TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Thursday, 29th January 2026
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Page 40

Plaza Premium Group builds presence in Cambodia with two lounges at Techo International Airport

By TTG Asia
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Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has opened Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounge at Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The launch strengthens the group’s presence in South-east Asia and aligns with Cambodia’s sustainable development goals.

The new airport has been designed to incorporate eco-friendly technologies and energy-efficient systems.

Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounge open in Phnom Penh, featuring local art, cuisine, and design inspired by Cambodian culture

Plaza Premium First, with capacity for 110 guests, marks the brand’s debut in Cambodia, following locations in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Vancouver, and Jakarta. The lounge features interiors inspired by Cambodian culture, including decorative motifs and artwork by artist and sustainability advocate Bill Bensley.

Facilities include two private VIP rooms and massage services, while the menu features local flavours such as the KTI Passion Mood Mocktail and Passion Paradise Cocktail made with Khmer ingredients.

Plaza Premium Lounge, with 120 seats, offers a calm setting that highlights Cambodian art and cuisine. Guests can sample dishes such as Beef Lok Lak and Fish Amok, alongside Pursat Orange Juice and Koh Kroubey’s Jasmine Tea. The lounge showcases works by artist Dina Chhan and welcomes guests with ambassadors dressed in the traditional Sampot.

The new lounges reflect PPG’s approach to airport hospitality by combining operational consistency with local culture and design.

“Cambodia’s Techo International Airport represents a critical hub in the region and offers exciting opportunities for PPG, given the airport’s expansion plan with two additional runways to be completed in phases, passenger capacity is expected to reach 45 million by 2050,” said Cavin Loh, regional general manager (Southeast Asia) of PPG.

Singapore Cable Car expands with 13 new SkyOrb cabins

By TTG Asia
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Mount Faber Leisure Group will add 13 SkyOrb cabins to the Singapore Cable Car’s Mount Faber Line, bringing the total to 20 from mid-November 2025. The expansion follows strong demand for the initial seven cabins, making the SkyOrb experience available to more visitors.

The larger fleet will offer a full round-trip on the Mount Faber Line, connecting Singapore and Sentosa. The upgrade replaces the previous one-way route and increases passenger capacity.

The new SkyOrb cabins offer full round-trip journeys with panoramic views

Launched in March 2024 as part of the Singapore Cable Car’s 50th anniversary, the SkyOrb cabin is the world’s first chrome-finished spherical cable car. Designed in Switzerland, it features illuminated rings, glass floors, and louvred windows, providing panoramic views from Mount Faber Station to Sentosa Station.

From now to November 5, 2025, the Singapore Cable Car will offer an online promotion of S$60 (US$44) for two passengers for a round trip on the SkyOrb Cabin (usual price S$96 for two).

For more information, visit Mount Faber Leisure Group.

Preferred Travel Group appoints South-east Asia area MD

By TTG Asia
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Preferred Travel Group has appointed Christine Tan as area managing director for South-east Asia, effective October 29, 2025. Based in Singapore, she will oversee account management and business development across the region, supporting the growth and visibility of Preferred’s global portfolio of more than 600 independent luxury hotels and experiences.

Tan brings over 30 years of experience across the hospitality and technology sectors, with expertise in hotel distribution, sales strategy, and client relationship management. She most recently served as vice president of sales – APAC at Lighthouse, a SaaS platform supporting more than 75,000 hotels worldwide.

Douglas Glen returns as GM of Carlton City Hotel Singapore

By TTG Asia
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Carlton City Hotel Singapore has appointed Douglas Glen as general manager, marking his return to the property after previously leading the team through the pandemic period.

Glen brings over three decades of hospitality experience to his current role, and will oversee all operational and financial aspects of the 386-key business hotel, driving strategic growth while maintaining the property’s high standards of service and guest experience.

He previously held senior positions at The Regent Hotel Group in Hua Hin, The Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, The Steigenberger Riverside Bangkok, The Landmark Bangkok, and The Landmark London.

Luxury travel shifts from opulence to access and experience

By Stephanie Zheng
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Luxury travel is evolving, with high-net-worth travellers trading opulence for access to remote landscapes, authentic cultural experiences, and personalised journeys.

Hannah Pearson from the Adventure Travel Trade Association highlighted a US$1.16 trillion global market for adventure travel, noting a shift from passive sightseeing to purposeful, intimate experiences that connect visitors with nature, people, and place.

Panelists at ITB Asia 2025 highlighted a shift in luxury travel from opulence to immersive, high-value experiences in remote and culturally rich destinations; photo by Stephanie Zheng

“Luxury used to be opulence and being pampered,” said Willie Wibamanto, sales manager at Flywire, during a panel on luxury adventure travel at ITB Asia 2025. “These days, luxury means more access, reaching places we never dreamed of.”

Bhutan exemplifies this trend, positioning itself as a low-volume, high-value destination. By welcoming only those willing to pay a premium, the Himalayan kingdom preserves its environment, maintains traditions, and ensures tourism benefits local communities. Visitors can trek sacred valleys, explore centuries-old monasteries, and connect with artisans and monks without the distractions of mass tourism.

