Luxury and comfort await at new premium VIP room in HKIA

October 9, 2024

Plaza Premium Group lounge — With its "Lounge within a Lounge" concept, Plaza Premium Suites’ new Infinity Room lets passengers enjoy a moment of luxury before their flight

Brought to you by Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium First’s new Infinity Room lets passengers enjoy a moment of luxury and indulgence before their flight

With its ‘lounge within a lounge’ concept, Plaza Premium Group unveils the new Infinity Room where passengers can enjoy moments of luxury before their flights. A private haven amidst the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), one of the world’s busiest airports, the brand-new premium VIP passenger lounge offers a sanctuary-like space for elite travellers.

A ‘lounge within a lounge’, the Infinity Room is nestled within the Plaza Premium First lounge in HKIA, and is conveniently located adjacent to gate 1. As growing passenger traffic in HKIA Terminal 1 soars beyond a new post-pandemic daily high of over 171,000 in July, the bustling airport continues to provide passengers with world-class facilities.

The elevated lounge concept of Plaza Premium First made its global debut in HKIA in 2018, representing a transformative evolution in Plaza Premium Group’s mission to redefine travel and provide sophisticated travellers with the ultimate blend of comfort and personalised service. Plaza Premium Group aims to expand the Infinity Room concept in other global destinations.

The introduction of the Infinity Room as a secluded space within Plaza Premium First serves as an extension to the personalised, all-inclusive lounge, which can be experienced by airline partners’ first class and business class travellers by invitation.

The Infinity Room is also open to walk-in guests by purchasing full access to the luxurious first-class service. Guests will enjoy world-class a la carte dining in a stylishly designed contemporary interior, cosy seating, and a curated selection of contemporary artworks that create an intimate and relaxing ambience.

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Featuring a gourmet all-day menu, which spotlights locally inspired specialities blending Chinese and Western influences, guests can savour made-to-order creations from the ever-changing menu with an international selection of hearty breakfast favourites available until 11.00am daily followed by an all-day menu highlighting sumptuous flavours from various global cuisines. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are also available, as well as a refined beverage selection of single-malt whiskeys, brandy, cognac, wines, spirits, Chinese and Western teas, and juices.

The superb dining offerings at the Infinity Room is a gastronomic journey throughout the day from high tea in the afternoon with delicate sweet-and-savoury bites served with a premium selection of Chinese and Western loose tea leaves, to tapas in the evening and sweet snacks for a late-night indulgence.

The afternoon tea menu features a selection of sweet and savoury snacks paired with high-end Chinese and Western teas

“We are thrilled to unveil Infinity Room, a pinnacle of comfort and exclusivity within Plaza Premium First,” said John Girard, general manager operations for Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Group.

“In redefining luxury airport hospitality, we are continuing our unrelenting mission to ‘make travel better’ by providing a haven of sophistication for our esteemed guests amidst the dynamic setting of Hong Kong International Airport.”

Exceptional hospitality is at the heart of Plaza Premium First, which offers travellers a stylishly designed haven to relax, unwind, and freshen up before continuing their journey. Dedicated brand ambassadors anticipate every need with round-the-clock personalised services, offering an on-site suite of bespoke hospitality amenities which includes premium shower room facilities and a complimentary 10-minute neck and shoulder massage available on a first come, first served basis. The Infinity Room’s VIP passenger experience continues beyond the sophisticated lounge space with ALLWAYS’ buggy service, seamlessly shuttling guests straight to their boarding gate for a truly effortless travel experience.

Infinity Room at Plaza Premium First is open daily from 06.30 to 01.00 at level 6 (near gate 1), Departures Level, Terminal 1, HKIA. For more information, visit Plaza Premium Group’s website or Instagram.

Former Indonesian ministers establish group to support tourism growth

By Mimi Hudoyo

October 8, 2024

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Indonesia’s former tourism ministers have come together to form the Tourism Minister’s Club, which was launched during the Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair (WITF) 2024 in Jakarta last weekend.

The club serves as a platform for former ministers to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the future minister for the betterment of the Indonesian tourism to achieve the goal of the Golden Indonesia 2045, when the country celebrates 100 years of independence.

The Tourism Minister’s Club was launched during WITF 2024 (Photo: Bonita Venue)

Four former ministers and one former vice minister attended the club’s first dialogue, which was held during the Top Tourism Leaders Forum of WITF 2024. Sandiaga Uno, current minister of tourism and creative economy for Indonesia, was also present.

