During the recent Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) meeting, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) welcomed measures aimed at enhancing the country’s tourism industry, including efforts to liberalise visa policies and make the Philippines more accessible to international visitors.
The DoT supports the establishment of an electronic visa system to ease entry and the extension of stay for visa holders from American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, and Schengen countries, as well Singapore and the UK, from seven days to 30 days. This is expected to increase tourism spending and benefit local businesses.
The Philippines aims to boost inbound tourism by simplifying visa policies and introducing biometric technologies for easier entry; Manila, pictured
Earlier this year, the DoT launched the Cruise Visa Waiver Program, aimed at boosting international cruise tourism. Additionally, the DoT supports the introduction of biometric technologies at the Bureau of Immigration to streamline arrivals and departures.
Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco reiterated the DoT’s commitment to advancing the tourism sector, strengthening the Philippines’ global competitiveness, and working with government and private sector partners to promote the country as a top destination.
She said: “Together with our partners in government and the private sector, we will continue to champion the Philippines as a leading destination, offering rich experiences that benefit both visitors and the Filipino people.”
Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa, Thailand Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa is located on Thailand’s south-west coast, steps from Bang-Lut Beach and the Andaman Sea, surrounded by natural beauty and close to top diving spots like the Similan Islands.
The resort features 283 rooms and villas, many with direct access to lagoon pools. Facilities include four restaurants, swimming pools, a kids’ club, spa, and fitness centre.
With Phuket Airport just 90 minutes away, the resort also offers a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, and beachside venues for weddings and special occasions.
Amari Colombo
Amari Colombo, Sri Lanka Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s bustling commercial and economic centre, Amari Colombo boasts 167 guestrooms and provides easy access to the city’s attractions.
There are several dining options available, as well as a bar, executive lounge, and even a tea and coffee bar.
The Motley Hotel Richmond
The Motley Hotel Richmond, Australia
The Motley Hotel Richmond is now part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the brand’s debut in Australia.
The hotel offers 80 bespoke rooms and amenities like off-site gym access, exclusive local packages, as well as F&B options.
Dusit Princess Melaka
Dusit Princess Melaka, Malaysia Dusit Princess Melaka, located in the heart of UNESCO-listed Melaka, features 296 rooms, including Deluxe rooms and a Presidential Suite, as well as facilities like a gym, swimming pool, and F&B venues.
The hotel also offers meeting spaces, including a grand ballroom for up to 1,000 guests.
Conveniently located near key attractions like Dutch Square, St. Paul’s Hill, and Jonker Street, the hotel is just 17 minutes from Malacca International Airport and 105 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The 1,800-passenger Star Scorpio will join Resorts World Cruises (RWC) and offer a series of sailings with Singapore as her homeport between March 26 and July 21 next year.
The third vessel in the RWC fleet, Star Scorpio, will embark on her maiden voyage from the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) on March 26, 2025. She will then offer a series of sailings until July 21, 2025, visiting a variety of destinations such as Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia, Melaka and Pulau Redang in Malaysia, Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Star Scorpio will homeport in Singapore in 2025
Itineraries include the six-day-five-night Melaka-Jakarta Cruises (March 26 to April 15 and June 11 to July 1) and the six-day-five-night Bangkok-Ko Samui Cruises (April 20 to May 10) Passengers can also enjoy the five-day-four-night Ko Samui-Pulau Redang Cruises (May 15-23), the four-day-three-night Melaka-Medan Cruises (May 27 to June 8) or the six-day-five-night Melaka-Ho Chi Minh Cruises (July 6-21).
In addition to the Singapore homeport deployment, passengers can also embark for round-trip cruises at the dual homeports in Jakarta, Bangkok (via Laem Chabang), Melaka and Ho Chi Minh City (via Phu My Port).
Passengers can board Star Scorpio from Jakarta (via Tanjong Priok Port) from March 29 to April 13, as well as from June 14 to 29 next year. During these two periods, Star Scorpio will offer a total of eight sailings from Jakarta with the six-day-five-night Singapore-Melaka Cruises.
From April 22 to May 12, 2025, passengers can embark Star Scorpio from Bangkok (via Laem Chabang Port) to experience the six-day-five-night Ko Samui-Singapore Cruise with five departures.
Subsequently between May 28 and June 9, 2025, passengers have the option to embark and depart from Melaka (via the ICQS cruise terminal) to enjoy the four-day-three-night Medan (via Kuala Tanjung)-Singapore Cruise with five sailings.
Wrapping up Star Scorpio’s deployment in South-east Asia, RWC will be the first cruise line to homeport in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where cruise-goers can embark from Ho Chi Minh City (via Phu My Port) for the six-day-five-night Singapore-Melaka Cruises aboard Star Scorpio from July 9-24, 2025.
Prior to commencing operations in 2025, Star Scorpio will undergo a US$50 million renovation and upgrade in Singapore and will feature many restaurants, bars, showroom and other recreational facilities.
Bookings for Star Scorpio’s cruise itineraries will be available from January 10, 2025 onwards.
