The Westin Jakarta has appointed Thomas Glaser as its new general manager, where he will oversee all executive and operational aspects of the property.
Glaser brings over 20 years of extensive hospitality experience to The Westin Jakarta. Prior to this appointment, he served as general manager at Hilton Bandung for four years.
His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.
Luxury travellers are getting more sophisticated with their holiday expectations, prompting travel and tourism specialists in Asia-Pacific to curate out-of-the world offerings to win them over.
Jenny Zhou, head of Leisure Travel, Wild China, has delivered a customised food tour that traversed across China for a private group as well as sports programmes that featured a world champion as the trainer.
Speaking on a panel at the recent Further East 2024 luxury travel trade event in Bali, Indonesia, Zhou added that her team has just launched an “extreme snakes trip”. The 12-day expert-led Herpelogical Expedition, a collaboration between the travel company and Serpentine Expeditions, included a quest for the Mangshan Pit Viper.
The Herpelogical Expedition highlights the reverence reptiles and amphibians hold in Chinese folklore and follows the path of some of the China’s most coveted herpetological treasures, covering both those who have adapted to live on the fringes of densely populated urban centres and those who remain in their natural habitats, now protected national forest parks and UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserves.
More special interest tours, such as those focused on archaeology, arts and pottery will be rolled out in 2025.
Travellers’ quest for the unusual also means hoteliers “could no longer just sell rooms”, stated Dorris Goh, vice president Commercial, Como Hotels & Resorts.
Goh added that tourism has come of age and the travel industry now has a more educated audience.
In 2025, Como Hotels & Resorts will launch the Como Journey: Into the Arctic, in collaboration with Natural World Safaris. The 11-day trip onboard the eight-suite MS Polarfront expedition ship will set sail from the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen to explore the Svalbard Archipelago.
This voyage follows on from the successful Como Island Astronauts Camps that were organised with NASA and citizen astronauts over the past three years. These camps were held at Como’s island resorts in the Maldives, Thailand, and Indonesia’s Bali.
Goh said: “Three years ago, we considered how we would want a brand to be remembered by generations; (we needed) something extraordinary, so we decided to engage with the space community and brought in space camps. We wanted to do it specifically for families and children who come to the resort, so that they have something to look forward to.”
The Como Island Astronauts Camps are in support of Space for a Better World, teaching children that any dream is possible. The camps also engage with students from local schools.
Bill Barnett, founder and managing director of C9 Hotel Works, opined that hotel developers have to respond to these travel expectation changes by rethinking hotel design.
Just as how art can move and interact with visitors at an immersive art gallery today, Barnett believes that hotel design should be as innovative.
“Hotel rooms don’t have to be boring with design. Why does a hotel have to be a single structure? Why can’t we put the back-of-house and the employee dining room in a place where guests can come and join in? People want to engage with people in a social space, so must we have barriers between back-of-house and front-of-house?” he mused.
Scoot expands its network to Padang, Phu Quoc and Shantou
Scoot has introduced three new flight services to Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Padang in Indonesia, and Shantou in China.
Flights to Phu Quoc and Padang will commence on December 20, 2024 and January 6, 2025, respectively, and will be operated on the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. Flights to Shantou will begin on January 16, 2025 on the Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Scoot will start with thrice weekly flights to Phu Quoc, with two more weekly flights to be added from January 25, 2025.
Aside from the new destinations, Scoot will also add two more weekly flights to Jakarta from November 24, while services to Koh Samui will be increased from 14 to 21 times weekly from December 20.
Services to Davao will increase from five times weekly to daily flights from December 22, and flights to Vientiane will increase from four to five times weekly from February 9, 2025.
Operations to Nanchang will be suspended after the last flight on February 14, 2025.
Royal Brunei Airlines launches direct flight to Chennai
Royal Brunei Airlines has commenced its new direct flight route between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai, India on November 5.
