Dream Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Sunny Li as vice president of development for China and North Asia.
Based in Shanghai, Li will be responsible for driving the company’s four lifestyle hotel brands into China and North Asia markets.
With 30 years of experience in hotel development and portfolio expansion, Li brings to Dream Hotel Group a global network of relationships with real estate developers, capital groups and private investors.
Prior to joining Dream Hotel Group, Li held multiple positions with Wyndham Hotel Group, Marriott International, Rosewood Hotel Group and Morgan Stanley, covering development operations and sales & marketing on both the regional and property levels in Australia, New Caledonia, India, Korea, Japan and China.
He most recently served as COO at Sinowood Hotels & Resorts, responsible for overall business development, including real estate management, hotel management and tourism town management.
AccorHotels has appointed Philip Wong as general manager of Mercure Singapore Bugis.
In his new role, Wong’s responsibilities include overseeing all hotel operations, sustaining successful business and profitable operations. In addition, he will also work closely with AccorHotels on key strategies, operational excellence and group-wide initiatives.
A hotel veteran with over 35 years’ of operational experience, Wong has held numerous senior management positions in hotels in Asia for companies such as Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Shangri-La International Group and Cairnhill Hotels & Resorts.
Prior to joining Mecure Singapore Bugis, he was general manager/area general manager of Dorsett Singapore.
Shinta Mani Hotels has appointed Sangjay Choegyal as general manager of the Shinta Mani Wild – Bensley Collection, a luxury tented camp opening in Cambodia come November 2018.
Choegyal brings a decade of experience in luxury, boutique and remote properties to his new role. His previous experience includes assignments at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle and Four Seasons Koh Samui in Thailand, Amankora Punaka in Bhutan and Gal Oya Lodge in Sri Lanka where he was the director for 5.5 years before joining Shinta Mani Hotels.
Shinta Mani Wild – Bensley Collection is a 800ha private nature sanctuary featuring 15 100m2 tents elevated over water, located in the remote wilderness of the Southern Cardamom National Park, a three hours’ drive from Phnom Penh.
India’s new visa-free policy granted to Indonesian travellers may not immediately translate into greater tourism interest from the market due to gaps in product knowledge, according to Indonesian outbound travel executives interviewed.
Putu Ayu Aristyadewi, group vice president marketing and communications of Smailing Tours & Travel, said that although India is familiar to Indonesians, information about the country as a tourist destination is still minimal, or even confusing.
“Most travellers only know the Taj Mahal. A question they frequently ask is ‘What’s after visiting the Taj Mahal?’” Putu Ayu shared.
Gateway of India as seen from the Mumbai Harbour
What is needed now, she said, is tighter collaboration between the Indian NTO or the embassy in Jakarta and outbound travel companies in Indonesia.
Putu Ayu suggested: “The Indian NTO needs to give product knowledge to agents. They should discuss with us about their products, or better still host fam trips.”
Pauline Suharno, deputy secretary general of the Association of the Airline Ticketing Companies in Indonesia, who is also managing director of Elok Tour, expressed similar sentiments.
“It would help if agents could be educated about what can be done in India, e.g. destinations and attractions, best months to visit, what festivals are there,” she remarked.
Pauline and Putu Ayu recommended that education for agents has to be done consistently rather than occasionally, so that they can keep their products up-to-date.
Putu Ayu explained: “For example, India is currently promoting yoga and pilgrimage tours for Hindus. For pilgrimage tours, which is the best route? Are there any historic Hindu sites to visit? Such information should be (passed on) to agents.”
In addition to product knowledge, Tourism India also needs to bring together agents in Indonesia with DMCs in India, she added.
“We also need to meet local agents in India to take care of our guests. Honestly, our DMC contacts in India are still limited.”
Meanwhile, Edhi Sutadarma, director of Golden Rama Tours and Travel, perceives India as a new destination with huge adventure travel potential, having received several queries from millennials who were seeking adventure travel.
“Millennial travellers are more independent. They look for information, buy tickets and travel on their own. However, some of them come to us looking to buy land tours in India, I think this is for security reason, as travellers are concerned about safety and hygiene in India.”
