TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 8th April 2026
Page 560

New hotels: Momentus Hotel Alexandra, Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin and more

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Momentus Hotel Alexandra

Momentus Hotel Alexandra, Singapore
Momentus Hotel Alexandra is a 442-key property situated near Singapore’s city area and in proximity to the comforts of the heartlands.

The hotel features reflect its commitment to sustainability, such as in-room smart digital thermostats, recycling bins in every guest room, the elimination of single-use plastics, and a rooftop hydroponic corner for cultivating ingredients for use at the restaurant and bar.

On-site facilities include F&B outlets, an infinity pool, lounge, and event venues.

Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin

Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand
Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin is a beachside retreat situated in the town which was once the summer retreat of the Thai royal family.

Nestled directly along Cha-am Beach, the resort offers 243 rooms and suites as well as dining options, outdoor pool with water slide, water sports activity hub, fitness centre, spa, skate park, kids club, and direct beachfront access. Function spaces are also available.

The property is close to Hua Hin’s top cultural attractions, including historic royal palaces, golden temples, colonial-style architecture and lively night markets.

Vinpearl Landmark 81 – Autograph Collection

Vinpearl Landmark 81 – Autograph Collection, Vietnam
Vinpearl Landmark 81 – Autograph Collection is located from the 47th to 71st floors of the Landmark 81 tower on the west bank of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh district.

The 223-room hotel within Vietnam’s tallest skyscraper featurs restaurants, spa, salon, fitness centre, infinity pool and event spaces.

Landmark 81 also houses an upmarket lifestyle mall, ice skating rink, cinema, kids’ play centre and multiple dining venues.

NH Collection Dubai The Palm

NH Collection Dubai The Palm, the UAE
NH Collection Dubai The Palm is positioned in a new development on the Palm Jumeirah with direct access to West Palm Beach. Just 30 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, the hotel also provides easy access to Dubai’s many attractions and fine cuisine.

The hotel features 226 rooms and suites in addition to 306 studios and apartments across 11 room categories – it also houses five restaurants, two bars, an infinity pool, beach club, kids club, and event venues.

Designed to minimise environmental impact, the hotel has its own water plant and solar panels, as well as other initiatives such as an onsite apiary, a hydroponic farm and a community market.

Singapore’s Southern Islands get sustainable tourism transformation

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Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will commence sustainable tourism activations on Singapore’s Southern Islands, with a collection of five low-impact accommodation units on Lazarus Island being the first of a series of initiatives to come.

Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island – the first short-term stay accommodation available on the island – will be operated by Big Tiny, said to be the first Singaporean company to integrate the concept of “tiny houses” with ecotourism.

Artist’s impression of a Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island unit that will launch this April

Measuring between 14m2 and 15.8m2, these units are both compact and functional, and designed to reduce holidaymakers’ carbon footprint through reliance on solar energy as the main source of power and the use of energy-efficient electrical appliances; deployment of high-tech food waste recycling systems in partnership with local start-up Westcom Solutions; and the use of sustainable composite building materials produced from recycled plastic and wood fibre, which can be repurposed into composite cladding for the construction of new “tiny houses” at the end of their lifespan.

Biodegradable shampoo and body wash will be provided complimentary to guests.

Guests of Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island will have access to almost 128 hectares of natural landscape to explore on the connected islands of Seringat, Lazarus, St John’s and Kias.

The accommodation unit will launch in April this year, and will be joined by other infrastructure and activities in phases around June. Upcoming developments include a convenience store, overnight glamping experiences, and non-motorised water activities.

Existing amenities on the islands include bicycle rentals and the Glasshouse, an air-conditioned multipurpose space.

Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of SDC, said: “For the first time, we are extending the Sentosa getaway for guests through short-term stays on Lazarus Island where they can discover a new experience in the idyllic Southern Islands. Aligned with SDC’s sustainability goals, these unique accommodation units have utilised innovative, sustainable solutions and technologies to allow guests to lower their carbon footprint.”

The Southern Islands is accessible from the Sentosa Jetty@Cove via a 15-minute boat ride.

China eases Covid-19 test rules for some inbound travellers

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Cebu Pacific beefs up regional operations

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Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific is expanding its route network with three new operations from Mactan Cebu International Airport, starting this month.

Starting March 26, Cebu Pacific will fly from Cebu to Naga in the province of Camarines Sur, the Philippines four times weekly, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. It is the only carrier to operate flights directly between the two destinations.

Cebu Pacific will commence a new service to domestic Naga Airport, and resume flights to Hong Kong and Japan’s Narita

The airline will also resume daily flights from Cebu to Hong Kong beginning March 26.

