Luxury travel company Scenic Group has established a new office in Singapore to capitalise on the growing demand for luxury travel in the Asia-Pacific region.
The new office, trading as Scenic Tours APAC, will be led by Constance Seck, who brings over 20 years of experience in the luxury travel industry. As the regional director, sales & marketing APAC, Seck has been tasked with implementing the company’s strategy in China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and other key South-east Asia markets.
From left: Constance Seck; and Lim Yee Sher
Seck joins Scenic Group from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), and will report to Anthony Laver, Scenic Group general manager of sales & marketing APAC.
Seck will be supported by Ally Grueter, business development manager APAC, who has built strong relationships over the past seven years; and Lim Yee Sher as the marketing & services manager APAC. Lim brings with her a wealth of expertise from previous marketing, product and sales roles with NCLH and Citystate Travel.
From left: Ally Gruter; and Quoc Huy To
Joining the team is Quoc Huy To, accounting manager APAC. Prior to this move, he was the financial controller of Vietnam-based Asia River Cruises for eight years. He will relocate to Singapore this month, and will be the key contact for all finance-related matters.
Glen Moroney, chairman & founder of Scenic Group, said: “We are excited to open our new Scenic Group APAC office in Singapore as part of our ongoing global expansion. With the growth of our Scenic and Emerald Cruises luxury river cruise ships and innovative ultra-luxury yachts, this provides us with the foundation to meet the increasing demand from affluent consumers in the fast-growing markets across this region.”
Construction of the World Expo 2025 venue on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay is progressing steadily, where the man-made island is being transformed into a major international event site expected to attract a projected 28 million visitors from around the world.
When TTG Asia paid a site visit on October 10, the wooden platform – with a circumference of two kilometres and a height of 12 metres – encircling the Expo was already up. Called the Grand Ring, it would be the world’s largest wooden structure upon completion, and stand as a symbol of “connecting” all life.
View of the Expo site from the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building; photo by Rachel AJ Lee
For the 2025 event happening over six months from April 13 to October 13, eight of Japan’s leading filmmakers, media artists, and professors will have their own pavilions under the theme of “life”. There will also be 13 pavilions taken by private sectors, such as a Mitsubishi Pavilion and Gundam Next Future Pavilion, alongside domestic pavilions such as the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, and a Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier.
More than 160 countries and regions have signed up to showcase their unique cultures and technological innovations, as well as nine international organisations such as the Red Cross.
A variety of events will take place daily on-site, ranging from water shows to fireworks displays, to orchestral music and manga and anime-related events.
Organisers will be building a Forest of Tranquillity in the middle of the Expo site, and guests will be able to ride in electric buses to get around.
Matsuda Hirokazu, deputy director of the global public relations and promotions division, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, shared that a new train station, the Yumeshima Station, was specially built to help transport visitors to and from the Expo.
When asked what would happen to the station after the Expo, Hirokazu shared that there is a possibility it would continue operations in light of the upcoming integrated resort.
While there are discussions about repurposing the Expo site for large-scale events, the possibility of dismantling it also remains on the table.
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is a special-purpose association that was formed five years ago – and staffed by various Japanese government organisations – when Osaka won the bid to host the World Expo.
Osaka last hosted the World Expo in 1970, which attracted 64.2 million visitors from 76 participating countries. This will also mark Japan’s third time hosting a World Expo, following the 2005 event in Aichi Prefecture.
The global tourism industry is roaring back to life in 2024, with international arrivals up 16% compared to 2023 – a resurgence largely fuelled by the Asia-Pacific region, which is finally hitting its stride after a delayed post-pandemic reopening, shared ForwardKeys during the WTTC 24th Global Summit in Perth.
ForwardKeys is the Knowledge Partner of the WTTC.
Double-digit growth in arrivals to China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia will lift regional travel and tourism performance this year
While the region still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, the current pace of year-on-year growth signals continued recovery and highlights the pent-up demand for travel within Asia-Pacific. This positive trend is set to continue through the end of the year, with double-digit growth in arrivals to China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia fuelling a projected 19% overall increase.
Meanwhile, Oceania sees a 10% upswing, with arrivals to New Zealand and Australia being key drivers.
Increased connectivity boosts arrivals to Australia
Australia’s success story is particularly noteworthy, with a remarkable surge in arrivals from the US. In particular, bookings from US families (3-5 people) are up 43%, a positive indicator for the Australian economy, as families tend to spend more during their trips. Continued growth from China, projected at 25% through the end of 2024, further strengthens this positive trajectory.
A key factor in Australia’s tourism boom is the significant expansion of air connectivity. Airlines have increased overall capacity on international routes into the country by 8% for the latter part of 2024 – with higher growth in capacity from regional hubs like Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China, and Singapore.
