SHATEC today entered a partnership with the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch a degree programme in hotel management in Singapore.

The collaboration will offer a new, four-year option for SHATEC students to pursue a higher diploma followed by a bachelor of sciences degree in hotel management, accredited by PolyU.

According to SHTM dean and chairprofessor, Kaye Chon, teaching staff from SHTM will be posted to SHATEC to teach the hotel management degree programme. The course will cater for both full- and part-time students with some modules taught in block release or intensive courses within a short period of time.

Chon said to TTG Asia e-Daily: “Developing people for the hospitality industry is a very important agenda for Asia. The scene today has changed a lot as the industry used to be led by expatriates with not much Asian talent.

“Now we have a lot of Asian talent (and) we are seeing changing customer profiles with more Asian tourists. That is why it is important to develop Asian leadership in the industry to cater to them.”

He added: “SHATEC has always done a very good job in producing leaders in the operational businesses.”

TTG Asia e-Daily understands launch date for the degree programme has yet to be confirmed.

Margaret Heng, chief executive of SHATEC, commented in a press release: “As the Singapore hotel industry embarks on its productivity and capability enhancement initiatives, the SHATEC-SHTM collaboration will provide opportunities for everyone in the industry to learn from one of the most innovative hospitality schools in Asia. This fits in nicely with SHATEC’s mantra to develop talents with deep skills and knowledge of the trade.”

SHATEC’s latest collaboration with SHTM comes on the heels of August’s MoU with MeiHo University in Taiwan for student exchange programmes.

At the MoU signing ceremony today, Chon also delivered an address on innovations within the hospitality industry.

He cited trends such as the centre of gravity for hospitality shifting to Asia from the rest of the world and pointed out that 48 per cent of hotels in the world pipeline are located in Asia, creating a need for education.

AQUA Boracay by YOO will become the first luxury resort residence in the Philippines by YOO Hotels & Resorts when it opens in winter 2015.

Part of global design brand YOO that was founded by John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck, YOO Hotels & Resorts brings the YOO focus on contemporary design and service to the Boracay resort.

The five-star property is spread across 16,000m2 of tropical gardens and five different levels, situated by Bulabog beach with a total of 168 guestrooms and suites with wraparound terraces.

When open, Aquar Boracay by YOO will offer one specialty restaurant, a second restaurant featuring local flavours with international culinary influences, a lagoon pool facing the sea, a second pool, a 300m2 spa, a health club, and a yoga studio.

Function rooms and a wedding pavilion add space for guest meetings and events.

The concierge at Aqua Boracay by YOO will keep guests occupied with exclusive experiences such as kitesurfing and personalised excursions including boat trips to secluded beaches, island-hopping, and visits to local fish markets.

LEVERAGING its extensive network of hubs and flights throughout the region, AirAsia will introduce a regional air pass for flights throughout South-east Asia.

According to news agency AP, AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes said the AirAsia ASEAN Pass will be launched in the market on January 15.

Travellers with the pass can fly to 10 different destinations in South-east Asia in one month for RM499 (US$148), not including airport taxes.

More details will be released closer to the launch, said officials.

Fernandes was reported as saying the pass would “catalyse” air travel and attract more foreign tourists.

SHANGRI-LA Hotels & Resorts is looking to expand its mid-market Jen brand in the Philippines beyond Manila, as the group yesterday unveiled the rebranding of Traders Hotel Manil to Hotel Jen Manila.

Golden Whitehead, director – special projects for the Hotel Jen brand, told TTG Asia e-Daily that the company is exploring opportunities to launch Jen hotels in Bohol and Bacolod in Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao.

There are currently five Shangri-La properties but only one Hotel Jen in the Philippines, he noted. “Shangri-La hotels dominate the luxury market in Manila so there’s a mid-market gap. We’re trying to bridge the gap between the luxury and mid-market hotels.”

Whitehead said the brand’s focus in Asia includes the Philippines and countries without a Hotel Jen yet such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The group would like to manage rather than own the Jen hotels.

His comments to TTG Asia e-Daily came yesterday on the sidelines of Hotel Jen Manila’s rebranding from Traders Hotel Manila.

Apart from the six Traders hotels that were rebranded into Jen hotels this year and a further four next year, the company is also working on 18 different projects, including signed management agreements for Hotel Jen in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

Each hotel will have about 550 rooms, he said.

Separately, Shangri-La at The Fort will open in Manila in 2016.

CONFERMA and eNett International have joined hands to equip small- and medium-size TMCs on Conferma’s payment network with the ability to make supplier payments using virtual account numbers (VANs).

According to a press release, eNett will integrate into Conferma’s global payment network under the terms of the agreement.

VANs, automatically generated MasterCard numbers for supplier payments, automates the once manual payments handling and reconciliations processes that cost companies between US$300-$6,000 a week.

