The rebranding of Villa Padierna Palace, a hotel located in Marbella in the south of Spain, into an Anantara branded property is the outcome of an integration drive that Thailand-based Minor Hotels has embarked on following its acquisition of NH Hotel Group in October 2018.
Following its rebranding, Villa Padierna – which is owned by the Villa Padierna group – will be managed by NH Hotel Group with immediate effect under a variable lease agreement.
Villa Padierna Palace
Located in the Costa del Sol’s Golf Valley, the relaunched Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort will become the first Anantara in NH Hotel Group’s home market of Spain and the second Anantara in Europe after the launch of the Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort in Portugal two years ago.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, commented that the upcoming launch of Anantara Villa Padierna, Marbella Benahavís Resort “demonstrates our commitment to integrate Minor Hotels and NH portfolio of brands and operational expertise across our joint and expanding geographical footprint”.
Both Minor Hotels and NH Hotel Group have started to implement key integration strategies, bringing all of their hotel brands under a single corporate umbrella, now with presence in over 50 countries worldwide.
Two key integration initiatives include the transfer earlier this year of Minor Hotels’ Portugal and Brazil operations to NH Hotel Group to benefit from scale and geographic expertise as well as brand alignment of both hotel groups, so that the geographic operating clusters can best capitalise upon brand expansion and rebranding opportunities.
LokaLocal’s founder Chin Yoon Khen aims for nearly double the number of listed activities this year
A substantial funding injection from South Korea venture capital firm BonAngels will enable LokaLocal, a Malaysian travel technology start-up, to ramp up its product range and fuel its expansion goals.
The experienced-based travel platform currently lists more than 800 activities throughout the country, ranging from paddy harvesting and cooking classes to traditional lantern and shadow puppets making. Small tour operators can also list their day tours, or two- or three-day itineraries on LokaLocal.
LokaLocal’s founder Chin Yoon Khen aims to grow the platform to 1,000 listings this year
With the funding boost, LokaLocal’s founder Chin Yoon Khen hopes to grow the platform’s stable of activities to 1,000 by the end of this year.
Part of the funding will also be invested into a merchant solution to enable sellers to easily track their daily and monthly sales activities, as well as to provide quicker responses to enquiries and booking confirmations. The website will also be upgraded to provide a better user experience.
LokaLocal was established by Chin in April 2016, an idea born after the documentary photographer turned photographs of local artisans into a 500-page full-coloured book titled Traditional Trades in Penang.
Chin saw a growing demand from tourists seeking unique local experiences, leading to the launch of LokaLocal with a focus on matching traditional artisans as local guides for travellers. These cultural and heritage experiences are marketed creatively on the website through professional photographs and videos.
Some of the locals featured in his book project are now experts on LokaLocal, providing workshops for tourists interested to pick up skills such as joss stick making and batik painting.
“More than 80 per cent of sales comes from the local expatriate community living and working in Malaysia, as well as tourists from the US, Australia and New Zealand,” he shared.
“Most are between the ages of 25-34, and are looking for authentic local experiences and opportunities to make new friends.”
And although LokaLocal is not the first nor the largest digital tours and activities marketplace, Chin believes there’re merits to standing on the shoulders of giants.
“These giants have helped build the ecosystem faster, helped to educate suppliers on how to be good local experts, and how to market their business,” said Chin.
“We believe we have an edge over the competition because we are homegrown, and who knows Malaysia better than a native?”
Update [April 14, 12.45]: Details on how the company intends to grow and improve the platform in paragraphs three and four were amended to reflect the company’s current plans, which were revised between the time of interview and when the article was published. Specifically, plans are now to grow the listing to 1,000 instead of 1,500, and the website will be upgraded to provide “better user experience” rather than faster loading time.
Carnival-esque and festive vibes await the 'millennial family' at Wonderbox
A new indoor theme park, Wonderbox, has opened, completing the first phase of the Paradise City IR project in Incheon, South Korea.
