A series of enchanting fireworks are lighting up the skies over Macau as part of the 32nd Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office.
The event kicked off on September 14 by competing companies from Canada and Thailand. More excitement is set to follow, as Macau has planned an elaborate fireworks journey over five weeks.
This year, 10 spectacular shows will be staged from mid-September, with firework displays presented by Russia, France, Spain, the Philippines, Italy, Japan, Portugal and China.
The fireworks displays are accompanied by various events, such as the Fireworks Carnival, which engages visitors with food stalls, experience booths, game booths and stage performances, as well as the 7th Macau Lantern Festival.
Almost one third of people living in Japan’s most popular tourist destinations are feeling overtourism to some extent, but most remain positive about tourism’s overall impact, according to a recent study by EY Japan.
The report Leading the Japanese economy towards growth in the tourism industry explores perceptions of tourism based on a survey carried out in 10 of the country’s top spots, including Kyoto, Nara, Asakusa (Tokyo), Shizuoka, Miyajima (Hiroshima), and Asahikawa (Hokkaido). It also considers how Japan can continue to promote tourism as a foundation for economic growth.
Majority of the Japanese view tourism as an important means of boosting the economy in their region; Miyajima Island, pictured
Around 40 per cent of respondents reported a positive view of the number of tourists in their area, and 60 per cent said tourism plays an important role in enriching their lives and boosting the economy in their region. Only 15 per cent said tourism plays a negative role.
Respondents also noted that their area’s popularity had sparked their own interest in local attractions including nature, history, culture and food, while giving them a sense of hometown pride.
The highest proportion of those witnessing overtourism were in Kyoto, followed by Asakusa, Nara and Miyajima, citing problems such as bad manners, traffic congestion and difficulty riding public transport due to overcrowding.
While opinions on tourism remain largely positive, the report noted that disruptions to daily life caused by visitors “highlight the challenge of tourism becoming the growth engine of the Japanese economy” in the longer term.
It recommends proper management of tourism destinations, such as by a destination management organisation, to ensure local communities receive sufficient economic benefit, thereby helping to counteract any negative impacts that residents may experience.
Bhutan’s Department of Tourism has introduced its new Tourism Services Portal, enhancing the experience for visitors to the Kingdom by offering streamlined access to the wide range of services available to guests.
This innovative portal aims to simplify and centralise access to essential tourism services, ensuring that visitors can easily connect with accredited service providers, book accommodations, and plan their itineraries with confidence.
Bhutan’s new portal aims to provide easy access for tourists to the wide range of services available (Photo: Amp Sripimanwat)
The launch represents a milestone in the Kingdom’s journey to modernise and sustain its unique approach to tourism, and is being promoted to guests through the Department of Tourism’s website, marketing collateral and social media.
As of August 23, 404 Bhutanese Tour Operators, 948 certified guides, 100 hotels, 14 homestays, and several other service providers have successfully registered on the portal. The registration process is ongoing, and even more businesses and professionals are expected to join the platform in the coming weeks.
The Department of Tourism is also holding webinars with Economic Development Marketing Officers from each Dzongkhag and asking for their support to help onboard the various service providers, homestays, and establishments in each Dzongkhag onto the new portal.
Money, time, and effort invested in adopting sustainable practices not only protect the planet but also positively impact the companies’ financial bottom-line, as proven by Newport World Resorts.
The operators of Newport World Resorts – the Philippines’ biggest integrated resort (IR) with 3,580 keys in eight hotels; 100 restaurants; 18,000m² retail space; 8,000m² event spaces; 1,788 theatre seats; and 30,000m² gaming space manned by 6,500 employees – got together in 2021 and launched I Love Earth (ILE) with a holistic and concrete sustainability programme.
Newport World Resorts is the only IR in the country to receive a silver certification from EarthCheck (Photo: Newport World Resorts)
Today, the IR is reaping huge benefits from its efficiency measures in reducing electricity and water consumption, said Bruce Winton, Marriott International’s multi-property vice president in the Philippines.
