Onyx Hospitality Group is launching an exclusive activity under its Live Your Blended Life at Shamacampaign to elevate its guests’ stay experience this November.
The campaign will run continuously throughout the year, offering exclusive activities based on three core concepts of blending key life moments: Explorecation (Explore + Vacation), Workshopping (Work + Shopping), and Foodventure (Food + Adventure).
The Colour Your Life workshop helps guests enhance their style and confidence through colour psychology
Organised through the Shama Social Club, the Colour Your Life workshop – which falls under Workshopping – will focus on helping individuals discover the colours that suit them best. This workshop applies the concept of personal branding through the psychology of colour selection. The insights from this workshop can be applied to shopping for clothes, accessories, cosmetics, and selecting hair colours, helping participants feel confident and look their best in a new environment.
Onyx Hospitality Group CEO Yuthachai Charanachitta said: “The activities of the Shama Social Club go beyond merely taking guests to popular tourist attractions; they are designed to help guests seamlessly blend into their new location while simultaneously experiencing the essence of the local culture surrounding their accommodation.”
Agoda has unveiled a selection of five must-do road trips across Asia, which offers travellers a chance to explore the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
From Thailand’s Mae Hong Son loop to other routes, these journeys promise unforgettable experiences for road trip enthusiasts, and are perfect for those looking to discover the hidden gems of the region.
Mae Hong Son is known for its picturesque mountain views and diverse local culture
Here are some suggested routes for those seeking inspiration for their next road trip:
Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Loop is known for its picturesque mountain views and diverse local culture. Travellers can explore charming towns and lush forests, providing a unique glimpse into the region’s heritage.
The Shimanami Kaido route in Japan connects the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, boasting stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea. Cyclists and drivers alike can enjoy the blend of natural beauty and modern infrastructure.
Encompassing the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, the Golden Triangle road trip allows travellers to explore iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Pink City, while experiencing the rich history and culture of the region.
The Hai Van Pass route in Vietnam offers a thrilling drive through mountains and along the sea, showcasing Vietnam’s natural splendour and coastal views.
Providing a refreshing escape into Malaysia’s cooler climates, travellers can enjoy tea plantations, strawberry farms, and colonial architecture along this scenic drive in Cameron Highlands.
Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply at Agoda, said: “These road trips are perfect for those who love the open road and want to explore Asia’s diverse landscapes. Whether it’s the mountains of Thailand or the coastal roads of Vietnam, there’s so much to discover.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Adyar Gate Hotels to develop InterContinental Kodaikanal Resort, which is slated to open in 2028.
The new resort adds to IHG’s luxury portfolio in India and marks the debut of the InterContinental brand in Kodaikanal and the sixth (open and in the pipeline) in the country, following successful ventures in Chennai, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Delhi.
The signing of InterContinental Kodaikanal Resort aims to bolster IHG’s portfolio in India
Once opened, InterContinental Kodaikanal Resort will feature 100 guestrooms with cottages, and a variety of amenities such as five dining venues, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and two meeting spaces.
Kodaikanal is one of South India’s most popular getaway destinations for high end leisure and corporate clientele, known for its landscapes, pleasant climate and outdoor activities. The destination attracts a growing number of visitors each year from Tamil Nadu and nearby states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: “With its unique blend of nature, heritage, and cultural richness, Kodaikanal has become a sought-after destination for discerning travellers seeking luxury and leisure escapes, making it an ideal location for our luxury portfolio expansion in India. With travellers seeking quality accommodations in serene and picturesque destinations, the InterContinental Kodaikanal Resort will cater to the evolving preferences of our guests and is poised to set new benchmarks in the city for luxury and elevated hospitality experiences.”
“With the resort’s prime location, exceptional amenities, and IHG’s global standards, we are confident that InterContinental Kodaikanal Resort will redefine luxury hospitality in the region and become a preferred choice for travellers seeking a unique blend of elegance and breath-taking beauty,” added Manish Goyal, managing director, Adyar Gate Hotels.
Despite Labuan Bajo appearing to be safe and the airport operating as usual, the disaster agency has indicated that the situation could remain uncertain until December 1, leaving the travel industry in a state of limbo, as they face the upcoming peak season in December.
Abed Frans, chairman of the East Nusa Tenggara Association of Indonesian Travel Agencies (ASITA), said: “Since the first eruption on November 3, (there hasn’t been much) impact, and visitors have continued to arrive. (However), the temporary closure of Komodo Airport has (raised) concerns among travellers – ASITA members have reported receiving many cancellations.”
Labuan Bajo travel industry in limbo amid volcanic uncertainty and airport closures
According to data from the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementing Agency, around 6,000 visitors were unable to enter Labuan Bajo due to the closure of Komodo International Airport from November 10 to 13. The closures led to cancellations at 32 hotels, with occupancy rates dropping by nearly 87 per cent, further declining to just 10 per cent from November 3 to 16.