Data on seasonality is key to sustainable growth
Australia’s tourism industry experiences a distinct seasonal ebb and flow. While the end-of-year holidays mark a peak period for travel, the southern hemisphere’s winter months see a significant dip in tourist activity. This pronounced seasonality contrasts sharply with destinations like Japan, which enjoys a more consistent flow of visitors throughout the year.
New Zealand, similar to Australia, experiences a pronounced peak season during the end-of-year holidays, with an even sharper decline during its winter months, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by seasonal variations in tourism.
“Destinations like Australia and New Zealand, with a distinct peak season, face the challenge of balancing demand throughout the year. Effective data-driven strategies are crucial for mitigating the negative impacts of seasonal fluctuations, such as overcrowding during peak periods and underutilised resources during the off-season. By diversifying source markets and promoting year-round attractions, destinations can ensure long-term, sustainable growth,”said Olivier Ponti, director of intelligence & marketing at ForwardKeys.
The story of Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers started on February 18, 1974, when it opened in the Tsim Sha Tsui tourism zone. It was a grand moment, as it was the second Sheraton branded hotel in the whole of Asia-Pacific. At that time, there were also not many international chain hotels in Hong Kong.
General manager Michael Müller said the hotel is the longest serving Sheraton property in the region and bears witness to the “transformation of Hong Kong in the 70s to the international metropolis it is today”.
A celebration befitting a hotel that has transformed along with Hong Kong; photo by Prudence Lui
Müller added: “In 1990s, the Towers concept was introduced, thus leading to a name change. Elite guests could enjoy private check-in at Towers Reception and personalised service from the Towers Concierge Team.”
To mark its Golden Jubilee celebration this year, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers launched a series of campaigns that engaged all stakeholders. There were themed promotions for rooms and F&B for customers, and a series of Sheraton Stories that drew inputs from internal and external associates.
Celebrations peaked in late September 2024, when the property unveiled its renovated Grand Ballroom and hosted a 50th Anniversary cocktail party.
That was followed by a progressive makeover and the addition of new function spaces that will be ready in December 2024. More transformations are scheduled for 2025.
Stunning harbour views remain even as hotel hardware is transformed and kept up to date with travellers’ expectations
Müller said both hardware and software must be constantly updated to keep up with changes in consumer expectations.
Throughout the decades, the hotel has changed with its customers. Guestrooms have been updated to be in line with the Sheraton brand, for instance.
“We have to be open-minded and accept innovative ideas and new ways of service,” he said.
Yet, some great things remain the same. The fascinating harbour view, the iconic twin bullet lifts, and the company’s promise to place people at its core.
“With our prime location and consistency in service standards as well as quality product delivery, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers shall always be one of the leading global branded hotels in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. This lasting legacy will nurture well-rounded and confident hospitality professionals who will shape the future of this highly dynamic industry,” said Müller.
What trends in luxury travel will take us into 2025?
Well, our November 2023 Further East Leadership Summit was extremely illuminating. We brought 12 top-tier travel leaders together and spent the past year digesting their insights and conversations.
First of all, we cannot ignore technology. AI is a major force reshaping work and our relationship with it. There are more discussions today about how we implement AI tools within the travel industry, at the right place in the sales or marketing funnel. Do you settle for a chatbot? A smarter package pricing tool? Something to help your marketing, either via language or images? These conversations are becoming deeper and more nuanced.
Next is the rising in hotels preparing their own immersive culinary experiences. I don’t just mean a five-star breakfast and dinner, (but) more like taste tours, one-off menus, a rich feast of the senses with aromas and skylines to complement a special meal. When you fix a guest’s mind on the moment as well as the plate in front of them, they’re more likely to come back. To that end, we’re seeing more creative, distinguished dining options in Asia-Pacific hotels.
Lastly, perhaps the biggest trend is regenerative travel – the ability to leave a place in a better state than we found it. Thanks to over-tourism and the speed at which new ‘unknown’ locations blow up on social media, we see that there is a problem in our industry. How do you price scarcity and justify it? Furthermore, can you bring guests into a regenerative project, rather than admiring it from afar? You need to tell a great story about your role within the region. Allowing visitors to get stuck into regenerative work themselves, rather than simply paying a higher price for their trip, can help that message land harder, alongside more spontaneous interactions with guides, staff and local craftspeople.
What do luxury travellers want now?
They’re thinking longer and harder about where they’re going and why. In the West, we’re witnessing so much malaise with consumerism, racing through disposable products and experiences for the sake of it. It’s not making us happier. People crave more connected, authentic, slower forms of discovery.
So, in the travel business, the whole idea of luxury is in flux – shifting from decadence to mindfulness, from leaving the world behind to engaging with it on a much deeper level than regular life may allow. Hotels, lodges, travel designers and DMCs that recognise and serve these desires will come out on top.