Yearly savings on electricity are estimated at 29 million pesos (US$521,467) or 34,000 million kilowatt hour in the boiler system; 21 million pesos or 3,000 million KWh in the descaling system; 14 million pesos or 1,700 million KWh from occupancy sensing rooms; and a 15 per cent cost reduction from low temperature laundry.
This is a far cry from the IR’s previous 250 million KWh yearly consumption of electricity equivalent to 59,000 homes, Winton said in a presentation to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association.
There’s also huge savings from reduced water consumption which used to be four million cubic metres each year. Winton noted that water is expensive in the Philippines, about six and a half times more expensive than in Thailand, and supply problems arise during the dry season, El Nino and La Nina phenomena.
Each hotel in the IR has its own sustainability programme; for Marriott Manila, the goal is to lessen its water consumption by 15 per cent next year.
Marriott Manila’s reform, reduce, recycle, and repurpose programme for its water bottling translates to a 1.7 million pesos savings for one year and a 2.1 years of return on investments on a 3.6 million peso capital.
The ILE Urban Farm within the IR, while promoting healthy living and livelihood, has other benefits: 37 per cent lower price of produce per kilo; 95 per cent less land use; 95 per cent less water used; 95 per cent less fuel; and 95 per cent less waste – all pesticide free. About 37 per cent of selected items from the urban farm are now being sold to the local marketplace.
In addition, active benchmarking and certification (set metrics, measure, global certification, among others) make Newport World Resorts the only IR in the country to receive a silver certification from EarthCheck.
Silversea’s Nova-class ship Silver Nova is set to debut in Asia-Pacific from the end of September 2024 until April 2025.
The ship’s inaugural season in Asia will start off in in Kushiro (Hokkaido), Japan, on September 27, undertaking two voyages in the region before crossing over to Australia and New Zealand in November for seven sailings – ranging from 16 to 18 days – between November 18, 2024 and February 24, 2025.
Silver Nova will maker her debut in Asia-Pacific from end-September 2024 to April 2025
Silver Nova’s inaugural season in Asia-Pacific will mark the introduction of Silversea’s culinary programme, S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) in Australia and New Zealand, while also delivering S.A.L.T. shore excursions in Japan for the first time.
In iconic destinations throughout Asia-Pacific, local experts will showcase the diversity of regional produce and demonstrate the creativity and innovation of their cuisines.
Some stand-out experiences ashore at Japan and Australia/New Zealand include participating in a culinary workshop and lunch with a Japanese master in Osaka, Japan (October 3, 2024; March 22 and 28, 2025; April 11, 2025); learning how Australian chefs and home cooks incorporate native ingredients in their menus in Melbourne, Australia (November 27, 2024; January 7 and 8, 2025; February 5, 2025); garden foraging and lunch at Adelaide Botanical Gardens (November 29, 2024; February 8 and 9, 2025); attending a cooking masterclass with chef Analiese Gregory in Hobart, Australia (December 6 and 7, 2024; January 10, 2025; February 2 and 3, 2025); and going on a guided wine experience and lunch at family-run winery Craggy Range in Napier, New Zealand (December 17, 2024; January 19, 25 and 26, 2025).
Other experiences in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more will provide a rounded insight into Asia’s diverse cultures.
Silversea president Bert Hernandez commented: “S.A.L.T. is all about discovering the soul of a place through its food and culture — and where better to taste and explore than these countries so rich in heritage and celebrated for their diverse cuisines? There are so many great food stories to tell in this part of the region, we can’t wait to share them with our guests.”
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is expanding its presence globally, with the addition of four new regional hotel brands in some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.
The expansion punctuates a landmark year for GHA as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Sunway Hotels & Resorts is one of the four brands to join GHA’s portfolio; Sunway Resort Hotel Malaysia, pictured
Unike Hotels in Norway, Sunway Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia, Andronis in Greece, and Paramount Hotels in the UAE add 32 properties to the alliance of independent hotel brands, enriching GHA’s portfolio with a mix of city and resort hotels that cater to the preferences of a wide range of travellers.
