to its offering of 36 channels and five radio stations, also provides the latest flight information at both airports.

What I loved best about my room is its expansive size at 46m2. It is outfitted with a king-sized bed, two lounge chairs, two work chairs, a small work table and a long coffee table, but still leaves plenty of walking space.

A solid wooden sliding door separates the room from the bathroom. The bathroom is also impressively large, and boasted two sinks, a small round bathtub with shower facilities and a rain shower. There’s a sensor on the huge bathroom mirror that when pressed, lights up a round vanity glass that is positioned at just the right height for personal grooming.

Guests staying in the executive suite room categories can also make use of the executive lounge on level eight.

F&B
Temasya, a swanky coffee house on the ground floor, stands out for its unique concept, with flat stones lining the clear glass flooring that leads to the outlet. I was told that come April, the flooring beneath the glass would be covered by shallow water and swimming fish – that will surely be a captive sight.

The spacious eatery features live cooking stations, serving a mixture of local and international food. I strongly recommend Malaysian favourites such as satay and kuey teow, or international dishes such as the chicken fajita sandwich, an absolutely yummy number served on focaccia bread baked in-house.

At 17.00 daily and lasting for an hour, the hotel holds its chocolate hour at Sira Lounge in the lobby. Guests are welcome to indulge in as much chocolates, biscuits, truffles and brownies as they can possibly devour. The desserts were made just right – without them being saccharine – which resulted in my overindulgence.

Four other F&B outlets are scheduled to open this April. Among the soon-to-open spaces is Bara, a fine dining restaurant with a combination of Mediterranean, Korean and Japanese influences, while Redup will specialise in light snacks. As the hotel is Syariah compliant, the kitchen is halal-certified, and no pork and alcohol is served on the property.

Facilities
There are separate recreational facilities – swimming pools, gyms and spas, etc – for men and women. It is only on the tennis court that men and women are allowed to enjoy a game together.

The rooftop swimming pool offers more privacy than usual for the self-conscious, as it does not face any restaurants or rooms unlike other hotels.

In March, 12 spa pods are scheduled to open to provide short, complimentary neck, shoulder and feet massages. A kids’ club will also open then.

Service
Excellent! I called for help way past midnight as I didn’t know how to connect the TV to Netflix and someone came to assist right away. I also loved the hassle-free check-in service – I was handed my room key in less than five minutes – and the efficient service in Temasya where my plates were cleared from the table each time I left for seconds at the buffet line.

Verdict
Fantastic hospitality. Staff were also attentive, friendly and made me feel right at home. The food served at Temasya was remarkably delicious, so I will be back with friends for a weekend lunch or dinner.

No. of rooms 333
Rates From RM388+ (US$95+) a night
Contact details
Tel: (60) 3 8661 8661
Email: hotel.klia.reservations@movenpick.com
Website: www.movenpick.com/Mövenpick/Kuala_Lumpur‎

The Westin Yokohama slated to open in 2022

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Rendering of The Westin Yokohama

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, has signed the 373-room The Westin Yokohama, slated to open in 2022.

Owned by Sekisui House, the new-build hotel in Minato Mirai will be part of a 23-storey mixed-use development spanning 9,600m2, which will also comprise service apartments and commercial spaces.

Rendering of The Westin Yokohama

Facilities at The Westin Yokohama include the Westin Heavenly Spa with four treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool and a fitness studio. For travellers who wish to take their fitness routines outdoors, the hotel features the Runwestin programme, offering guests a guided run. The hotel also has workout gear available for rent.

For food, Westin Yokohama has The Market, an open market-style kitchen and buffet restaurant offers Japanese izakaya and French brasserie-style service for lunch and dinner. Other dining options will include The Grill signature dining, and a health-focused specialty restaurant.

The hotel also features a business centre for casual meetings, two fully equipped meeting rooms and a ballroom.

This will be the seventh property under the wellness-focussed brand to open in Japan.