Komodo National Park orders periodic closures as environmental safeguards
Uttar Pradesh eyes Asian investors for Buddhist tourism development
The northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is looking to collaborate with governments across South Asia and South-east Asia to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) towards the development of tourism infrastructure at its Buddhist sites.
Its lures are land banks at destinations including Kushinagar, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Sankisa, and Kaushambi, which will be used to develop monasteries and accommodation units. At press time, the Uttar Pradesh government has already allocated two acres of land in Varanasi to the Bhutan government for the construction of temples and guesthouses.
To bring attention to its initiatives, the state government recently organised the Bodhi Yatra conclave in New Delhi, showcasing its various Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. It was attended by envoys and representatives from various countries including Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Mukesh Meshram, principal secretary of the department of tourism and culture, government of Uttar Pradesh, said: “Our goal is to strengthen spiritual and cultural connections with South Asian and South-east Asian countries. We invite these countries to invest in the hospitality and tourism sectors at our Buddhist sites.”
Industry stakeholders told TTG Asia that Uttar Pradesh, home also to the iconic Taj Mahal, needed to diversify its product offerings. They agreed that promoting Buddhist sites was a step in the right direction.
Sarbendra Sarkar, founder and managing director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said: “Promoting Uttar Pradesh’s Buddhist sites in South-east Asia and South Asian markets will significantly boost international tourism and diversify the state’s tourism appeal. The development of country-specific monasteries and accommodation units at key Buddhist sites will create a sense of familiarity and comfort for international visitors, enhancing their overall experience and encouraging longer stays.”
Earlier this year, the tourism department of Uttar Pradesh hosted an event in Bangkok to promote Buddhist tourism.
Local tour operators would like to see more being done to attract Asian travellers.
Sushil Kumar Singh, managing director of Varanasi based Jatak Travels, suggested the establishment of a dedicated Buddhist tourism promotion committee to exclusively promote Buddhist tourism in overseas markets.
“Apart from government participation, the committee should include representatives from the private sector, such as hotels and inbound tour operators,” said Singh.
Sarkar also underlined the urgency to bring more “modern amenities and facilities” into Buddhist sites, so as to make them “more accessible and appealing to a global audience”.
Shanghai Pudong airport upgrades passenger processing capabilities with SITA technology
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, recognised as one of the busiest international hub in China, will install SITA’s common-use self-service bag drops (SBD) and kiosks for foreign airlines and their passengers to speed up passenger processing.
Half of the airport’s total passenger traffic is made up of international travellers, and numbers are set to rise as more international routes reopen post-pandemic. As such, there is a pressing need for faster and easier operations at the airport.
The contract will see the deployment of 52 kiosks and 14 SBDs across the airport, allowing international passengers to independently check in early before counters open.
Coming up next, SITA will work with Shanghai Pudong airport to enhance end-to-end self-services through a low-touch, safe environment, which is also in line with the airport’s digital transformation strategy.
Sumesh Patel, president, SITA APAC, said: “As air travel booms globally, and airports see a massive surge in travellers, there is an increased need for technology that can speed up the boarding process, reducing delays and traffic for passengers.”
Mega stars to descend on Singapore F1 races this September
Race promoter Singapore GP has unveiled a stunning entertainment line-up for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 this September, with big names such as OneRepublic, Kylie Minogue, Lenny Kravitz, Disclosure (DJ), The Corrs, Kool & the Gang, Tones & I, and BabyMonster set to fire up trackside action.
Visitors to the races can expect over 100 hours of entertainment across 12 stages.
These global big names will take to the stage across the three-day races. OneRepublic will perform on September 20 at Zone 4 Padang Stage, while The Corrs will take over Zone 1 Wharf Stage on September 21.
The entertainment line-up also features other international acts such as Dean Lewis (Australia), MOS (Japan), Rangga Jones (Indonesia), and The Astronauts (Singapore),
The full entertainment schedule is available on the event website.
Additional tickets have been released with single-day walkabout tickets now available.
The Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 will take place from September 20 to 22.
Mbappé, Accor join forces for youth empowerment
Accor has come together with Kylian Mbappé, French professional footballer and catalyst for youth empowerment, to take the latter’s Inspired by KM community support activities further through its extensive hospitality network.
The partnership is a long-term commitment that will see Accor provide accommodation support and logistical assistance to Inspired by KM activities.
At the same time, Mbappé will leverage Accor’s expansive reach through awareness activations across the company’s group channels, notably via its ALL-Accor Live Limitless loyalty and distribution platform.
The strategic collaboration will enrich ALL-Accor Live Limitless’s appeal, harnessing Mbappé’s notable influence to attract members and guests while staying true to Accor’s core values.
Mbappé, president of Inspired by KM, said: “Together, we can make a meaningful difference and foster opportunities for a promising future. Our partnership embodies sharing and transmission, making us ambassadors for the younger generation worldwide.”
Sébastien Bazin, chairman & CEO, Accor, underlined the “transformative power of hospitality to create positive change”.
“Our partnership with Kylian Mbappé aligns perfectly with our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Bazin.
The Hari Hong Kong kicks off summer with in-depth destination programmes
Guests staying at The Hari Hong Kong this summer can enjoy two new offerings that delve into the Wan Chai district: the Live Like a Local summer package and the Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour.
The Live Like a Local summer package features a one-night stay, daily breakfast for two, complimentary access to The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour, custom gallery tours arranged by PHD Group, a welcome amenity pack, and early check-in at 14.00 and late check-out until 14.00 (subject to availability).
The audio tour offers guests a chance to venture off the beaten path to see a more authentic side of Wan Chai. Expect stops at Foo Tak Building, Villain Hitting, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, and a local cooked food centre, among many others. All stop are within a two- to 10-minute walk from the hotel, ensuring an effortless and enjoyable adventure.