Unike Hotels brings a distinctive Scandinavian touch where each hotel in the Unike group is a unique reflection of its local environment. Its collection of 17 hotels across the country comprise Leikanger Hotel, Rømskog Spa, Utsikten Hotel in southern Norway, and more.
Sunway Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality division of Malaysian conglomerate Sunway Group, manages 11 hotels and resorts in Malaysia as well as the cities of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Hanoi in Vietnam. Sunway’s Malaysia properties include three iconic hotels in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, such as the luxury five-star Sunway Resort Hotel, which is a favourite among family vacationers and business travellers; a Penang property located in the heart of UNESCO-listed George Town, as well as The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh.
Andronis brings to GHA a collection of boutique hotels on two popular islands in the Aegean Sea – Santorini and Paros, all offering unique wellness and dining experiences and overlooking the Aegean Sea. Properties range from the flagship Andronis Luxury Suites on Santorini featuring 33 villas and suites, to the Andronis Minois on Paros.
Paramount Hotels introduces Hollywood glamour and cinematic experiences to GHA Discovery members with two signature properties in Dubai. Both Paramount Hotel Dubai and Paramount Hotel Midtown are located in the city’s vibrant Business Bay.
“The addition of these four regional independent hotel brands provides our 28 million GHA Discovery members with an even greater choice of unique destination experiences,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “The integration of Unike Hotels, Sunway Hotels & Resorts, Andronis and Paramount Hotels into GHA Discovery will also generate significant growth opportunities through the platform, enhancing cross-brand activity and revenue for all GHA hotel brands.”
Banyan Group is expanding across East China with the launch of three new resorts: Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake, Garrya Yangcheng Lake, and Garrya Xianju.
This follows the opening of the group’s first complex in East China earlier this year, comprising Banyan Tree Suzhou Shishan and Angsana Suzhou Shishan.
Banyan Group expands in East China with three new hotels; Banyan Tree and Garrya – Waterfront Complex at Yangcheng Lake, pictured
Set against the picturesque Jiangnan landscape, the opening of resort complex Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake offers 70 guestrooms and villas, with private hot spring pools on every terrace, with facilities such as the Banyan Tree Spa, gym, hot springs, indoor heated pool, and restaurants.
Garrya Yangcheng Lake, situated on the eastern shore of the picturesque ‘Beauty’s Leg’ Peninsula, features a quiet lakeside retreat with 210 rooms and suites, with dining establishments, spa and well-being facilities, kids’ club, and multifunctional spaces.
Banyan Group’s inaugural resort in Taizhou, Garrya Xianju, is nestled within the Shenxianju Scenic Area and boasts 195 rooms, each with a private balcony. Amenities include two restaurants, a riverside pool, children’s club, yoga room, and spa.
Philip Ding, vice president and head of regional operations – China at Banyan Group, shared: “For three decades, Banyan Group has planted roots in awe-inspiring destinations around the world, becoming stewards of the communities and environment that we operate our businesses in.
“The Banyan Tree and Garrya complex at Yangcheng Lake, and Garrya Xianju in Taizhou will mirror the same commitment, as we hope to inject vitality into the local economies and contribute to the growth of tourism in regional China.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, which debuts in November, has appointed a team of six seasoned hospitality experts.
Having been with Marriott for 24 years, new general manager Tina Liu boasts an impressive business acumen and an extensive background in luxury hospitality. She has led teams at high-profile hotels, primarily in Thailand, and is fluent in Thai.
From left: Lewis Quinn, Leon Chan, Tina Liu, Evelyne Hahang, Clément Larre, Glen Cooper
Next is hotel manager, Lewis Quinn, who brings with him over 15 years of working in hospitality to his new role, while Evelyne Hahang takes on the role of director of rooms, having honed her hospitality skills for over 15 years in the UK, France, Australia, and Thailand.
