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Asia/Singapore Monday, 15th December 2025
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Page 148

Traveloka throws a birthday sale, looks for stronger partnerships in the way forward

By TTG Asia
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Traveloka marks its 13th anniversary this year, and is hosting a Birthday Sale to reward travellers with exclusive discounts, special coupons, and flash sales across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The event runs from February 24 to March 4, 2025, and is said to be the travel platform’s way of “giving back to customers and reaffirming our commitment to delivering seamless and rewarding travel worldwide”, said Caesar Indra, president of Traveloka.

Traveloka is gifting its customers travel discounts and perks as it celebrates its 13th birthday

Indra reflected on the company’s journey: “For over a decade, Traveloka has redefined travel – not just in South-east Asia, but across key global markets, combining deep market expertise, strong industry partnerships, and a commitment to advancing tourism.

“With over 40 million active users and operations in eight countries, we have grown into a global travel platform, evolving with our travellers to offer innovative, tailored experiences.”

Beyond its mission to help customers explore new destinations, Traveloka is also dedicated to supporting the growth of tourism businesses and local communities. In partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Traveloka has provided sustainability training to over 150 hotels across Singapore and South-east Asia. Last year, it became GSTC’s first ever platinum sponsor, further demonstrating the firm’s unique position to promote best practices in sustainable tourism and standards in the travel industry.

Additionally, through the Traveloka Goodwill – Digital Literacy programme, more than 96,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), business owners as well as students in the hospitality and tourism industry in South-east Asia have gained essential digital skills and knowledge enabling them to adapt to an increasingly digitalised market.

Traveloka has expressed continued commitment to empowering its partners and strengthening the travel ecosystem. It joined up with YouGov to produce a study that identifies key trends shaping the Asia-Pacific travel landscape, all in a bid to help partners refine their business strategies.

New hotels: Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, and more

By TTG Asia
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Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur

Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, India
Anantara Hotels & Resorts has arrived in India with the opening of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, a luxurious retreat that charms guests with palatial architecture, verdant grounds, and cultural experiences.

Guestrooms and suites overlook either the inner courtyard or the city, and feature hand-crafted details and rich textiles. The collection of 150 keys are divided into Premier rooms, Deluxe rooms, Deluxe Family rooms, Jewel Bagh one-bedroom suite, Anantara one-bedroom terrace suite, and Presidential two-bedroom suite.

On the F&B front, the hotel offers signature restaurant Sheesh Mahal; all-day dining Amrit Mahal, Rajputana Chowk that serves specialty coffees, handpicked teas and refreshing lemonades; and the Designer Dining by Anantara experience.

Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur offers a collection of signature experiences, both on and off the property, for guests to truly appreciate Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.

Other facilities on property includes the Anantara Spa, where Thai wellness traditions meet local expertise; and a collection of function rooms and landscaped gardens that are ideal for social and corporate events.

The Eve Hotel Sydney

The Eve Hotel Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s newest boutique luxury hotel, The Eve Hotel Sydney is an art-filled property that speaks to lovers of art, culture, and sophisticated design. There are 102 guestrooms that showcase an Australian inspired palette of either eucalyptus or red clay tones, communal spaces, and a rooftop garden with a 20m pool.

The hotel has an ongoing opening offer. The Reveal Package includes overnight accommodation in a room or suite of choice, a signature cocktail for two at Bar Julius, and a bespoke gift as a keepsake of the landmark opening. Prices start from A$519 (US$328) per room for two guests. Bookings must be made by June 1 for stays by June 30, 2025.

KINN Habitat

Kinn Habitat, Singapore
KINN Habitat on 5 Hongkong Street in Singapore combines the best of restorative retreats, cosiness of boutique hotels, and the communal spirit of hostels to present an affordable urban sanctuary for travellers who value wellness, connection, and comfort.

Expect modern interiors, impeccably maintained shared spaces, safety and comfort within an architecturally striking space in the heart of the city.