A clear tourism master plan is needed for Indonesia to serve as guideline for the future ministers in determining policies, emphasised Abdul Latief, who was minister of tourism, art and culture in 1998. He cited Bali as an example, stating that the tourism development there was unclear due to not having a clear plan to follow.

He remarked that “to move forward”, there needed to be a goal and “the plan to achieve it”, adding that with tourism being “super labour intensive”, effective human resource training is crucial for ensuring employees are well-equipped to provide quality service.

These are all reasons why Latief has called on the fellow former ministers and members of the Association of the Indonesia Tourism Industries (GIPI) to work together to come up with a proposal to submit to the new minister under the Prabowo Subianto administration, who will take office in October 20.

Meanwhile, Arief Yahya, minister of tourism from 2014 to 2019, hopes the new minister will “fight hard for tourism” and have a sizeable budget allotted to the sector, especially since tourism is the nation’s “core economy”. He opined that for Indonesia to become a global tourism player, the country needed to follow and adapt to the global standards.

He referred to the success of following the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI): “Indonesia ranked 70 (in 2014) and after a lot of effort, we managed to move up the TTDI to this year’s rank of 22nd in the world (and second in South-east Asia after Singapore).”

Culture and nature are two of Indonesia’s strengths, which is why Jero Wacik, minister of culture and tourism (2004-2011), stressed the need to focus on nurturing not only traditional culture, but also contemporary culture, music, film as well as the arts. In fact, it was during the time when Mari Pangestu was minister of tourism and creative economy (2011-2014) that arts and culture was recognised and developed as a contributor to Indonesia’s economy.

“The potential of creative economic sector is huge, and the synergy between tourism and creative economy needs to be nurtured and developed,” pointed out Mari.

However, tourism was not just about economy.

“Tourism and culture bears the country’s image – tourism is not just an economic story but the branding of a nation,” she said, adding that sustainable and quality tourism was therefore the way to go.

“Even the mass tourism has to be quality tourism,” she said.

Stressing the importance of “speed” in terms of services, Arief has called on the authorities to streamline regulations to turn international interest into business. He suggested taking a look at Vietnam and what was done “to deregulate their policies that led them to fast growing tourism”.

Arief also reminded industry members on the importance of keeping up with digital technology: “If hotels, travel companies (and attractions) do not embark on incorporating digital technologies in your business, trust me, you will vanish.”

With his ministerial term ending soon, Sandiaga hopes his successor will continue to develop tourism in the country with a focus on quality and sustainability.

AirAsia X, Kenya Tourism Board to drive tourism between Malaysia and Africa

By TTG Asia

October 8, 2024

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AirAsia X (AAX) has joined forces with the Kenya Tourism Board to enhance connectivity between Asia and Africa and drive tourism growth for both regions.

The Route Marketing Collaboration coincides with the upcoming launch of AAX’s new direct flights connecting Kuala Lumpur to Nairobi, set to commence on November 15 with four weekly flights.

The collaboration aims to boost tourism between both countries ahead of the new Kuala Lumpur-Nairobi direct service

The collaboration between AAX and the Kenya Tourism Board includes joint promotional activities, coordinated marketing campaigns, and collaborative efforts to enhance travel experiences. It aims to leverage the strengths of both organisations to attract more tourists and stimulate economic growth in both countries.

The new flights will enhance Nairobi’s profile as a gateway to both regional and international travel, driving economic benefits and promoting cultural exchange.

The introduction of this direct route is also set to play a crucial role by offering Kenyan travellers convenient Fly-Thru access to Asia’s leading destinations through Kuala Lumpur. This new route will also bolster Malaysia’s appeal as a premier travel destination offering diverse experiences, with Kuala Lumpur serving as a key gateway for tourists from Nairobi, granting them direct access to Malaysia’s attractions, cultural landmarks, scenic landscapes, and culinary scene.

AAX has partnered with Magical Aviation Services, its official general sales agent in Nairobi, to ensure local expertise drives its operations in the region, allowing the medium-haul low-cost carrier to provide tailored services that meet the specific needs of Kenyan travellers, with Magical Aviation Services playing a key role in managing sales, marketing, and customer support.

