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Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 8th April 2026
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Ubud in consideration for UNWTO’s pilot gastronomic destination

By Tiara Maharani
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Sun rising over a paddy field in Ubud, Bali

Ubud in Bali could become the first gastronomic destination endorsed by the UNWTO, fanning Indonesia’s hopes to develop gastronomic and culinary tourism.

Arief Yahya, Indonesia’s tourism minister said Ubud’s run for UNWTO recognition is part of the country’s overarching strategy to develop gastronomic tourism. “The richness of culture and tradition in Indonesia produces interesting gastronomic diversity. If gastronomy is properly developed, it can be (an important tourism asset).”

Sun rising over a paddy field in Ubud, Bali

According to data from the Ministry of Tourism data, around 30-40 per cent of tourist spending goes to food-related consumption. The ministry also projects 35 per cent of overseas travellers will visit the country to explore gastronomy by 2030.

Vita Datau, chief of the tourism ministry’s acceleration and tourism development team, said that Ubud is picked due to its readiness for gastronomic tourism and support from the regional government.

Vita added: “Another consideration is that the culture of local wisdom is still very strong in Ubud. Each dish presented (tells a story). This is important because one of the UNWTO assessment points is (the food’s ability to reflect) the diversity of cultures and local (produce and ingredients).”

To become a UNWTO prototype for gastronomic world destination, there are five standard criteria that must be met, including lifestyle, local products, culture and history, the story behind the dish, and nutrition and health.

Roberta Garibaldi, lead expert from UNWTO, explained that there are three stages of assessment, namely “inventory of assets and attractions, verification and analysis, and stakeholder recommendations”.

Aditya Amaranggana, project specialist at UNWTO, added that there are four objectives of the programme carried out in Ubud – building the image of Ubud as a gastronomic tourism destination, creating a gastronomic tourism cluster in Ubud through the participation of local communities, developing innovative products and experiences in terms of gastronomic tourism, and encouraging integration between individuals and companies in Ubud and the rest of Bali.

She said: “UNWTO will see how gastronomy is developed so that it supports sustainable development and creates new jobs.”

After Ubud, the Ministry of Tourism hopes that Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo and Semarang will become the next gastronomic destinations in Indonesia.

Goco Hospitality to create wellness destination in Almaty

By TTG Asia
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Aerial view of the resort

Global wellness consultancy, development and management firm Goco Hospitality is developing a wellness resort within a former Soviet-era sanatorium in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Located on 100ha of forested land with vistas of the Alatau Mountains, Goco Life Alatau is scheduled to soft launch in July 2020.

Goco Life Alatau
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Aerial view of the resort
Rendering of the resort's exterior
Suite

Goco Life Alatau will have a gross floor area of 45,000m2 and 212 guest rooms or suites.

The heart of the resort will be the 4,000m2 medical and wellness centre. It will provide guests with access to medical diagnostics, imaging and treatment equipment, along with a team of medical and wellness professionals.

This will be combined with traditional Chinese medicine, a medical aesthetics centre, hydrotherapy, a dedicated spa and extensive heat and water experiences. Guests will enjoy tailored wellness programmes that support them in their goal of living their healthiest possible life.

A 2,000m2 thermae will provide family-friendly activities, with an aqua park, a thermal circuit and indoor and outdoor pools fed with natural mineral spring water.

Guests can also dine at any of the resort’s four health-focused F&B outlets, and the adjacent 18-hole golf course and extensive local hiking routes allow for leisurely outdoor recreation.

An indoor gym and “mind and body studio” are complemented by outdoor tennis and basketball courts and a jogging track.

Around 1,900m2 of meetings and events spaces will allow Goco Life Alatau to host a range of events, from conferences and business meetings to weddings and other gatherings.

VIP guests at Goco Life Alatau will also enjoy the privacy of their own wing, with luxurious accommodation, alongside dedicated meeting, medical and spa facilities.

Radisson Collection to make APAC debut in Australia’s Blue Mountains

By TTG Asia
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Radisson signs first APAC hotel under the soft brand in Australia

The first Asia-Pacific hotel in the Radisson Collection is set to open in a restored historical building in Australia’s Blue Mountains come 2023.

Imperial Hotel, A Radisson Collection Hotel will mark the rebirth of one of Australia’s first major “tourist hotels”, which opened in 1878. In its history, it has hosted prime ministers and royalty, including King George V and George VI. It remains an iconic building today and the symbol of a prosperous era in Mount Victoria.

Radisson signs first APAC hotel under the soft brand in Australia

The original Imperial Hotel building will be restored and a collection of chalets will be built in the property’s 7,500m2 grounds.