The new service offers three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and will be operated on the modern Airbus A320neo.
With the strategic codeshare agreement with Air India, passengers flying to and from Chennai can easily connect to other major destinations in Royal Brunei Airlines’ network, including Melbourne, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul, Manila, and Taipei.
Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines deepen commercial partnership
Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) will boost flight frequencies between Jakarta, Indonesia, and Singapore in 4Q2024, with SIA to operate eight daily services from November 22, up from six currently, and Garuda Indonesia to expand its daily flights from four to six starting December 1.
The airlines will extend their codeshare arrangement to include these new services. Currently, both airlines codeshare on flights between Singapore and four Indonesian cities (Denpasar, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya), as well as routes between Singapore and London (Heathrow) and Mumbai.
In 1Q2025, Garuda Indonesia and SIA will deepen their frequent flyer programme partnership to allow GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem miles on codeshare routes. Both airlines will also introduce joint fare products, enabling customers to book flights between Singapore and Denpasar, Jakarta, and Surabaya within a single itinerary.
Dusit Hotels and Resorts, under Dusit International, has unveiled its Make Time for Travel offer, providing guests with up to US$200 hotel credit to enhance their stays with curated dining, wellness, and cultural experiences at selected Dusit properties worldwide when booking on Dusit’s website.
Available for bookings of two or more nights made from now until December 15, with stay dates extending until February 15, 2025, the offer invites travellers to immerse themselves in Dusit destinations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Egypt, Greece, Guam, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, and the Maldives.
For members of Dusit’s loyalty programme, Dusit Gold, the Make Time for Travel offer also includes exclusive privileges such as up to 20 per cent off stays, up to 30 per cent off dining, complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, and Dusit’s signature Instant Delight rewards.
For more information, visit Dusit Hotels and Resorts.
Oceania Cruises has launched the second wave of its 2026 Collection of Voyages, with more than 60 new itineraries ready for booking from today, November 14. The voyages on three of Oceania Cruises’ most intimate ships, Nautica, Regatta, and Sirena, which carry just 670 guests each, will cover ports across the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.
Framed by iconic cities such as Mumbai, Cape Town, Rome, and Singapore, the new sailings offer travellers the perfect opportunity to explore further, with the line’s ultra-premium small ships also visiting places more unexpected. Oceania Cruises’ guests can delight in lesser-known destinations, such as yachting haven Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; the Turkish island of Bozcaada; Maputo, the charismatic capital of Mozambique; and Karlskrona, a Swedish city spread over 30 islands.
Oceania Cruises’ small ships spend between 30 and 50 per cent more time in each port than premium cruise lines, including many overnight stays, to encourage in-depth exploration. Once ashore, guests can choose from hundreds of excursions in each port of call catering to a wealth of interests, including food, wine, history, architecture, and local culture.
For more information, visit OceaniaCruises.com.
Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has expanded its collaboration with Aiello, a startup specialising in Natural Language Processing to deploy the AI-powered Aiello Voice Assistant (AVA) across six MHR properties in Singapore and Thailand.
This follows on from MHR’s implementation at Orchard Hotel Singapore in June this year. AVA was first rolled our at MHR’s M Social Hotel Phuket in Thailand.
AVA is able to enhance the guest experience through personalised, voice-activated services and establish new benchmarks for operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Saurabh Prakash, interim chief operating officer and chief commercial officer at MHR, said: “By embracing Aiello’s AI technology, we’re adopting a data-driven approach that allows us to better understand guest preferences, enabling us to deliver personalised services while unlocking new revenue opportunities.”
Ke-Vin Lim, head of group innovation at City Developments Limited, parent of MHR, added that the hotel group is the first of its kind in Singapore to implement the AVA in guestrooms.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating advanced technology, significantly enhancing property value and positioning us as more competitive and attractive for the future,” he said.