Indonesia’s huge pool of youth travellers is a potential market segment for India, Edhi said. “If we educate these young travellers, I believe the market will grow. Millennials are looking for new things and India is a new destination (that is interesting to them).
He shared that the visa relaxation presents an opportunity to promote the destination in Indonesia.
Booking Holdings will buy HotelsCombined and merge it under Kayak
Booking Holdings, which earlier snapped up UK-headquartered Momondo Group for US$550 million, is now acquiring hotel metasearch site, HotelsCombined.
With the acquisition, the Sydney-based HotelsCombined will be merged under Booking Holdings’ travel metasearch brand, Kayak.
Booking Holdings will buy HotelsCombined and merge it under Kayak
Commenting on the decision, Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, said: “HotelsCombined has built a strong brand with loyal consumers across Asia-Pacific, and we believe the team will be a great addition to Kayak to further expand our worldwide metasearch strategy.”
Hichame Assi, CEO of HotelsCombined, commented: “Operating under the Kayak umbrella will strengthen our proposition to both customers and partners with greater scale, product breadth and innovation.”
The acquisition is expected to close later this year, subject to regulatory approval and satisfaction of closing conditions.
The 324-room property is expected to be a throwback to era when settlers arrived in Singapore from China's Southern provinces
Singapore-headquartered Far East Hospitality has announced a new brand under its portfolio – The Clan Hotel – and will be responsible for its overall management.
The Clan Hotel, with its first property slated for opening in mid-2020, targets affluent and tech-savvy business travellers in their late-20s to mid-40s who are drawn to hotels with compelling stories.
The 324-room property will be a throwback to era when settlers arrived in Singapore from China’s Southern provinces
Located at Far East Square, the 324-room property will be a modern take of an era when settlers arrived from China Southern provinces and attempted to make it in Singapore, then a third world country.
To immerse guests in this era, The Clan Hotel’s interiors will be designed with monochromatic images of bustling streets and shophouses, samsui women and coolies, and warehouses bursting with exotic goods. This design concept takes its inspiration from various clan associations that lined the area of Far East Square, Amoy and Cross Street.
Guests will be treated as a member of an exclusive Club, with customised services relevant to the upper mid-tier clientele such as the serving of Chinese Tea in the Living Room upon check-in.
Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality, said in a statement: “Currently, there is a gap in the market for a hotel that offers an optimal combination of value for money, quality hospitality service, and a strong sense of place. With The Clan Hotel, we hope to address this gap as the property draws inspiration from the clan associations’ values of family, harmony, and companionship.”
As part of the hotel management agreement with its parent company Far East Organization, Far East Hospitality’s responsibilities will include hotel operations, and sales & marketing functions.
The Swiss hospitality management school will set up an international campus in Singapore
The FinLab accelerator – a joint-venture between United Overseas Bank (UOB) and SGInnovate – is collaborating with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and NATAS to roll out a digital transformation programme for four travel agencies, running from June to August this year.
EU Holidays, Pegasus Travel, Siam Express and Royal Wings are the four agencies selected to participate in the digital business transformation programme.
Four agencies in Singapore are undergoing a three-month accelerator programme
Through the three-month acceleration programme, the agencies will learn how to identify areas that hinder growth in their business and resolve them through technology. They will also be guided on how to apply digital solutions to address their needs.
During the programme, the travel agencies will draw on the expertise, resources and hands-on guidance provided by The FinLab and its network of industry experts, mentors and technology leaders.
The agencies will also be introduced to solution providers, particularly those in the areas of data analytics and digital marketing. These experts will then help pilot what they deem to be the most appropriate and innovative solutions to address challenges faced by the agencies.
Felix Tan, managing director, The FinLab, said: “Despite the shift to using online booking sites among consumers, there is an opportunity for travel agencies go beyond the usual issuance of e-tickets and vouchers to provide consumers with personalised services. As such, travel agencies need to understand how they can use digital solutions to understand their target audience and to connect with them more effectively.”
Steven Ler, president, NATAS, said: “As we move into the digital economy, it is important for the travel industry to innovate to ensure that it continues to benefit from growth opportunities in the long-term. One of the ways to do so is by collaborating with partners that have the expertise to help our travel agents develop digital competences.”