Guests can choose to stay in well-designed capsules that are equipped with five-star hotel-grade mattresses, accessible power points, charging ports, foldable desks, and mirrors, or retreat into well-appointed private rooms.

A highlight here is The Space on Level 5, an expansive hub that serves as a co-working space, events venue, and relaxation zone. It will also host curated events celebrating local artistic talent, product launches, exclusive exhibitions, collaborative workshops, and networking opportunities.

Higher Kyoto room taxes? No sweat, say travel trade players

By Kathryn Wortley
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Kyoto’s plan to raise its accommodation tax in a bid to increase tax revenue from 5.2 billion yen (US$34.7 million) in 2023 to 12.6 billion yen annually is likely to support tourism in the city while not deterring tourists, opine travel trade.

Under the proposal, which would be effective from March 1, 2026 if approved, any stay costing more than 6,000 yen per night would incur more tax, starting at a tax of 400 yen for accommodation costing 6,000 yen to 19,999 yen per night, increasing to 10,000 yen for rooms priced at 100,000 yen and over per night. Accommodation priced under 6,000 yen per night would remain at the current tax rate of 200 yen.

Kyoto’s travel and tourism players do not expect higher room taxes to dent inbound demand

The fees would be used to support conservation of traditional buildings, better infrastructure including public transport and tourism marketing – all making Kyoto more sustainable as a travel destination, according to city officials.

Travellers are likely to see the tax as a necessity rather than a deterrent to visiting Kyoto, according to travel trade players, and demand for the city is expected to remain high.

“Our portfolio of brands continues to see strong interest from travellers keen to experience Japan’s rich cultural heritage and unique attractions,” said Ching Yee, Wong, vice president, communications of Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China.

“For travellers who dreamt of staying in Kyoto, the accommodation tax is minimal, even for luxury accommodation like ours. And by helping improve local amenities and attractions, visitors in the future can have more enjoyable stays,” said Shizuka Takahashi, okami (innkeeper) at high-end ryokan Momoyuya in Kyoto’s popular Higashiyama district.

A spokesperson of mid-range property Hotel Light agrees, saying that the new tax scheme is unlikely to “bring us any dip in demand as Kyoto will remain a priority destination for both international and domestic visitors”.

Marriott International to open two luxury safari properties in Kenya

By TTG Asia
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The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp, expected to open in August, will feature 20 tented suites

Marriott International has announced plans to open two luxury tented safari camps in Kenya, following signings of The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp and JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp with Lazizi Mara and Lazizi Solio , respectively, both part of the Lazizi Group of Companies.

“Building off of the incredible success we have seen thus far in our luxury safari portfolio in Africa and the growing appetite for outdoor lodging and nontraditional hospitality experiences, the signing of these agreements with Lazizi Group of Companies marks another milestone in Marriott International’s growth,” said Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

“The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp and JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp will offer opportunities for wildlife encounters, elegant designs, and exemplary service that promise to create lasting memories.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp, expected to open in August, will feature 20 tented suites

The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is expected to open in August this year in the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This treetop retreat will offer picturesque views of the riverbanks and forest, giving guests a front-row seat to experience the Great Migration of wild animals.

The property is expected to feature 20 elegantly appointed tented suites, including a four-bedroom presidential suite, each with a separate living area, private sunken lounge, infinity plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor showers. Plans include refined dining experiences across multiple venues, a stargazing sky deck, and an authentic boma (traditional African enclosure). Leisure facilities will include a spa and wellness centre, outdoor gym, swimming pool, discovery hub, map room and a photography studio. Guests can anticipate exclusively curated game drives as well as other bespoke cultural experiences.

The JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp is expected to open in early 2026 in the Solio Game Reserve. It is expected to have 20 luxurious tented units, including two two-bedroom suites, each with a private plunge pool. Plans include multiple wellness spaces, four culinary experiences, the brand’s signature Spa by JW, swimming pool, fitness centre, conservation house, horse barn, retail boutique and animal viewing hide. Guests will have the chance to join various experiences including guided horse-riding safaris, night game drives, guided nature walks, quad biking across the Solio plains, and visits to a private rhino orphanage.