Lim added that the adoption of AI aligns with MHR’s sustainability vision. “By replacing outdated in-room amenities and printed materials, we’re making a long-term, sustainable investment,” he said. MHR’s six properties in Singapore have already achieved the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification.
According to Aiello CEO and co-founder Vic Shen, the replacement of cabling in over 2,300 guestrooms with AVA would reduce 6,240kg of carbon dioxide emissions, which would have taken 284 trees to absorb.
Shen said the MHR collaboration would demonstrate how AI solutions can transform hotel management.
“Together with MHR, we’re leading the digital transformation of the hospitality industry, creating more intelligent and intuitive hotel environments,” said Shen.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled the world’s first global sustainability standard designed for attractions as well as a comprehensive sustainability guide for business event venues, a move coinciding with the city-state’s hosting of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Global Sustainable Tourism Conference this week.
Developed with support from STB, the GSTC Attraction Criteria aims to serve as the global sustainability standard for attractions and provides a common understanding of sustainable practices for attractions worldwide. This is the first-ever global standard specifically designed for attractions. Attractions can expect to apply for the certification in early 2026, after the onboarding and GSTC accreditation of certification bodies in 2025.
As part of the development of the GSTC Attraction Criteria, STB, the Association of Singapore Attractions, and other international organisations joined the GSTC’s Attraction Criteria Advisory Group. The group provided feedback and consultation during the development of the criteria. Additionally, professionals and practitioners in the attractions industry, as well as members of the public, were involved in shaping these criteria during the development process.
GSTC’s CEO, Randy Durband, said: “Today marks a significant step forward as we introduce the GSTC Attraction Criteria, the culmination of 14 months of collaboration and dedication. We deeply appreciate the contributions of STB, who has made this possible. Together, let’s embrace this opportunity to lead the attractions sector towards a more sustainable path.”
Additionally, the new MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook is the latest development in Singapore’s move towards responsible business events. Content was built on data and learnings obtained from the 2023 national MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baseline exercise, which studied energy, water and waste generated by Singapore’s six purpose-built MICE venues.
The MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook aims to help event venues manage their carbon emissions, and offers practical recommendations for energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation efforts.
STB’s chief sustainability officer, Ong Huey Hong, said: “These initiatives are pivotal in positioning Singapore as a leading sustainable urban destination and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. By developing world-class standards and providing the industry with practical tools, we are not only enhancing our own tourism sector but also contributing to global sustainability efforts in tourism.”
STB has chosen to reinforce its commitment to supporting the reduction of carbon emissions at business events by encouraging GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference delegates to offset their carbon footprint from air travel by purchasing quality carbon credits through a credible offset project. Delegates who do so will receive a pre-loaded value souvenir card, which can be used for public transportation in Singapore. The initiative aims to create awareness of the carbon emissions impact of air travel and encourage delegates to take ownership of their own emissions, thereby fostering a greener, more sustainable delegate journey from start to end.
India has become the fifth-largest inbound tourism source market for Australia for the year ending in August 2024, up from its position as the seventh-largest in 2019. This has spurred Tourism Australia to intensify its efforts to further boost Indian arrivals, starting with a high-level trade engagement earlier this week.
Tourism Australia led a delegation of 15 CEOs representing all of its state and territory tourism organisations, including convention bureaus, to Delhi and Mumbai from November 11 to 14. They met with airline partners, Air India and IndiGo, as well as key distribution partners like MakeMyTrip and Thomas Cook to reinforce Australia’s commitment to the Indian market.
The NTO also unveiled a new four-part social content this week starring former Australian cricketer David Warner, who has a strong fan base in India. The series produced for Tourism Australia’s Instagram account @australia showcases some of Warner’s favourite holiday destinations and experiences in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. This comes just before Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), a cricket tournament scheduled to begin from November 22. Cricket tournaments involving India have long attracted a large number of Indian spectators.
