Novel nuptials

August 9, 2013

TTG Asia selects the most creative ways to tie the knot and honeymoon in the region

Source: Janet Tan-Collis

Red carpet action
What’s the idea? Inject touches of glamour à la Hollywood with weddings at the Universal Studios Singapore. The couple will be driven into the park’s New York zone in a luxury sedan, making a grand entrance as they walk down the red carpet with guests cheering from the sides. Dinner will be served on the streets of New York, which will be cordoned off on the big day. A cast of iconic characters from Sesame Street and Kungfu Panda will join guests on the exhilarating rides to end the night on a high note.
Contact Universal Studios Singapore; Tel: (65) 6577-6868; Email: weddings@rwsentosa.com

Encounters of the feathered kind (left)
What’s the idea? Get married amid lush greenery and a riot of colours at Jurong Bird Park’s African Waterfall Aviary, home to a 30m waterfall and over 600 birds of Africa. Bestow the honourable role of the ring bearer upon the specially- trained birds and after the exchanging of vows, lovebirds can be released to commemorate the beautiful occasion. Guests will then be treated to a banquet at Lakeview Ballroom, with glass walls offering views of flamingos strutting their stuff.
Contact Jurong Bird Park, Singapore; Tel: (65) 6661-7807; Email: event.sales@wrs.com.sg

Ethnic Iban flavours
What’s the idea? Follow the age-old traditions of East Malaysia’s indigenous Iban people with a longhouse wedding in Lemanak, about 220km from Kuching city in Sarawak. The bride and groom will first be introduced to their foster parents in the longhouse, after which they will receive separate advice on how they should behave after marriage according to Iban customs. During the ceremony, the couple will be dressed in traditional attire, while the Iban elders will give their blessings by touching a steel knife with their teeth so that the newly-weds’ souls will be as strong as steel.
Contact Panch Sammy, Diethelm Travel Malaysia; Email: panch.p@my.diethelmtravel.com

Aboard a yacht on the sea of love
What’s the idea? Set sail aboard the YTL Lady I, a 20m luxury yacht, and anchor at the magnificent Emerald Bay for an intimate ceremony at sea. As the sun sets on the Straits of Malacca, the couple exchanges vows on the petal-strewn deck in the presence of a pastor or a wedding celebrant, then followed by a champagne toast as the band serenades guests with their romantic tunes. Cruise back to Pangkor Island, where a sumptuous five-course seafood banquet on the beach awaits.
Contact Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia; Tel: (60-18) 799-9000; Email: events@ytlhotels.com.my

On the Kyushu express
What’s the idea? Set to launch operations on October 15, the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury train will take honeymooners on a comfortable and intimate journey through Kyushu, with a maximum group size of 30 pax per trip. Guests can choose between a 4D3N or 2D1N itinerary, with the longer trip bundling a night’s stay at an exclusive ryokan. Also included in the programme are unique activities such as visits to the Aso caldera, a traditional Kagoshima kiln and plenty of hot springs – perfect ways for newly-weds to begin their marital journeys.
Contact Kyushu Railway, Japan; Tel: (81-92) 474-0221; Email: cruisetrain@jrkyushu.co.jp

sodoh_wedding_20_cmyk — Source: The Sodoh Higashiyama Kyoto

Under the cherry blossom trees (right)
What’s the idea? The picturesque grounds of The Sodoh Higashiyama Kyoto, the former residence of a master painter turned restaurant, makes an exquisite backdrop for a Kyoto-style wedding. Coiffed in ceremonial Japanese wedding wear, the bride and groom will enjoy a scenic rickshaw ride through Kyoto’s quaint streets to Yasaka shrine, where the couple’s union will be blessed in a traditional ceremony. Returning to The Sodoh via rickshaw, the couple then proceeds for a photo session around the charming venue. A post-wedding dinner or lunch can be arranged for an additional charge.
Contact The Sodoh Higashiyama Kyoto, Japan; Tel: (81-70) 5568-5628; Email: pds-sd@plandosee.co.jp

