Red Planet Japan’s new Philippines subsidiary acquires two local flagships

June 8, 2018

Following its recent sale-and-leaseback agreement with Goldman Sachs to reinvest in new Japan developments, Red Planet Japan has now established a new subsidiary in the Philippines, and along with it, the acquisition of two local flagship properties which will double its room inventory.

The new subsidiary, Red Planet Hotels Manila Corporation, will acquire the land lease rights and partially-constructed assets of two hotels in the Philippines, Red Planet Manila The Fort and Red Planet Manila Entertainment City, for a total consideration of 166.8 million pesos (US$3.2 million).

Red Planet Japan further expands hotel portfolio in the Philippines; its property in Sapporo pictured

Scheduled for launch in 2019, Red Planet Manila The Fort is being developed as a 245-room hotel located in the Metro Manila business district of Bonifacio Global City. Opening in 2020 is Red Planet Manila Entertainment City, a 330-room hotel located adjacent to Manila’s bayside, close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the new casinos, and the Mall of Asia complex.

According to a Red Planet statement, there are hopes this would spur two-way demand from Japanese and Filipino travellers, given the brand’s growing presence in Japan and the Philippines.

Red Planet’s CEO, Tim Hansing, commented: “The travel industry in the Philippines continues to grow rapidly, especially with a significant increase in inbound tourists. The similarities with the rapid development of inbound visitation to Japan tourism are notable, making this acquisition a natural next step in our growth strategy. Both Japan and the Philippines are high-growth leisure travel markets, and we are therefore building a sizable presence in both markets.”

Inbound arrivals to the Philippines grew by 25.6 per cent in 2017, propelled by sizeable increases in arrivals from China and Japan, Red Planet shared. And while Chinese visitors to the Philippines climbed 43.3 per cent in 2017 alone, Japanese tourist arrivals in the Philippines also surged over the past eight years, from 2009 to 2017, with a total increase of 80 per cent.

New hotels: Premier Village Phu Quoc, RYSE and more

By TTG Asia

June 8, 2018

0

Premier Village Phu Quoc, Vietnam
An all-pool-villa resort has opened on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island. Nestled among the forested Ong Doi Cape, Premier Village Phu Quoc resort offers 217 villas in a number of configurations, from the two-storey two-bedroom villas to On The Rock villas with four bedrooms. Each dwelling features a private swimming pool, balcony, fully-equipped kitchenette, and a spacious living and dining room.

F&B options include the Mediterranean restaurant Corallo, the all-day dining Market and the Sunset Lounge (opening in late 2018). Leisure facilities include the Plumeria Spa, a fitness centre, communal swimming pool, kids’ club, as well as a Bill Bensley-designed elevated platform function space that can cater to 200 pax (also opens late 2018).

RYSE, South Korea
The second Autograph Collection hotel in Seoul has risen in the Hongdae district. RYSE boasts 272 guestrooms including 14 suites, each designed to highlight an art piece from an exclusive collection for the hotel. For instance, the 217m² Executive Producer Suite, located on the 20^th floor, features handpicked artworks and a graphic wall by renowned Korean graphic designer Na Kim. Aside from the four F&B options, facilities on the property include a fitness centre, 500m² retail store, and 1,400m² of meeting and event spaces.

Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Airport, China
The first Hyatt Regency hotel in Shenzhen has opened its doors a five-minute walk from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Offering 335 keys, room sizes range from 40m2 to 245m², and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with airport or city views. Rooms are insulated and come furnished with 55-inch flatscreen TVs, a Bluetooth audio system, work areas and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

The property also has four F&B venues, a spa with six rooms, 24-hour gym, indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna and whirlpool. Event planners may avail the more than 1,670m² of indoor function space, which includes the pillarless Regency Ballroom for up to 1,000 guests, and six meeting rooms. Complementing the indoor spaces is a 4,600m² outdoor garden.

Peppers Silo, Australia
Launceston in Tasmania, Australia, has welcomed a new hotel Peppers Silo, the first such development in the city since 2010. The redeveloped site – from unused grain silos in Kings Wharf – along River Tamar is now a 10-storey hotel featuring 108 guestrooms, including 52 inside the barrels of the former silos, which includes one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Amenities at Peppers Silo includes a fully-equipped gym, day spa, child-minding facilities, hairdressing salon, and a restaurant and bar called Grain of the Silos. There are also conference facilities for up to 500 people, as well as private dining rooms available.

