TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Saturday, 15th August 2026
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises to expand suites on Explorer Class ships

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) will reduce the number of suites on its Explorer Class ships as part of refurbishment programmes scheduled for 2027 and 2028, creating larger accommodation and introducing a new suite category.

Following the upgrades, Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur will each have 344 suites, down from 373. The reduction will allow RSSC to enlarge its Veranda Suites, which will increase from 28.5m² to between 38.6m² and 43.1m², becoming the line’s largest entry-level suites.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will introduce larger suites and reduce accommodation capacity across its Explorer Class fleet from 2027; photo by Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The refurbishment will also introduce Horizon Penthouse Suites to the Explorer Class fleet. Ranging from 57.2m² to 67.1m², the new category will include oversized balconies, separate living areas and full bathrooms.

Each ship will also gain three new Distinctive Suites measuring between 76.3m² and 85.3m². Named Explorer Suite, Splendor Suite and Grandeur Suite respectively, the accommodation will feature separate living and dining areas, one-and-a-half bathrooms, a private balcony and butler service.

The refurbishment programme will begin with Seven Seas Splendor in November 2027, followed by Seven Seas Explorer in April 2028 and Seven Seas Grandeur in October 2028.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali adds new touches for family stays

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The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has partnered with Japanese children’s lifestyle brand Miki House to introduce a limited-time family accommodation package featuring premium baby amenities.

Designed for families travelling with young children, the Little Luxuries by Miki House package includes a Miki House bath poncho made from 100 per cent cotton, a matching bib and rattle set, and selected baby skincare products, including soap, milk lotion and cream, available in limited quantities.

The family stay package includes a selection of baby amenities to support families during their stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

Founded in Japan in 1971, Miki House is known for its range of children’s clothing and lifestyle products. The collaboration aims to make family holidays more comfortable by providing practical amenities for babies and toddlers.

The package complements The Ritz-Carlton, Bali’s existing family offerings, including Ritz Kids activities, family-friendly accommodation and experiences inspired by Balinese culture.

Available for a limited time, the package is offered across the resort’s collection of oceanfront suites, family suites and private pool villas.

For more information, visit The Ritz-Carlton, Bali.

JW Marriott Ranthambore appoints new GM

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Vivek Gomes Pereira has been named general manager of JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort and Spa.

He has led the resort through its pre-opening phase and launch as Marriott International’s 10,000th property globally.

Pereira joined Marriott International in 2024 as hotel manager of JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, following more than a decade with The Oberoi Group.

Singapore Tourism Board, Grab roll out campaign to drive wider visitor spending

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The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Grab have launched a three-month marketing campaign to encourage visitors from South-east Asia to explore more of Singapore and spend across a wider range of tourism precincts and businesses.

Running from August to October, the campaign builds on a memorandum of understanding signed last year covering joint marketing, data sharing, tourism product development, and support for leisure and business events.

STB and Grab are encouraging visitors to explore neighbourhoods such as Katong-Joo Chiat through an enhanced Singapore Grab Travel Pass offering transport discounts

Central to the campaign is an enhanced Singapore Grab Travel Pass, which now includes two additional ride vouchers. One offers discounted rides to and from tourism precincts including Katong-Joo Chiat, Mandai and Sentosa, while the other provides discounts on trips to and from nightlife areas such as Clarke Quay and Boat Quay between 19.00 and 04.00.

The initiative aims to encourage visitors to venture beyond the city centre and explore Singapore’s neighbourhoods, attractions and night-time experiences. It also complements STB’s We Don’t Wait For Fun campaign targeting Millennials, Gen Z travellers and families.

Targeted digital advertising will run across key South-east Asian source markets to reach travellers planning trips to Singapore. Upon arrival, visitors will receive in-app prompts on Grab highlighting the enhanced Singapore Grab Travel Pass and its precinct-specific offers.

“Through our partnership with Grab and its strong reach across South-east Asia, we’re inspiring more travellers to choose Singapore for their next trip. Together, we’re combining destination storytelling with tangible benefits, encouraging visitors to explore more, spend more across our tourism ecosystem, and leave with memorable experiences that inspire them to return,” said Terrence Voon, executive director for Southeast Asia at STB.

Philippines taps pop stars to drive tourism

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The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DoT) is tapping into the country’s pop music industry, known as P-pop, to attract more international visitors.

The DoT has named SB19 and BINI as its newest tourism ambassadors to promote the Philippines overseas.

The Philippines is leveraging the global popularity of SB19 and BINI to attract international visitors and encourage fan travel; photos by SB19 and BINI

Tourism secretary Dita Angara-Mathay commented that SB19’s growing international fanbase offers the country an opportunity to reach potential visitors across the US, Europe and South-east Asia.

She said: “SB19’s talent is undeniable. Their music is powerful, and so is their influence.

“Whether it’s a Filipino-American flying halfway across the world or a fan in Taiwan or Bangkok just a few hours away, SB19 is giving people real reasons to visit the Philippines. That’s the kind of reach we want to build on.”

In a separate interview, Angara-Mathay also highlighted music’s role in showcasing destinations, citing BINI’s Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi (Let’s Not Go Home Yet) as an example of how P-pop can complement tourism promotion.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz described the appointments as “a very smart move”, citing the groups’ growing popularity among Chinese audiences.

Tourism counsellor Ireneo Reyes said BINI’s Pantropiko has become a hit in China, while SB19’s Gento went viral on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, sparking a dance craze.

The government hopes to build on that popularity to attract more Chinese visitors. China was one of the Philippines’ largest source markets in 1H2026, with 219,796 arrivals.

The DoT also expects fan travel for concerts and events to generate longer stays and higher visitor spending.