Joe Zou from HX Expeditions noted how their small hybrid vessels combine “comfort, science and sustainability” to bring guests face-to-face with penguins in Antarctica or glaciers in Greenland. “You want access to those places, and I guess luxury is taking (that access) to the next level,” he said.

Wayne Kum from the Japan National Tourism Organization added that travellers are spending more time in fewer locations to “immerse themselves in local culture and well-being”, signalling a shift from quantity to quality.

For a new generation of high-value travellers, ultimate luxury lies in intimacy: private onsens after limited-access mountain hikes, or stepping foot where few have gone before. The appeal is fewer people, richer experiences, and deeper connections.

HotelMinder creates global network to help hoteliers solve operational challenges

By TTG Asia
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HotelMinder, a hospitality industry resource offering a free knowledge platform and technology marketplace for global hoteliers, has launched Lobby, the industry’s first network connecting hoteliers with vetted hospitality experts.

Lobby aims to provide actionable, affordable solutions to operational challenges and is free to join for both experts and hoteliers. Services operate on a commission-based model.

Lobby offers hoteliers free access to vetted hospitality specialists to tackle operational challenges and boost performance

Currently in beta, Lobby gives hoteliers access to specialists across functions including revenue management, operations, distribution, tech stack consultation, marketing and automation, and hotel management consulting. Lobby’s global experts bring hundreds of years of combined experience supporting properties of all sizes.

With the launch of OpenAI-integrated Booking.com and Expedia apps, which the OTAs are using to maintain control over the marketplace, it is increasingly important for hoteliers to adopt innovative operational strategies to protect direct bookings and retain market share.

Founded in 2013, HotelMinder initially sought to make advanced operational technology accessible to smaller, independent properties, helping them compete effectively regardless of budget. 12 years later, the company has launched Lobby to provide additional support and resources to hoteliers worldwide.

Benjamin Verot, founder of HotelMinder, shared that up to now, there had been no global network of consultants where hoteliers could source trusted support for their business, and that Lobby had been created to address that gap in the marketplace.

He said: “As more hotels implement sophisticated technology to support their operations, technology is no longer enough to make a property stand out from the crowd online.

“Today, savvy hoteliers are developing out-of-the-box operational strategies – supported by the knowledge and actionable insights of specialised industry experts – to increase their operational efficiency, maximise their bookings, and retain profitability over the long-term.”

Scenic Group launches Scenic Ikon ahead of 2028 inaugural season

By TTG Asia
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Scenic Group is expanding its Discovery Yacht fleet with the addition of Scenic Ikon, scheduled to begin sailing in April 2028. The new vessel marks the next phase of the company’s ultra-luxury expedition operations, designed to navigate both polar and warm water destinations.

Scenic Ikon will accommodate up to 270 guests in 135 verandah suites, each measuring between 34m² and 250m² across five decks. The ship will meet Polar Code 6 standards with an Ice Class 1A Super hull and include two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, a custom Triton AVA submersible, Zodiacs, and luxury tenders.

Scenic Ikon sets sail in April 2028 with polar and tropical itineraries

Construction milestones include a steel-cutting ceremony in February 2025 attended by Croatian prime minister Andrej Plenković and a keel-laying in May 2025. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2027, followed by testing and entry into service.

The inaugural voyage will depart from Venice in April 2028 and has sold out, with strong demand for subsequent departures. The maiden season, running through March 2029, will cover 110 ports in 21 countries and 26 new destinations, including the Mediterranean, Aegean, Egypt, Cape Verde Islands, Dakar, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and the Chilean fjords.

On board, guests will find 15 dining venues, lounges and leisure spaces designed around Scenic’s all-inclusive model. The two-level Senses Rejuvenation Spa, spanning 1,700m², will offer spa therapies, hydrotherapy and fitness experiences. Each voyage will include excursions, events and entertainment.

Scenic Ikon’s helicopter programme will feature landings at golf courses, restaurants and historic sites, as well as access to remote wilderness regions. The submersible, Scenic Neptune III, will allow guests to explore underwater environments in destinations such as Antarctica.

“(Scenic Ikon) is the result of more than three years of passion, innovation and development by our team, and we are delighted to share the Discovery Yacht with our valued guests, travel advisors and partners. Every element of Scenic Ikon’s design has been optimised to deliver unrivalled experiences across diverse destinations and environments, from its primary base the Mediterranean to the wilds of Antarctica,” said Glen Moroney, founder and chairman of Scenic Group.

Swire Hotels unifies House Collective under global Upper House brand

By TTG Asia
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Swire Hotels has introduced Upper House, a global brand that unites its House Collective properties and marks a new phase of international growth.

The move also includes the launch of the brand’s first branded residences project, Upper House Residences, in Bangkok in 2030.

