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Asia/Singapore Saturday, 4th April 2026
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New hotels: The Roseate Ganges, Element Melbourne Richmond, and more

By TTG Asia
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The Roseate Ganges, India
Nestled on the banks of the river Ganges in Rishikesh, this luxury retreat offers just 16 villas, each opening to a private balcony overlooking the Himalayan outdoors. Facilities include a temperature-controlled infinity swimming pool overlooking the surrounding valley; a private stretch of white sand beach next to the Ganges; the Aheli Spa; and two F&B options, the Chidya Ghar restaurant and Roasted by Roseate cafe. The retreat also offers an array of experiences ranging from nature walks to meditation, and river rafting to the Rajaji National Park.

Element Melbourne Richmond, Australia
The opening of Element Melbourne Richmond marks the debut of the brand in the country. Facilities in the 168-key hotel include an all-day dining space, 24/7 Restore grab-and-go pantry and a fitness centre. The property also offers guests a complimentary Bikes-to-Borrow programme, as well as a Relax reception four days a week, which offers complimentary small bites, local beers and wines.

In addition, the hotel boasts four modern meeting spaces, spanning a total of 256m2. Located on level five, rooms can be configured to welcome between 12 and 250 guests. An outdoor deck space is also available, with views of Melbourne’s skyline and CBD

ibis Styles Bangkok Ratchada, Thailand
Located steps away from Bangkok’s Huai Khwang subway station is the 266-room ibis Styles Bangkok Ratchada. Rooms range from the 25m2 Standard Room to the 34m2 Family Room good for up to four guests, and feature designs inspired by basket-weaving patterns. Amenities on-site includes the Streats Café and adjacent bar, a fitness centre and a spa. For meetings and events, the hotel offers three boardrooms, and one grand ballroom that can hold 150 guests theatre-style.

Kishi-ke, Japan
Billed as the first chisoku-themed modern ryokan, this luxury lodging in Kamakura – a seaside city just south of Tokyo – has just space for five people at a given time time. The ocean-view retreat is based on the concept of chisoku, which means ‘to know the feeling of being fulfilled with the now’, where the goal is to help guests achieve inner harmony by mindfulness. Experiences here include cultural workshops such as tea ceremonies (chado, senchado), katana practice and zazen meditation. In addition, guests can also partake in Buddhist cuisine, all of which are practices leading to chisoku.

Ascott Reit, Ascendas merger to create APAC’s largest hospitality trust

By TTG Asia
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Park Hotel Clarke Quay will be one of the 14 hotels in A-HTRUST's Asia-Pacific portfolio to be combined with Ascott Reit's owned properties under a CapitaLand entity

A proposed combination of Ascott Residence Trust (Ascott Reit) and Ascendas Hospitality Trust (A-HTRUST) will result in the largest hospitality trust in Asia-Pacific, and the eighth largest globally, with an asset value of S$7.6 billion (US$5.6 billion).

The combination will be effected by way of a trust scheme of arrangement, with Ascott Reit acquiring all the A-HTRUST Stapled Units. The total consideration for the combination is over S$1.2 billion, comprising S$61.8 million in cash and 902.8 million new Ascott Reit-BT Stapled Units.

Park Hotel Clarke Quay will be one of the 14 hotels in A-HTRUST’s Asia-Pacific portfolio to be combined with Ascott Reit properties under a CapitaLand entity

The transaction will bring together Ascott Reit’s global portfolio, which comprises predominantly serviced residences, and A-HTRUST’s 14 hotels in Asia-Pacific, creating an enlarged portfolio of 88 properties with more than 16,000 units in 39 cities and 15 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US.

It will also further diversify Ascott Reit’s global portfolio with foray into new gateway cities – Brisbane and Seoul.

“The enlarged portfolio will be further diversified with no single country accounting for more than 20 per cent of gross profit, thereby reducing concentration risk,” commented Tan Juay Hiang, CEO of the A-HTRUST Managers.

Chia Kim Huat, lead independent director of the A-HTRUST Managers, sees CapitaLand and its lodging unit, The Ascott, as a strong sponsor for the combined entity.

For Bob Tan, Ascott Reit’s chairman, the combination is a win-win for both parties’ unitholders. “Ascott Reit as a combined entity will see our asset value grow by 33 per cent to S$7.6 billion and our distribution per unit increase by 2.5 per cent for FY2018 on a pro forma basis.”

He expects that the entity will have a higher proportion of stable income derived from master leases, balanced by growth income derived from management contracts.

“With access to a larger capital base and a higher debt headroom of about S$1 billion, we will have greater financial flexibility to seek more accretive acquisitions and value enhancements. The combined entity can then be strategically positioned to potentially enjoy a positive re-rating of the unit price and gain a wider investor base, which would be beneficial to all our unitholders.”

