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Asia/Singapore Thursday, 23rd April 2026
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Scott Dunn predicts resurgence of US holidays, duo-destination breaks among Asian travellers

By TTG Asia
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Regional duo city breaks such as those pairing Tokyo and Osaka (pictured) to become popular again

Scott Dunn has released its predictions for luxury travel trends in 2019, including the revival of US destinations and duo-destination breaks among Asia-based travellers.

Duo destination breaks are expected to see an increase in popularity for the Asian market, with Scott Dunn estimating that there will be five long weekends in 2019, allowing travellers to extend what may have previously been a short city weekend getaway.

Regional duo city breaks such as those pairing Tokyo and Osaka (pictured) to become popular among Asians again

The luxury tour operator predicts a resurging interest in regional duo-destination breaks such as Tokyo and Osaka, Phnom Penh and the Koh Rong islands, Yangon and Inle Lake, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, and more.

Scott Dunn further forecasts the revival of US destinations, with the destination more accessible to South-east Asia based travellers following Singapore Airlines’ launch of direct flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles and relaunch of direct flights to New York.

In 2019, Scott Dunn expects multi-generational trips continue to be strong with Asia-based travellers. In the company’s experience, outbound travel from South-east Asia have been selling mainly to Sri Lanka, New Zealand or the Mediterranean in Europe, all destinations that offer premium larger villa style accommodation for groups.

The company has also seen more requests for villa manager, private chef and nannies among Asia-based travellers booking holidays for the extended family.

Meanwhile, in the global market, Scott Dunn foresees the trend of parents or grandparents taking one child at a time on a one-on-one adventure.

Moreover, having seen a tripling in bookings for astro-experiences over the last four years, the tour operator is adding new itineraries of this kind in 2019. These include eclipse tours in Argentina in anticipation of the phenomena expected to envelope part of the region in darkness on July 2, 2019. According to Scott Dunn, Estancia Los Potreros in Cordoba will be the best place to view the total eclipse.

Another new astro-tour to join Scott Dunn’s portfolio is the São Lourenço do Barrocal in Portugal, offering stargazing within the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve.

Scott Dunn will also be offering more out-of-hours encounters in 2019, providing exclusive access to popular sites and museums including a sunrise picnic at Christ the Redeemer, to the Vatican before it opens to the crowds and late-access to Bangkok’s Reclining Buddha after it shuts to the general public.

The Void hits Resorts World Genting as Asia’s first ‘hyper-reality’ centre

By TTG Asia
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Middle two: Genting Malaysia Berhad's Hui Lim and The Void's Craig Watson celebrating the launch of the Resorts World Genting centre with their respective teams

The Void’s multi-sensory centre has arrived in Malaysia featuring the Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and the Ralph Breaks VR experiences, marking the brand’s biggest centre out of North America and first in Asia.

The hyper reality experience was last week unveiled within a 650m2 centre in Skytropolis Funland, Resorts World Genting (RWG). Including this latest opening, there are now nine Void centres globally – five in the US, two in Canada and one in Dubai.

Middle two: Genting Malaysia Berhad’s Hui Lim and The Void’s Craig Watson celebrating the launch of the Resorts World Genting centre with their respective teams

Edward Holloway, RWG’s executive vice president of leisure & hospitality, said: “The Void represents the success of technology in extending the frontiers of hyper reality… This is a great leap forward in entertainment for us and we have invested an initial RM10 million (US$2.4 million) to present this level of immersion and interactivity to our visitors in Asia.”

The Void uses proprietary designed equipment to meld the physical and digital worlds through head-mounted displays, backtop computers and haptic vests, which allow sensory effects to be felt from multiple points using haptic feedback.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire takes guests through a journey where they feel the impact of blaster bolts, smell smoke from the surrounding environment, push buttons to solve an interactive puzzle to escape enemies, all while coordinating directly with their unit in real time through the blended virtual and physical world.

Ralph Breaks VR is an original hyper-reality experience created by ILMxLAB and The Void in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios, based on their latest hit film Ralph Breaks the Internet.

In this experience, guests are immersed in a storyline where they, as netizens, shoot retro alien spaceships, squash pixel bugs, and fend off hordes of bunnies, and kitties in the Pancake Milkshake Diner while they team up with Ralph and Vanellope in a race to rack up the highest score. It’s all fun and games until an evil security system shows up and threatens to take everyone offline.

Another Park Inn by Radisson to open in Philippines

By TTG Asia
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Park Inn by Radisson Clark

Park Inn by Radisson is continuing to expand its footprint in the Philippines with the signing of a brand-new hotel in Bacolod.