Le Bokor Palace Opening 2018

By TTG

June 8, 2018

0

Brought to you by SOKHA HOTELS & RESORTS.

Le Bokor Palace Opening 2018
A luxurious and historical Hotel since 1920s is renovated for re-opening

Le Bokor Palace is a luxurious and historical hotel since 1920s situated on cliff at the top of Bokor Mountain, Kampot Province, Kingdom of Cambodia. The hotel offers breathtaking view of mountain and coastline, as known as the health resort that offers natural treatment to visitors.

Because of its cool climate and fresh air, it contributes and promotes blood regeneration, lungs, heart, breathing, nutrition, nervous system, regain strength and health. Source: from Dr Vallet, Director of Cambodia’s Health Service, 1925

Le Bokor Palace located between the tropical forest and the “Opal Coast” on Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, nearby Kampot Province and was first inaugurated on 14 February 1925 to host royalty and elites for decades. The hotel was revived in the early 1962 by Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, and served members of high-ranking officials, governments and wealthy business people, and it used to be Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s favorite retreat vacation.

Perched on a cliff at the top of Bokor Mountain, this historical hotel commands breathtaking views of what the French once called the Opal Coast. The weather on top of Bokor Mountain ranges between 17 °C – 24 °C (62.6 °F – 75.2 °F) for whole year round. Bokor Mountain is not just tourist destination for traveler, but also a health resort with natural health treatment that effects on lung, breathe, nutrition, nervous system, enable blood regeneration, and regain strength (Source: from Dr Vallet, Director of Cambodia’s Health Service, 1925).

Le Bokor Palace is four-storied building, toughly and neatly designed, has a powerful presence, embellished with decks and Italian-style pergolas.

Today, Le Bokor Palace is restoring by Sokha Hotels & Resorts. Designed of French style to keep its original feature and size, guests can embrace a luxurious staying experience at the historical hotel of Le Bokor Palace. The hotel brings out 5 room types, featuring Thansur Room, Bokor Suite, Sokha Suite, Thansur Suite, and Palace suite ranging from 18.5 to 90 square meters. Each rooms and suites are well-equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, Spain tiles, Italian bathroom equipment, handmade wooden furniture, comfortable mattress with luxury wooden bed (Single bed or King bed), and velvety sofa. A glance through window, guest can get a glimpse of stunning mountain and magnificent panoramic views of the “Opal Coast”.

Its 2 restaurants offer fine-dining and all-day dining exclusively featuring the old menu that was used since Le Bokor Palace first opening in 1925. The dishes are made of fresh and high quality ingredients together with organic vegetables from Bokor Hydroponics Farm nearby to bring out the best flavor. Embellished with stylish lighting and elegant interior décor, these two restaurants offer a great dining experience in sophisticate atmosphere.

While staying at Le Bokor Palace known as nature health resort, guests can also visit the spectacular of Mountain Lake, beautiful Popokvil waterfall, Rock formation various shapes of rocks at 100 rice field and a unique shape of rock symbolize a gate between heaven and earth. Meditation is recommended on Bokor Mountain especially at 500 rice fields. Bokor Mountain is the only place in Cambodia that has Nepenthes flowers, the local use the flowers for medicine.

The remains of the colonial settlement – which included Catholic Church, Wat Sampov Pram, Domnak Sla Kmao, Damnak Sdech, City Hall and other colonial buildings – can still be seen today, spread out across a plateau and often shrouded in mist.

For reservation:
Telephone: +855 16 616 126
E-mail: reservation.lbp@sokhahotels.com

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Samrith Bunnich
Marketing Manager
E-mail: nickie.samrith@sokhahotels.com
Telephone: +855 33 683 9999
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeBokorPalaceKP/
Website: www.lebokorpalace.com

About Le Bokor Palace

Le Bokor Palace includes 36 luxurious rooms and suites. Its two restaurants capture the elegance of the hotel’s historic past, with Swiss and Cambodian chefs are preparing both 100 year of renascence menu and Royal Khmer cuisine with freshest organic vegetables and ingredient that grown nearby organic farm.

Hamish Keith sharpens focus on niche sectors as he succeeds Olivier Colomes as CEO of Exo Travel

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

June 7, 2018

0

exo-olivier-hamish- — Olivier (left) will become chairman of the Exo board, and be replaced by Hamish (right) as CEO

After 25 years of service and leadership, Exo Travel’s co-founder and CEO, Olivier Colomes, will move up to become chairman of the board and be replaced by current group managing director Hamish Keith as CEO come July 1, 2018.

