TTG Asia’s online news bulletin will take a break on May 1, 2025 in observance of Labour Day.
The online news bulletin will resume on May 2, 2025.
New hotels: InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai and more
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, Vietnam
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort will be located in Ha Long Marina Urban Area near Bai Chay, offering access to Ha Long Bay’s cruises, caves, and local fishing villages.
Located two hours from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, the resort will feature 174 guestrooms and suites, 60 residences, and 41 villas. Dining highlights include a rooftop Japanese restaurant and bar with bay views, and a two-storey Cantonese venue offering private dining and open kitchen service.
Amenities include a spa, three outdoor pools, family activities, a cinema room, and five event spaces, including a Grand Ballroom for up to 1,050 guests.
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai, China
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai is located at the southwestern tip of Dong’ao Island in Zhuhai, offering sea views and ferry access from Zhuhai city in under an hour. The resort features 104 suites, many with balconies, courtyards, or private pools. Suites have separate living rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and tea rooms. Two rooftop suites offer interior designs and 270-degree ocean views.
Dining options include two restaurants: one serving seafood and à la carte breakfast, while the other offers Cantonese dishes with ingredients sourced from local farms. The bar serves teas and cocktails with sea views. A sundown ritual with a singing bowl marks the evening transition.
Facilities include a yoga room, fitness centre, spa, children’s club, and a 15-metre infinity pool. For events, the resort has over 465m² of meeting space, including a ballroom, a meeting room with sea views, and a 230m² outdoor lawn with a terrace for weddings and gatherings.
Garrya Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam
Garrya Mu Cang Chai, a resort in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province, Vietnam, opens in a region famous for its mountains and rice terraces. Covering 6.5 hectares, the resort features 110 rooms, suites, and villas with views of the terraces and mountains – some offer private pools, while others have gardens and tea rooms.
Located a six-hour drive from Hanoi, the property is near landmarks like the Mam Xoi and Mong Ngua rice terraces, the Mu Cang Chai bamboo forest, and H’Mong villages.
The resort features two restaurants, a bar, an eight-metre-high bamboo ballroom, event spaces, and a Hydro Wellbeing Area with pools, a sauna, and a fitness centre.
Hotel Oriental Express Kagoshima Tenmonkan, Japan
Hotel Oriental Express Kagoshima Tenmonkan has opened in the heart of the city’s downtown district. Located five minutes by car from Kagoshima Chuo Station and under an hour from the airport, the 13-storey hotel offers 165 rooms suited for business and leisure travellers.
Facilities include a public bath with carbonated spring water, fitness room, on-site laundry, and a lobby with 24-hour coffee and tea service. The top floor features a breakfast buffet in the morning and a bar serving drinks with views of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay.
Global destinations woo Chinese travellers at MITE 2025
Exhibitors from across South and Latin America and Africa, including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia, were present at MITE 2025 in Macau last week, showcasing their destinations to Chinese travellers.
Representatives highlighted cultural experiences, natural attractions, and unique activities aimed at appealing to the Chinese outbound market.
“Africa is wild and totally different from China,” said Tony Tang, marketing manager at Zimbabwe Esaf Safaris. “In China, there are buildings everywhere but in Africa, there is the wild.”
Tang noted that tours in Africa are growing in popularity among Chinese travellers, particularly families seeking to view wildlife and explore natural landscapes. Unique accommodation options – such as cliffside and treehouse hotels – are also drawing interest. He added that while travel to Africa can be expensive, it appeals to those seeking a luxury experience.
National parks are also a key focus for destinations like the US state of Utah. Top Dong, account manager at the Utah Office of Tourism China Office, said his team is promoting the wide range of outdoor activities available in the state’s national parks.
“Utah is home to the breathtaking Bryce Canyon National Park, where visitors can enjoy horseback riding and explore landscapes featured in many classic Western films. The state capital, Salt Lake City, serves as the gateway to this outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, offering unparalleled natural resources,” he said.