This marks the fifth and latest collaboration between Radisson Hotel Group and SM Hotels and Conventions Corp in the Philippines, following the launch of Park Inn by Radisson properties at SM Cities in Clark, North EDSA (in Metro Manila), Iloilo City and Davao City.

Artist impression of Park Inn by Radisson Clark

Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2020, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod will be connected to the SM City Bacolod lifestyle mall and the SMX Convention Center.

Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod will feature 153 rooms, all with free Wi-Fi, two meeting rooms, a business centre, fitness center, all-day dining restaurant and lobby bar.

The capital of Negros Occidental province in the central part of the Philippine archipelago, Bacolod is a regional economic hub and home to more than 500,000 people.

Hyatt unveils first SE Asian property under Unbound Collection

By TTG Asia
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The resort sits on the shores of the Mong Tay peninsula

Since its launch in 2016, the Unbound Collection by Hyatt will next year welcome its first hotel in South-east Asia – the refreshed Nam Nghi Phu Quoc Island.

Nam Nghi Phu Quoc Island will feature 51 villas and 63 guestrooms, four dining outlets, meeting spaces, a swimming pool, kids club, as well as spa and fitness centre.

The resort sits on the shores of the Mong Tay peninsula (photo credit: Facebook/namnghiresort)

This results from an agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and the A&B Group, whom the hotel company is already in collaboration with to launch Hyatt Regency Nha Trang in 2019.

Current properties under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand include Jinmao Hotel Lijiang in Lijiang, China; Nish Palas in Istanbul; Carmelo Resort & Spa in Uruguay, Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix; The Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia; Holston House in Nashville; Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, France; and the Hôtel du Louvre in Paris.

Mike Orgill leads Airbnb in SE Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan

By TTG Asia
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Mike Orgill

Airbnb has promoted Mike Orgill as general manager of South-east Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Mike Orgill

Orgill will report to Siew Kum Hong, Airbnb’s Asia-Pacific’s regional director, and will continue to support Airbnb’s public policy efforts in the interim until a new Asia-Pacific director of public policy is appointed.

He brings a wealth of experience to the table. Before joining Airbnb, Orgill led Google’s public policy efforts for emerging markets in Asia. He was also previously at the US-ASEAN Business Council in Washington DC.

Westin Kuala Lumpur appoints new GM

By TTG Asia
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Gregory Gubiani has been appointed as the new general manager of The Westin Kuala Lumpur.

Prior to his move to Westin, Gubiani helmed the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral from 2015 to 2018.

The French national has over 14 years of hospitality experience, starting his career as a resort host in an international five-star luxury resort in Maldives before becoming a front office manager in French Polynesia.

From there, he then joined Starwood Hotels and Resorts as front office manager at Le Méridien Nouméa, New Caledonia and then to The Westin Melbourne, where he was executive assistant manager in charge of rooms.

He then moved to South-east Asia in 2011 to step into the hotel manager role at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur before opening Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, Indonesia as its general manager.

Associated Luxury Hotels steps up leisure sales focus with new agent programme

By TTG Asia
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Lesnick: luxury travel consultants core to WorldHotels for over 40 years, as well as to ALHI's Luxury MICE sales efforts

Associated Luxury Hotels (ALH) has unveiled the launch of a new programme for select travel consultants and concierge companies with rewards such as fast-track commissions, the first of three initiatives planned to drive luxury leisure sales.

Named The Associates Club, the invitation-only programme will be offered to “top luxury travel agencies throughout the world”, said Josh Lesnick, president & CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels.

Lesnick: luxury travel consultants core to WorldHotels for over 40 years, as well as to ALHI’s Luxury MICE sales efforts

It will comprise select members of the WorldHotels Collection and of ALHI Global Luxury Sales.

Aimed at enhancing the network’s luxury leisure offering, the programme offers agents rewards ranging from tailor-made itineraries, fast-track commissions and customised benefits for their clients.

Lesnick commented: “Luxury travel consultants have been at the centre of our WorldHotels core business for over 40 years and a key part of our Luxury MICE sales efforts with ALHI Global Luxury Sales for over 30 years.

“Both of our businesses have enjoyed the strong support of the travel consultant community when serving our luxury clientele and with this programme we are further reinforcing and building on our strong relationships and commitment to them.”

The company intends to leverage key members of their WorldHotels sales team, with deep experience in the luxury travel consultant market as well as hiring additional dedicated luxury sellers.

Vietnam, South Korea rising stars for APAC travellers: Skyscanner

By TTG Asia
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Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, South Korea

While Japan remains the top choice for travellers in Asia-Pacific, South Korea and Vietnam are rising fast as preferred destinations, according to Skyscanner data for eight of the region’s markets.