ASITA West Manggarai reported its members received massive cancellations and delays, leading to losses exceeding US$64,000 for travel packages between November 8 and 14.
Leonardus Nyoman, owner and director of Flores Exotic Tour, who had eight small group cancellations, expressed concern that cancellations may continue as the government has not yet downgraded the alert level to “safe,” given that volcanic activity remains at a high level.
“This is force majeure; no one can predict the natural disaster. (However), the authorities need to push out the message that Labuan Bajo remains unaffected and is safe for travel. Furthermore, the government must release a statement (clarifying) that the distance between Lewotobi and Labuan Bajo is very far,” added Leonardus.
Abed Frans, owner of Flobamor Tours, said the travel industry is in limbo due to the lack of certainty, with partners and clients continuing to inquire about the next group departure in December or seeking to reschedule those affected by the recent closure.
Abed still holds high hopes that the situation will improve before December. “It is the peak season. If we don’t start selling packages now, business will definitely suffer. But it’s also impossible to offer year-end packages without the ‘green light’ from the government,” he added.
Given the uncertainty, Wisnu Arimbawa, managing director of GD Tour Bali, has diverted his clients to other destinations. “Due to natural and weather conditions, we’re advising clients in Bali to avoid East Nusa Tenggara until next year. Instead, we are offering alternative packages in Java or Lombok,” he shared.
As of November 15, data from the Ministry of Transportation reported that nine out of 10 airports in East Nusa Tenggara have resumed normal operations. The only exception is Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, which remains closed due to the impact of volcanic ash.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali and Lombok International Airport have also returned to normal after cancellations from November 12 to 14, which affected hundreds of domestic and international flights.
Asia’s cruise tourism is seeing a rebound, both as a source market and as a destination, with opportunities for the return of international deployments and new homeporting, according to industry experts at Seatrade Cruise Asia 2024, co-located with Seatrade Crew Connect Global in Manila.
Ted Blamey, principal at Chart Management Consultants, revealed that Singapore’s recovery “has been exceptional since last year” with 817,000 cruise passengers – two and a half times the 2019 level – the largest in all Asia.
Asia’s cruise tourism rebounds with new opportunities, say experts at Seatrade Cruise Asia 2024; photo by Seatrade Cruise Asia
India reached a record 374,000 passengers, making it the second-largest cruise market in Asia, followed by Malaysia with 350,000 passengers, nearly three times the 2019 volume. Indonesia and the Philippines also saw notable growth, though on a smaller scale.
Blamey noted the return of mainstream international cruise lines to Asia, including Norwegian Cruise Line’s four ships this year and next, Carnival Corp’s four brands, the new Disney Adventure arriving in Singapore in December 2025, and various upscale and luxury international lines.
Key priorities shaping the future of Asia’s cruise market include growing the market sustainably, engaging with local communities, and enhancing the guest experience.
On sustainability and green cruises, Oliviero Morelli, president of Japan, South Korea, South East Asia for MSC Group’s cruise division, stated that Asian destinations must match the efforts made by the cruise industry. While many Asian ports maintain high standards, there is still significant work to be done, and some destinations may not yet be fully prepared.
Noting advances in technology, infrastructure, and sustainable practices in other continents, Seatrade Cruise group portfolio director Mary Bond suggested learning from successful peers in the industry.
“Sometimes, it’s not bad to copy the homework of somebody else,” she quipped.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises president, Tsunemichi Mukai, emphasised the need to balance growth with environmental and community concerns, advocating for greater guest awareness of sustainability and the importance of preventing over-tourism in destinations.
In parts of Asia where sea travel is regarded as a mode of transport rather than a vacation, the speakers recommended raising awareness among travelers, transport providers, and local communities in homeports about the advantages of cruise tourism.
To enhance the guest experience, speakers urged cruise operators to focus on every detail for a seamless, enjoyable holiday, while developing new itineraries and creating programmes tailored to the Asian market.
They highlighted South-east Asia as an largely untapped market, with Singapore and Malaysia offering well-developed airports and ports, key for fly-cruise operations and enhancing guest experiences. Bangkok, with its strong airport and infrastructure, also shows great potential for homeporting.
UN Tourism has recognised 55 villages in this year’s Best Tourism Villages initiative, with another 20 villages chosen to join the Upgrade Programme.
This fourth edition adds 75 new members – chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States – bringing the total to 254 villages, making it the largest community of rural destinations in the world.
The Best Tourism Villages initiative recognises the achievements of these villages and highlights the transformative power of tourism
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative was launched in 2021 to advance tourism’s role in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.
As in previous editions, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas: cultural and natural resources, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, tourism development and value chain integration, governance and prioritisation of tourism, infrastructure and connectivity, as well as health, safety, and security.
This year, seven villages from the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme have achieved recognition as Best Tourism Villages, including Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).