Utah features the Mighty Five National Parks, which offer experiences such as canyoneering, ATV tours, rock climbing, historical tours, and stargazing. Dong added that Utah holds the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified locations across its communities, parks and protected areas.
He said the office is also promoting Utah’s ski resorts, known for their powder snow, with a focus on high net worth individuals. Although there are currently no direct flights from China to Utah, Delta Airlines will launch a new service from Seoul to Salt Lake City next month, offering a closer transit point for Chinese travellers.
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic is also aiming to introduce Chinese tourists to a different type of travel experience. Marcus Leung, deputy executive director at the Dominican Republic Economic and Cultural Exchange Promotion Association, said he was at MITE 2025 to promote three of the country’s most recognised products: cigars, coffee, and chocolate.
“Most Chinese don’t know about the Dominican Republic and many confuse it with Dominica (another country in the Caribbean). We have places such as Punta Cana, which is famous for the beach, and the capital Santo Domingo,” said Leung.
Accor expands MEA footprint with focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Accor is accelerating its expansion across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), with a strong focus on Saudi Arabia. The group currently operates 45 hotels in the Kingdom and plans to double this number over the next five years in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Expansion will include major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as secondary markets like Al Baha and Dhahran.
“Luxury hospitality continues to be a key driver of regional growth in the MEA region. However, the hospitality market is now seeing its fastest growth in the mid and upper midscale hotel segments,” said Duncan O’Rourke, CEO, Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific, premium, midscale & economy brands, Accor, speaking to TTG Asia at ATM 2025 in Dubai.
As part of its strategy in Saudi Arabia, Accor has partnered with Naif Alrajhi Investment to introduce the first Tribe hotel in Riyadh. The 250-key property will be located within King Salman Park and will also debut the Tribe Living concept, a new residential community model designed to complement the lifestyle-focused hotel brand.
In the UAE, Accor has strengthened its partnership with the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and Valor Hospitality through a six-hotel cluster at Deira Waterfront, adding 999 keys. The group has a pipeline of nine hotels in Dubai.
“The demand for Dubai’s inbound tourism market is growing strongly, driven by segments like leisure, bleisure and MICE. Besides key Asian source markets like India and China and Europe, we are also noticing more and more Americans coming here,” noted O’Rourke.
In Qatar, Accor will open the Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha in 2025. In Egypt, it signed Swissôtel Ras El Hekma, Swissôtel Residences Ras El Hekma, and Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman, all set to open in 2027. The company also recently opened Hawar Resort by Mantis in Bahrain.
Accor currently operates 350 hotels across the MEA region, including Turkey. Within the Middle East, the group’s portfolio includes more than 290 properties across its various brands.
Citadines Langit in Kuching breaks ground
A new hospitality development is underway in the heart of Kuching with the ground-breaking of Citadines Langit Kuching – a joint project between local construction firm Hock Seng Lee (HSL) and its Singapore-based partner, The Ascott.
Located on Jalan Tabuan, the mixed-use development is scheduled for completion in 48 months. It comprises two 28-storey towers: one housing 220 Citadines hotel apartments, managed by Ascott, and the other containing 64 residential condominiums.
The towers will be connected by two “floating” clubhouse floors on the fourth and 15th levels, for the exclusive use of hotel guests and condominium residents.
The fifth-generation Citadines units will be supported by commercial and public areas aimed at attracting both locals and visitors.
Hock Seng Lee Realty director Yu Ji said he was particularly proud of the grand staircase anchoring the lower three floors of the twin towers, offering one of Kuching’s few privately-owned public spaces. “We intend to activate this area with children’s playgrounds, concerts and art installations,” he shared.
Ascott’s country general manager for Malaysia, Mondi Mecja, said at a recent press conference that Langit is set to become the benchmark for the Citadines brand in Malaysia, with Ascott’s design team leading the hotel interior design.