RWC president Michael Goh said: “Star Scorpio’s dual homeport in Singapore with different countries in Asia will offer Indonesians, Thais, Malaysians and Vietnamese round-trip cruises from their ports during their peak holiday periods without the need to fly to another country.”
Artyzen Singapore has been added to the prestigious Legend Collection by Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Launched in 2015, the Legend Collection features properties known for their sophisticated design, exceptional service, and unforgettable guest experiences.
This exclusive group includes only the finest hotels, offering exceptional accommodation, dining, and amenities like spa services.
Enjoy Quenino’s contemporary Asian cuisine at Artyzen Singapore, now a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection
Artyzen Singapore blends modern luxury with Singapore’s cultural heritage. Located near Orchard Road, the hotel offers 142 rooms, as well as a rooftop pool, private balconies, and sky terraces.
Guests at Artyzen Singapore can also enrol in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, the brand’s loyalty programme, earning points that can be redeemed for cash-value Reward Certificates, Titanium status, and other benefits at over 600 participating hotels and resorts worldwide.
Jeff Crowe, general manager of Artyzen Singapore, commented: “Since opening our doors just a year ago, our focus has been on creating a warm and authentic experience for every guest who steps through our doors.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering meaningful and memorable stays. We are honoured to become a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection.”
Minor International’s picturesque Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is a popular filming location
Minor International, a name rooted in Thailand, has evolved into a global powerhouse in the travel and hospitality industry.
The company was founded by Bill Heinecke in 1978, an American whose family moved to Thailand when he was a teenager.
“I love Thailand – I chose Thailand to be my home from the age of 17; that’s why it’s called Minor,” shared Heinecke, now a Thai citizen.
Minor International’s picturesque Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is a popular filming location
Minor began with a single property, the Royal Garden Resort Pattaya, now the Avani Pattaya Resort. Today, 46 years later, it has eight in-house hotel brands, and a presence in 63 markets across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas.
Since the early 2000s, Minor has steadily expanded its global footprint. The journey began with the establishment of flagship luxury brand, Anantara, followed by the launch of lifestyle-focused Avani, both designed to cater to global travellers while offering unique, culturally immersive experiences.
“Our aim was not only to expand geographically but to also introduce distinctive hospitality experiences that resonate with guests from all over the world,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and group CEO of Minor International.
Minor’s early successes in Thailand’s Hua Hin, Chiang Rai and Koh Samui showcased the global appeal of its luxury resort offerings. Leveraging this, the company expanded into Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Key international acquisitions soon followed, including a 50 per cent stake in Africa’s Elewana Collection and a majority stake in Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites, which granted Minor a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand.
The company’s 2011 opening of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas marked a significant milestone: The brand’s first wholly-owned international Anantara property.
“The success in the Maldives helped position Minor Hotels on the world stage as a luxury operator,” said Rajakarier. Minor now operates more than 560 hotels and resorts across six continents, with major acquisitions like the NH Hotel Group in October 2018 giving it a substantial presence in Europe and furthering its global ambitions.
The NH acquisition expanded Minor’s portfolio, allowing it to introduce NH brands to new markets in Asia and the Middle East, while also bringing Anantara to urban European destinations.
“We took a well-established European brand in NH and have since brought it to Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and China,” noted Rajakarier. This cross-regional brand integration has not only diversified Minor’s revenue streams but also bolstered its core business in Asia.
China remains a key market in Minor’s expansion strategy, with several new developments underway. “This year, we will be launching two Avani properties in Guangdong and an Anantara in Shaoxing next year,” Rajakarier revealed. The company plans to add over 200 new openings globally by end-2026, with half of them expected in Asia.
As Minor continues to grow, it remains committed to sustainable growth. “We are confident that our disciplined approach to expansion will allow us to meet and even exceed this target,” said Rajakarier, underscoring the brand’s focus on innovation and meeting the evolving demands of global travellers.
Accor is entering 2025 with a line-up of new hotels, resorts, and unique hospitality experiences across its 45+ brands, spanning luxury to economy, set to open throughout the year.
Set to expand its luxury portfolio, Accor will see several high-profile openings across the globe next year. Raffles Sentosa Singapore, opening early 2025, will offer 62 villas overlooking Tanjong Beach. Raffles Jeddah, mid-2025, will feature 142 rooms with Red Sea views. Fairmont Tokyo, also mid-2025, will debut in Japan with 217 rooms and Tokyo Bay views. Fairmont Udaipur, mid-2025, will offer a hillside resort with panoramic views and wellness experiences.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree debuts in Singapore with 24 treehouses designed to blend with nature, opening in mid-2025; photo by Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree
Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit (late 2025) will be Thailand’s first fully integrated luxury MICE hotel with 419 rooms. Fairmont Hanoi (late 2025) will blend urban luxury with wellness across 241 rooms. Fairmont Dalian (late 2025) will offer 70 rooms in a restored heritage building, while Sofitel Guiyang Liebian (late 2025) will feature 240 rooms in China’s Guanshan Lake District.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree (mid-2025) in Singapore will feature 338 rooms, including treehouses, in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Hotel MontAzure Lakeside Phuket – MGallery Collection (mid-2025) will offer 150 rooms with a lagoon pool and clubhouse.