Both properties will be constructed using sustainable materials and prioritise energy-efficient infrastructure, and support local communities through job creation, education programmes and wildlife conservation initiatives.

Singapore Cruise Centre sets sustainability milestone with Asia Pacific’s first LNG bunkering for cruise ships

By TTG Asia
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Asia Pacific’s first LNG bunkering for passenger cruise ships was successfully completed at Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) on February 25, in an exercise involving TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and Silversea’s Silver Nova.

This marks a major milestone in Singapore’s sustainability goals for the tourism sector.

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, the Singapore Cruise Centre and Silversea complete the region’s first LNG fuelling for passenger cruise ships

The LNG fuelling, delivered via bunker vessel Brassavola, was the culmination of months of detailed planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with industry safety standards. This enabled passenger movements and ship operations to continue smoothly throughout the bunkering.

SCC CEO Jacqueline Tan said: “We are excited with this development given the growing number of dual-fuel LNG-powered vessels in the cruise industry. When we learnt of Silver Nova’s intention to bunker LNG, we took swift action to collaborate with TotalEnergies in bringing all parties together.

“As this is the first LNG bunkering for passenger cruise ships in Singapore, we needed to ensure that we were operationally ready for it. There were stringent protocols to be complied with by all stakeholders, guided by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. This successful operation will pave the way for other LNG-powered cruise vessels to bunker at our HarbourFront Terminal.”

LNG can be used as a transition fuel that provides a practical and realistic solution to the global maritime sector as it moves to decarbonise in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Louise Tricoire, TotalEnergies Senior Vice President, Aviation and Marine Fuels, commented: “This achievement underscores the maritime industry’s collective drive towards lower-emission solutions and the vital role of partnerships in accelerating the transition, and aligns with Singapore’s vision for a decarbonised maritime sector.”

The debut of LNG bunkering at SCC’s HarbourFront Terminal is an extension of the LNG bunkering services that have already been available in Singapore for harbourcraft and commercial vessels since 2016, and positions SCC to support LNG-powered passenger ships calling in the region.

Exclusive meet-and-greet with Australian rugby legends in Hong Kong

By TTG Asia
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An exclusive chance to meet and chat with three Australian rugby legends

Ahead of the Rugby Sevens return to Hong Kong, rugby fans can meet some legendary players at an exclusive party.

An exclusive chance to meet and chat with three Australian rugby legends

Boutique hotel Southside By Ovolo will be hosting Australian Wallaby rugby legends Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau, along with the team behind Kick Offs and Kick Ons (KOKO), one of the world’s most popular rugby podcasts.

The KOKO team will host the meet-and-greet party on March 27, 2025, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Now media personalities and rugby storytellers, these former Wallabies will be exchanging rugby banter, wild stories, pre-game hype over drinks with fans.

From now till March 30, guests who book their stays at Ovolo between March 26 to April 2, 2025, will be able to stay under the same roof as these rugby icons.

Each stay includes priority KOKO event admission and complimentary drink and daily transfers to Kai Tak Stadium.

Visit Ovolo for more information.

Electric vehicle road trips take centre stage in new Destination NSW campaign

By TTG Asia
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Australia’s Destination New South Wales (NSW) has launched a new marketing campaign, Recharge Here, that promotes electric vehicle (EV)-friendly road trips across the state in support of the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies.

The campaign features nine EV-friendly road trips in Greater Sydney and regional NSW.

Road trips through Australia’s New South Wales are now more sustainable, thanks to improved electric vehicle infrastructure

Some of these itineraries include Central Coast and Hunter Valley, a U-shaped 257km trip from Newcastle to Maitland; Grand Pacific Drive – a 200km journey along the coastline from Sydney to Jervis Bay; and Greater Blue Mountains Drive, a 283km round trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.

The itineraries also identify the locations of EV charging stations along the routes so that drivers can enjoy their journey without range anxiety.