Lead architect David Ong said the twin buildings would be among the region’s most energy-efficient high-rises: “As this is a high-tech development, the Citadines component will incorporate an advanced building management system. Condominium residents will enjoy double-glazed windows as standard.”
Kuching currently has around 8,000 hotel keys across all categories.
Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audrey Wan Ullok said Citadines Langit Kuching is a welcome addition, especially during large conferences and tourism events.
Kuching South city mayor Wee Hong Seng stated that international hotel brands play a role in raising the city’s global profile.
“We are proud to welcome the Citadines brand to our city through the launch of Langit, a development that exemplifies forward-thinking urban design harmoniously integrated with lush greenery for which HSL is known for,” he said.
Philippine Hotel Owners Association to hold hotel connect forum in July
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) will organise the Philippine Hotel Connect forum on July 24 to 25 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, providing a platform to promote tourism and hotel investments in the country.
It is a rebranding of the first Philippine Tourism Hotel and Investment Summit held in June last year, but what differentiates Philippine Hotel Connect, said PHOA executive director Benito Bengzon Jr, is that “it’s bigger for sure, with more exhibitors and more conference delegates”. He added the programme has been extended to two days, compared to just one day last year.
“The main idea is to provide a venue to promote tourism and hotel investments and to support the government’s initiatives, particularly the Department of Tourism (DoT), to expand capacity in the accommodation sector,” he said on the sidelines of the Hotelogix Tech and Tonic: A Hospitality Meetup last week.
The event will also provide an opportunity for PHOA member hotels to explore investment opportunities in various forms across different parts of the country. Bengzon said Philippine Hotel Connect is a way of showing support for the DoT, whose mandate is to promote investments in tourism using TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) as the investment promotion agency for tourism.
“So, moving forward, all tourism-related investments should be registered with TIEZA,” he said, adding that some PHOA member hotels have registered with TIEZA and availed themselves of fiscal incentives.
PHOA’s Philippine hotel pipeline report from last year listed its members’ 150 hotel projects over the next five years, which will add another 40,000 to 45,000 guest rooms, so “in a way, it is a very good development, a very good sign of investors’ confidence in the potential of the markets”, Bengzon pointed out.
Luxury Gold teams up with VisitScotland for new sustainable Scotland Tour
Luxury Gold has launched a new 10-day itinerary, Spectacular Scotland, developed in partnership with VisitScotland and set to depart in 2026.
The tour combines high-end travel experiences with responsible tourism practices, offering a product that meets growing demand for sustainable luxury travel.
The itinerary supports lesser-known regions, local communities, and environmental efforts while maintaining the small-group, premium service that defines Luxury Gold. Highlights include visits to a women-run tartan mill, wildlife conservation activities in Glencoe, and a marine conservation experience with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust on the Isle of Mull. Guests will also enjoy sustainable fine dining at Wedgwood The Restaurant and stays at eco-certified properties such as Cameron House on Loch Lomond.
The tour features Make Travel Matter experiences aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and follows a route designed to avoid overtourism by focusing on less crowded destinations such as Cairngorms National Park and Dornoch.
The itinerary is now available for booking through Luxury Gold’s network of travel partners. Luxury Gold is part of The Travel Corporation (TTC), which has delivered quality travel experiences for over 100 years.
Mae Cheah, managing director of TTC Tour Brands Asia, said: “Luxury travellers are no longer asking if their trip makes an impact – they’re asking how. Spectacular Scotland gives travel agents the confidence to meet that demand with a truly unique itinerary that balances comfort, culture, and conscience.”
Singapore Airlines, OpenAI to enhance service and efficiency with AI
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and OpenAI have teamed up to develop and implement Generative AI (GenAI) tools for the airline – this marks OpenAI’s first collaboration with a major carrier.
The tools will interpret text, audio, diagrams and video to support customer service functions and streamline internal processes, with the aim of improving operational efficiency and staff productivity.