As chairman, Colomes will continue to play an active role in the group’s strategy, providing leadership and guidance to the senior management team.

Colomes (left) will become chairman of the Exo board, and be replaced by Keith (right) as CEO

A long-time veteran with the company, Keith first joined Exo Travel – previously known as Exotissimo – to launch Exotissimo Thailand in 2002. In 2007, he became group managing director and partner in Exo Travel.

Keith, together with COO George Ehrlich-Adam, will now lead the Bangkok-based DMC as “two core pillars in the organisation”.

Said Keith: “George and I have been with the company for over 15 years each and we have a very stable and highly competent senior leadership team around us, so we are very confident that we can continue moving Exo forwards and continue the great work Olivier started.”

With two experienced hands at the helm, Keith said customer service and innovative travel experiences will remain very much at the company’s core, with a “further brand segmentation as we focus more attention on the niche sectors”.

The DMC has soft-launched a luxury division, Luxe by Exo, to tap growing opportunities in high-end travel in Asia.

Keith said: “Luxe by Exo is part of our strategy to segment the specialist parts business such as Adventure Travel and Luxury Travel into specific units with clear, designated leaders and specialist teams to provide very specific type of service. We have successfully achieved this with Exo Adventure (launched in 2015) so it makes good sense for us to continue with Luxe by Exo.”

Luxe by Exo is a invitation-only brand that will effectively function as a “boutique company within a company”, Keith added, made up of a team of consultants who have been selected based on their specialist knowledge and competence to cater to the unique needs of the sector.

Exo Travel, which began operations in 1993 as the first foreign-owned company to receive a tourism operating license in Vietnam, will mark its 25th anniversary this year.

Malaysia’s zero GST spurs domestic travel this Hari Raya season

By S Puvaneswary

June 7, 2018

0

jonker-market-malacca — Melaka (pictured), Langkawi and Taman Negara popular domestic choices this Hari Raya Aidilfitri

The current tax holiday that Malaysians are enjoying is spurring domestic travel, with inbound agents and hoteliers seeing an uptick in domestic tour package and room bookings for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri (June 14-15) holiday.

Demand for travel is partly spurred by cheaper costs of holidaying since the zero-rated goods and services tax (GST), down from six per cent previously, began on June 1 while the sales and services tax has yet to kick in.

Melaka (pictured), Langkawi and Taman Negara popular domestic choices this Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Kingston Khoo, director of sales and marketing at Mutiara Taman Negara, said: “We’re seeing a slight pick up on domestic bookings for Hari Raya. Bookings are mainly for FITs and young families. We see more eco-adventure packages being purchased by millennials such as via ferrata adventure near Taman Negara and trekking to the waterfalls.”

Similarly, Eric R Sinnaya, managing director of Langkawi-based Morahols Travel, has recorded a 10 per cent increase in forward bookings from the domestic market. Clients are mainly from the northern region, Kuala Lumpur and the east coast.

S Jayakumar, director, Dayangti Transport & Tours, anticipates a 20 per cent boost in domestic travel. He shared that apartment stays are popular especially with extended families of five to seven people travelling together. Melaka, Johor and Langkawi are among the destinations favoured by his clients.

Iskandar Zulkarnain, director of sales and marketing at The Andaman, A Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi, is also optimistic about seeing an increase in domestic family stays. The resort has an ongoing local resident package up to December 22 for the Malaysian and Singapore markets, providing a daily F&B credit of RM100 (US$25).

Minor snaps up HNA’s stake in NH Hotel Group

By TTG Asia

June 7, 2018

0

nh_san_luis_potosi-023-facade — The deal will help strengthen Minor's presence in Europe

Thailand-based Minor International (MINT) has acquired an additional 25.2 per cent stake in Europe’s NH Hotel Group for 619 million euros (US$730 million) from Chinese conglomerate HNA Group.

This follows MINT’s earlier purchase of a 9.5 per cent shareholding in NH Hotel, raising its stake in the Spanish hotel group to 34.7 per cent, which according to a Reuters report will exceed the 30 per cent ownership threshold to initiate a full takeover of the company under Spanish law.

The deal will help strengthen Minor’s presence in Europe

MINT plans to launch an all-cash public tender offer to acquire NH Hotel Group’s remaining shares, with a shareholding target of 51 to 55 per cent. It intends to let NH Hotel remain as a publicly-listed company on the Madrid Stock Exchange.