Beh Siew Kim, Ascott Reit’s CEO, added: “This will present an enlarged capacity to acquire more assets as well as undertake more development and conversion projects, thereby increasing their asset values over time – all with an aim to bring about greater income stability through a resilient and well-diversified portfolio.”

Earnings contribution from developed countries is expected to increase to 82 per cent on a pro forma basis, according to Beh, which will facilitate the inclusion of Ascott Reit into the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Index and potentially result in higher trading liquidity and a larger investor base.

The combined entity will also the seventh largest trust listed on the Singapore Exchange by asset value.

TAT trims tourism forecast for 2019

By TTG Asia
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TAT revises down 2019 target for both international tourist arrivals and tourism receipts

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has downgraded its projections for international tourist arrivals, now down to 40.2 million from the 41.3 million forecast earlier, the Bangkok Post reported.

The agency has also trimmed its forecast revenue growth from tourism receipts, which include domestic travel, to 9.5 per cent from 10 per cent. This brings the expected revenue for the year to 3.38 trillion baht (US$110.6 billion), down slightly from the previous projection of 3.4 trillion.

TAT revises down 2019 projections for both international tourist arrivals and overall tourism receipts

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn attributed the less optimistic projections to the global economic slowdown, the baht’s appreciation and soaring fuel prices disrupting travel plans, according to the Bangkok Post report.

For 2020, he is targeting a 10 per cent growth in tourism revenue, hopeful that the unfavourable conditions in 2019 will ease next year.

The target is achievable, he said, as TAT places greater focus on market segmentation and potential niche markets, especially lifestyle and health-oriented individual tourists who tend to spend more during trips.

The aim is to increase the portion of quality tourists who have income above US$60,000 a year to 20 per cent by 2021 from the current 13 per cent, the Bangkok Post article stated.

The Bangkok Post also quoted Tossaporn Sirisamphan, chairman of the TAT board, who stressed the importance of developing existing tourism destinations and new products.

There is a national plan to promote small provinces so tourism benefits could be better distributed to local communities in secondary destinations. The aim is to narrow the ratio of tourism receipts from major cities against second-tier provinces to 80:20 by 2022. The ratio was 87:13 last year.

Related projects include a plan for the Southern Economic Corridor that will create a strategic zone between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, especially Ranong province, where there is an eight-metre-deep seaport.

Another project is the development of the Thailand Riviera into a romantic coastline, a scheme already tabled for cabinet consideration.

Trafalgar launches travel agent podcasts

By Yixin Ng
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The podcast launched with an initial five-part series

Trafalgar has launched the industry’s first agent e-learning podcast to enable travel agents to listen and learn about the company’s brand stories and “behind-the-scenes” information while on the go.

The initial five-part series, Travel Unlocked, will see the brand reveal stories and “never-before-shared information” from a variety of guests within the business, such as travel directors, sales managers, product developers and CEO Gavin Tollman.

The podcast launched with an initial five-part series

The episodes will cover FAQs, JoinTrafalgar sustainability efforts, and how Be My Guest – another innovation by Trafalgar – was born.

The podcast will address travel agents’ desire for “behind-the-scenes” access to brand knowledge. Conrad McCall, Trafalgar’s global trade engagement manager and podcast host, shared that “94 per cent of agents surveyed said they wanted access to information that consumers could not find in any brochure or online, cementing their role as the experts in the industry.”

“As category leaders, we saw the opportunity to reach our valued agent partners in a way that suits them – that directly addresses challenges they currently face with accessing brand information in a hassle-free way. This e-learning series truly speaks to our AgentsFirst mantra and constant innovative thinking,” McCall said.

Travel Unlocked mainly functions as an educational tool, with 90 per cent of agents surveyed wanting better e-learning resources.

Each episode has an associated quiz, which can be accessed through TTC Academy, either via a desktop or on the go via the Litmos App. Agents can download the app, log in with their TTC Academy credentials and listen to the podcasts, accessing the review questions directly in the app.

“These podcasts will change the game for our agent partners, opening up opportunities for them to learn about our brand on an even deeper level, in turn empowering them to share the Trafalgar story with their customers when recommending travel choices, and with plenty of laughs along the way,” McCall summarised.

Travel Unlocked is now available via Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn as well as TTC Academy. It will also be available at a later date on Apple Podcasts.

ASEAN tourism invites travellers to Feel the Warmth with Mastercard

By TTG Asia
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Ho Kham Luang in Chiang Mai

Mastercard and ASEAN NTOs have entered a two-year partnership to promote South-east Asia through a campaign that celebrates the region’s geography, culture and heritage sites, as well as the hospitality of its residents.

In addition to promoting travel across intra-ASEAN corridors, the Feel the Warmth campaign also aims to boost inbound travel from China, India and Australia.