Swire Hotels brings its House Collective portfolio under the global Upper House brand, marking a strategic shift toward international consistency; Upper House Shenzhen to open in 2027, pictured

Following the success of Upper House Hong Kong, ranked among the top five in the World’s 50 Best Hotels for two consecutive years and recognised in the inaugural global Michelin Keys selection, all existing Houses in Hong Kong (Two Keys), Chengdu (One Key) and Shanghai (One Key) will be renamed Upper House. Future openings in Shenzhen, Xi’an, Tokyo and Bangkok will also carry the Upper House name, strengthening brand consistency across international markets.

The rebrand brings together the group’s portfolio under one name while maintaining the brand’s Houses not Hotels philosophy. Each property reflects its local culture through guest experience, dining and service.

Upper House Residences Bangkok, opening in 2030, will extend the brand’s hospitality approach to residential living. The project will offer homeowners integrated amenities, services and property management under the Upper House brand.

Upcoming openings include Shenzhen in 2027, Xi’an in 2028, Tokyo in 2029, and Bangkok in 2030 with the launch of Upper House Residences.

Dean Winter, managing director of Swire Hotels, said: “The rebrand heralds a new chapter for Upper House as a single, iconic brand. Guided by the same passion, precision, and incredible people who shaped our vision of hospitality over almost two decades, the Upper House experience remains unexpected and personal, where genuine hospitality, thoughtful design and unscripted service create something truly memorable.”

Ireckonu targets Asia-Pacific growth with data-driven hotel platform

By Kathryn Wortley
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Amsterdam-based hospitality technology company Ireckonu is targeting growth in the Asia-Pacific region, building on opportunities identified since opening its Singapore office in December 2024.

With the mission to empower hotels with reliable insights and streamlined software, the company offers a three-part platform: a middleware layer that connects all systems in a hotel ecosystem; an AI- and machine learning-powered customer data layer that merges the profiles of each guest across hotel facilities; and a marketing automation layer that can be used for customised marketing or to power other marketing tools in the hotel’s system.

Sam Samsudi highlights Ireckonu’s plan to help hotels in Asia-Pacific capture market share through personalised guest experiences and improved data visibility; photo by Kathryn Wortley

Asia-Pacific’s huge population, increasingly mobile travellers and growing number of hotels make it a hugely attractive location for growth, according to Ireckonu.

“We foresee at least double digital growth in the next three years,” said Sam Samsudi, director of Asia-Pacific, Ireckonu.

The region’s younger generations and high-value customers, in particular, expect to receive tailored communications from hotel brands based on their previously recorded preferences, stays or experiences, so trying to reach them using fragmented, non-consolidated data means “brands are missing out”, he noted.

Samsudi aims to help hotels differentiate themselves and capture a greater share of the market from OTAs by providing them with better visibility of their data.

By using Ireckonu, brands will be equipped to offer a personalised experience, he explained, emphasising the need for them “to engage customers at the right time with the right messaging”.

New hotels: Prince Hotel Da Nang, Mett Singapore and more

By TTG Asia
0
Prince Hotel Da Nang

Prince Hotel Da Nang, Vietnam
Prince Hotel Da Nang, formerly Sel de Mer Hotel Suites, features 164 rooms and suites with private balconies overlooking Danang city or My Khe Beach.

Facilities include multiple dining options, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, an infinity pool, a gym, and a spa with treatments inspired by Japanese techniques.

The hotel is located near My Khe Beach and provides easy access to the Son Tra Peninsula, Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountain, Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Golden Bridge.

Mett Singapore

Mett Singapore, Singapore
Mett Singapore, the brand’s flagship property in Asia Pacific, features 84 suites and rooms ranging from 35m² to 160m², overlooking Fort Canning Park or the city skyline.

Facilities include two outdoor pools, padel and pickleball courts, gym, fitness classes, a grand ballroom for 800 guests, and the upcoming Madison House members’ club with The Longevity Suite wellness centre.

The hotel offers multiple dining venues, including Italian, Korean, and contemporary concepts. Located within Fort Canning Park, guests have easy access to museums, live events, outdoor activities, and Singapore’s central city attractions.

Kahanda Kanda

Kahanda Kanda, Sri Lanka
Kahanda Kanda has added five luxury pool villas and opened the KK Spa, offering private plunge pools and views over Lake Koggala and surrounding jungle.

Villas are designed for couples, honeymooners, and families, with access to guided jungle walks and the Cinnamon Experience exploring Sri Lanka’s spice heritage.

The treetop spa features treatments using local ingredients, including massages, steam sessions, Dead Sea mud wraps, and consultations with a Hela Vedakama healer, complemented by wellness retreats with yoga, meditation, and mindful dining.

Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney

Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney, Australia
Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney offers 174 rooms from Standard to Premium with city and neighbourhood views. Facilities include a social hub combining café, bar, co-working space, and event venue, alongside curated programming and locally influenced dining.

Located in Haymarket, the hotel is steps from Central Station, the Light Rail, Capitol Theatre, and Chinatown, providing easy access to Sydney’s cultural and commercial attractions.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Thai operators cut new, deeper pathways into Thailand
TTG Asia | Stronger ringgit lifts outbound travel from Malaysia
TTG Asia | ASEANTA honours regional tourism achievements at awards in Cebu