Park Hotel Group has unveiled the revamped Grand Park City Hall, ahead of the hotel’s final phase of transformation scheduled to be completed by 3Q2018.
The 343-room Grand Park City Hall, located on Coleman Street in Singapore’s Civic District, forms part of Park Hotel Group’s upcoming mixed-use lifestyle precinct comprising City Hall Square, a new dining, shopping and entertainment destination set on the conservation site of St Gregory Place.
Grand Park City Hall’s facade
Following the completion of 186 brand-new rooms, the final phase of transformation will feature an additional 157 guestrooms and suites, a new gym facility, a new swimming pool as well as a new rooftop garden event space.
On the top floors of the hotel, a collection of suites offers private gardens along with in-built Jacuzzis.
Six pairs of interconnecting child-friendly rooms are specifically designed with families in mind, complete with colourful bean bag chairs, an activity desk, a magnetic blackboard wall and rolling paper for kids. Crystal Club guests will also have access to the new Crystal Club Lounge and its privileges.
Influenced by its historical location, the hotel interiors and spaces are presented with a mix of neoclassical designs and clean lines incorporating Peranakan pattern tiles, vintage statement pieces and artwork of local landmarks.
As part of the restoration work, the hotel will also feature new architectural design elements including a new bronze arch gate fronting the entrance to the hotel’s colonial-style façade.
Crystal Club Deluxe Room
Grand Park City Hall is piloting a mobile application that allows guests to digitally check-in and go straight to their room with their digital key, with the authentication process completed by guests taking a selfie on their mobile phones.
The same application can enable guests to adjust in-room lighting and climate cooling, request for extra amenities such as towels and bottled water, and connect with the hotel’s guest services manager directly.
Radisson Phu Quoc to join a Radisson Blu property on the island
Radisson Hotel Group has continued to expand its footprint in Vietnam with the signing of the country’s first Radisson resort, located on the island of Phu Quoc.
Nestled on Truong Beach, Radisson Phu Quoc will feature 218 sea-facing rooms and suites, with private balconies or terraces, a choice of outdoor swimming pools, a spa, fitness centre and kid’s club.
Radisson Phu Quoc to join a Radisson Blu property on the island
A selection of dining options will also be available, including the all-day-dining restaurant serving international cuisine, a speciality restaurant, and lobby lounge.
Radisson Phu Quoc will be located within a five-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport, which was recently expanded and now welcomes longhaul international flights from Europe.
“The introduction of Radisson Phu Quoc, alongside the upper-upscale Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc, will provide guests with two vacation options in this up-and-coming destination. Moving forward we will continue to seek opportunities to expand our presence across this country,” said Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.
This June, Thailand-based U Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of promotions and giveaways.
The first is a stay at any U Hotels & Resorts property for just 1,000 baht (US$31) per room per night. This rate is available on all Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays in the months between June 2018 to March 2019, but reservations must be made between June 1-10, 2018, at www.uhotelsresorts.com.
U Khao Yai
Throughout June 2018, every property’s restaurant will boast 10 dishes and 10 drinks which are priced at 100 baht each.
The group is offering a chance to win stays at its resorts in Thailand and Indonesia.
The grand prize is a free two-night stay at U Paasha Seminyak Bali including return flight tickets for two, while the 10 runner-up prizes will be 10 one-night vouchers, one for each of their 10 hotels – U Chiang Mai, U Inchantree Kanchanaburi, U Zenamya Phuket, U Sukhumvit Bangkok, U Pattaya, U Sathorn Bangkok, U Khao Yai, U Nimman Chiang Mai, U Tropicana Alibaug and U Janevalla Bandung.
UK-based wholesale travel company has appointed two sales & business development managers, Carrie Lo Sze Wai and Levin De Melo, to grow its presence and boost sales in Asia-Pacific.
In their new roles, Lo will be responsible for growing Travellanda’s business in Asia, with a heavy emphasis on China, while De Melo will cover India, the Middle East, UK, US, Portugal and Brazil.
From left: Carrie Lo Sze Wai and Levin De Melo
Lo has a decade of experience working in the travel industry in Hong Kong in a variety of sales, business development and customer relations positions for companies such as Gateway, Pacific Leisure, Miki and JacTravel.
Meanwhile, De Melo has over two decades of experience under his belt in in sales, marketing and general management roles in travel in India and Dubai. He has worked for companies such as Destinations Unlimited, Sunny Tours, DTTS, Alshamel Holidays, GTA and Global DMC.