The private sector is already responding by developing concert travel packages for overseas fans. During SB19’s 2025 world tour launch in Manila, organisers partnered with Novotel and ibis Styles to offer bundled packages that included concert tickets, hotel stays and shuttle transfers. For BINI’s 2025 concert, organisers also teamed up with Solaire Resort North and Novotel Manila Araneta City to offer concert-and-stay packages.

Additionally, Philippine Airlines has partnered with SB19 as the official airline for its world tour, highlighting how airlines are leveraging the growing popularity of P-pop to engage international travellers.

Radisson Hotel Group targets extended-stay market with global corporate programme

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Radisson Hotel Group has launched Long Stays by Radisson Hotels, a global programme designed to meet growing demand for extended-stay travel while strengthening its offering for corporate partners.

The programme brings together participating hotels with apartment units across the group’s portfolio, offering a dedicated B2B solution for long-stay bookings through corporate and partner channels. It provides dedicated long-stay rates, standardised booking conditions and aligned commission structures, removing the need for partners to negotiate individual agreements.

Radisson Hotel Group’s new long-stay programme aims to simplify extended-stay bookings for corporate partners while providing a consistent guest experience

Guests staying under the programme will have access to dedicated hotel contacts, personalised pre-arrival planning and amenities designed for longer stays, with the aim of providing a consistent experience across participating properties.

The programme responds to growing demand for flexible accommodation for international assignments, infrastructure projects, consulting engagements, healthcare placements and workforce mobility.

It also introduces tiered pricing based on length of stay and integrates with existing distribution channels, including global distribution systems (GDS) and corporate agreements. Eligible bookers and planners can earn an additional 20 per cent in Radisson Rewards points on qualifying long-stay bookings.

The programme is initially focused on markets with strong demand for extended stays across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, including Dubai, Riyadh, Zurich and Amsterdam, and is now available at participating Radisson Hotel Group properties.

Gianni Di Fede, chief commercial officer at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Long Stays by Radisson Hotels gives our partners a simpler and more competitive way to access this growing market. By combining structured commercial terms with a consistent guest experience, we’re making it easier to win and service long-stay business at scale, while strengthening customer loyalty.”

Accor adds two Mantra hotels to Hamilton pipeline

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Accor will expand its presence in New Zealand with two new Mantra hotels in Hamilton, adding 92 rooms to one of the country’s fastest-growing regional centres.

Developed by Mistry Centre, the two new-build hotels are scheduled to open in 2027. Mantra Hamilton Pembroke Street will offer 52 rooms near Hamilton Lake, while Mantra Hamilton Karewa Place will comprise 40 rooms catering to business, leisure and extended-stay travellers.

From left: Accor’s Steven Lake and Camil Yazbeck, Mistry Centre’s Pienaar Piso and Sanjil Mistry, and Accor’s Adrian Williams

The projects build on Accor’s existing partnership with Mistry Centre, which is also developing the upcoming Pullman Hamilton. Together, the three hotels will broaden Accor’s accommodation offering in the city across the premium and midscale segments.

Mantra Hamilton Pembroke Street will feature a gym and grab-and-go dining outlet, while Mantra Hamilton Karewa Place will include a restaurant and gym, serving guests travelling for work and longer stays.

The signings follow the recent opening of Mantra Central Wellington, which joined Mantra on the Point Queenstown and Mantra Lake Tekapo in the brand’s New Zealand portfolio. Upon opening, both Hamilton properties will participate in the ALL Accor booking platform and loyalty programme.

Adrian Williams, COO of Accor in the Pacific, said: “Hamilton is a city with strong momentum, growing visitor demand and an increasingly diverse travel market. By introducing two new Mantra hotels alongside the future Pullman Hamilton, we are creating a stronger, more complete accommodation offering for the city, while deepening our valued partnership with Mistry Centre.”

The Singapore Edition launches rooftop sound healing series

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The Singapore Edition will introduce Sunset Sound Healing, a monthly wellness experience held on the rooftop from August to October 2026.

Taking place on the last Thursday of each month from 19.00 to 20.00 at The Roof, the sessions invite guests to relax on a floating water hammock or poolside sundeck chair while listening to live gong soundscapes led by practitioners from The Ark.

The Singapore Edition’s new Sunset Sound Healing series combines live gong soundscapes with rooftop relaxation overlooking the Singapore skyline

Guests can choose a poolside sundeck chair from S$80 (US$62) or a floating water hammock from S$95. Limited to five participants per session, the hammocks are supplied by Australian brand AcquaBoss.

Each session includes fruit-infused water, a fresh towel and a takeaway bag of gourmet sandwiches prepared by the hotel’s culinary team.

The series begins on August 27, 2026, and is open to both hotel guests and visitors.

On event days, guests can also book a 45-minute massage at The Spa at The Singapore Edition from S$150, or access the Thermal Suite, including the sauna, steam room, vitality pool and ice fountain, from S$60.

Advance reservations are required.

For more information, visit The Singapore Edition.

Farah Jaber joins Palladium Hotel Group as South-east Asia MD

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Farah Jaber has been appointed managing director, South-east Asia at Palladium Hotel Group, leading the company’s strategy, growth and operations across the region.

He brings more than 15 years of hospitality leadership experience to the role.

Jaber most recently held senior leadership positions with Minor Hotels across its Anantara and NH Collection brands. He has also held leadership roles with One&Only Resorts and Emaar Hospitality in Dubai, the Maldives and the Seychelles.

Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia welcomes SVP

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Jihong An has been appointed senior vice president of Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia.

He will lead the group’s growth and operations across Asia.

An brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality development and asset management, having worked across South Korea, Japan, South-east Asia and China.