Several lifestyle hotels will launch in 2025, like the 25hours Hotel The Olympia in Sydney, which will be the city’s first 25hours Hotel. Opening mid-2025, it will feature 109 rooms, four dining venues, and meeting spaces for up to 150 people.
Late 2025 will welcome Hyde Perth with its 120 rooms, including 18 suites, along with two meeting rooms, a restaurant, bar, and outdoor pool. Mondrian Gold Coast, opening early 2025, will offer 208 rooms and suites with ocean views, including Beach Houses with private plunge pools. Two dining venues will highlight local produce and seafood.
Mama Shelter Singapore, arriving early 2025, will feature 110 rooms, a restaurant, and a rooftop pool with views of the skyline, while SLS Red Sea, opening mid-2025, will feature 150 rooms and suites, including pool villas, in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project. The resort will offer fine dining, a spa, and a grand ballroom.
Premium openings include Pullman Chennai Anna Salai, India, opening early 2025, with 233 rooms, meeting spaces, a rooftop bar, and a fitness centre; Swissôtel Doha Corniche Park Towers, Qatar, set for mid-2025, offering 200 guestrooms, 142 serviced apartments, and 121 residences, plus six dining venues and meeting space; Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, Indonesia, opening mid-2025, featuring 413 rooms, three swimming pools, dining options, and a wellness centre; and Grand Mercure Krabi Ao Nang, Thailand, scheduled for late 2025, with various room types, two pools, a kids’ club, and F&B venues.
Finally for midscale and economy properties, Novotel Jakarta Pulo Mas in Indonesia, opening late 2025, will offer 175 rooms, dining options, a fitness centre, and an outdoor pool while Novotel Sydney Cabramatta in Australia, set for mid-2025, will feature 140 rooms, an outdoor pool, gym, and business lounge. Adagio Original London City East, opening early 2025, will offer 132 studios and apartments, including co-living spaces, and Tribe Auckland Fort Street in New Zealand, opening mid-2025, will feature 60 rooms, a lobby bar, and social hub.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the city of Ayodhya, scheduled to open by mid-2028.
Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and just minutes from both the main temple complex and the Railway Station, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will feature 125 guestrooms, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre, business centre, parking space, laundry room and meeting room.
The 125-key Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya is set to open in 2028
“Ayodhya has become one of India’s most preferred tourist destinations in 2024. With Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya’s strategic location, the hotel will benefit predominantly from spiritual tourism year-round,” commented Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Abhishek Jain, owner of the hotel, added: “By combining our local expertise with IHG’s global standards, we aim to create a distinguished destination that will become a preferred choice for both domestic and international travellers. With a high visibility and strategic location, the hotel will set new standards of hospitality in Ayodhya.”
Roel Constantino has joined NUSTAR Resort in Cebu as the general manager of Fili Hotel and the soon-to-open NUSTAR Hotel.
From left: Roel Constantino and Max Huber
He is succeeded by Max Huber, who takes over as general manager of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Huber has held key leadership roles in prominent hotels across Asia, including Radisson Blu Wetland Park in Wuxi, China; Grand Sukhumvit in Bangkok; and Hotel Nikko in both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Meliá Hotels International has announced further expansion of its luxury portfolio in 2025, with the opening of 15 hotels across its luxury brands, including key growth areas like Vietnam and Thailand.
2025 will see the launch of ME by Meliá in China, adding a new destination to the brand’s portfolio. ME by Meliá combines destination, design, and service to deliver personal and enriching experiences. With new openings planned in locations such as Malta, Lisbon, Marbella, and Malaga in Europe, China will be a key milestone for the brand’s expansion into Asia.
A rendering of the lobby at Meliá Pattaya Hotel, set to open in 1Q2025
The Meliá Collection will also see its debut in Asia with the opening of Ba Vi Mountain near Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2025. This will be the first Meliá Collection property in Asia, offering a blend of luxury and culture, situated in the natural surroundings of the Vietnamese countryside.
The Paradisus by Meliá brand will make its entry into the Asian market in 2025 with the opening of Paradisus Pattaya in Thailand. Known for its Destination Inclusive concept, Paradisus offers guests immersive experiences that combine luxury, wellness, and local culture. Pattaya will be a key destination for the brand, reflecting its core values and expanding its global footprint.
In addition, Meliá Pattaya Hotel, inspired by the city’s attractions and cultural blend, is set to open in 1Q2025. Located on Pattaya’s Second Road, just a short drive from Bangkok, the 12-storey hotel will feature 234 rooms and suites, a beach club, rooftop restaurant, executive lounge, pool and pool bar, spa, kids’ club, gym, co-working area, and meeting spaces.
He spent the past eight years honing his skills in the Maldives, where he recently served as resort manager at One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives.