From May 1, Cebu Pacific will restart services to Narita, Japan seven times weekly.

With three additional routes, the airline will have direct flights to 23 domestic and four international destinations from Cebu.

It is set to restore 100 per cent of its pre-Covid network and capacity in March 2023. It now flies to 34 domestic destinations and will reinstate all its 25 international destinations in 1Q2023.

Genting Dream brings good vibes on board

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Domitys debuts in Malaysia with senior living residences

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Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

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After successful runs in Europe and the US, the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has finally made its way to South-east Asia with a debut in Singapore.

Held at Resorts World Sentosa, this 360-degree digital immersive art experience harnesses a blend of artwork replicas, digital projections, Virtual Reality (VR), and atmospheric light and sound to take visitors deep into Vincent van Gogh’s world.

Leading into the exhibition venue is an enormous façade of cobalt blue and stunning yellow blooms – an amalgamation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Sunflowers – that hints at the visual fest that is to come.

Passing through hallways of artwork replicas, including the Dutch artist’s many self-portraits (keep your eyes peeled for a surprise), visitors will soon find themselves in multiple galleries that convey stories of his growing up years and family, his move into art, his struggles, his inspirations and his dedication to perfection.

Art aficionados may appreciate the exhibition for its innovative showcase of more than 300 vivid artworks, but this is also an attraction that will engage and enchant even those unfamiliar with the artist and his creations.

There are many fun highlights here, including The Immersive Room, which presents a mesmerising 40-minute digital projection mapping showcase of Van Gogh’s most famous artworks; the Japonisme gallery, which provides insights into Japanese art influences to Van Gogh’s work and where matcha tea demonstrations are offered to visitors; and the A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles VR Experience, where visitors don VR headsets and walk through stunning landscapes that replicate some of his iconic artworks.

Besides the visual awe, there are nuggets of Van Gogh fun facts to take home too, thanks to excellent storytelling.

Verdict
This educational and entertaining experience has the potential to cater to both the Van Gogh fanatic and the layman, as well as people across ages. Little ones will find joy rolling on fields of projected flowers in The Immersive Room and Japonisme gallery. Should visitors determine an attraction’s worth through its ‘Instagrammability’, then Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience would score well.

Rate: S$24 (US$17.80) for adults; S$15 for children
Website: http://www.vangoghexpo.com/singapore

HSBC Women’s World Championship returns to Singapore with spectator extravaganza

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Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium appoints new DOSM

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Carina Toh has been named director of sales & marketing at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium.

An experienced hotelier with over a decade of experience in sales and marketing, she has worked in China since 2008 and was most recently director of sales & marketing at W Xi’an.

Hong Kong unveils more support for travel and tourism industry

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More initiatives to support Hong Kong’s travel and tourism industry have been detailed, following the government’s 2023/24 budget announcement last week.

The Travel Agents Incentive Scheme, which is due to expire end of March 2023, will be extended by three months. New schemes for fully guaranteed loans will be offered to eligible passenger transport operators and licensed travel agents, with about HK$2.7 billion (US$344 million) set aside for this purpose. Furthermore, some HK$30 million will be injected into the Information Technology Development Matching Fund Scheme for Travel Agents.

The government’s 2023/24 budget has allocated funds to help with the recovery of the travel and tourism industry

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will also get an additional HK$200 million to fund its fight for more international business events and high value‑added visitors, allowing it to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as the premier business events destination in the region.

In response to these measures, Travel Industry Council (TIC) chairman Gianna Hsu told TTG Asia that the industry is disappointed that the proposed Travel Industry Resumption Fund had fallen through.

The fund, first put forward to secretary for culture, sports and tourism Kevin Yeung by Legislative Council member Perry Yiu Pak-leung in a meeting last November, was meant to support the beleaguered travel and tourism industry in relaunching their business.

Yiu recognised that the industry needed to recruit manpower and carry out repair and maintenance for equipment and facilities that have been left idle for a long period of time, putting them under tremendous cash flow pressure as they prepare for tourism recovery.

In a press statement, TIC reiterated the financial and manpower challenges faced by its stakeholders in the present early stage of tourism recovery.

Hsu also told TTG Asia: “We wish for more supportive measures to be deployed in future. Hopefully, the government will keep monitoring our business situation and lend its support in a timely manner.”

The return of arrivals from China, a major source market, is still slow, according to Hsu. While Chinese tour groups are now allowed to travel to Hong Kong, the destination receives no more than 20 tour groups from China daily.

“It is hoped that the numbers will triple in March,” she said.