The alchemy of scent
What’s the idea? Ayana Resort and Spa Bali’s Something New wedding package allows lovebirds to create their own personalised fragrance at the L’atelier Perfume Studio, very much the same way John Lennon and Yoko Ono used to create their own rose oil scent. Besides a three-night stay at the 3,000m2 Ayana Villa on a cliff-top, the couple can also look forward to a wedding celebrant, acapella choralists, Balinese flower girl attendants, homemade canapés and welcome drinks during their wedding reception, as well as a private table at Rock Bar with two glasses of sparkling wine as part of the package.
Contact Ria Kentjono, chief wedding planner, Ayana Resort & Spa Bali, Indonesia; Tel: (62-361) 702-222; Email: weddings@ayanaresort.com

Cast adrift on remote waters
What’s the idea? Enjoy a honeymoon on the remote waters of Indonesia aboard a phinisi, the traditional ship of the Bugis seafarers from South Sulawesi. Staying in one of the five suites of Alila Purnama, a luxurious 46m, three-deck liveaboard phinisi, couples can opt for seven-day expeditions around Komodo Island or Raja Ampat archipelago, while private charters for customised itineraries are available year-round too. Honeymoon packages can be tailormade to include couple spa treatments on board, candlelight dinners for two, romantic BBQ dinners by the beach, champagne upon arrival and flower arrangements.
Contact Taufik Racman, director of sales and marketing, Alila Purnama, Indonesia; Email: purnama@alilahotels.com

sri-lanka-tea-factory-18-05-2012-4_cmyk — Source: Heritance Tea Factory

Of saree, tea and metti (right)
What’s the idea? Heritance Tea Factory, a tea factory turned luxury hotel located amid tea plantations in Sri Lanka’s cool hills, offers a traditional Hindu wedding package at a local temple, complete with full ceremonial regalia for the couple – saree, thali (gold pendant) and metti (silver toe ring) for the bride; traditional outfit and headdress for the groom – and rituals overseen by a Hindu priest. In addition, the couple can enjoy a dinner in a 1930s railway-carriage restaurant, and pick their own tea and process it at the on-site factory to take home as souvenirs.
Contact Heritance Tea Factory, Sri Lanka; Website: www.heritancehotels.com/teafactory

A sandy proposition
What’s the idea? Simplifly, a Sri Lankan charter operator, has a helicopter ride proposal package. Flying over the stunning coastline of Sri Lanka, the helicopter ride will take the couple to a particular location on the beach. As the helicopter descends to a lower altitude, the couple will see the message “Will you marry me?” written on the sand, at which point the man can pop the question to his girlfriend. On landing at the site, stewards will serve cold towels and a bottle of Champagne to mark the special occasion.
Contact Simplifly, Sri Lanka; Website: www.simplifly.com

Back to the aristocratic 1920s
What’s the idea? Travel back to the 1920s of the British colonial era and get married according to the traditions of the Mudliyar, an aristocratic class created by the Portuguese colonial rulers. The wedding will be held at the 17th century Galle Fort in south-western Sri Lanka, where the bridal couple and guests will be dressed in the ceremonial attire of the 1920s. The groom and groomsmen will arrive on caparisoned elephants while the bride and her retinue travel in a refined thirikkale (bullock cart).
Contact MICE.lk, Sri Lanka; Website: www.mice.lk

A fiery fiesta in the desert
What’s the idea? With the pristine dunes of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert as a majestic backdrop, the experience begins in the late afternoon with a jeep and camel caravan taking the wedding entourage through the sand dunes. On arrival at Samsara Luxury Resort & Camp, the couple and guests will be greeted with garlands by local villagers. Surrounded by bright lanterns and torch lamps, a lavish wedding dinner with cocktails and Rajasthan’s most signature dishes will be organised in the outdoors, while local folk singers and dancers entertain the guests and add to the festivities. A wedding ceremony will follow, after which the tranquil desert sky will be lit up with firecrackers to mark the celebrations.
Contact Samsara Luxury Resort and Camp, India; Email: reservation@samsaradechu.com