The two-storey building covers an area of 3,933m2, and with the concept of a night-time amusement park, brings multimedia entertainment, rides, F&B and events to visitors.
Carnivalesque vibes await the ‘millennial family’ at Wonderbox
“In the tourism industry, Asia and the Pacific region is the second most popular market in the world, with a high annual growth rate of 9.7 per cent,” said Chang Wyan Ahn, executive vice president of developer Paradise Segassamy.
Among the highlights at Wonderbox is the “environmental performances” created in collaboration with Moment Factory, a global multimedia entertainment studio behind the projection mapping of Spain’s Sagrada Familia.
The attraction has also introduced to South Korea rides such as the sports attraction Sky Trail, 360-degree rotary Mega-Mix, and Magic Bike, a pedal-powered gondola ride.
Another first is pastry chef Janice Wong’s first store in South Korea, located on Wonderbox’s Chocolate Street.
Heightening the festive mood, the company will bring hands-on content for men and women of all ages. The main performance, Luna Carnival, will meet visitors inside the Main Agora and Paradise City, staged against the backdrop of moonlight.
Construction on Paradise City began in November 2014, a project by the Paradise Segasammy joint venture between Paradise Group and Japan’s Segasammy Holdings.
A total of 1.5 trillion won (US$1.3 billion) was spent on the project, and the total site spans 330,000m2. In 2017, Paradise Hotel & Resort and Paradise Casino and Convention opened, followed by the boutique hotel, spa, club, art exhibition space, shopping arcades and multi-purpose studios in 2018.
Guests receive vouchers to spend on Chiva-Som's wellness treatments
Thailand’s Chiva-Som International Health Resort is extending a special 24th anniversary offer to all guests who stay for a minimum of three nights during the month of April.
Guests of Chiva-Som will receive a voucher of 10,000 baht (US$315) per person, per stay, which can be used for health and wellness treatments (excluding Niranlada and visiting consultants) or Chiva-Som signature products. In addition, guests will receive complimentary VIP fast track service upon arrival and departure.
Guests receive vouchers to spend on Chiva-Som’s wellness treatments
This offer is available to guests staying from April 1-30, 2019 in any room type for a minimum of three nights. The rate code, 24ANNIVERSARY, should be referred to when making eligible bookings. Terms and conditions apply.
Chiva-Som will be closed for completion of its extensive refurbishment programme from May 1 to October 31, 2019.
For further information and reservation, email reservation@chivasom.comor call the resort at (66) 3253 6536.
AirAsia launches flights between Bangkok and Ahmedabad
AirAsia has launched a new route connecting Bangkok with Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat state and India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, FD144 takes off from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport at 19.00 for arrival in Ahmedabad at 21.50. Flight FD145 leaves Ahmedabad at 22.20 the same day, arriving back in Bangkok’s Don Mueang at 04.15 the following day.
Firefly resumes flights to Singapore
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly will resume flights to Singapore on April 21, operating out of Seletar Airport, after the two countries agreed to work together to develop GPS-based instrument approach procedures to replace the Instrument Landing System. Before the flights were suspended last December, Firefly operated 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Yangon gets more flights from China
Sichuan Airlines has launched twice-weekly flights from Chengdu to Yangon International Airport’s (YIA) Terminal 1, utilising an Airbus A321-211A aircraft with total 189-seat capacity for the new service. Every Monday and Thursday, flights from Chengdu will arrive in Yangon at 00.20. Flights are scheduled to depart Yangon at 01.20 for arrival in Chengdu at 05.40. This is Sichuan Airlines’ third international destination operating from YIA.
In addition, China Eastern Airlines has launched thrice-weekly Hohhot-Kunming-Yangon flights at YIA Terminal 1.Using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with a seat capacity of 184 for the new service, China Eastern Airlines round-trip flights arrive in Yangon at 15.10 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, before departing on the roundtrip back to Hohhot at 01.20.
