Further East will return to Bali this year from November 4 to 7, gathering and connecting the very best figures in the industry to help shape the world’s most exciting market for luxury travel.
Further East will take place on a Bali beachfront in Seminyak, which has hosted every edition since 2018. It will also focus on how to use regenerative travel, rather than mere sustainability, to draw visitors and empower communities for decades to come.
Further East will once again be held in Bali this year from November 4 to 7
Featuring only exhibitors from the Asia-Pacific region, organisers This Is Beyond – curators of shows including PURE Life Experiences, L.E/Miami and We Are Africa – remind attendees of their regenerative potential. Serge Dive, This Is Beyond’s founder and CEO, said: “By connecting them with our top buyers and media attending from every corner of the planet, we can bring everyone to the Asia-Pacific region, capturing what’s so extraordinary about these cultures. Because that’s what they deserve.”
Over 50 per cent of exhibitor spaces have been confirmed for Further East 2024, and buyer and press applications will be opening very soon.
“We only select the risk-takers and change-makers,” Dive explained. “The Asia-Pacific region is home to more new luxury hotel openings, year on year, than anywhere else on earth. Many of them join us in Bali. Buyers know they are meeting true originals here.”
The show will retain its intimate sense of doing business differently with sunset drinks, five-star meals, pre-scheduled appointments, exclusive evening events and enough time to recharge in the tropical heat.
Dive shared: “We’re seeking to spark connections between our Further Easters that last for life. To inspire and immerse them in what’s possible. It’s part of the Eastern tradition – sharing ideas and moments that bring us closer, because everything changes constantly, and we need each other to keep up.”
Applications are officially open for Further East this year.
Club Med has joined as a member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA).
This collaboration not only cements Club Med’s commitment to industry-wide environmental sustainability, but also enables SHA to leverage Club Med’s experience in sustainable development and innovation.
Club Med is now a member of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance; Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek, pictured
For over 60 years, Club Med has championed sustainable practice with 70 per cent of new or majorly renovated resorts since 2018 being built to globally recognised BREEAM standards.
Most of Club Med Resorts are Green Globe certified, guaranteeing sustainable best-practices, while its Bye Bye Plastic programme, aimed at eliminating single-use plastic from its resorts, further underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, SHA, said: “Club Med’s sustainable credentials are widely acknowledged in the industry, and their innovation and sustainable practices will undoubtedly contribute to our five-year strategy to realise Net Positive Hospitality.”
Gregory Lanter, chief development, construction & property officer, Club Med, added: “Joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance signifies our commitment to fostering sustainability in the hospitality sector. We look forward to actively contributing to the alliance’s initiatives and engaging with industry colleagues to exchange insights and best practices.”
Sotetsu Hotel Management Co. and Hi Metta Karuna Panya Co. will launch their newest hotel located in the bustling city centre of Bangkok, Thailand on April 9.
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Bangkok will mark the third international branch of Sotetsu Grand Fresa and the first-ever Sotetsu Hotel in Thailand by the Japanese hotel brand.
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Bangkok will open in April this year
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Bangkok offers adjoining rooms, extra sofa bed to accommodate three people, as well as Grand Twin Rooms that include a washing machine and a microwave for extended stays.
The new hotel is just a five-minute stroll to the Asok BTS Station and the Sukhumvit MRT Station, and is approximately 53 minutes away via the Airport Rail Link (ARL) and BTS to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It is also about 57 minutes to Don Mueang International Airport via the SRT Red Line (SRT) and MRT.
Nearby Sotetsu Grand Fresa Bangkok are luxury shopping malls and office buildings. The renowned EmQuartier and EmSphere shopping malls are only one BTS station away, while the iconic Siam Paragon is four stations away.
Guests can also take the subway to the Chao Phraya River to see the Grand Palace and the three great Buddhist temples—Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun.