Nuptials amid the rolling hills
What’s the idea? The remote Batanes Islands in the Philippines make a novel wedding destination, with no lack of awe-inspiring venues such as the Tukon Chapel and the Basco Lighthouse nestled amid the rolling hills with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. During the wedding ceremony, the groom will present his bride with 13 gold coins to symbolise his dedication to her and their children. For the wedding feast, traditional Ivatan delicacies like banana blossom piths are served with local palek wine, while Ivatan merrymaking songs called laji are incorporated into the music.
Contact The Wedding Agency by The Rebellious Brides, the Philippines; Email: rebellious.bride@gmail.com

Go local, go Filipiniana
What’s the idea? Incorporate Pinoy warmth and charm into a wedding by opting for Filipino-inspired details. The bride and bridesmaids are clad in terno gowns while the groom and groomsmen are attired in sheer button-up shirt called barong – both embroidered garment of the Philippines. The jeepney, the country’s most iconic transportation mode, serves as the bridal car. During the wedding dance, the couple’s respective families will try to outdo each other by pinning peso bills on their garments, after which the bills will be unpinned and counted, and the winner pinning the bigger amount will be announced. The entire amount collected is given to the newly-weds to herald a prosperous beginning to their married life.
Contact The Wedding Agency by The Rebellious Brides, the Philippines; Email: rebellious.bride@gmail.com

Strings attached
What’s the idea? To celebrate a couple’s union, Villa Maly will organise a baci ceremony – an ancient Lao tradition performed to mark important occasions – as part of its Romancing Luang Prabang honeymoon package. The officiating monk or elder will recite chants calling for the blessing and well-being of the newly-weds, while knotting white cotton strings around the bride and groom’s wrists, symbolically sealing in the benefits of the ritual, before concluding with a Lao dance and music performance. Valid until the end of December, the package also includes a two-night deluxe room stay, a Lao-style sindad barbeque, a sunset dinner cruise on the Nava Mekong and a 60-minute massage.
Contact Villa Maly, Laos; Website: www.villa-maly.com

trang-underwater-wedding-5_cmyk — Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Under the emerald sea (left)
What’s the idea? Couples keen to tie the knot can literally take the plunge with an underwater wedding ceremony in Thailand. Each year scores of couples head to the southern Thai province of Trang for a unique scuba-centric mass wedding ceremony that will mark its 18th anniversary in 2014. Activities including tree planting and blessings usually take place between February 13 and 15, with the wedding held on Valentine’s Day. Couples will take their vows and marriage registration underwater, with packages available for divers and non-divers alike (no experience is necessary).
Contact Trang Chamber of Commerce, Thailand; Tel: (66-2) 863-3288; Email: info@underwaterwedding.com

On the back of pachyderms
What’s the idea? Surin province, famed for its annual Elephant Round-up, also hosts a unique ceremony in which couples get hitched on the back of the magnificent beasts. Brides will don a crown made from palm leaf while grooms will put on a rope with three colours. During the sut tae ceremony – the traditional wedding of the local Kui tribe – couples exchange their vows while seated on a pachyderm at Ta Klang Elephant Village and will take part in an elephant parade, among other activities. The event typically runs from February 13 to 15 each year.
Contact Tourism Authority of Thailand Surin office; Tel: (66-44) 514-447

auberge-white-chapel-3hk_cmyk — Source: Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong

The white chapel by the sea(left)
What’s the idea? Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong debuted the city’s first and only seaside resort-based wedding chapel early this year on Discovery Bay, Lantau Island. Clad with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the 16m White Chapel provides a sleek yet idyllic backdrop for weddings with its waterfront location framed by panoramic views of beaches and mountains. Other novel experiences such as a ride on a horse-drawn, open-air carriage or a cruise aboard The Bounty can also be arranged.
Contact Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong; Website: www.aubergediscoverybay.com

