Meliá Hotels International is expanding its solar initiatives in South-east Asia with solar panel projects across its properties in Vietnam and Thailand.
The solar panel projects have seen over 2,600 solar panels added to Meliá Vinpearl Cua Hoi Beach Resort and Meliá Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort, both along Vietnam’s north central coast, and Meliá Phuket Mai Khao on the tropical island of Phuket.
Meliá Vinpearl Cua Hoi is tapping into solar energy with the installation of 1,450 solar panels
These seafront destinations are making the most of the sunshine with the addition of 1,450 panels at Meliá Vinpearl Cua Hoi, 546 at Meliá Vinpearl Cua Sot, and 622 at Meliá Phuket Mai Khao. In Vietnam, panels have been added to several areas including rooftops, in parking areas, offices and other back of house locations. In Thailand, they have been installed on 10 different buildings at the oceanfront resort, including the spa and lobby area.
The new systems in Vietnam are projected to supply between 10 to 30 per cent of each hotel’s total electricity consumption, while the new panels at Meliá Phuket Mai Khao will generate energy of 39,414.94 Kw each month.
Following these installations, Meliá Vinpearl Cam Ranh Beach Resort will be the next property to implement solar panels later this year.
“Solar panels are just one of the sustainable initiatives that our hotels are pursuing to ensure a healthier future in places where we have properties,” said Ignacio Martin, managing director for Meliá Hotels International in the Asia-Pacific region. “Our hotels and resorts are also investing in circular food economies, community projects focused on restoring local natural environments, and plastic reduction or elimination, to name a few initiatives.”
Families travelling with tiny tots are now welcomed at Club Med Kani in the Maldives, as the all-inclusive resort lowers its age limit for young guests to six months. This change comes with supporting facilities and amenities to allow parents and caregivers to enjoy their holiday with ease.
Club Med Kani now offers a baby corner at The Velhi buffet restaurant, where organic purees from popular brand, Hipp, fresh milk, and a microwave machine are available for use. A dedicated toddler playground has also been added to the resort’s kids club.
Club Med Kani now features a dedicated toddler playground to occupy the little ones; photo by Karen Yue
Come 2025, the resort will launch a new family space where various activities can be enjoyed by children along with their parents and caregivers.
“These are all complimentary, and we’ve made these arrangements to ensure the (holiday) here is seamless for families with very young children,” said Rachael Harding, CEO of East, South Asia and Pacific at Club Med.
The extended welcome to young families is aligned with Club Med’s family-friendly focus, which is exemplified by carefully curated children’s programmes at Club Med family resorts around the world. These programmes are designed to not only offer entertainment, but also educational opportunities, and activities vary according to age groups.
Harding noted that Club Med Kani is a strong family orientated product, where 70 per cent of guests arrive with big families.
“I know that we all love putting our kids in the kids club, but equally important when you’re on holiday is to be able to enjoy time with your children,” she said, adding that the resort team is well aware that it could be a challenge for parents and caregivers to find something to occupy little ones all day.
“We understand this. We know that when families come with grandparents, not just parents, they want activities that can be enjoyed as a family. We run such programmes throughout the day, be it games, competitions or workshops,” she shared.
Club Med Kani has some 30 activities, and through its recent revamp added several new options. These include family paddle boats with slides at the back, and a multi-purpose basketball court and full soccer pitch.
Harding remarked that the extensive on-site programmes provide parents and caregivers peace of mind, with activities conducted under one roof and according to Club Med’s high safety standards.
SITA has signed a deal with Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) to help revolutionise the passenger experience at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) and HarbourFront Ferry Terminal (HFFT).
As part of this project, SITA will deliver its advanced technology solutions, Smart Path hardware and Flex as a Service, to SCC.
SITA’s biometric-ready Smart Path and Flex solutions set to transform the passenger experience at Singapore’s ferry terminals
SITA’s Smart Path technology, including biometric-ready kiosks, self-bag drop, and gates, will modernise the passenger experience at TMFT and HFFT. SCC is also adopting SITA’s Flex as a Service across all passenger processing touchpoints, which enables agile and responsive passenger processing, and creates a platform for SCC to build custom passenger-facing applications.
The upgraded ferry terminals, which serve as Singapore’s gateway to the Riau Islands and south-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, are expected to handle about seven million plus passengers annually.
The project involves the installation of 45 SITA Smart Path Kiosks across both terminals, also providing a platform for biometric authentication implementation in the future as part of OneID initiative. Ten SITA Smart Path Bag Drop solutions will streamline the bag check-in process with SITA’s TS6 Kiosks, and 13 new SITA Smart Path Gates will be used for efficient boarding procedures.