Located in the newly-fashionable district of North Point on Hong Kong Island, Hotel VIC on the Harbour boasts spectacular panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and direct access to a newly-created waterfront promenade. The twin-tower hotel is designed for upwardly mobile, young and savvy tourist and business travellers looking for unbeatable comfort and quality service. Links to Hong Kong’s superb public transport network, including the MTR and ferries, are just steps away from the hotel.
Hotel VIC features 671 affordable luxury guestrooms and suites. Executive guests can enjoy exclusive benefits at Club VIC, a spacious retreat on the 22nd floor where they can relax, enjoy panoramic views over Victoria Harbour and prepare for their next voyage. The adjoining Boardroom is equipped with high-speed WiFi and the savviest technology facilities to accommodate meetings of up to 12 people.
Image: All guestrooms come with harbour viewImage: View from suite
Hotel VIC’s hospitality extends to the high-tech world of super-connectivity. In addition to complimentary lightning-fast WiFi available throughout the premises, the hotel features online check-in / out service; guestrooms equipped with flat-screen televisions offering IPTV service; and a tailor-made smartphone app that puts services like in-room dining, table reservations, networking and multimedia entertainment at guests’ fingertips.
Dining options include The Farmhouse, an all-day restaurant offering international cuisine, with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the harbour. Adjoining the restaurant is The Farmhouse Deli, featuring a mouth-watering selection of freshly-made pastries and cakes to accompany our special house-brewed coffee or a wide range of teas. Cruise is a sophisticated rooftop restaurant and bar with a romantic outdoor area providing panoramic views of the harbour.
The hotel’s comprehensive fitness facilities allow you to work out anytime in the 24-hour state-of-the-art gym or hit the laps daytime at the rooftop outdoor swimming pool, with the further option of relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms, or experience an innovative fitness journey with the VR flying machine.
Image: VR flying machine
Hotel VIC on the Harbour has been built to the most exacting standards through the combined star power of renowned award-winners Rocco Design Architects Ltd as project architect; Hirsch Bedner Associates as guestroom interior designer; and AFSO as interior designer of other key areas of the hotel.
The hotel is now accepting booking and is due to open in Summer 2018.
Yeo: “If your heart is big, your home can accommodate a lot of guests.” Watch the video here
Today is Lionel Yeo’s last day as CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and as a public sector leader for 22 years. He wants to cross over to the private sector, saying he “is open to all opportunities”, including in travel & tourism, when TTG Asia asked him about his next move.
In an exit interview, Yeo believes Singapore is only at the cusp of a travel boom despite the country receiving a record 17.4 million visitors and S$26.8 billion (US$20 billion) tourism revenues last year over 2016.
“What surprises me now (after six years with STB) is how much more the sector still has to grow. We are really at the cusp of a travel boom and I think a lot of us are underestimating the potential of travel & tourism to grow (especially from Asia).
Yeo: “If your heart is big, your home can accommodate a lot of guests.” Watch the video here
“I was in Yogyakarta recently. When you talk to the Grab driver or hotel staff, they all have the aspiration to want to see the world. And there are millions like them in Indonesia, Vietnam, China, India. We know about it intellectually as Asia is often flagged as the region with the strongest outbound growth, but it’s when you go around that you see there is a lot of pent-up demand,” he said.
Yeo isn’t worried that Singapore will hit overtourism, even as more growth will come from Asia and STB targets big-volume markets such as cruises and MICE. Asia already comprises 80 per cent of arrivals, with the bulk of Asian arrivals coming from three big-population countries such as China, India and Indonesia, while South-east Asian markets are also rising. A mature destination with limited land, the country now has thrice the number of arrivals as its population of around 5.5 million people.
Tackling the density issue, Yeo pointed out that with 17.4 million arrivals staying 3.5 days, Singapore has only 150,000-200,000 visitors on any given day. “That’s the number you need to compare with the resident population of 5.5 million. In that context, I don’t think we’re at a huge risk of overcrowding as a result of tourism activities,” he said, adding Singapore is also able to manage people flows well.
“However, it’s important that we’re still going for yield when we grow tourism numbers. We want to make sure every visitor makes a good contribution to our economy; that informs the way we go after the target audience in each source market,” he said.