Upon reopening, the hotel will feature 60 keys, an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge, bar, gastro-pub and a fitness centre. The hotel will welcome visiting celebrity chefs, while a ballroom, outdoor terrace and marquee will serve as venues for events and weddings.

The hotel is located within a one hour and forty-five minutes’ drive from downtown Sydney via the Great Western Highway that connects the city with the Central West Region of New South Wales.

Imperial Hotel, A Radisson Collection Hotel will complement Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney and offer opportunities for two-centre holidays in New South Wales.

“The regional launch of the Radisson Collection, our newest brand, represents an important milestone in our Asia-Pacific expansion strategy… We look forward to creating a vibrant epicenter for visitors and the local community in the Blue Mountains. This will write a new chapter in the tale of this Australian icon,” said Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Collection is a soft brand bringing together one-of-a-kind properties that typically boasting uncommon locations, distinctive design, and a selection of local insider activities.

Four Seasons veterans to head new Bangkok hotel

By TTG Asia
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Barta (left) and Jasjit Singh Asi

Ahead of its opening later this year, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has announced the appointment of Four Seasons veterans, Lubosh Barta and Jasjit Singh Assi, as general manager and hotel manager respectively.

Barta began his Four Seasons career 15 years ago at the company’s former location in Bangkok, where he was director of F&B. From there, he transferred to Chiang Mai before taking on his first general manager position in Koh Samui and later opening Four Seasons Hotel Seoul as general manager as well.

Barta (left) and Jasjit Singh Assi

A native of the Czech Republic, his career also includes positions in Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

Assisting Barta will be Jasjit Singh Assi, the hotel manager who will be responsible for day-to-day operations.

After joining Four Seasons in his native country of India, Assi rose through the F&B divisions in Chiang Mai and Sydney before returning to Mumbai in his first assignment as hotel manager.

Cambodia’s Song Saa Private Island welcomes new GM

By TTG Asia
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Experienced luxury hotelier Donald Wong has joined Song Saa Private Island as general manager.

With 17 years of sales and marketing experience under this belt, where Wong’s previous positions include director of global sales for the Pacific at Raffles Hotels & Resorts; and director of sales and marketing for Raffles’ two properties in Cambodia – Le Royal, Phnom Penh and Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap.

Wong then joined Aman Resorts in 2006, where he spent time as resident manager of Amankora in Paro, Bhutan, before becoming general manager of sales with Aman Resorts in South Asia and China.

In 2011, he joined The Siam Hotel in Bangkok as director of sales and marketing. He then moved to the The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong in the same capacity, and later re-joined Aman as general manager of Amantaka in Luang Prabang.

Airbnb goes after high-end market with new Luxe tier

By TTG Asia
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The Airbnb Luxe tier has been launched with 2,000 exceptional homes; Te Kahu in Wakana, New Zealand

Building on expertise gained from its acquisition of Luxury Retreats in 2017, Airbnb has launched Airbnb Luxe, a new tier above Airbnb Plus, which the home rental giant says will enable it to “meeting the needs of every traveller at every price point”.

Boasting more than 2,000 high-end homes, the new luxury tier provides access to outstanding properties with dedicated trip designers to deliver bespoke experiences and services.

The Airbnb Luxe tier has been launched with 2,000 exceptional homes; Te Kahu in Wakana, New Zealand

Each home in the tier must pass an evaluation across over 300 criteria in both design (e.g. premium materials and finishes, rare features) and function (e.g. chef-grade appliances and the proper amount of bathrooms corresponding to each bedroom).

The homes are also evaluated by the special attributes they possess, their location and surroundings, as well as the services that come with them – like the medieval farm-to-table experience of Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany, or the cutting edge, yet eco-friendly design of Te Kahu in New Zealand, or the chef, driver and butler services that come with Grace Bay Residences in Turks and Caicos.

Each Airbnb Luxe booking provides 24/7 access to a dedicated trip designer who will ensure the stay is tailored to the traveller’s needs throughout their trip. This includes ensuring smooth booking and check-in, coordinating local bespoke experiences and activities, and arranging a range of services from childcare to private chefs and in-house massage therapists – or even personal training sessions in a private gym.

“Today’s luxury traveller is craving more than just high-end accommodations; they seek transformation and experiences that leave them feeling more connected to each other and to their destination. With Airbnb Luxe we are applying the same approach we’ve used since we launched Airbnb more than 11 years ago – creating local, authentic and magical travel moments now in amazing places to – to reimagine the way people think and experience luxury travel,” Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder, CEO and head of community

In Asia-Pacific, Bali, Ko Samui, Phang-nga, Phuket, South Island and Sydney currently have homes in Airbnb Luxe.