Leon Chan, who hails from Singapore, is the director of sales & marketing. He has amassed 15 years of hospitality sales and business development experience working at high-profile hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong.
For F&B, Clément Larre leads as director, with Glen Cooper as executive chef.
The New Taipei City Government’s tourism and travel department recently organised a tourism promotion event in Bangkok, Thailand working with New Taipei’s hospitality industry to promote the city’s tourism attractions to Thai industry professionals.
Held on September 6, the delegation also visited organisations such as the Taiwan Tourism Administration (Bangkok Office), the Thai Travel Agents Association, and the Thai-Taiwan Business Association.
New Taipei hosted a promotional dinner in Bangkok to attract more Thai visitors to the country
As of May this year, over 180,000 Thai tourists have visited Taiwan, making Thailand the third largest source of South-east Asian visitors after Malaysia and the Philippines.
The tourism and travel department will continue to market internationally renowned events such as the Christmas land in New Taipei City, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, and the upcoming World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei City, as well as tailor its promotions to the preferences of Thai tourists by highlighting local cuisine, including renowned New Taipei specialties such as Jiufen taro balls, Wanli crabs, Shimen rice dumplings, Wulai indigenous bamboo tube rice, and more.
Local souvenirs such as Pinglin Pouchong Tea Egg Rolls, Sanxia Biluochun Tea, and Yingge porcelain tea sets have also been popular among Thai industry professionals.
New Taipei also promoted regional travel itineraries across Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan, enhancing the visibility and appeal of all four cities, and strengthening the cooperation of the Keelung-Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan Collaboration and Exchange Platform.
The ASEAN Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRA) has welcomed the Vietnam Hotel Association (VHA) into its fold, completing its representation of all 10 ASEAN member countries.
The integration of VHA into AHRA reinforces the association’s commitment to fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and best practices across the region. By uniting the hospitality sectors of all ASEAN countries, AHRA aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of South-east Asian hospitality industry on the global stage.
Marisa: Asia set to drive travel growth in 2025
“Asia is set to drive travel growth in 2025 and as ASEAN intra-regional travel expands, we are happier than ever to welcome Vietnam Hotel Association to AHRA, completing the representation of all 10 ASEAN countries. We look forward to further collaboration to strengthen tourism in the region,” said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of AHRA.
“I believe that joining the AHRA will provide an opportunity for members of the VHA to engage, share valuable experiences on various matters of hotel and restaurant operations with other countries in the region, engage strong relationships in the hospitality and culinary sectors, and supporting each other in mutual development,” said Do Hong Xoan, president of VHA.
Almost one third of people living in Japan’s most popular tourist destinations are feeling overtourism to some extent, but most remain positive about tourism’s overall impact, according to a recent study by EY Japan.
The report Leading the Japanese economy towards growth in the tourism industry explores perceptions of tourism based on a survey carried out in 10 of the country’s top spots, including Kyoto, Nara, Asakusa (Tokyo), Shizuoka, Miyajima (Hiroshima), and Asahikawa (Hokkaido). It also considers how Japan can continue to promote tourism as a foundation for economic growth.
Around 40 per cent of respondents reported a positive view of the number of tourists in their area, and 60 per cent said tourism plays an important role in enriching their lives and boosting the economy in their region. Only 15 per cent said tourism plays a negative role.
Respondents also noted that their area’s popularity had sparked their own interest in local attractions including nature, history, culture and food, while giving them a sense of hometown pride.
The highest proportion of those witnessing overtourism were in Kyoto, followed by Asakusa, Nara and Miyajima, citing problems such as bad manners, traffic congestion and difficulty riding public transport due to overcrowding.
While opinions on tourism remain largely positive, the report noted that disruptions to daily life caused by visitors “highlight the challenge of tourism becoming the growth engine of the Japanese economy” in the longer term.
It recommends proper management of tourism destinations, such as by a destination management organisation, to ensure local communities receive sufficient economic benefit, thereby helping to counteract any negative impacts that residents may experience.