InterContinental Khao Yai Resort in Thailand has introduced its new Spa and Wellness Getaway Programme set in the pristine countryside, away from hustle and bustle of busy city life.
The resort comprises 45 rooms, with the 19 Heritage Railcar Suites and Villas housed in previously abandoned heritage train carriages from the 19th century that have been meticulously and exquisitely restored. Also on the train are the Back on Track Spa (with four treatment suites), Tea Carriage and popular Planet Trekkers Kids Club.
Enjoy wellness treatments at Back on Track Spa, located on the Heritage Railcar
The Wellness Getaway Programme features a four-day-three-night stay in the One Bedroom Heritage Railcar Suite, afternoon tea, daily breakfast (including one picnic breakfast at Khao Yai National Park), private yoga sessions, 60-minute Foot Massage, 60-minute Aromatherapy Massage, 90-minute spa treatment, Private Hermit Art and Stretching class, and more.
Outings include Khao Yai National Park, Ban Tha Chang Natural Spring, Khao Yai Thieng Windmill.
The Spa and Wellness Getaway is priced at 68,000 baht (US$1,900) and is available until December 20, 2024. Additional nights are available from 13,000 baht inclusive of breakfast for two.
The Indonesian government is planning to establish an Indonesia Tourism Fund (ITF) to support the promotion of tourism and nation branding via international activities, such as sports events, concerts, and business events.
Allotted and managed aside from the marketing budget of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), this fund is also meant to encourage tourism development in super priority tourist destinations, such as Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang.
The Indonesia Tourism Fund would support bids for international major events, like the 33rd ICM Triennial Congress held in June last year, pictured
In the initial stage, two trillion rupiah (US$128.6 million) will be disbursed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). MoTCE will then need to propose the amount of annual funding, which will later be approved by the president.
Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, said the fund would support bids for international major events targeting for launch in 2H2024.
“Events are the most effective strategy for promotion – (they increase) the number of quality tourist visits, and have a big impact on the economy,” said Sandiaga, citing the success of hosting international events such as the G20 Summit, the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and MotoGP Mandalika – the last of which had an estimated economic impact of over eight trillion rupiah.
He explained that the management of these funds would either be handed over to Indonesian Journey (Injourney), a state-owned company in the aviation and tourism industry, or another fund management institution established by the MOF.
“We are currently finalising the scheme, financing mechanism and (determining) the management institution. Currently the government is working on a legal basis, including waiting for the ratification of a presidential regulation regarding the fund,” said Sandiaga.
In response, Pauline Suharno, secretary general of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), hopes that the tourism fund will be impactful to the industry.
However, Pauline said information about the fund has yet to flow to tourism industry players, as none of them have been “invited to discuss it”.
“If the government sees that tourism is important and generates foreign exchange, its should immediately have a dialogue with the industry and see interests from our perspective,” she remarked.
Ndang Mawardi, CEO of Inspiro Group, stressed the importance of clarity in the allotment, accountability and audit of the fund, and urged key performance indicators be set for events. This way, “the impact on society can be projected”.
Raty Ning, chairman of the ICCA Indonesia chapter, expects to see standards and criteria being set to qualify events for funding.
She pointed out that it is vital to choose large-scale events in order to “have the biggest multiplier effects”.
Ndang also hopes that the use of tourism funds will be more developmental in nature – such as for tourism innovation, service excellence and sustainability training and projects.
Silversea has expanded the role of cruise industry veteran Massimo Brancaleoni who becomes senior vice president, global sales & revenue.
With almost 30 years of experience in the global cruise industry, Brancaleoni has held executive positions for international organisations in Europe and Asia. He joined Silversea in January 2023 as senior vice president, global sales.
Prior to joining Silversea, he held the role of senior vice president, worldwide sales, at Costa Cruises.
Now midway into snow season, Japan’s tourism professionals are confident of seeing full recovery of the winter season based on pent-up demand.