Beyond the region, guests may choose from homes in New Zealand and South Africa, castles in France and historic villas in Tuscany. Literary fans may seek inspiration and beachfront luxury at The Fleming Villa in Jamaica where Ian Fleming wrote his famous spy novels. Others may prefer complete privacy and exclusivity by booking an entire island with its own self-declared time zone at a private atoll in French Polynesia, Nukutepipi, curated by Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil and Lune Rouge.

In addition to chateaux and chalets, Airbnb Luxe will also open the door to remarkable places to stay in cities. Building on the places to stay already available in cities like London and Los Angeles, the company will be adding Luxe properties in at least 12 more cities this year, including Milan, Paris and Austin.

The launch of Airbnb Luxe also helps meet increasing demand from Airbnb guests for luxury properties and experiences. In 2018, the number of Airbnb bookings for listings worth at least US$1,000 per night increased more than 60 per cent. The increased interest in luxury travel on Airbnb is consistent with broader trends: analysts believe the luxury travel market is worth more than US$200 billion and poised to grow in the years ahead.

Bali, Sentosa and India next in line for Raffles’s APAC expansion

By Rachel AJ Lee
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Private Pool Villa

Hot on the heels of recent openings in Maldives and Shenzhen, Singapore’s Sentosa island, Bali and India will be among the next destinations to welcome Accor’s luxury hospitality brand Raffles.

Set to open next to Sofitel Sentosa Resort & Spa in 2022, the Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa will be the brand’s second property in Singapore. The resort will feature 61 keys, ranging from the 260m2 one-bedroom villa to the 450m2 four-bedroom villa, each sporting its own private pool and garden terrace area. Other facilities on the 100,000m2 resort site include a bar, restaurants, fitness centre, three function rooms, the Raffles Spa, as well as butler service.

Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa rendering
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Private Pool Villa
Villa entrance
Ballroom

The hotel will be the outcome of a partnership with property investment and development company Royal Group and global design studio Yabu Pushelberg.

When asked about the room rate at Raffles Sentosa, Michael Issenberg, Accor’s chairman and CEO Asia-Pacific, said it was too premature to disclose, but added that introductory rates for a suite at the soon-to-open Raffles Hotel Singapore will start from US$875.

Similar to the Sentosa property, Raffles Bali will boast 32 private pool villas across 23ha of land in the Jimbaran area. The resort, set to open in 2020, will also feature a Writers Bar, spa, and restaurant.

Raffles Udaipur will also open next year, marking the brand’s first foray into India. The 101-suite property will occupy its own private island in the middle of Udai Sagar Lake in Rajasthan, and will also feature the 1,100m2 Raffles Spa, rooftop restaurant, swimming pool, and the Raffles Long Bar and Writers Bar.

After which, the second Raffles property in India will open in 2022 in Jaipur, part of a larger complex that currently houses the Fairmont Jaipur. The hotel will have 50 suites with private pools.

Raffles currently boasts a collection of 14 properties worldwide, with Accor aiming to reach 20 by 2025. There are currently another eight to 10 Raffles properties in the pipeline, of which 50 per cent will be located in Asia-Pacific.

Flagships for Europe, the US and Middle East are also in the pipeline, including the Raffles London (2020) in the former War Office, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences (2021), and Raffles Palm360 Resort Hotel & Residences (2021), respectively.

APAC engagement, speedy NDC search response move up Sabre’s agenda

By Pamela Chow
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Sabre's Wade Jones, Clinton Anderson, and Sean Menke

Sabre will step up its engagement efforts in Asia-Pacific, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand starting 2H2019, the technology provider announced on the sidelines of Sabre Technology Exchange in Las Vegas this week.

“We’re working with multiple airlines (in these markets), and as we integrate their content, we intend to release (our products) in their primary markets first,” revealed Kathy Morgan, vice president – NDC, Sabre.

Sabre’s Wade Jones, Clinton Anderson, and Sean Menke

She added that Sabre’s push into Asia-Pacific will be a “gradual test-and-learn” process to figure out the different needs in this region.

The company continues to receive “a lot of interest” in Asia-Pacific, where its market share currently stands at 40 per cent, said Sean Menke, president & CEO of Sabre.

The region holds high potential for greater penetration as a majority of airlines adopt mostly solutions that improve operations and have not explored passenger servicing systems.

Menke added that Sabre is “continuing to look at ways into the China marketplace”, whose GDS and travel network landscape remains “closed”, by working with the US government and other agencies to encourage the Chinese market to open up.

This comes after Sabre launched its first NDC API through United Airlines’ global flight network in April. Soon to follow in 2H2019 are scaled-up additional APIs that support voluntary and involuntary flight changes, refunds and voids.