PAL takes off for Phnom Penh
Philippine Airlines has launched its first flights to Phnom Penh International Airport. Using a 156-seater Airbus 320 aircraft, the new service operates five-times-weekly flights (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). The arrival time in Phnom Penh is at 23.45 while departing time back to Manila is scheduled one hour after.
Himalaya Airlines connects Abu Dhabi to Nepal
Himalaya Airlines has launched thrice weekly flights between Kathmandu’s Nepal Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and Abu Dhabi. Using its Airbus 320 aircraft, which includes eight premium economy and 150 economy seats, the flights operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Flights are scheduled to depart from Kathmandu at 20.45 to arrive at Abu Dhabi at 23.45. Returning flights to Kathmandu are scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 01.45, and arrive at Kathmandu at 08.00.
The Muslim travel market is one of the fastest -rowing tourism sectors in the world
Indonesia has for the first time joined Malaysia to take up the top spot on the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2019, while Singapore retained its premier position as the top Muslim-friendly non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destination for Muslim travellers.
Climbing up from number two, Indonesia now shares the pole position with Malaysia, with a score of 78 on the GMTI, a reflection of the sustained efforts by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The Muslim travel market is one of the fastest -rowing tourism sectors in the world
Other OIC countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Oman and Brunei continue to be popular with Muslim tourists. These destinations can continue to reap the benefits of their inherently Muslim-friendly environment by leveraging new technologies to strategically build services that better engage young, millennial Muslim travellers, the report stated.
Among non-OIC countries, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, Japan and Taiwan have retained their positions in the top five and have further improved their scores on the Index. In a first for South Korea and the Philippines, these countries have entered the top 10 non-OIC destinations, displacing Germany and Australia. Spain has also entered the list of top 10 non-OIC countries, emerging as a key halal-friendly European destination for Muslim travellers this year.
In an effort to attract more Muslim tourists, non-OIC destinations have been much more active, as compared with some OIC destinations, in developing their capacity and capability to attract Muslim travellers. For example, destinations such as Spain, South Korea and the Philippines have developed useful resources and travel guides that cater to Muslim preferences by listing best halal restaurants and nearby prayer facilities.
The GMTI tracks the health and growth of 130 destinations globally, within and outside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services.
In 2018, there were an estimated 140 million Muslim visitors worldwide – up from 131 million in 2017 – representing 10 per cent of the global travel industry.
The Muslim travel market is one of the fastest -rowing tourism sectors in the world, but despite its huge potential, remains relatively untapped. By 2026, the halal travel sector’s contribution to the global economy is expected to jump 35 per cent to US$300 billion, up from US$220 billion in 2020. By that time, Muslim visitors globally are forecast to grow to 230 million visitors, to represent more than 10 percent of tourists worldwide.
The halal travel market has undergone significant changes in recent years. Driven by the rapid pace of digital and technological transformation, a new phase of Muslim travel is emerging, one that is defined by experience and connectivity – Halal Travel 2.0 – which leverages technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality, to better engage Muslim travellers in the digital age.
Posing with the Volocopter 2X aircraft, Baey Yam Keng, senior parliamentary secretary, Singapore's Ministry of Transport, with Volocopter's Florian Reuter
Come 3Q2019, Singapore will commence test flights for Asia’s first self-flying taxi service, featuring electrically powered short-distance aircraft operated by German company Volocopter.
Volocopter’s CEO Florian Reuter shared this timeline at Rotorcraft Asia 2019 and Unmanned Systems Asia 2019 yesterday, adding that the trials are supported by public and private entities including the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and ST Engineering.
Posing with the Volocopter 2X aircraft, Baey Yam Keng, senior parliamentary secretary, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, with Volocopter’s Florian Reuter
Meant to complement existing transport systems – from international flights to the conventional taxis – the air taxi solution is similar to a ride-hailing platform, where passengers can access the service via a booking app.
Each aircraft flies two persons for a distance of less than 30km, and is powered by nine independent battery packs and 18 overhead propellers. While the aircraft can be manoeuvred autonomously, initial public flights will be operated with a certified pilot.