The purchase will enable MINT to “further cement (its) footprint in the European hospitality sector” and expand its network to 540 hotels worldwide, Minor Hotels’ CEO Dillip Rajakarier said in a statement.

The offer will not be lower than MINT’s highest acquisition price in the last 12-month period, currently 6.40 euros per share. The acquisition will be funded through debt instruments.

The share purchase from HNA Group will be in two tranches. The first tranche of 65.9 million shares, representing 16.8 per cent shareholding on a fully diluted basis, will be completed on or around June 15, 2018. The second tranche, consisting of 32.9 million shares or 8.4 per cent on a fully diluted basis, is expected to be completed in September 2018.

The final acquisition percentage will be dependent on NH Hotel Group’s existing shareholders’ decision to sell their shares at the proposed tender offer price, a process which is expected to take three to five months after the launch.

Mobile itinerary app enhanced for DMCs

By TTG Asia

June 7, 2018

0

open destinations_JUNE13 — DMCs can use Tineri to provide travel agents with an app in their own branding, co-branded with the DMC, or with the DMC’s branding only

Travel technology provider Open Destinations has unveiled a new functionality for DMCs within the Tineri app, enabling B2B travel providers to supply their agent clients with mobile itineraries.

DMCs can use Tineri to provide travel agents with an app in their own branding, co-branded with the DMC or with the DMC’s branding only. The travel agent can use Tineri’s content management system to add their own contact details as well as any extra information they need to include, before sending it on to the end traveller.

In addition, Tineri’s export functions allow a DMC to convert a mobile itinerary into a PDF document for either quoting or final travel purposes.

Acquired by Open Destinations in 2017, Tineri allows tour operators, travel agents and now DMCs to provide their clients with mobile itineraries. The app puts the whole trip onto one screen, giving travellers access to their itinerary, travel documents, contacts, messages, images and more.

[Acquired: https://www.ttgasia.com/2017/06/13/open-destinations-acquires-mobile-tour-itinerary-app-tineri/]

DMC customers currently using the company’s software solutions include Abercrombie & Kent, Destination Asia and Intrepid Group.

Aviation roundup: Korean Air, Air Canada and more

By TTG Asia

June 7, 2018

0

Korean Air launches flights to Croatian capital
From September 1, Korean Air will commence thrice-weekly services between Seoul and Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, operating the service on an A330-200 with 218 seats.

KE919 will depart Incheon Airport at 11.05 and arrive in Zagreb at 15.45 the same day. Return flight KE920 will depart Zagreb at 17.20 and arrive in Seoul at 11.30 the following day.

This is the first regular service that connects Asia and Croatia.

Air Canada begins Montreal-Tokyo service; flies year-round to Melbourne
Air Canada has started its first scheduled service between Montreal and Japan, marking the carrier’s third direct connection between Montreal and Asia launched in the past three years, following two direct flights from Montreal to Beijing and Shanghai.

Flights will operate all year-round to Tokyo with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, daily during summer peak travel and three times a week during the winter.

AC005 departs Montreal at 14.05, and arrives in Tokyo Narita at 15.50 the following day. The return leg AC006 will depart Tokyo Narita at 17.30, and arrive back in Montreal at 16.30.

In addition, the airline now flies year-round to Melbourne from Vancouver.

The outbound flight will depart Melbourne thrice weekly at 09.40 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and arrive in Vancouver at 07.35 on the same day. The inbound service will depart Vancouver at 22.45 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrive into Melbourne two days later at 08.00.

The Melbourne-Vancouver service will be operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline has plans to introduce a fourth frequency at the end of the year.

Vietjet goes to Japan
Vietjet will launch a direct route from Hanoi to Osaka on November 8, 2018, marking the LCC’s first service to the Japan.

The Hanoi-Osaka route will operate on a daily basis with a flight of around four hours per leg. Flights will depart Hanoi at 01.45 and arrive in Osaka at 07.50. The return leg will take off from Osaka at 09.20, and arrive back in Hanoi at 13.10.

New codeshare partnership between Bangkok Airways and Lao Airlines
Bangkok Airways and Lao Airlines have announced a new codeshare partnership to strengthen their respective route networks between Thailand and Laos.