This year marks the first time since the pandemic that winter sports operators have enjoyed a full lead up to the snow season, which runs from mid-December to early April. Additionally, 2.73 million international travellers arrived in Japan in December 2023, an 8.2 per cent increase on December 2019, resulting in renewed optimism.
Winter activities in Japan are seeing a rise in international demand
“Japan’s borders reopened six weeks before the 2022-23 ski season was due to start. With consumer confidence dented and so little time to book, the 2022-23 season recovery was modest,” Lindsay Colbert, managing director of Hokkaido-based travel agent Japan Ski Experience, told TTG Asia. “Demand which had been building up since 2020 was unleashed by the time bookings opened for the 2023-24 season, and bookings quickly exceeded pre-pandemic levels.”
William Ross, creative director of Dancing Snow, which offers backcountry tours, snowshoeing and ski hiking in Niigata Prefecture, is also seeing an uptick in international demand. Bookings are coming from both long-established country markets such as Australia, and newer country markets including the US, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Finland, Sweden and the UK, he told TTG Asia.
Colbert also reports a “noticeable change” in the number of travellers from the US, while Nagano Prefecture, another of the country’s top winter sports destinations, is welcoming more visitors from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, according to independent tour guide Peter Carnell.
With new markets and strong rebound, agents and operators are eyeing opportunities for growth.
“Many post-pandemic travellers to Japan ski resorts are looking for new and exciting experiences, as evidenced by increasing numbers of first-time visitors, more non-skiers or snowboarders in resort and an increase in demand for more off-the-beaten-track destinations,” said Colbert.
“Both travellers and tour operators are looking for new destinations and activities” to help alleviate overtourism, added Carnell.
Air India has selected TamGP Co. as its passenger general sales agent (GSA) in Thailand.
TamGP Co. will facilitate reservations and ticketing, support marketing efforts, and provide comprehensive passenger sales support on behalf of the airline.
The collaboration will enhance Air India’s presence in Thailand
This partnership with TamGP Co. aims to further enhance Air India’s presence in Thailand while supporting the airline’s ongoing global expansion.
Anindam Choudhury, assistant vice president, commercial, TamGP Co., commented: “We strongly believe that this partnership will not only ensure smooth and seamless travel experiences for passengers but also promote cultural and economic exchanges between India and Thailand.”
Currently, Air India operates two daily, non-stop flights between Bangkok and Delhi, one daily, non-stop flight between Bangkok and Mumbai, and one daily, non-stop flight between Phuket and Delhi.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will deploy an advanced customer profiling and personalisation solution, Amadeus Traveler DNA, on its journey to ensure that interactions with its passengers are not only seamless but also deeply personalised.
The carrier will benefit from real-time, comprehensive traveller intelligence to understand, predict, and personalise sales, service, and end-to-end customer experience.
The partnership will ensure that interactions with Philippine Airlines’ passengers are seamless and personalised
Amadeus Traveler DNA automatically integrates valuable insights and personalisation logic into the airline’s business operations for relevant traveller communications. This gives PAL the intelligence needed to offer its passengers a smooth and tailored journey every time they travel.
These personalisation capabilities will also enable PAL to improve customer retention by minimising the impact of travel disruptions with proactive customer care. The carrier can also increase revenue by upselling relevant offers tailored to its customers’ needs and preferences. Brand loyalty and customer satisfaction are also improved by enabling the airline to anticipate and respond to the needs of valuable customers with personalised services.
The solution is also integrated into PAL’s Altéa Passenger Servicing System (PSS) which allows for consistency across all channels and touchpoints, including airline agent, travel agent, and online.
“By harnessing the power of Traveler DNA, we aim to go beyond the conventional boundaries of air travel. It’s about understanding the unique preferences, habits, and aspirations of our passengers, and using that knowledge to create tailor-made experiences that resonate with them,” shared Aurea Patria Vidal, chief information officer, PAL.
