The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama, Japan
Royal Park Hotels and Resorts has launched the third Canvas – a millennial-driven brand – hotel in Osaka. The property offers 238 rooms across six categories, ranging from the 15m2 Comfort Double up to the 45m2 Suite. All rooms are non-smoking, except for several designated rooms on the second level. Also on the second level is the Canvas Lounge which offers snacks and drinks to hotel guests at no extra charge; the gym; and laundry room.
Sofitel Beijing Central, China
Standing a short walk away from the Jianguomen subway station in the heart of Beijing’s civic and diplomatic area is the 345-key Sofitel Beijing Central. Aside from the three dining outlets, other facilities include a day spa, fitness centre and indoor pool. There will also be the Club Millésime Lounge – for Club guests – launching at the end of 2019. For event planners, the property boasts more than 1,500m2 of event space, comprising nine flexible meeting rooms that can hold a maximum of 400 delegates.
Ozo Phuket, Thailand
Onyx Hospitality Group’s latest opening is situated in the heart of Phuket’s Kata Town, offering 255 guest rooms and suites across nine different categories in a series of five-storey buildings. Amenities include two swimming pools with water slides; an indoor air-conditioned relaxation space for reading or a game of pool; as well as showers and storage lockers for travellers arriving before arriving early or departing late. As well, the two F&B options are the all-day dining restaurant where guests can order a a selection of Thai, Asian and international cuisine; and the Pool Bar which serves up pizzas and snacks.
Zagame’s House, Australia
The boutique hotel is the result of an A$18 million (US$12.4 million) transformation of the former budget Downtowner hotel on Lygon Street in Melbourne. The transformed design-led property offers 97 rooms complete with minibars, king-sized beds, European pillows, and organic UK toiletries brand, Cowshed. There is also a private event space, wine shop and bar, and café, on-site. This is the first of a series of boutique hotels that the owning Zagame family plans to expand in Australia.
Based out of New Delhi, Huria will be responsible for growing Adara’s footprint in India and expanding the pool of data partners to deliver consumer insights to travel marketers.
Air New Zealand plans to launch five-times-weekly seasonal flights between Christchurch and Singapore this winter to appeal to the strong travel demand from South and South-east Asia.
Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines currently offer a 10-times-weekly service between Christchurch and Singapore. The seasonal flights will bring the frequency of the service to 15 times weekly in the December 1, 2019 to February 15, 2020 period.
The airline is also deploying the larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route, which would increase capacity including in the premium economy category.
Cam Wallace, chief revenue officer, Air New Zealand, said: “We have seen strong demand for travel to New Zealand in the South and South-east Asia market, and we expect (the additional flights to) appeal to travellers in this region.
Singapore is likely to continue serving as Air New Zealand’s South-east Asia hub. On the airline’s strategy in growing outbound markets Indonesia and Malaysia, where it does not fly to directly, Wallace said: “Both are key growth markets for Air New Zealand in South-east Asia as we continue to see strong demand from travellers in the region. At this stage, both markets are being well served through our recently renewed alliance with Singapore Airlines, providing connectivity through Changi Airport.
“Capitalising on its strategic geographical location, excellent air connectivity and world-class infrastructure, we are seeing plenty of opportunities to grow our presence in the region through our operations in Singapore. We will continue to assess opportunities across markets and leverage our well-established partner network in the region to capture demand.”
Meanwhile, Christchurch is expected to grow in appeal, benefitting from new destination offerings and intensified sales and marketing efforts.
“Christchurch is building new experiences at a phenomenal rate, with new bars, restaurants and artworks going up quicker than anywhere else in New Zealand. This new seasonal Singapore-Christchurch service complements the MoU signed between the airline and Christchurch city agencies in September 2018 committing to exploring joint marketing, enhanced freight and passenger capacity, and signature events.”
“These changes reinforce Christchurch and the South Island as a priority market for Air New Zealand, as we seek to leverage the strength of both airlines to deliver increased connections into the domestic New Zealand network,” Wallace said.
The airline is also running a tactical campaign with Christchurch Airport to promote South Island.
The campaign will span offline and online media buys to increase the awareness of New Zealand and Air New Zealand to consumers in Singapore, targeting the family market and professionals, managers, executives and businessmen.
“We are also working with key agents to develop new itineraries for the South Island,” he said.