Under the agreement, Lao Airlines will put its “QV” designator code on Bangkok Airways’ flights, serving round-trip routes on Bangkok-Vientiane and Bangkok-Luang Prabang. Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways will put its “PG” designator code on Lao Airlines’ flights, serving round-trip routes on Vientiane-Bangkok, Luang Prabang-Bangkok, Pakse-Bangkok and Luang Prabang-Chiang Mai.

Emirates to up Osaka capacity with A380 service
Emirates will introduce Airbus A380 services to Osaka beginning October 28, replacing the 777-300ER aircraft currently operating on this route.

The Airbus A380 aircraft serving Emirates’ Dubai-Osaka route will offer a total of 489 seats in a three-class configuration, with 399 seats in Economy Class, 76 fully flat-bed seats in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites. The deployment of the double-decker aircraft represents a capacity increase of 38 per cent.

EK316 will leave Dubai every day at 03.05 and arrive in Osaka at 16.55. The return flight, EK317, departs Osaka at 23.35 and lands in Dubai at 05.45hrs the next morning.

Perks at new Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai for Virtuoso agent clients

By TTG Asia

June 7, 2018

0

Luxury travel network Virtuoso is extending an opening promotion for stays at the Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai, which debuts in June 20.

Available to clients of Virtuoso advisors, the promotion includes a guaranteed room upgrade at the time of booking, valid until December 31, 2018. In addition, guests get to enjoy daily breakfast for two (including room service); hotel credits valued at US$100; early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability); and Wi-Fi.

The 48-storey Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai features 63 rooms and 19 suites, six F&B venues, 2,000m² spa and fitness centre, plus complimentary Maserati limousine service within the city centre.

Singapore’s hospitality players feed on buzz around Trump-Kim summit

By Pamela Chow

June 6, 2018

0

Ahead of confirmation that the historic Trump-Kim summit would take place on June 12 at Sentosa’s Capella Hotel in Singapore, hospitality establishments located in and around “special event areas” rolled out themed publicity and anticipated higher occupancy during the meeting period.

Patrick Fiat, general manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts, shared that the hotel “has seen an increase of 15 per cent in hotel bookings in the past week since the announcement” that the Tanglin area will be gazetted as an event venue for the summit.

Trump and Kim to meet at Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore

Royal Plaza on Scotts is located down the road from Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, which was shortlisted as one of the summit venues and may host “lead-in activities and social events connected with this summit” as part of the “special event area” gazetted by the Singapore government.

In theme with the summit, Royal Plaza’s Scotts Lounge launched a “Trump Kim Burger” and “Summit Iced Tea”, available June 8-15. The items combine American and Korean culinary elements, including chicken-and-kimchi burger patty.

Royal Plaza on Scott’s Trump-Kim Burger and Summit Iced Tea

Alluding to the date of the summit, the Trump-Kim Burger is priced at S$12 (US$9) and the Summit Iced Tea at S$6.

Fiat added: “We are currently 75 per cent filled. The hotel expects to run above 90 per cent during the summit.”

Other F&B establishments in downtown Singapore have also launched summit-themed dishes, such as Trump Kim-Chi rice dish by Harmony Nasi Lemak and El Trumpo (cheeseburger) and Rocket Man (Korean fried chicken) tacos by Lucha Loco.

Indeed, travellers have not been shying away from Singapore during this period, but some are rerouting their stops at locales here.

Crystal Sim, president & CEO of Albatross World, noted that none of her clients are avoiding Singapore during the summit period, but the gazetted areas for the summit as well as hotspots like the Istana are regarded as “places to keep clear of”, although this will be “for all of one day”.

Going forward, Sim believes that this high-profile event will encourage more business meetings to be held in Singapore.

Red Planet Japan’s new Philippines subsidiary acquires two local flagships

New hotels: Premier Village Phu Quoc, RYSE and more

Le Bokor Palace Opening 2018

Hamish Keith sharpens focus on niche sectors as he succeeds Olivier Colomes as CEO of Exo Travel

Malaysia’s zero GST spurs domestic travel this Hari Raya season

Minor snaps up HNA’s stake in NH Hotel Group

Mobile itinerary app enhanced for DMCs

Aviation roundup: Korean Air, Air Canada and more

Perks at new Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai for Virtuoso agent clients

Singapore’s hospitality players feed on buzz around Trump-Kim summit

Tried and Tested

Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

What to Buy Now

Star Navigator to sail to Okinawa from Kaohsiung in January 2026