Ho Kham Luang Pavilion at Royal Park Rajapruek in Chiang Mai

“This is a great opportunity for our 10 member states to celebrate South-east Asia as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination,” said Benito Bengzon, undersecretary, Philippines Department of Tourism, who is also chair of the ASEAN Tourism Marketing Partnership Working Group.

“By partnering with Mastercard and featuring convenient and secure ways to pay cross-border, we’re delivering on our vision of creating a cohesive ASEAN economy and sharing the vast array of exciting experiences with travellers from every corner of the world.”

In addition to acceptance at over three million merchants in the region, travellers can also use their Mastercard cards to pay for local travel and small purchases. For example, Mastercard contactless credit, debit and prepaid cards can be used to pay for buses and trains in Singapore, as well as e-payments at convenience stores in Thailand and taxi apps across South-east Asia.

“South-east Asia offers a treasure trove of opportunity and experiences for businesses and consumers, and Mastercard’s collaboration with the ASEAN Tourism Board will give travellers even more reason to immerse themselves in the region’s dynamic environment,” commented Audrey Yeo, vice president, marketing and communications, Southeast Asia, Mastercard.

Mastercard’s partnership with the ASEAN NTOs builds on an earlier collaboration between the two organisations, the Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration, which brought together tourism partners and Mastercard’s global Priceless Cities programme to strike a universal chord with consumers across different countries, languages and cultures.

AirAsia forms pact to bring more travellers to Western Australia

By TTG Asia
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From left: Tourism Western Australia's Ava Ang; Western Australia tourism minister Paul Papalia; and AirAsia X Malaysia's Benyamin Ismail and Chia PinYu

On the back of its largest-ever A$12 million (US$8.4 million) international tourism marketing offensive just launched in Singapore on Tuesday, Tourism Western Australia has rolled out similar efforts in Malaysia with the sealing of an expanded cooperative marketing agreement with AirAsia yesterday.

The deal, worth A$1 million (US$703,575), will see joint marketing campaigns developed to promote affordable flights to Western Australia, including flight deals, print, television, radio, cinema and online advertising.

From left: Tourism Western Australia’s Ava Ang; Western Australia tourism minister Paul Papalia; and AirAsia X Malaysia’s Benyamin Ismail and Chia PinYu

It is hoped the combined campaign activity in Malaysia alone will generate more than 29,000 visitors, as well as promote Western Tourism to markets such as India, China and Japan, where AirAsia’s “route network is the strongest”, said AirAsia X Malaysia’s CEO Benyamin Ismail.

The signing follows the launch of Tourism Western Australia’s Muslim Travel Guide. The guide features road trip routes, itineraries, must-visit attractions, restaurants and Muslim-friendly facilities in the state.

Eventbrite’s Facebook integration feature to enhance ticketing distribution

By TTG Asia
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Singapore event creators currently using the integration include The Whiskey Wander

Global ticketing and event technology platform Eventbrite has announced the Singaporean launch of Buy On Facebook, an integration that allows event creators and attendees to more easily sell and buy tickets directly through Facebook.

With the integration, event attendees can secure a ticket with just two taps, and without having to leave Facebook.

Singapore event creators currently using the integration include The Whiskey Wander

In a statement, Eventbrite said that its integration with Facebook will serve as a powerful event marketing tool, helping event creators reach millions of potential ticket buyers – and their friends.

When event-goers purchase a ticket on Facebook, their attendance can be shared with friends with a single tap, expanding the event’s reach and generating more buzz, according to the ticketing company.

What’s more, events that offer native ticketing have, on average, twice the number of viewers on Facebook as those without native tickets.

Phil Silverstone, general manager, Eventbrite Asia Pacific, said: “Reaching new attendees and providing a frictionless purchase experience is one of the greatest challenges event professionals face. Buy on Facebook solves both of these problems for event creators, providing a two-step native checkout experience that accelerates the conversion of browsers to buyers, seamlessly.”

Besides Singapore, Eventbrite’s Buy on Facebook integration is also available in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada.

Aviation roundup: Thai Airways, Korean Air and more

By TTG Asia
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THAI unveils flights to Sendai
Beginning October 29, 2019, Thai Airways International (THAI) will operate direct flights from Bangkok to Sendai, Japan three times a week.

The route will utilise a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 30 seats in Royal Silk Class and 279 seats in Economy Class.

TG626 will depart Bangkok on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 23.50, and arrive in Sendai at 07.30 the following day. The return flight, TG627 will depart Sendai on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11.15, and land in Bangkok at 16.05.

Korean Air adds China and Philippines to network
Korean Air will launch three new routes to cities in China and one to the Philippines.

The new China routes of Korean Air will be Incheon-Nanjing, Zhangjiajie and Hangzhou. Meanwhile, the carrier will begin services between Incheon and Clark with seven flights a week beginning in end October.

