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Asia/Singapore Monday, 27th April 2026
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Dream Hotel Group weaves plans for Asia expansion

By Prudence Lui
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Dream Hotel Group's Phuket property

US-based Dream Hotel Group is gearing up for its foray into Asia-Pacific, with the signing of properties in new destinations and the assembling of a regional team.

Kitmun Fung and Sunny Li took up the posts of vice president of development, Asia Pacific and vice president of development for China and North Asia respectively, shared Abid Butt, CEO for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. An appointment for Middle East and Africa market will soon be made.

Dream Hotel Group’s Phuket property

With its Asian footprint in just Bangkok and Phuket, the brand is still relatively new to the region. However, new opportunities are driving plans to expand into more Asian destinations.

“Our brand has good recognition in the US and we want to bring it to the international market. I think the Asian markets are still growing; in particular, the burgeoning middle class which spurs more travellers into cross-border travel as well as domestic travel,” Butt explained during the recent HICAP in Hong Kong.

A number of projects are under development in Asia-Pacific destinations including the Maldives (opening in 2021), the Philippines (opening in 2021) and Pattaya (opening in late 2019).

On the direction Dream will take in Asia, Butt said: “From the demographic point of view, the region has a lot of younger affluent people who are looking for something different such as experiential travel. They don’t go to the average hotel but look for social hubs where they can interact with local community. So that defines our brand as we go after edgy design and our own F&B to attract the local community.”

Currently, its portfolio of lifestyle brands comprise Dream Hotels (five-star), Time Hotels (four-star), The Chatwal (luxury) and Unscripted Hotels, which will enter established and emerging urban and resort destinations across the region.

While it will continue to grow in Thailand, new potential destinations like Vietnam and Indonesia are also on the radar.

Meanwhile, Butt notes that Tokyo would be an incredible market for Dream but the barriers for entry are too great.

For China, vice president of development for China and North Asia, Sunny Li told that he’s been approached by owners in key gateway cities as the lifestyle brand is not confined to new buildings, mixed or stand-alone structures.

“We have one property in UK, for instance, converted from a church. Likewise, this revitalisation concept can be applied to China’s overbuilt environment. Frankly, the brand may not have been successful a decade ago but the Chinese are now frequent travellers, (which gives them more sophisticated preferences),” Li shared.

The company is in talks with owners in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, but second-tier cities with large populations will also be considered.

New tourism products lift Cambodia’s standalone appeal

By Marissa Carruthers
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Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild touted a gamechanger

A swathe of new hospitality projects and improving infrastructure in Cambodia are firmly planting the country on the regional map as a standalone tourist destination, industry insiders claim.

Traditionally an add-on destination for longhaul travellers to neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand, Cambodia’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape is enticing visitors to extend their stay.

Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild touted a gamechanger

The Cambodian trade is pinning high hopes on luxury resort Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild, slated to open on December 21 as a game-changer. It will be the first venture to offer five-star luxury in the heart of the Koh Kong jungle.

Six Senses and Alila Hotels and Resorts are gearing up to open private island resorts off the coast of Cambodia this year, while secondary destinations like Kep and Kampot are welcoming a steadily growing rush of new visitors.

Road upgrades are also making tertiary areas, such as remote Mondulkiri’s forest-hugged hills, more accessible.

Harold de Martimprey, general manager of Exo Travel Cambodia, said customers now spend an average of six days in Cambodia. He predicts the number will increase going into 2019.

Said de Martimprey: “It has been a battle and we have been trying to sell Cambodia as a single destination for years. It is finally starting to happen now.”

Ronni Dalholf, managing director of Diethelm Travel Cambodia, noted more customers visiting coastal Kep and the nearby riverside town of Kampot. “These places are becoming tourist hotspots,” he said.

In Siem Reap, German development agency GIZ has launched a series of community-driven products as part of its Siem Reap Beyond the Temples campaign.

Saloth Eng, GIZ tourism development advisor, said: “It is designed to encourage visitors to Siem Reap and the temples to stay longer and experience more of the sights and attractions the province has to offer.”

Rory Hunter, co-founder and CEO of private island resort Song Saa, is also convinced of Cambodia’s potential, predicting Siem Reap is on track to become a standalone destination itself.

“About 90 percent of visitors to Cambodia come through Siem Reap. Over the next decade, Siem Reap will become a destination within itself,” he said.

Song Saa recently unveiled its Song Saa Reserve, a 120ha integrated sustainable hospitality project near Banteay Srei temple in Siem Reap.