Reuter shared that the starting cost of each trip will be higher than regular taxi fares, but in the long run the pricing of Volocopter rides can be comparable to their land counterparts.
Allaying concerns about safety, he assured that the aircrafts are “as safe as commercial airlines”. He added that the vehicles are “extremely quiet”.
“We want this vehicle to be as minimally intrusive as possible. There’s a lot of thought that has gone into designing the Volocopter to make it perfect vehicle for urban air mobility,” said Reuter.
Tan Chun Wei, deputy director, transformation programmes, CAAS, confirmed that the test flights will be conducted in the southern region of Singapore and over water. Reuter said that discussions with involved parties could open up cross-border routes to popular nearby destinations such as Johor and Bintan.
“There’s a lot of interesting things to learn from Singapore and (see) how we can bring this to other cities as well. We are convinced Singapore is the perfect role model and showcase for other cities to replicate what Singapore is establishing,” expressed Reuter.
In September 2017, Volocopter put its first autonomous two-seater aircrafts to the test in Dubai. In February, Frankfurt Airport and Volocopter inked a deal to develop concepts for ground infrastructure and operations required for air taxi services. Volocopter opened its Singapore office in January.
Avis' car-sharing service rolls into Asia with Taipei as the launch city
The car-sharing concept was rolled out to Asia when Avis Budget Group’s Zipcar Taiwan launched in 2018 with Taipei selected as the first major city in Asia for the launch, but agents are skeptical about the concept taking off among the region’s travellers.
Zipcar currently has almost 10,000 members sharing a fleet of 100 Volkswagen and Audi cars.
While there are no complete plans on where this service will be launched next, the group’s global sales and partnerships head, Juila Kemp, believes car-sharing is gaining momentum among the Chinese. She cited research by consumer insights firm JD Power showing that in 2017 more than half of the respondents (from mainland China and Hong Kong) know about timeshare car rentals and 70 per cent of them are willing to try them out.
Avis’ car-sharing service rolls into Asia with Taipei as the launch city for the region
She said: “Consumers in China and Hong Kong also have had good satisfaction from using ride-hailing apps, and we think this positive sentiment may make them more open to trying car-sharing.
For now, challenges in getting car-sharing off the ground in China and Hong Kong include the lack of industry standards, dedicated parking and safety regulations.
Government support is needed when it comes to managing dedicated parking as well as lifting restrictions on vehicle licences for shared vehicles.
For outbound travellers, industry stakeholders in China and Hong Kong are yet to see the car-sharing potentials.
Ctrip, chief business officer, overseas car rental business, Lei Fang, said: “While self-drive holiday is very popular in North America, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, car-sharing concept is not mature for the Chinese. For sure, this will be a future trend but it has not taken off yet. It may take time to test the idea, just like with Airbnb (initially), I reckon FIT budget travel websites like qyer.com and www.lvy.cn better match with such demand. Still, the key challenge is to build customers’ trust first.”
Guangzhou-based Zuzuche.com, chairman of the board, Ben Lee, also does not see strong demand for car-sharing. He explained: “The majority of our clients travel with family or colleagues, (which requires additional seats). Also, there is the luggage issue when you share car with the others. Most car-sharing may happen for short distance so it may be relevant to backpackers’ point-to point services but Chinese travellers usually experience long-distance journey covering multi destinations.
Unlike car rental and other private transport options, car-sharing does not come with the option of hiring a chauffeur, which may be a requirement for those who are not comfortable with driving and navigating in a new country.
Connexus Travel, managing director, Gloria Slethaug, pointed out that the core market for car-sharing may be limited to those with short, fixed itineraries to specific destinations.
“Car-sharing is practically a taxi service with a variety of cars, however with some countries or cities being unregulated or without proper license – hence the target audience is different. Car-sharing service is usually for shorter time frame including one to two hours’ usage, while it is only available for some cities with usually electric car and a fixed parking bay.”