The airline will also increase its frequency of the Incheon-Delhi to seven flights a week from September 1, and up the Incheon-Beijing route from 14 flights a week to 18 flights a week from end October.

As well, the airline will suspend the Incheon-Nadi (Fiji) flight from October 1.

Thai AirAsia X now flies to Brisbane
Thai AirAsia X is the first in the AirAsia Group to start direct flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Brisbane. The four-times weekly scheduled flights will be operated on an Airbus A330-300.

Flight XJ310 will Don Mueang at 23.40 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and arrive in Brisbane at 11.35 the following day. Return flight XJ311 will depart Brisbane on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12.50, and arrive in Bangkok at 19.10.

United adds second daily service between San Francisco and Hong Kong
United Airlines has added a second daily nonstop flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong from October 26. This will give customers the choice of midday or late-night departures from both airports.

Qatar Airways bring Qsuite onboard its Bangkok Route
Qatar Airways will launch its business class seat, Qsuite, on board flights from Bangkok starting July 15.

QSuite features the industry’s first-ever double bed available in business class, with privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private cabin. Adjustable panels and movable TV monitors in the centre of four seats allow people travelling together to transform the space into a private suite.

Capri by Fraser China Square, Singapore

By Rachel AJ Lee
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Jun Restaurant

Location
Frasers Hospitality has opened its latest Capri by Fraser hotel in the heart of Singapore’s CBD, a buzzing district during the weekdays but a quiet respite on the weekends.

For overseas guests, the 16-storey hotel offers a convenient base from which they can explore the Lion City, as there are four MRT lines (green, red, purple and blue) within a 10-minute walk.

Capri by Fraser China Square
1 of 7
Lobby
Jun Restaurant
The Den
Studio Executive Bedroom
Studio Deluxe Executive
Gym (with talents)
Swimming Pool

Rooms
My 29m2 Studio Executive has a kitchenette, complete with cooker hood, hob, microwave, plates and cooking utensils. While compact, the room type makes a good option for longer-staying guests, or even those who like to do light cooking while on vacation.

The side tables on both sides of the comfortable king-sized bed came in a special shape, inspired by the tiffin carriers of yesteryears. There were ample USB ports on both sides of the bed, but I especially liked the wireless charger positioned under the lamp on the work desk. This came in extremely handy – and was a relief – as I forgot to bring a cable to charge my iPhoneX.

I did however, find it cumbersome to climb in and out of the bathtub to access the shower, and would have preferred a shower stall instead. The Wi-Fi was speedy, and there was no limit to the devices connected per room.

F&B
JÙN Restaurant is the sole all-day dining outlet on-site, serving local dishes like salted egg chicken and Teochew-style steamed fish, alongside innovative offerings such as chilli crab rillette kueh pie tee and baked chempedak crumble.

This is also where guests go for the breakfast buffet line in the mornings. My stomach was very pleased with the breakfast spread, as most of the dishes I tried were really tasty, in particular the hokkien mee.

Facilities
There is a rooftop pool (with underwater speakers so you can have music while doing laps); steam rooms; a fully-equipped gym that boasts Prama, an interactive fitness platform; and the 24/7 Spin & Play launderette with an Atari Pong table.

There are also two interconnecting meeting rooms, the 45m2 Pod 1 &78m2 Pod 2, on the second floor.

On the same floor is also the executive lounge, The Den, outfitted with plush sofas, business class-esque chairs in muted pinks and blues, as well as wireless chargers. Coffee and snacks were free flow, and I was delighted to see sandwiches alongside the biscuits. There were also several boardgames on offer, which could accommodate one to four players.

Service
Most service staff were courteous and helpful when approached, except for one who was a little rougher around the edges, though it’s nothing a little training won’t fix.

Verdict
Its enviable location, smack in the middle of Telok Ayer, is perfect for staycationers on the weekends as the CBD is quiet, and for bleisure travellers who work in the CBD area.

Number of rooms 304
Rates From S$250 (US$183)
Contact details
Tel (65) 6437 0888
Email reservations.singapore@capribyfraser.com

Japan’s Royal Park Hotels appoints first female GM

By TTG Asia
0

Royal Park Hotels has appointed Hiroko Seki as the general manager of The Royal Park Canvas – Ginza 8, becoming the first-ever female general manager in the history of the Japan-headquartered hospitality group.

Seki has more than 16 years of hospitality experience under her belt, having worked in overseas properties such as Hanoi Daewoo Hotel in Vietnam and Mandarin Orchard Singapore.

In 2012 she returned to Japan and was employed at Royal Park Shiodome Tower as front receptionist, where she worked her way up to vice general manager accommodation in 2016.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Sun World Vũng Tàu unveils beachfront water park in Vietnam
TTG Asia | Sono signs hotel project in Hanoi Old Quarter for 2026 opening
TTG Asia | Asia-Pacific LCCs face fuel cost shock amid Middle East conflict