Feedback from this API launch has reflected that response time is Sabre’s “number one focus right now”, said Morgan. She explained that while most GDS today offer sub-second response time to a search query, an NDC-enabled system would take slightly longer.

The “test-and-learn” approach will help Sabre and its partners have a feel of what their “customer time-out” limit is, she said.

Sabre has also launched a customer advisory board, which comprises its Beyond NDC partners and 60 other industry testers from technology providers to travel agencies.

“The customer advisory board has provided a mechanism for the two sides of the equation – buyers and suppliers – and the technologists that sit in the middle to be able to talk through the real-life implications and concerns around bringing in new technology standards into travel distribution,” shared Morgan.

She explained that the board convenes for meetings where working groups can “take apart and break down where these standards have gaps”, and the results are passed on through IATA’s change request process.

“It takes all of us working together for this to scale, to make sure we get these standards better,” she asserted.

Wade Jones, president of Sabre Travel Network, added that with the expansion into Asia, some future advisory board meetings might be held in Sabre’s headquarters in Singapore.

Sands China properties in Macau to join IHG network

By TTG Asia
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The Venetian Macao

The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Sands China have jointly announced that The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao have become InterContinental Alliance Resorts as of yesterday.

In addition, The Londoner Hotel in Macao will join the alliance when it opens in 2020, following the renovation of the current Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central.

The Venetian Macao

IHG and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas – comprising the Venetian and Palazzo hotels – announced the long-term extension of their alliance. The partnership extends through to 2027 at all five properties. The Venetian Resort was the first-ever InterContinental Alliance Resort when the partnership launched in 2010.

While these alliance resorts maintain their own identities, they are being marketed through IHG’s channels including InterContinental.com, where guests can book or redeem points for a suite.

Guests across these five luxury properties – which include approximately 13,000 luxury hotel rooms and suites – will be able to earn IHG Rewards Club points and redeem them for stays at more than 5,600 IHG hotels worldwide. IHG Rewards Club Members will also be able to redeem Reward Nights at all five InterContinental Alliance Resorts.

Royal Caribbean’s new JV, Holistica, to create inclusive model for destination development

By TTG Asia
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Holistica's first project is a US$275 million development in Freeport, The Bahamas

After a recent analysis threw large cruise liners back into the hot seat for their startling environmental impact, Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) is eager to show it has sustainability in its sights by forming a joint venture company advocating “an inclusive model for destination development”.

The Miami-based cruise company has teamed up with ITM Group, a privately-held Mexican company based in Cancun with more than 30 years’ experience developing tourism and entertainment infrastructure, to form a new destination company named Holistica.

Holistica’s first project is a US$275 million development in Freeport, The Bahamas (pictured)

Holistica will be a 50-50 partnership between both companies. The partners have commenced a search for a CEO for the company, which will be headquartered in Miami.

According to RCL, Holistica will create “an inclusive model for destination development that works holistically to meet the needs of coastal communities, local governments, and land, sea, and air travellers”.

“The continuing growth and rising popularity of cruise vacations make it clear that the sustainable development of coastal destinations, including the thoughtful evolution of existing ones, is in the travel industry’s best interest,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of RCL.

This month, an European environmental group released its own findings showing that cruise liners run by Carnival Corporation emitted nearly 10 times more sulphur oxide pollution around European coasts than all of the continent’s 260 million cars in 2017. In the same month, the company agreed to pay a criminal penalty of US$20 million for environmental violations.

Mauricio Hamui, ITM Group’s CEO, said a well managed destination can bring benefits while “creating the least possible disruption to the human and natural environment”.

He added that there ware ways to do tourism projects “inclusively, collaboratively and sustainability”.

RCL’s Bayley said: “We have spent five decades learning what works and what doesn’t, and we know the potential of strategic development to deliver extraordinary guest experiences and meet the needs of local communities.”

Holistica’s first project is a US$275 million development in Freeport, The Bahamas, currently under review by the Bahamian government. Centred on the regeneration of the Grand Lucayan resort, the project includes ambitious plans for local ownership, employment, job training, community investment and sustainable construction practices.

In addition to the Freeport project, the companies said the new venture will own and operate destinations in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Kumamoto, Japan.

These projects, among others, is expected to serve eight million visitors annually, and be accessible to all travelers, including land and air vacationers and guests of multiple cruise lines.

Holistica is also engaged in discussions regarding multiple existing and proposed destinations around the world.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | WTTC report outlines steps for Hong Kong to rebuild international tourism
TTG Asia | Sarawak to host South-east Asian tourist guides conference in Sibu
TTG Asia | Higher fuel costs to dampen India travel demand