Each road trip has its own webpage, which breaks the itinerary into stages and shows the EV charging options along the route, alongside visitor experience recommendations.

Recharge Here is developed as an extension of Destination NSW’s Feel New brand, and highlights the accessibility of the state’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural experiences through EV infrastructure.

The NSW government is investing A$199 million (US$126 million) to support the installation of thousands of publicly available EV charge ports across the state. This includes ultra-fast charging stations, destination and kerbside chargers.

Funding has been awarded for more than 3,000 charge ports at more than 1100 sites, with many more to come.

Minister for Roads and Tourism John Graham said: “NSW offers world-class road trips along magnificent coastlines, beautiful countryside and stunning alpine ranges. These new EV chargers will mean all drivers can enjoy these epic journeys.

“The installation of EV chargers across regional NSW ensures our regional visitor economies can attract the growing number of EV drivers.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe added: “We are committed to making the state a leader in electric vehicle adoption and sustainable tourism.

“Driving electric is not only better for the environment, but it’s also the most budget-friendly way to hit the road. Lower running costs means EVs offer significant savings for drivers.”

Marketing EV-friendly road trips aligns with a recommendation in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy review to position NSW as a leader in sustainable tourism through initiatives such as the development and promotion of EV experiences.

Study shows nature travel’s positive impact on local ecology

By TTG Asia
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A recent prototype study by Nepal-based adventure travel specialist, Himalayan Adventure Therapy has found an intricate relationship between travel and ecological sustainability throughout the country’s diverse forest regions.

Research indicates that when human activities align with the preservation of natural environments, the results can be transformative. The Indigenous communities of Nepal, such as the Kirati, Magar, Gurung, and Brahmins, have long revered the elements of nature – fire, water, air – and their stewardship has fostered remarkable restoration of local flora and fauna. Their practices demonstrate that with respect for nature, ecosystems can heal and thrive, suggesting a pathway to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Travellers in Nepal have the opportunity to engage with nature through treks that traverse the Himalayas and lush valleys while contributing to local conservation efforts

Remarkably, forest cover in Nepal has seen a resurgence of roughly 40 per cent over recent decades, largely due to community-based forest management initiatives and creative reforestation efforts that empower local populations. This rejuvenation has been essential in combating soil erosion, maintaining biodiversity, and enhancing the country’s ability to sequester carbon.

However, a critical concern arises with the Nepali government’s push for urbanisation, which jeopardises older forest ecosystems. The increase in forest cover can be misleadingly attributed to internal migration and societal shifts in a country grappling with deep-rooted corruption.

In this context, contributions from individuals across the globe hold significant value and merit careful consideration. Instead of directing funds to large institutions, travellers have the chance to support on-the-ground climate action that can lead to tangible results. By patronising reputable, impact-oriented local organisations and participating in conservation efforts, travellers can engage meaningfully with Nepalese communities.

Initiatives like reforestation, responsible waste management spearheaded by HAT, wildlife monitoring by WWF Nepal, and immersive experiences with local farmers highlight how travellers can enhance their experiences while positively impacting the environment.

Nabin Dhital, CEO and trip operation in-charge of Himalayan Adventure Therapy, said: “Travelling in Nepal allows visitors to connect deeply with nature while making direct contributions to conservation efforts. We envision tourism as a driving force for positive change in the ecology and local communities of every destination.”

Indian tour operators decry sharp cut in overseas promotion budget

By Rohit Kaul
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India’s inbound travel players have expressed deep disappointment over the drastic reduction in the government’s budget for overseas destination promotion and publicity.

The Union Budget for 2025-2026 allocated approximately US$346,800 for international tourism promotion and marketing, a sharp decline from around US$3,814,170 in financial year 2024-2025, and around US$5,900,000 in financial year 2023-2024.

India’s Union Budget allocation to destination marketing has fallen steeply from US$43,500,000 in 2019-2020 to a mere US$346,800 for 2025-2026

Industry experts warn that the steep cuts will severely impact India’s global tourism visibility, making it difficult for the country to compete with other Asian destinations.