A Hong Kong of yore
What’s the idea? Ocean Park’s recently launched Old Hong Kong zone will double as an unusual venue for couples seeking thematic wedding styles when the destination’s wedding package launches this month. Designed to recreate the authentic streets and scenes in the 50s-70s, this zone relives the early days of the territory. Couples even step aboard the heritage tram and savour the sounds and sights of yesteryears.
Contact Ocean Park Hong Kong; Website: www.oceanpark.com.hk

Additional reporting from Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Hannah Koh, Mimi Hudoyo, Rosa Ocampo, Greg Lowe, Prudence Lui, Rohit Kaul

Business travel spend set to soar: GBTA

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

A NEW report by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has forecast business travel the world over to continue its upward trajectory for the rest of 2013, with emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil boasting strong growth rates.

For 2013, business travel is expected to reach US$1.1 trillion in 2013, a 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase over 2012, according to the most recent GBTA BTI Outlook – Annual Global Report & Forecast.

Continued expenditure on business travel for the rest of the year will lay the foundation for 8.2 per cent growth in 2014. Looking ahead, business travel spend is projected to notch growth of 7.6 per cent, 7.2 per cent and 7.1 per cent for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Meanwhile, emerging economies are set to reshape the landscape of global business travel over the next five years.

Business travel spend in Asia-Pacific has recorded eight per cent growth annually since 2000 to hit US$393 billion in 2012, in part boosted by China’s strong performance.

China rose from US$32 billion in 2000 to US$196 billion by 2012, and will likely overtake the US as the largest business travel market in the world by 2016. GBTA predicts China will double spend to US$375 billion by 2017.

Another Asian juggernaut, India, overtook Canada to become the 10^th largest business travel market in the world last year, with US$22.1 billion spent on business travel. GBTA anticipates that India will grow at a compound rate of 13.5 per cent annually in the next five years (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 10, 2013).

The GBTA BTI Outlook – Annual Global Report & Forecast report, commissioned by Visa, details travel spending in 75 countries.

PATA takes annual sustainable forum to Jiuzhaigou

By Karen Yue

August 7, 2013

PATA’s third China Responsible Tourism Forum (CRTF) will take place in Sheraton Hotel Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province on September 12, bearing the theme Beautiful China – A Responsible Visitor Economy.

Co-organised by the ASEAN-China Centre and the Jiuzhaigou National Park Administration, the event aims to raise awareness of responsible tourism concepts and showcase best practices to encourage tourism stakeholders to operate in and develop more sustainable processes.

While discussion topics and featured speakers have not been finalised, a statement from PATA said there were plans to adopt the Cape Town Declaration during this year’s gathering.

Kate Chang, PATA’s regional director – Greater China, expects the forum to attract 80 to 100 attendees, a smaller audience compared to the past two editions, as “Jiuzhaigou is a very small ecological place”.

The first CRFT in 2011 drew 120 people, 85 per cent of whom stayed for the full programme, noted Chang. “They found the topics practical and touched on grass-roots (issues),” she explained.

CRFT in 2012 was attended by 150 people, and the Young Tourism Professionals Challenge for students was introduced.

“We are glad to see that ecological progress has been given a more prominent position by the central government. The government has incorporated more responsible practices into the country’s overall development plan, particularly those that relate to economic, political, cultural and social progress. The China National Tourism Administration has also released a new logo and tagline, promoting ‘Beautiful China’,” said Chang.

“Given these developments, I think the forum is quite timely and provides a platform for the Chinese industry to share best practices with their overseas counterparts.”

A webpage dedicated to CRFT will soon be launched, allowing interested individuals to register for the forum.

“CRTF this year will be held right before PATA Travel Mart (in Chengdu), which will make it easier for mart attendees to add the forum to their agenda. Jiuzhaigou is a 40-minute flight from Chengdu, (presenting) an opportunity for anyone to explore the ecological valley and the Tibetan minority that still exists there,” she said.