SCC will integrate its new cloud-based Departure Control System (Cruise and Ferry Operation System) via SITA Flex. This project will significantly improve passenger processing capabilities and unlock future possibilities for the maritime passenger industry.
Sumesh Patel, president of Asia Pacific at SITA, said: “Seamless travel, by air, sea, or land will be one of the drivers of growth for the travel and transport industry, with transport hubs seeing a need to quickly digitalise their infrastructure to remain ahead of the curve.”
“We are happy to partner with SITA to bring aviation technologies to the maritime passenger industry so that we can provide similar seamless and future contactless experiences for our ferry, fly-ferry and fly-cruise passengers,” added Lee Siew Kit, vice president of technology and IT at SCC.
“The new technology will help the eco system streamline processes, and scale to handle more passengers through our terminals in the future.”
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is investing S$1.1 billion (US$827.2 million) to install new longhaul cabin products across 41 Airbus A350-900 longhaul and ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft, enhancing the premium travel experience on its network.
SIA will introduce a First Class cabin in its seven A350-900ULR aircraft, while Business Class customers can look forward to an elevated travel experience with SIA’s upcoming Business Class seats boasting innovative designs that will offer even greater levels of privacy, comfort, and convenience in all 41 aircraft.
SIA’s upcoming Business Class seats will feature innovative designs that offer even greater levels of privacy and comfort
These A350-900 First Class and Business Class products feature a spacious layout and ergonomic elements – the same seat designs that will feature on SIA’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
The Premium Economy Class and Economy Class cabins will also be refreshed to enhance the travel experience for customers.
Complementing the cabin products, the next version of SIA’s KrisWorld in-flight entertainment (IFE) system will offer greater personalisation and an extensive range of lifestyle options across all cabin classes. First Class and Business Class seats will also feature new IFE screens.
The aircraft will be retrofitted by SIA Engineering Company in Singapore. The first retrofitted A350-900 longhaul aircraft is expected to enter service in 2Q2026, while the first A350-900ULR variant will follow in 1Q2027. The entire programme is targeted for completion by the end of 2030.
Post-retrofit, the 34 A350-900 longhaul aircraft will be configured with 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy Class seats, and 192 Economy Class seats. The seven A350-900ULR variants will feature four First Class seats, 70 Business Class seats, and 58 Premium Economy Class seats.
Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines, said: “The S$1.1 billion investment in retrofitting our 41 A350 aircraft reaffirms Singapore Airlines’ unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience. The introduction of these next-generation seats and KrisWorld system, together with the world-renowned warm and attentive service of our cabin crew, will set new standards in innovation, customer experience, and service excellence.”
Full details on the entire range of SIA’s forthcoming longhaul First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class cabin products, as well as the latest version of the KrisWorld IFE system, will be revealed closer to the entry into service of SIA’s first Boeing 777-9 and retrofitted A350-900 aircraft.
Walk Japan has introduced its Onsen Gastronomy: Noto Tour, which is an exploration journey of Japanese culinary excellence and onsen bathing through the rural landscapes of the Noto Peninsula in Japan’s northern Ishikawa Prefecture.
The tours combines light walking through the rural countryside with a focus on the area’s renowned local cuisine, hot springs and fine crafts epitomised by Wajima lacquerware.
Walk Japan’s new tour explores Japanese culinary offerings and onsen bathing through the rural landscapes of the Noto Peninsula
The Onsen Gastronomy: Noto Tour is a five-day, four-night fully guided tour with a maximum group size of 12. Starting at Kanazawa Station and finishing at Wakura Onsen, the tour covers mostly flat terrain, making it accessible to moderately active participants.
Prices start from 450,000 yen (US$2,922) per person, based on double occupancy, with no minimum group size required to run the tour.
This new tour highlights the natural beauty and cultural richness of Noto as well as supports the region as it recovers from the earthquake which happened on New Year’s Day 2024.
Experience up close the spirited, resilient and welcoming locals, their society, food and craft, the accommodation and restaurants that have reopened, enjoyable walking, and the reviving and healing properties of onsen bathing.
Japan Airlines and Hoshino Resorts have partnered on a joint campaign to promote Japan’s lesser-known areas as tourism destinations.
The initiative, launched in October, “encourages visitors to discover lesser-known destinations, helping to alleviate overtourism while supporting regional revitalisation”, the pair said in a statement.
At the Oirase Keiryu Hotel, the Frozen Waterfall Night Tour invites guests to experience the winter wonderland at Oirase Gorge, pictured
The move is intended to support government efforts to disperse tourism impacts more evenly nationwide, as most overseas visitors still prioritise visiting places on the Golden Route, even as inbound tourism continues to grow.
According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s annual accommodation survey, overnight stays by international visitors totalled 117.75 million in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic level. However, 73 per cent of those stays were in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Hokkaido.