Ravi Gosain, managing director, Erco Travels, told TTG Asia: “We have been advocating with the Ministry of Tourism that India needs visibility worldwide. If you want to sell India as a tourism product, you need to promote it in the international market.

“However, this budget offers hardly any support for overseas promotion. We were working hard to revive inbound tourism post-pandemic, but without adequate funds, it will be a struggle to compete globally.”

The scale of the budget reduction becomes more apparent when compared to previous allocations. In the Union Budget 2019-2020, approximately US$43,500,000 was allotted for overseas promotion and publicity, making the current allocation a staggering 99 per cent decline over six years.

A New Delhi-based hotelier, who wished to remain anonymous, shared concerns over the government’s shift in focus.

“Instead of investing in international marketing, we are now channelling our resources towards the domestic leisure, wedding and MICE segments,” he stated.

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has written to the prime minister, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Finance, urging the government to allocate substantial funds for international promotion. The association has also demanded the reinstatement of the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme, which previously provided financial aid to tour operators for participation in overseas travel trade exhibitions.

“Even the foreign tour operators who do group business to India are feeling the pinch, stating that they are not getting enquiries from the general public in their markets. The government needs to take corrective measures immediately to help the inbound tourism sector,” urged Rajiv Mehra, president, IATO.

Aviation roundup: Air Astana, Air India, and more

By TTG Asia
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Air Astana

Air Astana connects Kazakhstan’s Atyrau with Georgia’s Tbilisi
Air Astana will launch direct flights from Atyrau in Westen Kazakhstan to Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi on May 27, with the service operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays using Airbus family aircraft. The airline already offers scheduled flights from Atyrau to Istanbul, Dubai and Amsterdam.

Round-trip fares, inclusive of all taxes and fees, start from US$213 in Economy Class and from US$587 in Business Class.

The launch of the new route will bring the summer schedule frequency to Tbilisi up to 15 weekly flights, with departures from three cities in Kazakhstan: nine flights per week from Almaty and three weekly flights each from Astana and Atyrau.

Lufthansa Group and Air India will add almost 60 codeshare routes operated by four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities

Air India, Lufthansa Group expand codeshare arrangements
Air India and Lufthansa Group have agreed to build on their longstanding codeshare partnership, which sees Air India enter into a new codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines, as well as expand the existing codeshare agreements between Air India, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines.

The expanded partnership significantly boosts flight options and connectivity for travellers between the Indian subcontinent and Europe with the addition of close to 60 codeshare routes operated by the four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

Customers of Lufthansa Group will now be able to connect to Air India’s domestic services to or from 15 points within India, namely Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa Mopa, Goa Dabolim, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, Lufthansa Group carriers will add their respective designator codes to Air India’s international services to three destinations from Delhi and Mumbai: Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Additionally, flights currently operated by Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers between India and Germany or Switzerland will be covered under the expanded codeshare partnership. For example, customers who wish to fly between Delhi and Frankfurt will now have three daily flight options each way with LH flight numbers, including two flights operated by Air India and one flight operated by Lufthansa.

Reciprocally, Air India will now offer its customers a total of 26 destinations across Europe and three destinations in the Americas beyond its gateways in Europe (Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich), with the AI designator code placed on select services operated by airlines in the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian Airlines for the first time.

Both airlines plan to progressively include other destinations in their network to the codeshare arrangements.

Air India and the three Lufthansa Group carriers are members of Star Alliance.

Busselton Jetty

QantasLink set for Perth-Busselton service
QantasLink’s new route between Perth and Busselton will take off from June 27 this year. Operating thrice a week, the new route will boost tourism into the Margaret River region, with more than 31,000 seats between the two destinations each year.

Services will be offered every Monday, Friday and Sunday on the 100-seat QantasLink Fokker F100 aircraft.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Taiwan sets new course for tourism sector
TTG Asia | Lufthansa Group unveils new brand identity
TTG Asia | InterContinental Halong Bay Resort presents Hidden Wonders experience