Furthermore, virtual cards can also improve security by reducing risk of fraud and supplier default.

eNett VaNs are available in 27 currencies, out of which 15 are locally funded and settled for lower cost foreign exchange. Users can start earning rebates once they begin transactions.

Conferma CEO, Simon Barker, said: “Our partnership with eNett will provide a much needed alternative funding model for small- and medium-size TMCs through our global travel payment network.

“Across the travel industry virtual card payments continue to replace expensive and error prone manual tasks with paperless, automated processes. This is a major boost for these businesses (which) will be able to reduce processing costs and free up their people to focus on delivering other customer needs.”

KEMPINSKI Hotels will operate and service three components within Kuala Lumpur’s large-scale luxury development, 8 Conlay, located in the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle.

The European hotel group had signed an agreement with KSK Group, via property development arm KSK Land, for the 260-key Kempinski hotel and the 403-unit Kempinski Residences.

Both Kempinski brand properties will anchor the development of 8 Conlay’s hotel tower, together with up to 1,092 units of 8 Conlay Residences, also serviced by Kempinski.

The 8 Conlay development is a few minutes’ walk from Bukit Bintang shopping district and the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur mall, as well as a 50-minute drive to/from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The groundbreaking for 8 Conlay is scheduled to take place early next year and is expected to be completed by 2020.

Alejandro Bernabé, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said in a release: “This unique project marks Kempinski’s entry into the important Malaysian market and underlines our commitment to expansion in South-east Asia.”

The hotel and residences will benefit from facilities such as Kempinski The Spa, a wellness concept which offers herbal treatments inspired by the seasons; a gym; swimming pool; and a variety of restaurants and bars.

TRAFFIC on the Bangkok-Hanoi route is set to increase from March 29, 2015 when Jetstar Pacific starts daily flights between the two capital cities on Airbus A320 aircraft.

This is the Vietnam-based carrier’s second flight to Thailand after the Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok route that is scheduled to commence on December 10.

“For the first time, Jetstar customers from Bangkok will be able to enjoy our low fares and direct flights to the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi,” said Jetstar Pacific CEO, Le Hong Ha. “Thai travellers to Hanoi will also have access to the Jetstar Pacific network connecting passengers to Hanoi with four other domestic destinations – Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Danang and Nha Trang.”

In commemoration of the new flight, Jetstar Pacific will offer a special sale from Bangkok to Hanoi from 13.00 local time on November 20 to 08.00 on November 24, unless sold out. Full details are available on Jetstar.com.

Lead-in fares from Bangkok to Hanoi start from 2,149 baht (US$65.40).

FLIGHT Centre has rolled out a series of free-and-easy holiday packages in Singapore and will throw in a number of benefits for bookings made by December 31, 2014.

Each of The Captain’s Red Label Holidays features return flights with a “premium” airline and accommodation in the four-star category or higher.

Booking before December 31 on any of The Captain’s Red Label Holidays entitles the traveller to up to three of four Red Label bonuses including resort credit of up to S$150 (US$115.20), free private chauffeur ride from home to Singapore Changi Airport, 20 per cent off travel insurance, or a free room upgrade subject to availability.

Some itineraries already up for reservation include a two-night trip to Kuala Lumpur, staying at the Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort priced from S$648. Red Label bonuses include a free transfer from home to Changi Airport and 20 per cent off travel insurance, valid for travel until March 31, 2015.

A three-night, all-inclusive Maldives holiday will see the traveller stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru from S$4,028. Bonuses include a free villa upgrade, free private chauffeur transfer to and from the airport, and a 20 per cent discount on travel insurance purchase.

The Ascott Limited is due to open its first Citadines property in South Korea, which will also mark the group’s largest property internationally, within the second half of 2015.

The 468-unit Citadines Haeundae Busan is located close to BEXCO, one of the largest exhibition and convention centres in South Korea, and Shinsegae Centum City department store.

It also offers easy access for residents needing to travel beyond the city – the Busan Gimhae International Airport is a 40-minute drive away, while the KTX train station can be reached within 20 minutes.

Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s CEO, said: “We have been looking for opportunities to expand our presence in the market and see great potential in introducing our Citadines brand in South Korea.

“Busan is South Korea’s second largest metropolis after Seoul. It is home to the world’s fifth busiest seaport and is a leading tourist destination in South Korea. There is a growing expatriate community working in the shipbuilding, oil and gas, automotive and electronic manufacturing industries in Busan. Haeundae Beach, where Citadines Haeundae Busan is located, is also South Korea’s largest beach and attracts throngs of visitors each summer.”

Citadines Haeundae Busan will comprise studios and one-bedroom apartments, as well as a breakfast lounge.