The 20 villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year comprise Breb, Romania; Campo Ramón, Argentina; Cap Malheureux, Mauritius; Cascas, Peru; Choshuenco, Chile; Dhudmaras, India; Lens, Switzerland; Malalcahuello, Chile; Mexcaltitán de Uribe, Mexico; Mittelberg, Austria; Pals, Spain; Piedades Sur, Costa Rica; Polovragi, Romania; San Juan Bautista, Chile; Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala; Seonhakdong, Republic of Korea; Shirayama, Japan; St. Leonhard in Pitztal, Austria; Yamakoshi, Japan; and Yörük, Türkiye.
“Tourism is a vital tool for inclusion, empowering rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development,” said UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili. “By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being, demonstrating that sustainable practices can lead to a brighter future for all.”
The call for submissions for its fifth edition will take place in early 2025.
BWH Hotels has expanded its portfolio in Vietnam with the signing of a new BW Premier Collection resort on the beach in Phan Thiet.
The Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection will join BWH Hotels’ expanding portfolio in Vietnam, which currently includes four Best Western Premier branded properties in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Ha Long, with more hotels and resorts in the pipeline.
The Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection adds to BWH Hotels’ expanding portfolio in Vietnam
The new beachside resort is located in Vietnam’s Binh Thuan province, and is just a 2.5 hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City. It will offer a selection of villas and rooms, all fully equipped with modern amenities, as well as facilities such as a restaurant, beach bar, cabanas, swimming pool, and a stage for beachfront events.
Travellers can also explore the destination’s natural scenery, including lush forests and sand dunes, along with fishing villages, temples, golf courses, and long coastal roads.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of the Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection, which marks the latest phase of our development strategy in Vietnam, one of BWH Hotels’ key Asian markets. With its beachfront location and collection of spacious villas and accommodations, this exceptional resort is set to become a popular option for guests on short breaks or extended vacations,” said Olivier Berrivin, vice president – APAC, BWH Hotels.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has welcomed Lion Air Indonesia as its latest member with immediate effect.
Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Lion Air is Indonesia’s largest privately run airline and the largest budget airline in South-east Asia. Founded in 1999, Lion Air operates both international and domestic air services connecting different Indonesian cities to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and more.
Lion Air has joined AAPA as its latest member
“With Lion Air’s strong presence in the budget air travel segment, this important milestone reflects the diversity of the association’s membership and reinforces its role as the voice of international air carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of business model,” said Subhas Menon, director general of AAPA.
Rudy Lumingkewas, president director of Lion Air, added: “Lion Air is committed to expanding accessibility to various regions in Indonesia, and to playing a key role in supporting the country’s economic and social development. (We look) forward to working with other AAPA members and playing (a) part in the continued success of the Asia-Pacific air transport sector.”
Travelport and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have signed a multi-source content distribution agreement, marking Travelport as the first global distribution system to confirm a New Distribution Capability (NDC) distribution agreement with the airline.
The deal includes both NDC content and servicing, enhancing ANA’s ability to distribute its offerings through modern, flexible channels. The two companies are also collaborating to make ANA’s NDC content available via Travelport+ by mid-year 2025.
Agencies using Travelport+ will be able to access multi-source content from ANA
Travelport and ANA have strengthened their long-standing relationship to ensure that Travelport-connected agencies will continue to have seamless access to ANA’s extensive range of products, including ancillary services.
“This pivotal agreement confirms that agencies using Travelport+ will be able to access relevant, personalised, and enriched multi-source content from ANA, which means travellers are presented with more choice among ANA’s best offers and fares,” said Damian Hickey, global head of air partners at Travelport.
Keiji Omae, executive vice president of customer experience at ANA, added: “As we advance our NDC strategy, I am confident that Travelport can play a crucial role in helping us expand our reach and simplify the booking and servicing process as agents and travellers shop for our best offers.”
Langham Hospitality Group’s (LHG) loyalty platform Brilliant by Langham (Brilliant) has launched its Have a Brilliant Flight points-to-miles conversion programme, allowing Brilliant members to convert their membership points to airline miles for Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines.
Since the launch of Brilliant early this year, members have been able to experience personalised journeys across 33 participating hotels under LHG’s brands. Brilliant offers personalised experiences based on members’ preferences, along with member-only room rates and more. Signing up for Brilliant is free, and members earn award points for stays and use of amenities, as well as enhance their benefits by progressing through membership tiers.
Have a Brilliant Flight allows members to convert their points to airline miles for four major airlines
To celebrate the launch of the programme, LHG is introducing a limited-time Bonus Miles offer for members to earn extra miles from now to January 31, 2025. There is also a social media story-sharing campaign from now to December 15 where members can share their most memorable travel experiences on Facebook and Instagram for a chance to receive up to 1,000,000 miles.
Lawrence Ng, senior vice president of sales and marketing at LHG, commented: “This key milestone marks our commitment to enriching member experiences through airline partnerships with four leading airlines that represent the world’s three major airline alliances, Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance – together, we’re creating a more rewarding travel experience that truly shines.”