How do you see Asia-Pacific playing a role in meeting these needs?
The region often holds very different values to those in the West. For one, many Asia-Pacific countries traditionally elevate the collective over the individual; from Confucius to Buddhism, people here have a root awareness of the small improvements to body and mind that link every human being. We can see that in how Asia-Pacific brands treat their guests by emphasising subtle touches that slowly align into a satisfying whole, even if you don’t notice that as much as splashier, typically luxurious elements to service and design.
It’s the difference between waiting for a huge meal under magnificent chandeliers and eating by the ocean, under a night sky, with the guy who caught the crab putting it on the grill a few feet away.
Travel in this region is more naturally attuned to what we have in common, instead of what keeps us apart.
Meanwhile, the sheer optimism of tens of millions of hospitality workers in Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, etc, is very special. They want to welcome the rest of the world! The Asia-Pacific region is spearheading so much innovation in music, fashion, technology and pop culture nowadays. They know it’s their time in the driver’s seat again.
Two recent international events have not only boosted international arrivals to Indonesia but also lifted the country’s destination image, opined Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy.
The Bali International Air Show (BIAS) 2024 on September 18 to 21 attracted 5,300 visitors, surpassing targets. International visitors made up 15 to 20 per cent of the total.
Bali International Air Show 2024 had more attendees than projected (Photo by Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment)
Nia Niscaya, senior advisor, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, said BIAS had a significant impact on the country’s tourism revenue.
While Jakarta had hosted successful international airshows in the past, Sandiaga believes that Bali’s natural drawing power had contributed to the success of BIAS. As such, the next BIAS will also be held on the island.
The other successful international event was the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia (MotoGP Mandalika) 2024, which took place from September 27 to 29.
Lalu Kusnawan, chairman of the regional management board of the Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association West Nusa Tenggara chapter, shared that the occupancy rate of hotels around the race circuit hit 95 per cent, “thanks to race team members”, while properties in the Mataram area did 80 per cent.
The race attracted more than 102,929 spectators, prompting Sandiaga to regard the event as “an effective momentum for the promotion of Wonderful Indonesia”.
The Wonderful Indonesia brand was shown prominently throughout media broadcasts of MotoGP Mandalika 2024, reaching than 200 countries.
Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair (WITF) 2024’s debut edition in Jakarta last week brought together 150 local sellers and 225 buyers from across the country and overseas, as well as some 2,000 walk-ins, resulting in about 5,000 scheduled appointment sessions over three days.
The event, supported by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, was the first B2B travel market of the Association of the Indonesian Tourism Businesses (GIPI), whose membership comprises 36 tourism-related associations in the country.
The first Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair was held in Jakarta
Inspired by the success of the inaugural edition, Budi Tirtawisata, steering committee chairman said subsequent shows would be “better and bigger”. There are plans to hold WITF every October in Jakarta – it will return from October 8 to 10 in 2025.
Haryadi Sukamdani, GIPI chairman, said “buyers are confident on the Indonesia as a destination”, as interest in WITF ran high even though only 18 per cent of total buyers in attendance was fully hosted.
Haryadi also highlighted that many buyers were new to Indonesia and keen to promoting destinations beyond Bali. These buyers were building their local partner network.
Nur Hidajat, owner and director of Warna Indonesia Tour and Travel, East Java said new buyers meant new opportunities for him. He commented that buyers he met during WITF had “detailed questions and discussions”, and were “seriously interested” in nature and adventure programmes.
“In fact, one of them plans on trying our programme in his next visit to Indonesia,” Hidajat said.
Besides a strong buyer profile, WITF also boasted a wide variety of products and services. Tour operators, hotels, regional tourism offices, recreational parks, an entertainment company, the state-owned railway company, live-aboard services and technology service providers were among the spread of sellers.
At the pavilion taken by the Association of the Indonesian Recreational Parks were a number of theme park representatives, including Taman Safari Indonesia’s Java and Bali safari parks;15 theme parks and shopping outlets belonging to Jatim Park Group; Orchid Forest Cikole, West Java; and Saung Mang Udjo Bandung.
White Horse Group, Sumber Alam Group and Blue Bird Group also participated in the fair to showcase their tour buses as well as taxi and car rental services.
Kai, the Indonesia Railway Company, showed off its luxury Dining on Train, a special wagon set up as a fine-dining venue for 16 people who will tuck into a three-course meals during a train ride.
Tourism villages also enjoyed the spotlight with the support of BCA Bank, which had taken up a booth for representatives.
Overseas buyers had good things to say about WITF, particularly how the variety of tourism products and services featured were able to help them build programmes for customers who have already been to established Indonesian destinations.