When asked what number of visitors on any given day would make it unmanageable, Yeo said: “You may arrive at a pure physical number. I think, though, for any society, any country, there is another aspect which is, really, how big is your heart? And if your heart is big, your home can accommodate a lot of guests. If your heart is small, even with one guest, you can get a bit annoyed.
“We’re people who are traditionally open. We’re a small country; we’ve always been open to global flows and we ourselves travel a lot, so we accept that wanting to travel and see the world is very much a part of what humans want to do.”
Yeo counts his biggest achievement as developing tourism as part of the broader lens of national development, not something that is separate or opposed to national development. “As we talked about earlier, in some other parts of the world, tourism development is not necessarily welcomed by locals. That’s absolutely something we have to get right in Singapore and I thought the best way of doing that is having tourism development as part of the objective of national development,” he said.
Passion Made Possible, a country branding as opposed to just a tourism branding created by STB and the Economic Development Board, has helped the locals accept travel & tourism. It is used internationally by the two bodies, but also by other Singapore government agencies, many of which concern themselves with locals. The brand thus is exposed to the domestic audience as well.
Spotlighting Singapore talent – local chefs, designers, artists, etc – to enliven a destination story – it creates a sense of civic pride among Singaporeans which in turn creates a tourism ’host’ spirit among locals, said Yeo.
“We must make sure our hearts remain open and welcoming,” he said.
“For people who work in the sector, it may seem obvious that tourism is important, that tourism contributes. But for those outside of it, their starting point may be the negatives, the trade-offs to be made (for tourism contribution)…It’s important to keep in mind that there is community support for what we do. Don’t take it for granted that everybody thinks our sector is the one that should grow.”
His advice on preparing for future growth? It’s a mistake to think that the growth of tomorrow will look like the growth of yesterday, he said.
“So staying on top of consumer trends, travel trends, media trends, are important so you are well positioned to capture that growth. Because the traveller of tomorrow will not be who you were used to. You may have more potential travellers but their preferences, media habits, might be quite different. This is a sector that moves quickly, so all of us have to keep abreast of these developments.”
Meanwhile, Melissa Ow, currently STB deputy chief executive, is acting CEO until Yeo’s replacement is named.
In tomorrow’s Part II interview with Yeo: High and low points in helping travel agencies transform in the past six years
TTG Asia witnessed a rare playful side of Indonesian president Joko Widodo and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi during the Indian premier’s visit to Indonesia in conjunction with the celebration of the 70 years of diplomatic ties yesterday.
Both country leaders were flying kites carrying a logo depicting 70 years of bilateral relations during the opening of the Indonesia-India Kite Exhibition organised by Jakarta Kite Museum and the Ahmadabad Kite Museum at the National Museum in Jakarta.
Widodo (left) and Modi mark 70 years of Indonesia-India relations with a fun activity enjoyed in both countries (photo credit: Tiara Maharani)
The Indian prime minister was reported by the Times of India to have addressed an Indian diaspora at the Jakarta Convention Centre last night, saying: “Not only do the names of our nations rhyme but also there is a distinct rhythm in the India-Indonesia friendship.”
Modi’s visit is considered timely and could be said to be a prime “endorser” for Indonesia’s tourism as the country is focusing on boosting arrivals from India with a target of 30 per cent growth this year compared to last.
Andrea Vinsonneau has been appointed as product manager of Exo Travel Laos.
In her new role, Vinsonneau will lead the creation of innovative products in less explored areas in Laos, as well as grow the country’s tourism potential.
Fluent in English, French and Lao, Vinsonneau has had experience in managing French inbound travel, having been with Exo’s Events and Adventure departments.
Luxurious hotels aplenty in Seoul, including in the 123-storey Lotte World Tower
As South Korea forays into the luxury travel market, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) says intensified marketing efforts and special interest tour potential emerging out of North-South diplomacy could help it surmount the challenge of being seen as a mass market destination.
South Korea is “still a beginner” in luxury tourism, according to Yoon Seung Hwan, director of KTO’s Singapore office, but its potential is vast. There are many international high-end brands already in Seoul and increasingly so in Jeju, he remarked. Coupled with the luxurious hanoks available amid a cultural and gourmand playground, this stands the destination in stead to satisfy the desire for immersive local experiences among the well-travelled.