Update: An earlier version of the story wrote that Shinta Mani Wild would open on November 1. It has since been updated to reflect the resort’s actual opening date, which has been pushed back to December 21. 

APAC takes lion’s share of world’s fastest growing cities: WTTC

By TTG Asia
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Chengdu (pictured) among the top 10 fastest growing tourism cities over the past decade

Four of the five fastest-growing cities by travel and tourism GDP contribution over the past decade are located in China, WTTC found in its annual Cities Report.

Of the 72 cities deemed most important for tourism in the WTTC report, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou took top spots as the fastest growing in the past 10 years, while Shanghai is ranked as the largest city by travel and tourism in 2017.

Chengdu (pictured) among the top 10 fastest growing tourism cities over the past decade

Chinese cities have matured rapidly over the past decade, and are forecast to continue dominating the growth charts between 2017 and 2027. Shanghai, for example, went from being the eighth largest city in terms of travel and tourism GDP in 2007 to become the largest in 2017 – a position it is expected to maintain until 2027.

Meanwhile, the rapid growth of Guangzhou will take it to fourth place, and Chongqing is forecast to join the top 15 for the first time, WTTC posits. This comes following a period of sustained infrastructure development, including investments in airports and extensive product development.

The Chinese domestic and outbound markets will drive growth in the coming decade, with the majority of top performers maintaining their positions. Chinese cities will continue to lead, although a slowdown in growth is expected.

With the exception of Marrakech, the cities in the top 10 ranking of fastest growing travel & tourism GDP in the coming decade are in Asia-Pacific.

Considering 2017 alone, Cairo (34.4%) was the fast-growing city in terms of travel and tourism GDP contribution, followed by Macau (14.2%).

The world’s top 10 cities in terms of tourism market size in 2017 are Shanghai (US$35 billion), Beijing (US$32.5 billion), Paris (US$28 billion), Orlando (US$24.8 billion), New York (US$24.8 billion), Tokyo (US$21.7 billion), Bangkok (US$21.3 billion), Mexico City (US$19.7 billion), Las Vegas (US$19.5 billion) and Shenzhen (US$19 billion).

Looking at job creation, the world’s top 10 cities are Jakarta, Beijing, Mexico City, Shanghai, Bangkok, Chongqing, Delhi, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City and Shenzhen.

WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara commented: “With 54% of the world’s population living in urban areas, cities have become global economic hubs, driving growth and innovation. They attract huge quantities of people who travel to experience their culture, do business and live. This growth has also resulted in a rise in city tourism – a trend which is forecasted to maintain momentum.”

Heritage Cruises hoists sails for Cat Ba Archipelago

By TTG Asia
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Already operating in Vietnam’s Nha Trang Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, under the five-star Emperor Cruises brand, Heritage Cruises will launch its first boutique cruise in the Cat Ba archipelago.

In May 2019, Heritage Cruises will offer experiences for 40 guests aboard an architecturally designed boutique river and ocean cruise ship in the Gulf of Tonkin.

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Amenities include a luxury spa, movie under stars, two restaurants, indoor and outdoor lounges, pool bar and swimming pool and 20 suites with picture windows offering river and ocean views..

On the three-deck Heritage Cruises ship, 20 suites range from 33m2 to 79m2, while food and beverage options include Le Tonkin and Indochine restaurants for Vietnamese gourmet cuisine. The ship also features an outdoor deck, complete with Vietnam’s first infinity swimming pool on a cruise ship, pool bar, and private cabanas, the Bach Thai Buoi Library for reading and relaxation, the White Lotus Spa offering massages and essential oil treatments, a dry sauna, fitness center, movies under the stars, and games room as well as its art gallery and auction centre.

Heritage Cruises offers a floating exhibition, L’Art de l’Annam, with the first designer art gallery of the renowned artist Pham Luc, known as the Picasso of Vietnam, along with the works of other famous Vietnamese artists. Guided art tours can be arranged as well as occasional auctions.

Concierge services are a speciality on the vessel, with a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio ensuring every need is attended to. On board are 40 crew members, including a cruise director and experiences manager. Apart from daily limousine transfers between Hanoi and Cat Ba Archipelago upon request, the Heritage Cruises team can also arrange for private charter airplanes, helicopters or seaplanes.

New GSA paves road into India for Hertz

By TTG Asia
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The Hertz Corporation has appointed InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) as its exclusive GSA in India.

IGAT will manage the outbound sales of products and services of Hertz and its additional car rental brands Dollar, Thrifty, ACE and Firefly to domestic travel trade partners, corporate customers and leisure travellers. The partnership was formed following a year of collaboration in India between the two companies.