“We have significant ambitions for the Indian market. Politically and economically, our two countries have never been closer. Since 2019, direct flights between India and Australia have increased from eight to 25. The upcoming BGT will feature a five-match series across Australia, culminating on New Year’s Eve. We view this sporting event as a prime opportunity to capture India’s attention on Australia. During this period, our aim is to showcase Australia’s story beyond the stadiums,” said Phillipa Harrison, managing director, Tourism Australia during a press conference in New Delhi.
Harrison shared that the 2024 BGT has five times the number of bookings compared to that in 2019.
She also revealed that the second edition of Come & Say G’day campaign in India will feature local Indian talent.
Tourism Australia is expecting a 15 per cent increase in Indian tourist arrivals in the next 12 to 13 months. Presently, 59 per cent of Indian tourist arrivals to Australia come from the VFR segment while 15 per cent have stated holidays as their purpose of travel.
Onyx Hospitality Group has signed an agreement to manage Amari The Tide Bangsaen, which will come with a significant transformation and rebranding of the present The Tide Resort.
Located in Thailand in the Chonburi Province, the property is scheduled to relaunch in the second quarter of 2025.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, said Amari The Tide Bangsaen would be an exciting new addition to the Amari brand, bringing its signature hospitality and exceptional guest experiences to a region undergoing dynamic growth.
The area, located in Eastern Thailand, has seen steady expansion in recent years, driven by the continuous development of infrastructure to support tourism and its capacity to host major international events. This positions Amari The Tide Bangsaen as an appealing destination for Thai and international tourists seeking beachfront accommodation within close reach of both Bangkok and Pattaya city. Furthermore, Bangsaen’s strategic location offers quick access to key tourist attractions within the province, as well as popular local shops and restaurants, all just minutes away.
Thanasit Khunplome, representing the owner of Five Leader Group Co., said that the decision to rebrand the hotel from The Tide Resort to Amari The Tide Bangsaen marks a significant shift aimed at enhancing growth and competitiveness in the local market. This rebranding will also facilitate the city’s hosting of world-class sporting events, such as the Bangsaen Series, Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, and Bangsaen Grandprix Road Race, among others.
Thanasit commented: “The Amari brand is a long-established name, well recognised among both domestic and international tourists, inspiring confidence in meeting our set goals. Previously, Onyx Hospitality Group handled marketing for The Tide Resort, demonstrating consistent business growth through its vision, as well as the capabilities of its management team and staff. This strong foundation affirms our confidence in the decision to rebrand from The Tide Resort to Amari The Tide Bangsaen today.”
Following on from its recent recognition as the second highest-ranking hospitality company on Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces in Asia list – its eighth consecutive win, Hilton has now snagged third place in the Singapore’s Best Workplaces ranking by Great Place to Work Singapore.
This marks the third consecutive year that Hilton has been lauded as the top hospitality company to work for in the Lion City, reaffirming its leadership in fostering an exceptional workplace culture.
Central to Hilton’s success are the stories of its team members, whose passion and dedication bring the company’s values to life every day.
Fazli Junior, for example, is a 41-year-old lobby ambassador at Conrad Centennial Singapore and a cornerstone of the hotel team for the past two decades. Starting out as a bellman in 2004, Fazli steadily rose through the ranks to his current role. His consistent dedication to delivering exceptional service has earned him numerous accolades, including this year’s Employee of the Year award by the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union and the Singapore Hotel Association. Fazli’s career progression reflects Hilton’s long-standing focus on nurturing career growth and helping team members thrive.
Alexandra Murray, area vice president & head of South East Asia, Hilton, said: “At Hilton, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to grow. When our team members thrive, their positive energy extends beyond the workplace – enhancing guest experiences, benefiting communities, and contributing to the overall success of our owners.”
Earlier this year, Hilton was ranked the third Best Workplace in Sri Lanka, second Best Workplace in Indonesia, third Best Workplace in the Philippines, and for the first time, second Best Workplace in Vietnam.