In addition, the airline has also opened its first sales office in Nairobi at Riverside Square, which serves as a touchpoint for customers, offering on-the-ground support and sales services, and solidifying the airline’s long-term commitment to the region.

Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X said: “This is a major milestone in our mission to connect Asia with Africa and opens up a world of travel possibilities between the two continents. For our other key routes such as Australia and China, Nairobi will now be easily accessible, offering new adventures in Africa and enhanced travel options via Kuala Lumpur. This route not only strengthens our global network but also supports the tourism goals of both Kenya and Malaysia.”

June Chepkemei, CEO of Kenya Tourism Board added: “The Asia-Pacific region is a key source market for Kenya. The region saw over 320,000 travellers into the country in 2023, with India, China and Japan among the top drivers of visitor arrivals. Our goal through this collaboration is to ensure that we have more tourists coming from Malaysia and other regional destinations to Kenya.”

Six Senses shares its journey to plastic freedom

By TTG Asia

October 8, 2024

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To help eliminate the use of plastic in hospitality, Six Senses has revealed its plastic-free solutions documented in a practical playbook, an operational intelligence that it will soon share with the wider hotel industry.

Recorded diligently by Six Senses sustainability teams, the Journey to Plastic Freedom Playbook comprises 82 tried and tested solutions to plastic items in the four main areas of a hotel’s operations – housekeeping, back of house, F&B, and spa. Items being eliminated range from bags and toothpaste tubes to coffee capsules and brooms.

Drinking water at Six Senses has been bottled in glass onsite since 2003

The playbook also shares 10 lessons about how being environmentally and socially responsible can be combined with uncompromising hospitality, efficient operations, profitability, an outstanding guest experience and high levels of satisfaction and engagement among colleagues.

Six Senses has been on a journey to eliminate plastic from its properties ever since the brand was founded in the mid-1990s. By the time plastic had become a dirty word in 2016, single use bottles, straws and disposable packaging were long gone, and Six Senses was already taking pioneering steps towards eliminating more complex and challenging plastic items.

As part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio, Six Senses has shared the Journey to Plastic Freedom Playbook with 6,400 IHG hotels across the world. A webinar has been set on November 6 to share it with the wider industry, thereafter, the playbook will be available to download online.

Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs commented: “Sustainability is a defining characteristic of what luxury means to us. We are sharing our playbook with other hotel groups because the issue needs collective action if we are to make a real impact on our environment. If that means sharing our trade secrets with the wider industry, then so be it.

“What we know from our years of experience is that sustainability doesn’t have to be to the detriment to guest experience. This playbook only tells half the story. The real legacy will be how our journey is embedded within further afield and who knows, potentially become part of life for all hotel operations.”

Agoda reveals trending destinations for couples

By TTG Asia

October 8, 2024

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Agoda has unveiled the top destinations couples are looking to visit this October, based on accommodation searches made on Agoda, with city destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok leading the list.

The ranking is based on accommodation searches made on Agoda’s platform in August for check-ins between October 1 and 31 this year.

More couples are seeking cities for their next holiday

Agoda’s data showed that the top 10 destinations for couples this October are predominantly cities, showcasing the allure of urban experiences. Tokyo tops the list, followed by Seoul and Bangkok. Other popular cities include Osaka, Taipei, Bali, Hong Kong, Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore – all of which indicates a trend towards vibrant cityscapes and cultural hubs in North-east Asia.

When analysed at a market level, the data revealed that Bangkok is the favourite for couples from Malaysia and Vietnam, while Tokyo is the top choice for those from Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan. Other notable mentions include Hong Kong for travellers based in the Philippines, Singapore for Indonesia, and Bali for India.

Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply at Agoda, noted: “One might associate romantic getaways with a retreat in Maldives, Santorini, or Bali, but it’s clear from Agoda’s insights that city trips are a favourite among modern couples. These destinations offer something different each time and cater to shorter getaways – great for couples unable to take long vacations but still looking to spend some quality time together away from home.”

Escape to the sea at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa

By TTG Asia

October 8, 2024

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The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa welcomes travellers from across the globe with its Seaside Escape package.

The package offers the best rate guaranteed, luxurious accommodation, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and complimentary birthday or honeymoon cake.