Hertz appoints InterGlobe Air Transport as exclusive India GSA

Eoin MacNeill, vice president, Hertz Asia Pacific, said in a statement: “The India outbound market represents a great opportunity for Hertz and we are very pleased to extend our partnership with IGAT to a sole agent basis. IGAT is an experienced operator, managing a wide travel distribution network and extensive corporate customer base across India. IGAT is ideally placed to grow the presence of The Hertz Corporation’s car rental brands in India and provide outbound travellers with a wide choice of car rental options around the world.”

Siddhanta Sharma, president and CEO, InterGlobe Air Transport, added: “Hertz’s global expertise and modern fleet, coupled with our strong footprint across the Indian market will help us pave substantial inroads with both corporate and leisure holiday travellers. ”

IGAT has 29 years of experience in the Indian travel industry, 12 sales offices and 80 sales people.

New GSA paves road into India for Hertz

By TTG Asia
0

The Hertz Corporation has appointed InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) as its exclusive GSA in India.

IGAT will manage the outbound sales of products and services of Hertz and its additional car rental brands Dollar, Thrifty, ACE and Firefly to domestic travel trade partners, corporate customers and leisure travellers. The partnership was formed following a year of collaboration in India between the two companies.

Hertz appoints InterGlobe Air Transport as exclusive India GSA

Eoin MacNeill, vice president, Hertz Asia Pacific, said in a statement: “The India outbound market represents a great opportunity for Hertz and we are very pleased to extend our partnership with IGAT to a sole agent basis. IGAT is an experienced operator, managing a wide travel distribution network and extensive corporate customer base across India. IGAT is ideally placed to grow the presence of The Hertz Corporation’s car rental brands in India and provide outbound travellers with a wide choice of car rental options around the world.”

Siddhanta Sharma, president and CEO, InterGlobe Air Transport, added: “Hertz’s global expertise and modern fleet, coupled with our strong footprint across the Indian market will help us pave substantial inroads with both corporate and leisure holiday travellers. ”

IGAT has 29 years of experience in the Indian travel industry, 12 sales offices and 80 sales people.

New GSA paves road into India for Hertz

By TTG Asia
0

The Hertz Corporation has appointed InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) as its exclusive GSA in India.

IGAT will manage the outbound sales of products and services of Hertz and its additional car rental brands Dollar, Thrifty, ACE and Firefly to domestic travel trade partners, corporate customers and leisure travellers. The partnership was formed following a year of collaboration in India between the two companies.

Hertz appoints InterGlobe Air Transport as exclusive India GSA

Eoin MacNeill, vice president, Hertz Asia Pacific, said in a statement: “The India outbound market represents a great opportunity for Hertz and we are very pleased to extend our partnership with IGAT to a sole agent basis. IGAT is an experienced operator, managing a wide travel distribution network and extensive corporate customer base across India. IGAT is ideally placed to grow the presence of The Hertz Corporation’s car rental brands in India and provide outbound travellers with a wide choice of car rental options around the world.”

Siddhanta Sharma, president and CEO, InterGlobe Air Transport, added: “Hertz’s global expertise and modern fleet, coupled with our strong footprint across the Indian market will help us pave substantial inroads with both corporate and leisure holiday travellers. ”

IGAT has 29 years of experience in the Indian travel industry, 12 sales offices and 80 sales people.

New GSA paves road into India for Hertz

By TTG Asia
0

The Hertz Corporation has appointed InterGlobe Air Transport (IGAT) as its exclusive GSA in India.

IGAT will manage the outbound sales of products and services of Hertz and its additional car rental brands Dollar, Thrifty, ACE and Firefly to domestic travel trade partners, corporate customers and leisure travellers. The partnership was formed following a year of collaboration in India between the two companies.

Hertz appoints InterGlobe Air Transport as exclusive India GSA

Eoin MacNeill, vice president, Hertz Asia Pacific, said in a statement: “The India outbound market represents a great opportunity for Hertz and we are very pleased to extend our partnership with IGAT to a sole agent basis. IGAT is an experienced operator, managing a wide travel distribution network and extensive corporate customer base across India. IGAT is ideally placed to grow the presence of The Hertz Corporation’s car rental brands in India and provide outbound travellers with a wide choice of car rental options around the world.”

Siddhanta Sharma, president and CEO, InterGlobe Air Transport, added: “Hertz’s global expertise and modern fleet, coupled with our strong footprint across the Indian market will help us pave substantial inroads with both corporate and leisure holiday travellers. ”

IGAT has 29 years of experience in the Indian travel industry, 12 sales offices and 80 sales people.