The campaign comprises a new website to introduce the country’s hidden gems alongside its all-time favourites. Users can search based on five themes: winter wonderland, cherry blossom, outdoor adventure, festive fun and autumn leaves.
Hidden gems include Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where visitors can bathe in hot springs and view illuminated cherry blossoms in spring; Aomori Prefecture’s Towada, whose Oirase waterfalls freeze in winter; the Yaeyama islands of Okinawa Prefecture, where visitors can explore mangrove forests and coral reefs; and Nagasaki’s Kunchi Festival, which has been held for more than 400 years.
The campaign highlights that “every region is bursting with hidden gems, ready to be discovered by international travellers”.
Packages that combine Japan Airlines flights and stays at selected Hoshino Resorts are also available for purchase on the website.
Hyatt Asia Pacific has launched its Be More Foodie: Mindful Indulgence initiative across its eight properties in Thailand, offering curated menus to meet high nutritional standards and empowering the holistic well-being of diners.
Collaborating with a certified nutritionist and wellness advisor, the hotels’ restaurants and bars have carefully curated dishes and drinks that use responsibly sourced ingredients from local Thai farmers.
Hyatt Asia Pacific’s Be More Foodie: Mindful Indulgence campaign aims to support the well-being journey of diners through curated culinary experiences
Thai classics such as pad thai, gai yang, and mango sticky rice have been given a mindful makeover, with reduced sugar and added fibre, along with pasture-raised beef and chicken from organic farms across Thailand. Western comfort dishes, including whole grain pizzas topped with local organic vegetables, nutrient-packed pastas, and low-sugar desserts, are also elevated, showcasing a seamless fusion of wellness, flavour, and sustainability.
The Mindful Indulgence offerings are now available at restaurants, bars and lounges at the following Hyatt properties in Thailand: Park Hyatt Bangkok, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, Hyatt Place Bangkok Sukhumvit, Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin.
“At Hyatt, we see well-being as the ultimate realisation of our purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. Aligned with our food philosophy, Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served., we are excited to support the well-being journey of diners through curated culinary experiences that are both delicious and nourishing,” shared Christophe Sadones, vice president, food & beverage, events & product development, Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
Earlier this year, Hyatt launched Be More Here, a new global brand platform to encourage guests to immerse in meaningful experiences rooted in care.
Ahead of Singles’ Day on November 11, Agoda has revealed the top international destinations for solo travellers, with Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, Osaka, and Taipei leading the list, based on its accommodation booking data.
Singles’ Day originated in China and has grown into a global phenomenon where individuals celebrate their single status. A day marked by self-gifting and travel, this makes it an ideal time for solo adventurers to explore new horizons.
Bangkok’s colourful street life ensures there’s always something to see and do for those travelling solo
Agoda’s accommodation booking insights show a ranking of five cities that offer diverse attractions and lively cultures, making them perfect for independent-minded adventurers.
Here are the reasons why each destination stands out for single travellers:
Tokyo: A city where the old meets the new. Solo travellers can explore ancient temples and then dive into the world of technology. Tokyo is perfect for those travelling alone because it is safe, easy to navigate, and offers countless solo-friendly activities, from museums to quirky cafés.
Bangkok: Known for its lively streets and rich history, Bangkok is a treasure trove of sights and sounds. Its welcoming atmosphere and the ease of meeting fellow travellers in hostels and on local tours, along with the city’s colourful street life, ensures there’s always something to see and do for those travelling solo.
Seoul: With its dynamic cityscape and delicious food, Seoul is perfect for those seeking both excitement and relaxation. Solo travellers will find it easy to explore the city thanks to its efficient public transport and numerous solo dining options, making it a comfortable place to travel alone.
Osaka: Famous for its friendly locals and tasty street food, Osaka welcomes single travellers with open arms. The city’s warm hospitality and numerous attractions, like Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Castle, make it a great place for solo adventurers to explore at their own pace.
Taipei: A place where nature and city life blend seamlessly. From hiking trails to bustling night markets, Taipei offers a variety of activities that are perfect for solo travellers. The city’s safe environment and friendly locals make it easy to explore independently.
Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply at Agoda shared: “A solo trip is the ultimate gift you can give yourself. Exploring the world, stepping out of your comfort zone, making new friends and memories… there’s nothing else quite like it.”
Sojern and Cloudbeds have teamed up to simplify hotel operations and boost guest engagement, offering solutions to tackle some of the biggest challenges faced by hoteliers today.
This strategic partnership will integrate Sojern’s travel-focused digital marketing and guest experience solutions with Cloudbeds’ system, enhancing accuracy and tracking. Sojern’s commission-based advertising helps hoteliers boost direct bookings, with payment only required after a guest’s stay.