Head for a seaside vacation at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa

Ideally situated along the shores of Seminyak Beach, the resort provides direct access to one of Bali’s most beautiful and sought-after coastlines. Guests can bask in the tropical sun at the infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, explore the local scene, or enjoy beachfront dining with ocean views. The resort’s strategic location places visitors at the centre of Bali’s premier dining, shopping, and entertainment district.

Guests can participate in various cultural activities, including the Melukat ceremony, a purification ritual that connects deeply to the island’s vibrant traditions.

For more information, visit The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa.

More Chinese outbound travellers heading overseas in 2024

By Caroline Boey

October 7, 2024

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Data on Chinese outbound travel recovery, shared by Dragon Trail International (DTI) on the eve of the October 1 to 7 Golden Week holiday, shows travellers are making significantly more trips in 2024 compared to a year ago.

According to Sienna Parulis-Cook, DTI’s director of marketing and communications, China’s National Immigration Authority issued 15.82 million passports between January and August 2023, a 25% year-on-year increase.

ForwardKeys’ air ticket data shows that travel departure during Golden Week in 2024 has surpassed last year’s

She added that 2Q2024 data from Trip.com Group and Tongcheng show outbound hotel and flight reservations reaching 100% of pre-lockdown for the former, and record-breaking international flight sales – 160% year-on-year increase for the latter, which also saw a 140% jump in international hotel sales compared to 2023.

Speaking at the joint webinar, Nancy Dai, ForwardKeys China market expert, said its air ticket data showed travel departure during Golden Week at -15% versus 2019 and +32% for 2024 versus 2023.

Dai pointed out that outbound Chinese travel was growing steadily toward pre-lockdown levels with 1Q2024 at -28% vs 2019 and 2Q2024 at -24% vs 2019.

In other updates, Parulis-Cook noted Global Blue reported a 41% year-on-year increase in Chinese tax-free shopping spend in August, with Asia-Pacific achieving 162% compared to pre-lockdown and Europe 52%.

In August, VFS Global stated that visa applications at its China centres rose 88%, reaching 70% of the number in 2019.

Parulis-Cook said marketers should note Chinese travellers have “high interest in cultural activities”, are attracted by discounts and promotions, and “interest in almost every region in the world has grown”.

In terms of desired destination content, favourable policies such as visa waiver or relaxed entry requirements and promotional offers were the most important.

Expanding on the importance of budget and pricing for a specific product like cruising, Parulis-Cook said this was the top consideration, accounting for 52%, followed by the dining experience at 39%, and the cabin and facilities at 37%.

As for regional rankings, Janice Meng, DTI market research analyst, said its poll showed 80% of respondents’ most recent trip in 2024 was to Asia and 65.9% had booked or planned to visit the region.

Meng added that Europe was next with 12.5% having visited the continent on the most recent outbound trip, with 25.3% having a booking or planning to visit.

Based on ForwardKeys’ air ticket data, there is significant growth in direct connects between China and Europe, +12% vs 2019.

European cities with the highest direct seat capacity increases in 2024 vs 2019 show Milan, Madrid, Istanbul and London growing 67%, 61%, 35% and 24% respectively.

Dai also observed the rise of solo and couple travellers, the fall in group travellers, and that the top three cities in Asia during Golden Week are Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Macau.

Outside Asia, she named Istanbul, London and Moscow as the top three.

Empowering women from low-income households

By Rohit Kaul

October 7, 2024

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The Intrepid Foundation, a non-profit arm of Australia-based Intrepid Travel, recently tied up with India-based Access Development Services – a not-for-profit organisation to launch the Holy City Rickshaws project in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Access Development Services focuses on incubating innovations for sustainable livelihoods of the poor in both farm and the non-farm sectors.

From left: Intrepid Travel’s Rama Mahendru and The Intrepid Foundation’s Biheng Zhang

Varanasi is a popular tourist destination known for its spirituality and rich heritage. Under the ambit of Holy City Rickshaws, a number of day tours are being offered to travellers. These tours cover experiences like food trail, Hindu circuit, shopping tour, Buddhist circuit and early morning and spiritual evening trips.

Initially, the tours will be operated with a fleet of 10 custom-designed e-rickshaws, driven by 50 local women from low-income households. These women have received training in both driving and essential soft skills to ensure a safe and engaging experience for tourists. Intrepid Travel will encompass these e-rickshaw tours in its itineraries for tourists visiting the region. The company will also promote these trips through its B2B tour operator network.