Luxurious hotels aplenty in Seoul, including in the 123-storey Lotte World Tower
To realise its luxury tourism potential, KTO is stepping up on its communications and marketing. Two weeks ago, it released an updated version of its luxury travel guide, which features an expanded list of products, including traditional craft experiences and Michelin-star restaurants.
KTO is also banking on its presence in trade shows to help it raise awareness of the quality offerings available in South Korea and hone its luxury positioning.
Yoon says the destination’s mass market image has posed a challenge, but feedback from ILTM Asia-Pacific attendees suggested that this is not a perception that cuts across all visitor segments.
For example, Donna Kranas, travel designer at The Cruise Centre in Australia, shared that while Japan has for years been a popular North Asian pick, South Korea represents a fresh and appealing destination for her luxury cruise clients, who relish holidays not commonly experienced by other Australians.
Moreover, Amy Park, general manager at Arisu Tour in South Korea, pointed out that more high-spenders are emerging from non-traditional outbound markets including Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the warming relations between North and South Korea could provide a welcome spark for special interest holidays.
Yoon said interest in DMZ tours is picking up, adding that “the Joint Security Area, where the Inter-Korea Summit was held and where the historical peace declaration was reached, is becoming something of a tourist hotspot”.
He also expects cross-border rail cruises to eventually be launched, with both countries now committed to connecting and modernising the Donghae and Gyeongui railways, the latter of which used to run across the border before it was divided in the 1940s.
While peace and improved economic cooperation are still playing out, Yoon said: “(The peace declaration) has given Korea’s tourism much to hope for. The (historical and geopolitical) significance tied to border sites is something exceptional that tourists cannot experience elsewhere, hence forming one (promising) component of our luxury travel offering.”
(From left) Discover Walks' Junji Kametsu,
Tabikyo Japan's Kei Tamura, Tabisuke's
Raisuke Nishiya,
Spirit of Japan Travel's Masaru Takayama,
Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau's Noriko Tada, Cerca Travel's Yukiko Inoue, and Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau's Masanori Ogawa
Seven like-minded travel firms have united as the founding members of the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies (JARTA), which aims to promote sustainable tourism that contributes to local communities.
Announcing the launch of the initiative in Kyoto on June 28, Masaru Takayama, president of Kyoto-based Spirit of Japan Travel, said it is unusual for travel agencies in Japan to come together as most prefer to work independent of each other.
(From left) Discover Walks’ Junji Kametsu, Tabikyo Japan’s Kei Tamura, Tabisuke’s Raisuke Nishiya, Spirit of Japan Travel’s Masaru Takayama, Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau’s Noriko Tada, Cerca Travel’s Yukiko Inoue, and Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau’s Masanori Ogawa
“The aim of JARTA is to create tours and sell destinations that are off Japan’s traditional ‘Golden Route’ but, at the same time, benefit local areas and their residents in a more comprehensive way,” he told TTG Asia.
Further underlining the importance of facilitating access to lesser travelled parts of the country, Takayama said that more than 30 million foreign travellers are expected to visit Japan this year and a number of cities – notably Tokyo and Kyoto – are already experiencing “overtourism”.
Takayama added that responsible tourism is growing at 30 per cent per annum, and there is an increasing number of repeat visitors to Japan seeking new experiences and destinations. “These demand trends can have a ripple effect on local communities,” he said.
“We want to make a difference by selling the right kind of travel packages featuring local destinations to responsible travellers in a way that also helps people living and working in those regions.”
The founding members of the organisation include Spirit of Japan Travel, Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel, Tabisuke, Discover Kyushu Walks, Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau, Reborn Japan in Saitama Prefecture and Tabikyo Japan.
“We have been trying to provide an alternative view of Japan for the past five years, particularly of spiritual places, in order to give visitors a better understanding of the authentic Japan,” said Kei Tamura, director of Tabikyo Japan.
Raisuke Nishiya, founder of Tohoku-based Tabisuke, added: “It will be good for foreign tourists to see other parts of Japan that are off the ‘Golden Route’, and I think the potential for the organisation and this sector is huge.”
To allow members to share information and provide more agents with the opportunity to become responsible travel companies, JARTA will create an online platform, designed to serve as a “one-stop window for local travel agencies diverse in geography and specialities”, Takayama said.
JARTA will also hold exchange, networking and cross-learning events to improve the operations and management of sustainable and responsible tourism, as well as run study sessions to look at criteria set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