Ong Ling Lee, director, travel agents and tourist guides, STB, added: “We hope that with the practical guidance provided by this acceleration programme, travel agents will be encouraged to take the first step towards achieving their growth ambitions.”
Pre-travel authorisation will cost seven euros for those age 18-70, and be free for the rest
The EU has adopted the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a pre-authorisation requirement for visa-exempt third-country nationals planning to travel to the Schengen area.
Scheduled to come into effect in 2021, ETIAS assesses who is entering the EU, from where and if they pose a risk to EU security.
Pre-travel authorisation will cost seven euros for those age 18-70; Prague Airport pictured
The enforcement is said to be aimed at easing travel to the EU and simplifying border checks.
In a statement congratulating EU on the move, WTTC said it welcomes how the needs of travel and tourism were taken into account while also ensuring enhanced EU security.
During negotiations, WTTC had stressed the importance of the process to be made as easy as possible for legitimate travellers.
In addition to the ease of process, WTTC also advocated for the fees to remain at a reasonable level, one that does not discourage travellers from coming to Europe. The final fee of seven euros (US$8.20) meets this balance, WTTC said.
ETIAS will be free for travellers under 18 and over 70.
“We see this as an important first step in the digitalisation of travel. The ultimate aim will be the use of biometric technology to ensure seamless, more efficient and more secure travel,’ stated Gloria Guevara, president & CEO World Travel & Tourism Council.
The aim is for ETIAS application to be quick and simple, requiring no more than a travel document, credit card and access to the Internet.
A majority of applicants will receive a positive reply within minutes, according to the WTTC statement. If additional information, documentation or an interview would be needed, different possibilities will be offered taking into account the situation of the traveller.
Millennium & Corpthorne Hotels has been named official hotel partner of Chelsea Football Club as part of a three-year partnership beginning July 1.
With a multi-regional focus on Europe, China, South East Asia, North America and Middle East, the partnership will give MyMillennium members and corporate customers access to “close-to-the-action” football experiences including Chelsea FC home and European matches, VIP match-day hospitality at Stamford Bridge, and visits to the club’s training facilities at Cobham.
The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, located walking distance from Chelsea FC’s home ground stadium
The move comes as the group is launching new brands – the Leng’s Collection and the M Collection – along with a brand-new set of loyalty programmes for its direct consumers, corporate clients and the planner/booker community.
Expected to benefit from the partnership is The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, located a walking distance from Chelsea Football Club’s home ground stadium of Stamford Bridge in London, and part of Millennium’s upcoming Leng’s Collection.
The all-suite hotel will host events in coordination with the Club and their partners.
Guests booking two consecutive nights at participating Best Western Hotels & Resorts can enjoy a third night free from now until December 2018.
The Discover Asia offer applies to bookings made via the Best Western website for stays in participating hotels in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia.
Additional benefits include best available rate guarantee, automatic points for Best Western Rewards members and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Terms and conditions apply.
Singapore-headquartered Far East Hospitality has announced a new brand under its portfolio – The Clan Hotel – and will be responsible for its overall management.
The Clan Hotel, with its first property slated for opening in mid-2020, targets affluent and tech-savvy business travellers in their late-20s to mid-40s who are drawn to hotels with compelling stories.
Located at Far East Square, the 324-room property will be a modern take of an era when settlers arrived from China Southern provinces and attempted to make it in Singapore, then a third world country.
To immerse guests in this era, The Clan Hotel’s interiors will be designed with monochromatic images of bustling streets and shophouses, samsui women and coolies, and warehouses bursting with exotic goods. This design concept takes its inspiration from various clan associations that lined the area of Far East Square, Amoy and Cross Street.
Guests will be treated as a member of an exclusive Club, with customised services relevant to the upper mid-tier clientele such as the serving of Chinese Tea in the Living Room upon check-in.
Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality, said in a statement: “Currently, there is a gap in the market for a hotel that offers an optimal combination of value for money, quality hospitality service, and a strong sense of place. With The Clan Hotel, we hope to address this gap as the property draws inspiration from the clan associations’ values of family, harmony, and companionship.”
As part of the hotel management agreement with its parent company Far East Organization, Far East Hospitality’s responsibilities will include hotel operations, and sales & marketing functions.