Jonathan Tong, senior vice president, head of South-east Asia, India Subcontinent & Greater China, Amadeus, added: “The importance of providing a complete picture of travellers so airlines can offer them a more personalised experience cannot be understated. We are proud to work with Philippine Airlines to improve the customer experience while delivering on the carriers’ vision to put its passengers at the heart of everything they do.”
Krabi and Koh Lanta are two of Thailand’s most popular destinations, known for their stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and unique experiences. Krabi is a province located on the south-west coast of Thailand, famous for its limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and pristine beaches. The province is also home to several national parks, not to mention some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Koh Lanta, on the other hand, is a beautiful island located in the Andaman Sea, just off the coast of Krabi. Less developed than the mainland, the island features stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Like all tourist destinations in Thailand, 2023 has been a vital year for Krabi and Koh Lanta. The ongoing crusade to rebuild post-lockdown continues while environmental issues have forced the province to bring sustainable tourism and eco-conscious policies to the fore of any plans in the region.
Ko Hong island in the Krabi region
Earlier this year, the Thai government announced plans to make the region carbon neutral and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with more than 20 stakeholders and state agencies to spearhead a drive to reduce pollution and become the first Thai province to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is collaborating with the group, a mix of local agencies and tour operators, to evaluate the potential of blue carbon (carbon stored in coastal and marine habitats) storage in mangrove forests and natural seagrass. The project is also planning restoration projects in the southern part of the Andaman Sea and organising campaigns to raise awareness about coastal ecology and restoration practices in local communities.
Advising the 22 signatories of the MoU is associate professor Siwarit Pongsakornrungsilp, acting dean of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Walailak University, who explained that the tourism industry is responsible – approximately eight per cent of Thailand’s total emissions of greenhouse gases can be attributed to transport, manufacturing, and hotel and restaurant operations.
The annual closure of Maya Bay, a popular destination in South-east Asia made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio starring blockbuster, The Beach, is another sustainable tourism scheme that has been successful in the region.
In 2018, the island was closed for three and a half years to allow the island’s coral reef and natural habitat to recover from the damage inflicted by thousands of tourists who visited everyday. Since re-opening last year, visitors to Maya Bay are restricted to 4,000 each day, and swimming has been banned to protect the area’s delicate eco-system.
Krabi’s Maya Bay is managed strictly now to conserve its natural environment
Crucially, the island now operates an annual closure of three months during the rainy season to encourage conservation and re-growth.
Another component of Krabi’s post-lockdown recovery is the upgrade of Krabi International Airport. The three billion baht (US$84 million) transformation will allow the airport to handle more passengers, refurbishing the two existing terminals, and constructing a third, and expanding parking facilities.
The new terminals will double the airport’s passenger-handling capacity from the current cap of 1,500 passengers per hour or four million annually to 3,000 passengers per hour or eight million annually. The project will complete by 2024, and fully operational in 2025.
There are plenty of properties in Krabi and Koh Lanta to service the enhanced passenger capacity, notably the Varana Hotel, which opened in April 2023. The five-star wellness-themed property features 141 luxury rooms and four swimming pools – including Krabi’s first Olympic-sized pool and the NAAM Wellness Pool, the location of the hotel’s 10-step DIY aqua therapy programme.
Over on Koh Lanta, Pimalai Resort & Spa has spent 50 million baht on updating its product, with 30 million worth of upgrades on its beachside villas and 20 million on installing an improved bar lounge bar.
The hotel has also begun a number of sustainable tours, including the Mangroves Tour and the Talabeng + Koh Lanta Old Town tour uncovers the dramatic limestone karsts and cliffs of Koh Talabeng island, before heading to Koh Lanta’s Old Town, a quaint port with more than 100 years of heritage.
The hotel participates in several community projects, such as a drive to release 50 endangered turtles and millions of crabs into the Andaman Sea, as part of its commitment to conserving the marine environment.
Prior to joining Silversea, he held the role of senior vice president, worldwide sales, at Costa Cruises.