Flora He, product and operation supervisor at GZL International Travel Service, Guangzhou, China, needed nature and cultural ideas for customers who now hoped to explore Yogyakarta, Komodo National Park, Java and Sumatera.
Muhammad Ashraf, director of Urdham Tours and Travels, Lahore, Pakistan, was in search of adventure, nightlife and shopping destinations for his corporate groups.
Quizzed on how delegates wanted the show to improve, buyers and sellers told TTG Asia they hoped for a better appointment scheduling system and guidance for delegates unfamiliar with the B2B appointment format.
BP Tan of GypsetXperiences, Malaysia suggested that the organising committee could hire a consultant to help with B2B appointment management.
Meliá Koh Samui in Thailand and Meliá Ho Tram in Vietnam have taken huge strides in their food waste reduction with the help of AI technology provided through the Lumitics Insight system.
Meliá Koh Samui implemented the Lumitics Insight system in June 2024, allowing it to track all food waste created by F&B operations. From a baseline, adjustments were made and the hotel has now seen a 40 per cent reduction in leftovers.
Meliá Koh Samui has achieved a 40 per cent reduction in leftovers since June this year
The team is now monitoring its buffet and making adjustments according to data. For example, when the guest base is heavily European, the hotel lightens Asian dishes in the buffet. Where possible, repurposing food has also been an important part of food waste management efforts.
The culinary team at Meliá Ho Tram has recently established a baseline and is now working on an action plan to emulate the success at Meliá Koh Samui. The Insight device has been implemented at Sasa restaurant, with the intention to track leftovers from the breakfast buffet.
“The implementation of this new food waste system is one of a number of tools our properties are using to ensure food waste is kept to a minimum,” said Igancio Martin, managing director for Melia Hotels International in the Asia-Pacific region.
The recently concluded Hospitality Japan Conference in Tokyo explored a wide range of topics valuable to the hotel investment landscape in Japan, such as capital markets, debt, equity structures and risk management while also addressing the investment challenges posed by the country’s ageing population, the urban-rural investment divide and inflationary pressures that affect decision-making.
With the theme, Reshaping the Future, the two-day event from October 8 and 9 was held as part of Hospitality Asia Media’s Hospitality Asia Event Series across the Asia-Pacific region. It attracted approximately 70 speakers and representatives from 200 companies, who attended three summits on the themes of hotel investment, hotel design and hotel revenue. The event was also attended by some 350 people from sectors ranging from finance, real estate, sustainability and academia.
Hospitality Japan Conference featured three summits on the themes of hotel investment, hotel design and hotel revenue
Speakers at the Hotel Design Summit discussed the evolution of Japanese hotel design including the integration of traditional aesthetics with modern trends and cutting-edge conveniences. They noted the need to implement sustainable and intelligent technologies in hotel construction, while sourcing and utilising eco-friendly materials and overcoming urban space constraints.
Tackling labour shortages and rising operational costs in Japan’s hospitality sector were the core issues at the Hotel Revenue Summit. Panellists explored the topics of operations optimisation, guest experience, revenue management and hotel distribution, emphasising the use of advanced technologies for enhancing guest experience, dynamic pricing strategies and optimising distribution channels.
Other on-site activities included business matching and networking held throughout the two days.
Routes World, which brings together decision-makers from airlines, airports and destinations to define the world’s air route networks, is heading to Hong Kong from September 24 to 26, 2025. It will be hosted by the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), with the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and held at AsiaWorld-Expo.
Routes World’s host city choice is timely, as HKIA has witnessed strong passenger growth in 2024. In August, the hub handled 4.92 million passengers and 31,605 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 23 per cent and 26.1 per cent, respectively.
Bahrain International Airport, host of Routes World 2024, hands over the hosting responsibilities of the event to Hong Kong International Airport for the 2025 edition
Significant infrastructure investments will see the airport handle over 120 million passengers annually by 2035.
HKIA is one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, boasting an extensive global network. Over 120 airlines connect HKIA to approximately 220 destinations worldwide, including around 50 destinations in China. Since 2010, HKIA has also held the title of being the world’s busiest cargo airport.
It is also transforming into an Airport City through extensive development across core passenger and cargo services, multimodal regional connectivity, retail, hospitality, conference and exhibitions, entertainment, marina, and office facilities.
Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “With half the world’s population within a five-hour flight, Hong Kong is where East-meets-West. To strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub, and to cater for the city’s long-term air traffic demand, HKIA is developing into a three-runway system which is due to be completed at the end of this year. Routes World 2025 will be the perfect platform for HKIA to showcase this investment.”
Vivian Cheung, acting CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said: “Routes World 2025 will provide unparalleled opportunities for industry professionals to come together, witness firsthand the various advancements at HKIA, and experience the unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures that define our city.”
Data on seasonality is key to sustainable growth
What trends in luxury travel will take us into 2025?