Expedia Group buys duo of homesharing software start-ups

By TTG Asia
0
The Expedia Group, which acquired vacation rental business Homeaway in 2015, is now purchasing software solutions to help bolster homesharing inventory in its marketplace

The Expedia Group is acquiring software solution providers Pillow and Apartment Jet, which it says signals its commitment to helping multi-family communities list and manage short-term rentals.

“Demand for short-term rentals in US urban destinations has been growing impressively over the past several years. In order to be able to deliver what customers are asking for while at the same time promoting responsible renting, Expedia Group is committed to delivering solutions that give urban building owners, managers and communities control and transparency over short-term rentals,” said Mark Okerstrom, president and CEO, Expedia Group.

The Expedia Group, which acquired vacation rental business Homeaway in 2015, is now purchasing software solutions to help bolster homesharing inventory in its marketplace

Both software solutions enable the rental of guest suites in multi-family communities, with Pillow making it easy for multi-family community owners to allow residents to list their apartment units as short-term rentals without violating their lease restrictions.

The two companies enable owners to set limitations on short-term rentals in their buildings, such as limiting the number of total rental nights per year for units or for an entire building. Additionally, they make it easy for multi-family owners to know who is staying in their buildings and when.

In a statement, the Expedia Group said that over time the partnership is expected to help expand the selection of accommodation in the global marketplaces of HomeAway and other Expedia Group brands.

Nohga Hotel Ueno, Japan

By Julian Ryall
0

Tokyo’s Ueno district is not known as a hotbed of cool accommodation options, so the opening of the Nohga Hotel on November 1 is timely. And while the district has a reputation for being a bit gritty and industrial, it is also the location of a number of museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, as well as Ueno Zoo and the Shinobazu Pond – one of the city’s top areas for parties during cherry blossom season.

The operators of the hotel are also cleverly playing on Ueno’s industrial back story by forging unique collaborations with local artisans that allow guests to see for themselves hand-crafted products that they would otherwise almost certainly overlook.

These include collaborations with Kimura Glass for a range of high-end glassware that is also to be found throughout the property, beautifully made fountain pens by Kakimori Kuramae and rented bicycles from Tokyobike to tour the neighbourhood.

The hotel’s relationships continue in the kitchen, with local specialists supplying everything from miso and pickles to bonito flakes, kelp, shiitake mushrooms, rice and other ingredients.

Rooms
The property has 130 bright and airy rooms presented in a contemporary Japanese style but with accents provided once again by local businesses, such as the SyuRo amenity boxes and Dear Mayuko soaps and shampoos.

Rooms on the lower floors tend to look out on the workshops, small businesses and apartment blocks that are a feature of Ueno’s backstreets, although the view from the 64m2 suite – complete with a living room and kitchenette – takes in the impressive Tokyo Skytree.

F&B
The Bistro Nohga serves a contemporary French menu designed to reflect the four seasons of Japan and using the freshest and most natural ingredients. The chef prides himself on shopping locally and knowing the provenance of the meals he prepares.

The kitchen is open plan and a quite spectacle for guests seated at its broad wooden counter.

The marinated salmon and cream cheese gravlax entree was excellent, as was the Iwate herb pork rillette, but the salted and caramelised pork belly was outstanding. Make sure you save space for the pear and walnut caramel cobbler or the banana crème brûlée and caramel ice cream.

The hotel has a limited selection of beers, sakes and wines, although they have been selected primarily because they are unusual as well as the work of craft producers.

Facilities
While the neighbourhood’s sights will be the main attraction of any stay, the hotel also has a fitness room and laundry, a library lounge for kicking back and two terraces – one the length of the west side of the first floor of the property and the second at ground level and expertly screened from the road by foliage, including a Japanese maple that will be stunning in the autumn.

Service
An impressive combination of the warmth and attentiveness that is to be expected of a Japanese hotel, but with less of the formality. The staff’s uniforms are hip rather than stiff, along with their attitudes towards guests. It is actually quite refreshing.

Verdict
The Nohga Hotel may be a little ahead of its time in Ueno, but visitors to Tokyo are looking for more than picture-postcard experiences. Increasingly, they want to sample the “real” Japan, and this part of the capital has that in spades. Teaming up with local craftspeople is a stroke a genius and makes the property stand out from the crowd.

Number of rooms 130
Rates Double rooms start at Y20,800 (US$185) per night, with the suite costing 150,000 yen
Contact details
Tel: (81) 3 5816 0213
Website: https://nohgahotel.com/en/ueno/

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TTG Asia | Brand USA brings travel advisor ambassador scheme to South-east Asia
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