Rama Mahendru, country general manager, India, Intrepid Travel shared: “This initiative reflects Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism and empowering women in the local community. Intrepid Travel is aiming to serve 600,000 passengers globally by 2030 and we are expecting to serve 30,000 inbound tourists by the same year in India. So, there are enormous opportunities for such kinds of projects and adding meaningful experiences into our itineraries.”

The local women have received training in driving the e-rickshaws to ensure a safe experience for tourists

The Intrepid Foundation has made an initial investment of A$55,000 (US$37,400) into kickstarting the Holy City Rickshaw project.

Biheng Zhang, general manager of The Intrepid Foundation, said: “Our funding model critically engages our customers, suppliers and our wider network of partners to continually fundraise for our existing partners. What that means is on trips with our intrepid customers, we will be telling them about Access Development’s incredible work and how it is empowering women and training them. With the additional funds we aim to raise, we hope to support the training of more women and address any future needs Access Development may have.”

The Intrepid Foundation is also planning to install solar panels at the e-rickshaw charging stations to make the project even more sustainable.

Qatar’s new campaign spotlights attractions and experiences

By TTG Asia

October 7, 2024

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Visit Qatar has launched its latest global campaign, Surprise Yourself, in an effort to attract six million visitors annually and establish Qatar as a must-visit tourist destination by 2030.

The campaign invites travellers to discover the destinations diverse attractions and experiences, and targets families, couples, and groups of friends.

Visit Qatar’s latest global campaign aims to attract more visitors to the country; Lusail city in Qatar, pictured

From the lush charm of Banana Island to the vibrant atmosphere of Souq Waqif, and thrill of dune bashing, Qatar presents numerous opportunities for relaxation and adventure in a safe and inclusive environment. Through its theme and brand platform, Moments That Stay With You, the campaign also showcases the emotional connections and lasting memories forged during visits to Qatar.

Featuring a modern rendition of Bobby Hebb’s classic song Sunny, the campaign will be rolled out across 10 international markets using a variety of platforms.

Qatar is set for the upcoming winter season, filled with international sports and cultural festivities. Highlights include the return of Formula One, activities at Sealine Desert, and concerts featuring renowned regional and international artists. Notable returning events such as the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and the Qatar International Food Festival are also set to captivate audiences, while Qatar prepares for events in 2025 such as the Web Summit and the Arab Cup.

Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, stated: “With just a six- to eight-hour flight from most major cities around the world, Qatar connects over 177 destinations, including the US, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This makes Qatar an ideal choice for visitors seeking a stopover destination or a safe, family-friendly holiday filled with year-round sunshine, adventure, and fun for all.”

Cebu Pacific boosts fleet with Airbus order

By TTG Asia

October 7, 2024

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Cebu Pacific has placed a firm order with Airbus for 70 A321neo, finalising an MoU announced by the airline in July.

Cebu Pacific currently operates 61 A320 family aircraft on its extensive regional network, in addition to its nine A330 widebodies on high density routes in the region, as well as to destinations in the Middle East. Following the latest order, the airline’s backlog with Airbus now stands at 94 A320neo Family aircraft and seven A330neo.

Cebu Pacific has finalised its order with Airbus for 70 A321neo

Cebu Pacific CEO Mike Szucs said: “This milestone signals our ongoing dedication to expanding air travel accessibility and affordability, while supporting the Philippine’s broader economic growth and connectivity goals.”

“The A320 Family has supported Cebu Pacific’s domestic and shorthaul international network growth over the last two decades. We’re confident that these additional A321neo aircraft will contribute strongly to the all-Airbus operator’s next phase of expansion as one of Asia-Pacific’s leading low cost carriers,” added Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president, sales, commercial aircraft business at Airbus.

Luxury and comfort await at new premium VIP room in HKIA

Former Indonesian ministers establish group to support tourism growth

AirAsia X, Kenya Tourism Board to drive tourism between Malaysia and Africa

Six Senses shares its journey to plastic freedom

Agoda reveals trending destinations for couples

Escape to the sea at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa

More Chinese outbound travellers heading overseas in 2024

Empowering women from low-income households

Qatar’s new campaign spotlights attractions and experiences

Cebu Pacific boosts fleet with Airbus order

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