Mobile bookings up for Hotels.com

By Karen Yue

August 7, 2013

ONLINE accommodation booking website, Hotels.com, which recently launched its third Xtreme Booking video as part of a communications campaign to underscore the convenience offered by its booking app, has reported “healthy growth in mobile bookings across Asia-Pacific”.

Abhiram Chowdhry, senior director of marketing with Hotels.com Asia-Pacific, revealed that 20 per cent of global transactions today came from mobile devices.

To-date, the Hotel.com booking app has been downloaded 15 million times.

Chowdhry added: “We have found that almost 70 per cent of mobile bookings are for same-day stays. This is particularly true for countries where people take a lot of driving vacations. There is a growing trend for last-minute bookings through the Hotels.com app as customers embrace smartphone and tablets to book trips on the move.

“In many Asian markets we have also found that people are booking longhaul trips using mobile (devices) and with a longer booking window as well.”

Australia, Japan and South Korea contribute the most outstanding growth in mobile bookings in Asia.

Chowdhry declined to reveal booking figures for India, a gargantuan market of 27 million smartphone users in urban districts according to a Nielsen study, but said there was “healthy growth”.

“Many of these bookings are domestic bookings, so the book-as-you-go phenomenon is certainly catching on in India. On top of using mobile (devices) to research and book their hotel stays, many (Indian) users are also using that to share their bookings with friends and family.”

Hotels.com’s Xtreme Booking video series had been successful in capturing consumers’ interest, noted Chowdhry, who revealed that the first two videos scored “millions of views”.

The first video debuted in 2011, showing the Hotels.com app being used while sky-diving in the US. The second, launched last year, featured a hotel booking being made by a user involved in a Spanish bull run. The latest instalment shows Japan’s shock jock comedians, the Tokyo Shock Boys, booking a hotel using the app while surging down mountain rapids and free-falling down a seven-metre waterfall.

He said: “The video demonstrates that even in the most extreme situations… our app can help you find the perfect last-minute deal, many of which are exclusive to the mobile.”

Qatar Airways bounds into Chengdu

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

QATAR Airways is set to launch flights from Doha to its sixth Chinese destination Chengdu, on September 3.

The thrice-weekly service will be operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration, offering 248 economy-class seats and 36 business-class seats.

Flights out of Doha will depart at 02.00 and land at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 14.30. Return flights from Chengdu leave at 01.00 to touch down in Doha at 03.50.

Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker, remarked: “The new service is part of the airline’s commitment to boost services to the Far East and Asia-Pacific.

“China is one of our key markets and we are excited to further expand our footprint in China, allowing us to provide greater options for business and leisure travellers ready to take advantage of new flights to and from another entry point in China.”

Passengers flying into Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport can also take advantage of the 72-hour visa-free transit allowance now available there (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 10, 2013).

Chengdu is Qatar’s sixth destination in China after Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chongqing.

Over the next few months, Qatar will expand its network to include destinations such as Clark International Airport, the Philippines on October 27 and Philadelphia, US.

In May this year, the carrier sealed a codesharing agreement with Bangkok Airways for flights within Thailand and the South-east Asian region (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 16, 2013).

Air China mulls plans for more flights to India

By Shekhar Niyogi

August 7, 2013

WITH trade between China and India growing exponentially and load factors as high as 82 per cent on routes linking the two countries, Air China is looking into establishing more flights to India, said a spokesperson from the airline.

The carrier is currently conducting a market study as it intends to launch two new flights – Ahmedabad-Shanghai and Hyderabad-Beijing – according to Tang Zhongling, general manager Mumbai, Air China, who was unable to give a start date for the flights.

She observed: “The satisfactory growth of passenger load is encouraging us to add flights to other cities in China as part of our growth plans for India. We intend to make the Mumbai service a daily one in the near future.”