The collaboration enhances bookings, segmentation, and repeat business through integrated solutions
Additionally, Sojern’s multi-property guest experience tools, optimised for both platforms, enhance customer segmentation and marketing, driving loyalty and repeat business.
Baskar Manivannan, vice president of guest engagement platform at Sojern, commented: “We’ve built the most robust digital marketing and guest experience solutions specifically for the travel industry, so it was only natural that we would partner with Cloudbeds to give our customers access to their industry-leading property management system.”
“Together, we’re offering a seamless solution that integrates flexible, demand-driven advertising across digital, social, and direct booking channels, powered by Cloudbeds’ Booking Engine and Sojern’s end-to-end tracking for superior accuracy,” added Sebastien Leitner, vice president of partnerships at Cloudbeds.
“Our collaboration also delivers multi-property guest experience tools tailored to both platforms, allowing hotels to refine customer segmentation and boost loyalty through personalised marketing.”
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has introduced its Live Like a Legend experience collection, featuring six bespoke adventures and personalised services across its Legend Collection hotels and resorts at iconic destinations.
Guests can enjoy a lavish three-night stay in Artyzen Singapore’s Penthouse Suite, one of the six Live Like a Legend experiences by Preferred Hotels & Resorts
The Londoner: Stay three nights in the Tower Penthouse Suite of The Londoner in the UK, which includes chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce tours through London’s iconic landmarks, personalised shopping experience at Selfridges with a private stylist, a bespoke perfume profiling session at Miller Harris, and dine with a private chef and mixologist. Round out this experience with VIP tickets to a West End show and private, after-hours tours of the Tower of London and the Churchill War Rooms. Prices start from US$77,000 for two guests for stays between January 2 and March 31, 2025.
Artyzen Singapore: An urban oasis located in the heart of Singapore, guests can indulge in a lavish three-night stay in Artyzen Singapore’s Penthouse Suite, which features a gourmet breakfast in bed, a culinary masterclass, a private market tour and wine pairing by the in-house sommelier, spa treatments, and a private sunset yacht cruise along Singapore’s coastline. Prices starts from US$60,000 for two guests for stays between December 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Shutters on the Beach: Experience beachside luxury living at Shutters on the Beach nestled on the sands of Santa Monica in California. Inspired by New England charm, the hotel offers a romantic getaway with a two-night stay in an Ocean Front Suite, a chauffeured luxury car service, in-suite dinner by a personal chef, spa day, a personalised message illuminated on the renowned Pacific Park Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier, and a sunset yacht cruise along the California coastline. Prices start from US$22,000 for two guests for stays between December 6, 2024 and March 30, 2025.
Hotel Casa del Mar: Step into a world where Jazz Age elegance meets Mediterranean charm at Hotel Casa del Mar, a beachfront haven in Santa Monica, California. Guests can immerse in the world of fine art with a two-night stay in the Pacific View Suite, which includes a personalised tour of the hotel’s collection, and a private art tour led by a renowned LA art buyer, with exclusive access to top museums, galleries, and private collections. After a day of cultural exploration, enjoy a private, chef-prepared dinner and a spa day for two. Prices start from US$18,000 for two guests for stays between December 6, 2024 and March 30, 2025.
The Hermitage Hotel: A landmark steeped in Southern charm since 1910, The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee invites guests to experience the vibrant soul of Music City with a five-night stay in the Hermitage Suite during CMA Fest. Guests will enjoy VIP access to all four days of the festival, with exclusive seats offering the best views of the performances. Also included are a curated tasting menu at Drusie & Darr by Jean-Georges, private limousine transfers, afternoon tea on the hotel’s iconic Veranda, and a one-of-a-kind personalised song-writing experience, where guests collaborate with a professional songwriter to craft a hit song. Prices start from US$29,000, for two guests for stays between June 4 and 9, 2025.
Montage Big Sky: Set in the Montana wilderness in the US, Montage Big Sky offers a five-night stay in the Vista Six-Bedroom Residence, offering the perfect retreat for a group of up to four adults. This exclusive residence provides private ski-in/ski-out access to Big Sky Resort’s slopes, where guests can begin each day with custom-fitted ski gear and expert boot fittings, while legendary skier Dan Egan offers private lessons to refine skills on the slopes. Adventure-seekers will revel in a private helicopter excursion to Crazy Mountain Ranch, thereafter relax with personalised treatments at Spa Montage. Cap off the experience with gourmet dinners prepared by a personal chef and cosy evenings by the fireplace. Prices start from US$90,000 based on four adults sharing. Bookings open from December 1, 2024 to April 10, 2025 for stays between December 10, 2024 and April 15, 2025.
Book each experience by contacting Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ VIP Desk, which offers personalised service ensuring that every detail is tailored to the guest’s desires.