Regional travel dominates, with London the only destination outside APAC to make Sykscanner’s top 10 list.

Source: Skyscanner’s APAC Travel Trends 2018 report

Skyscanner’s APAC Travel Trends report revealed that Tokyo, Osaka and Okinawa all made the top 10.

In South Korea and Vietnam, the two fastest emerging destinations in the report’s top 10 ranking, Busan, Jeju and Nha Trang show the most growth compared against the major hubs of Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City.

With the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) revealing that Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand contribute the highest number of travellers to South Korea, Skyscanner said its data shows significant growth in flight searches from the same markets.

Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, South Korea

Vietnam, on the other hand, attracts a different crowd. Skyscanner also observed a trend to The Vietnam Tourism Board figures that show the largest numbers of visitors hail from South Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan.

Turkey showed the largest growth in popularity outside APAC, “most likely due to the market’s cultural attractions, entertainment options and a beneficial exchange rate drawing in visitors”, Skyscanner said.

Meanwhile, APAC demand for business and premium economy seats saw growth of up to 62% and 46% respectively with Skyscanner pointing out that reduced fares have encouraged travellers to book more comfortable seats
and longhaul flights.

Skyscanner also observed mobile use increasing by up to 3.5%.

In APAC, five out of eight markets start their flight search earlier, while also
making bookings closer to departure. With numerous travel sales, promotions and airline deals, decision making is becoming more complex for travellers, Skyscanner said.

The report looks at data from the period of October 2016 to September 2018 and covers eight APAC markets namely Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

TAT extends reach into southern Japan with new Fukuoka office

By TTG Asia
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has opened an office in Fukuoka to tap into the travel markets in southern Japan’s main cities such as Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa.

Roongtip Wongpatikarn Kimura has been appointed director and Keng Chaivarin deputy director of the new office, located on the 11th floor, Hakata-Riverain-East-Site, Shimokawabatabashi, Hakataza Nishigin Building.

From left: The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka’s Attakarn Wongchanamas, Thailand’s ambassador to Japan Bansarn Bunnag, Thailand’s minister of tourism and sports Weerasak Kowsurat and TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn

The TAT Fukuoka office will also help to promote tourism cooperation between TAT and the Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organisation as per the letter of intent signed in February to promote cooperation and increase the number of visitors between Thailand and Kyushu.

The two-year agreement covers all seven provinces of Kyushu and includes activities such as travel exchange, public relations activities and information dissemination to promote the image of Thailand among the Japanese public.

The main customer segments will include first-time visitors, special interest groups, marathon runners, golfers and divers.

The deal includes cooperation with the Japan High School Golf Association to organise fam trips for local tour operators. TAT will also focus on promoting Thailand’s secondary destinations with a stress on their history, culture, cuisine and natural resources.

Fukuoka Prefecture has the largest population on Kyushu Island. The largest city of Fukuoka is also the main business centre. Fukuoka Airport is the largest international airport in the region.

Currently, there are daily direct flights linking Bangkok and Fukuoka, and direct flights between Bangkok and Okinawa by Peach Air, as well as charter flights between Bangkok and some provinces in Kyushu and Chūgoku.

In January-October 2018, Japanese visitors to Thailand totalled nearly 1.4 million, generating an estimated 58.7 billion baht (US$1.8 billion) in tourism income.

This year, Japanese tourists to Thailand are projected to increase by 7.5 per cent to over 1.6 million, generating an estimated 73.4 billion baht in tourism income, up by nine per cent. In 2019, TAT is targeting 1.7 million Japanese visitors, generating an estimated 77.5 billion baht.

Swissôtel to make Indonesia debut in Jakarta

By TTG Asia
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Swissôtel makes it debut in Indonesia

AccorHotels is introducing Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts to Indonesia with a Jakarta opening set for mid-2019.

Located in a mixed-use lifestyle mall complex, Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue will feature 412 guestrooms, six dining outlets, an executive lounge, the Pürovel Spa & Sport facility as well as the city’s largest event space – a 3,044m2 ballroom that can accommodate up to 3,000 guests.

The press conference where Swissôtel announced it is making its debut in Indonesia

“This is such an exciting time to introduce the Swissôtel brand into Indonesia and particularly Jakarta to complement the group’s growing portfolio of city and resort destinations throughout the region,” said Garth Simmons, COO AccorHotels Indonesia – Malaysia – Singapore.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has more than 30 hotels globally including flagship properties such as Swissôtel The Bosphorus in Istanbul, Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore and Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy in Moscow.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Malaysia reviews plan to restore Langkawi duty-free status
TTG Asia | Contiki rolls out ride-based itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia
TTG Asia | Tourism Western Australia refreshes global marketing approach across key markets