Air China currently operates a total of 11 weekly services: Mumbai-Chengdu via Shanghai boasting an 82 per cent load factor; Delhi-Beijing with 78 per cent; and Bengaluru-Shanghai with 76 per cent.

Tang said 65 per cent of Indian travellers visited China for business, while the rest travelled for leisure or to visit friends and relatives.

Rajendra Dhumma, director, Classis Travel & Tour, said: “We are getting healthy growth in demand for China and if more cities are added to the airline’s network, we (will likely) see more business travel and MICE clients.”

Subhash Goyal, chairman, STIC Travel Group, commented: “As the Air China representatives in south and west India, we are eager to grow flights to multiple cities in India. I see signs of robust tourism growth of 20 per cent year-on-year, from India to China and vice versa, in the coming years.”

He said some 85,000 Indians visited China in 2012 and 46,000 did the same in 1H2013.

Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon opens

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

HONG Kong witnessed the launch of its first Pentahotel this week with the debut of Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon.

Located a few minutes’ walk from the Diamond Hill MTR station, the property features 695 New York loft-style inspired guestrooms and the Pentalounge which combines a lobby, reception area, bar and café into a single venue.

Two games rooms, Internet corners and music stations within the Pentalounge also provide recreation options to guests and neighbourhood residents alike.

The hotel comes with two F&B outlets: eatstreet@pentalounge for local dishes, Western comfort foods and desserts by local celebrity pastry chef Tony Wong, and the pizzabar for Italian-style pizza.

Other facilities and amenities include free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, in-room smartphone docking, smartphone charging service and digital check-in and check-out.

To celebrate the launch of Pentahotel Hong Kong, Kowloon, guests who stay at the hotel anytime until September 30 can enjoy rates starting from HK$888 (US$114) per night, subject to availability. Guests who take up Pentahotel Hong Kong’s promotion will enjoy hotel-wide Wi-Fi and two daily buffet breakfasts at eatstreet@pentalounge, excluding service charge.

The hotel’s two eateries will also be dangling 20 per cent discounts for all guests and drop-in customers until September 30.

Paresa Resort launches Boys’ Getaway deal

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

PARESA Resort Phuket has put together a special offer for the young at heart with theParesa Resort’s Summer Boys’ Getaway package.

The 4D/3N package for four offers a four-bedroom Grand Villa with two private infinity pools, a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast and round-trip airport transfers, priced at 280,000 baht (US$8,993).

Paresa will also throw in a private butler and an array of leisure activities such as a poolside barbecue party, a 60-minute Muay Thai kickboxing class, 60-minute sports massage and a day trip to Racha Yai Island marine reserve for diving or snorkelling.

Transportation can also be arranged for golf outings and excursions to Phuket’s nightlife central, Patong.

The package is available for stays until October 31.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong unleashes Le Crazy Horse package

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

AS THE official hotel for the Hong Kong debut of Le Crazy Horse, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is rolling out a Le Crazy Horse VIP Room Package for stays between September 12-14.

The package will include two VIP tickets per room to Le Crazy Horse Paris, FOREVER CRAZY show on the second night of stay, a guaranteed upgrade to a newly-renovated room, two glasses of house champagne at Champagne Bar during the stay, daily breakfast buffet for two at Grand Café, and free in-room Internet access.

Guests who wish to take up the package must stay a minimum of two nights, request offer code CRZY13 at time of reservation and be above 18 years of age to watch the show.

The package is subject to availability and reservations must be made in advance.

Lim Boon Kwee appointed president, Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts

By TTG Asia

August 7, 2013

Lim Boon Kwee

DUSIT Fudu Hotels and Resorts, the joint venture hotel management company set up by Dusit International and Changzhou Qiao Yu Group, has named Lim Boon Kwee president of the company.

Lim, in his new role, is tasked with managing the Dusit Fudu corporate office and overseeing operations to support the company’s China expansion plans.

The Singaporean has more than 30 years of hospitality experience under his belt, and was senior vice president – Asia at Millennium & Copthorne Hotels before his new appointment.