In comparison, existing car rental options offer the flexibility for pick up and drop off at more points in destination cities and airports.
Hertz Hong Kong, manager, Jo Law, similarly does not see a big market for the service in travel and tourism. “For business travellers handled by TMCs, car-sharing would not be a proper option due to current corporate policy and the grey area of insurance coverage. For leisure travellers, self-drive tour is more than transportation, it is an experience and travel style. Car-sharing is more targeted to local resident and to save transportation cost.”
Correction: The article earlier stated that Avis currently has almost 10,000 members sharing a fleet of 100 Volkswagen and Audi cars. It should be Zipcar. The story has been updated.
Klook’s co-founders (from left): COO Eric Gnock Fah, CEO Ethan Lin and CTO Bernie Xiong
Hong Kong-based travel activity booking platform Klook has raised US$225 million in Series D+ funding, coming just eight months after the company announced its US$200 million Series D funding last August.
This represents the largest financing in the global travel activities and services industry, which is led by the SoftBank Vision Fund with participation from existing investors, including Sequoia China, Matrix Partners, TCV and OurCrowd.
Klook’s co-founders (from left): COO Eric Gnock Fah, CEO Ethan Lin and CTO Bernie Xiong
With the additional funding, Klook will scale its operations into new geographies and continue its expansion in its existing Asian markets. The company plans to deepen its investments in Japan, deemed one of its most important markets, ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and will expand into additional Japanese cities to better serve both inbound and outbound visitors.
“This latest investment is a true testament to the progress made by the Klook team in building the world’s number one super app for all in-destination needs,” added Eric Gnock Fah, COO and co-founder of Klook.
In just four years since its launch in 2014, Klook has become the most searched travel activities and services company on Google. In the last year, the Hong Kong-based company expanded its global footprint into Australia, Europe and the US, and has also entered into major global partnerships with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Rail Europe.
The Ascott’s co-living lyf brand is gaining traction in Asia, making up a trio of signings among the hospitality company’s new 14 contracts clinched to manage 14 properties comprising over 2,000 units in eight countries – China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Three of the 14 new properties will be under Ascott’s co-living lyf brand, and will be located in the cities of Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai.
lyf Fukuoka
Scheduled to open in 2020 are the 131-unit lyf Fukuoka, located in the city’s major retail and recreational centre, and lyf Raja Chulan Kuala Lumpur, part of the Golden Triangle. The 160-unit lyf Hongqiao Shanghai, located in Hongqiao’s CBD, is set to launch in 2022.
Kevin Goh, Ascott’s CEO, said: “Demand for our lyf-branded co-living properties is gaining ground. We are bringing lyf to Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur, and Shanghai as the buzzing start-up ecosystems in these cities have given rise to a popular culture of living and co-creating as a community among the millennials.
“Millennials already account for a quarter of Ascott’s customer base; and with our lyf brand, we can seize opportunities presented by the booming millennial generation, set to become the largest spending travel demographic in the near future.”
Besides Singapore, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines where Ascott will be opening lyf properties, the company targets to expand the brand into potential markets like Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia and the UK.
Citadines Al Aziziyah Al Khobar
The remaining 11 signings consist of a mix of Somerset and Citadines branded properties, which will progressively open between this year and 2023. They will be located in the following cities: Changchun, Foshan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen in Greater China; Frankfurt; Fukuoko; Gurgaon; Jakarta; Pattaya; and Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.
One notable property the 100-unit Ascott Riverpark Tower Frankfurt, which will mark the first time Ascott is bringing its premier Ascott The Residence brand to Germany. Tabled for an opening in 2022, the property will be designed by world-famous architect Ole Scheeren.
Goh added: “In addition to the 14 new properties, we secured our first property in Australia under our recently launched Citadines Connect brand of select-service business hotels, extending our product offerings to owners and customers… we will fast-track Ascott’s expansion to achieve our global target of 160,000 units by 2023.”
AirAsia launches flights between Bangkok and Ahmedabad