The initial phase will focus on enhancing SIA’s AI-powered virtual assistant on its website. Building on current features such as the flight recommender, the updated assistant will support customers through planning, booking and managing their travel, with improved self-service functions.
SIA staff will also have access to a new AI assistant designed to automate routine tasks and provide operational support. Powered by OpenAI’s multimodal models, the tool will help staff retrieve and process information across formats, enabling quicker decisions and more effective problem-solving.
Furthermore, SIA plans to integrate OpenAI’s AI models into existing tools used in operational planning. These will support tasks such as flight crew scheduling by factoring in regulations, resource availability and operational constraints. The goal is to enable faster, data-informed decisions and more efficient operations.
George Wang, senior vice president information technology, Singapore Airlines, said: “This collaboration with OpenAI exemplifies Singapore Airlines’ commitment to digital innovation and leadership in the airline industry. By harnessing cutting-edge AI solutions, we will enhance operational efficiency and staff productivity, and elevate the end-to-end customer experience, helping the SIA Group retain its industry-leadership position.”
Oliver Jay, managing director, international, OpenAI, added: “We are excited to work with SIA and explore how advanced AI can enhance the travel experience, empower employees, and optimise complex operations.”
Australia launches travel deals for Singaporeans in celebration of SG60
As part of the SG60 celebrations, Australia is offering a range of birthday deals to help Singaporeans plan a getaway Down Under, with Tourism Australia partners rolling out exclusive offers for Singaporean travellers.
From now until May 18, Singaporeans can visit Tourism Australia’s website for a special Onz for a Great Aussie Getaway section, featuring exclusive offers and travel inspiration for their next Australian adventure.
A range of promotional offers is available, including up to 60 per cent off stays at Pink Lake in South Australia, S$600 (US$440) off travel packages covering Melbourne and Uluru, S$60 off a gourmet food and wine experience on Sydney Harbour, and flights starting from S$600.
For more information, visit Tourism Australia.
Kashmir attack raises concerns over travel demand to neighbouring regions
Indian tour operators are raising concerns that the recent terrorist attack near Pahalgam in Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 28 tourists, could affect travel demand for nearby destinations such as Jammu and Ladakh. However, industry leaders remain hopeful about the outlook for tourism in other parts of the country.
“Following the recent tragic attack in Kashmir, there is growing uncertainty around tourism demand to the valley. While we haven’t seen any direct impact on neighbouring destinations like Ladakh just yet, there is concern that travellers may begin to reconsider or postpone their plans in the wider region,” said Rama Mahendru, country general manager for India at Intrepid Travel.
Tourism in Kashmir had been witnessing robust growth in recent years. However, the attack has prompted several countries to issue travel advisories against visiting the region. Canada has updated its travel advisory, asking citizens to avoid all travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, excluding Ladakh. The US has also issued a Do Not Travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, with the exception of eastern Ladakh and its capital, Leh.
“Tourism in Kashmir was growing strongly for the past few years. With the terrorist attack, travellers are now more apprehensive. Several countries have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid the region. I think neighbouring destinations like Ladakh will also feel an impact for the next two to three months. However, the real picture regarding international tourism demand will become clearer once the tourist season begins later this year. There is an urgent need for the government to reassure global markets that India remains a safe travel destination,” said Pronab Sarkar, managing director, Swagatam Tours.
A New Delhi-based tour operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TTG Asia that cancellations for Ladakh trips are already being reported. “We had a group from the US scheduled to visit the Vaishno Devi temple in Katra in May. They have now cancelled their trip. The situation is alarming for both domestic and inbound tourism demand,” the operator said.
Despite the challenges, some industry leaders are urging for a measured response. “We have been working hard to educate our overseas partners that Kashmir is just one destination within a vast country and that the situation will normalise soon. If travellers prefer to avoid Kashmir for a while, they can fly directly to Ladakh. We urge the media not to create a negative narrative for the entire region. So far, we have not seen any impact on other destinations within India,” said Deepak Bhatnagar, CEO of Minar Travels.