For more information, email The Hari Hong Kong.
Langham Hospitality Group appoints new China SVP
Langham Hospitality Group has named Jack Xiao as its new senior vice president – operations, China.
Based at the Shanghai office, Xiao will oversee the group’s mainland China portfolio of hotels and resorts while also supervising the functional teams for the market, including sales, revenue, F&B, HR, finance, marketing, and design and technical services.
He brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked with Accor, Wanda Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Yongle Huazhu.
Engaging with sports and music fans unlocks new business opportunities: Collinson International
Collinson International, the owner and operator of Priority Pass and LoungeKey, has released its latest global research report, The Value of Sports and Music Tourism, that explores the travel and spending habits of sports and music event travellers.
With sports and music tourism booming and event travellers having high aspirations, the report highlights a huge opportunity for businesses to tap into this growing segment of travellers.
The new research revealed that sports fans are the biggest spenders globally in comparison to those travelling for music events; 57% of Asia-Pacific’s sports enthusiasts are spending more than US$500 per trip, per person.
Sports and music tourism is seeing huge growth. In 2023, sports tourism was valued at US$564.7 billion and is expected to almost double in value to US$1.33 trillion by 2032.1 Similarly, music tourism is expected to see huge growth, forecasted to reach US$13.8 billion by 2032.
This is being driven by three main components: events, exposure, and experience.
With more sports and music events, fans have more choice of destinations, while the internationalisation of new and existing sports leagues through TV and streaming has encouraged fans to travel, and music fans are finding it more cost-effective to see an artist abroad. As for experience, after years of Covid-19 travel restrictions, live fans are back and wanting new, enhanced experiences.
In Asia-Pacific, of those that travel to an event by plane, more than four-fifths (85%) have travelled for sports and 74% for music in the past three years or plan to do so in the coming 12 months. Of these travellers, over half (53%) travel more than once a year with 19% attending three or more events annually.
Spending habits
Sports fans are the biggest spenders globally, with 57% from Asia-Pacific exceeding US$500 per trip. Notably, 12% of respondents in Asia-Pacific spend more than US$2,000 per trip. Globally, the 25-34 age group spends the most overall, with a third (33%) exceeding US$1,000 for sports and 31% for music events.
The typical spend for event travellers globally at airports is US$100 (44%) but this varies considerably with those travelling for basketball (30%), Formula 1 (32%) and the Olympics (31%) prepared to spend US$200 or more. As for those travelling for music, 25% are prepared to spend US$200 or above.
About 82% of Asia-Pacific sports and music fans have travelled to a new city or country to watch their favourite team or artist and of those, 28% said they have returned to these new cities/countries – with a further 31% planning to return. This presents huge economic growth opportunities for local businesses within these destinations, particularly where repeat business can be identified ahead of time.
Elevated airport experiences
Those travelling to see their favourite sports team or artist are looking for more premium travel experiences, which means they are more likely to take advantage of airport experiences.
More than half (52%) of Asia-Pacific sports and music fans have used airport experiences when travelling for an event, which includes visiting an airport lounge (34%), gaming lounges (15%), sleep pods (16%) and spas (13%).
The top reasons Asia-Pacific fans visit an airport lounge is to relax and unwind before or after watching their favourite team/artist (58% for sports and enjoying at the airport.
Around 65% of Asia-Pacific event travellers participate in customer engagement and loyalty programmes. Many have joined customer engagement and loyalty programmes that offer points/miles (46%) or discounts on flights (50%), tickets (39%) and accommodation (38%). Over a third (39%) of Asia-Pacific event travellers would choose a payment card that offered exclusive travel benefits such as access to airport lounges, travel insurance (42%), and an event package (42%) that includes flights, accommodation, transfers and tickets.
Airport lounge access is a popular travel benefit through payment cards, particularly for travellers from India (43%), Hong Kong, the UAE, Australia (all 41%), Singapore (40%) Germany (34%), the UK (33%) and Brazil (32%).
Christopher Evans, CEO of Collinson International, owner and operator of Priority Pass, shared: “Fans are by definition synonymous with loyalty. This new research shows the high value they place on travel benefits. Great news for the travel industry and for those businesses targeting frequent travellers providing the opportunity to capitalise on the rise of event tourism by offering the travel benefits fans crave. In return, they will see the advantage of being top-of-mind and wallet with these frequent travellers, boosting engagement, building loyalty, and driving additional cross-border spend.”
“Sports and music events fuel wanderlust, taking travellers to every corner of the globe. As the appetite for sports and music tourism grows across Asia-Pacific, significant opportunities for businesses are opening up,” noted Todd Handcock, global chief commercial officer and Asia Pacific president, Collinson International.
Handcock continued: “This is particularly true for the travel sector, with Asia-Pacific travellers being some of the highest spenders globally; as well as financial services organisations, with the latter witnessing significant shifts driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and disruptive competitors. Brands who can unlock the power and influence of sports and music-related rewards will position themselves well to benefit from higher customer engagement and retention.”
Read the full report here.
Indonesian landmark undergoes revamp to become world-class event venue
The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex (GBK), a legendary landmark in Jakarta, is undergoing a transformation to elevate its status to become a leading regional sports hub as well as cultural, entertainment, education and tourism destination in South-east Asia.
Since its opening in 1960, when it hosted the 1962 Asian Games, GBK has also housed countless prestigious events, including the recent Asian Games, Asian Para Games, FIFA U-17 World Cup, and concerts by global superstars Blackpink and Coldplay.
In October 2025, GBK will host the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2025, where 70 countries are expected to participate.
In a dialogue with Jakarta hospitality and travel media recently, Rakhmadi Kusumo (Adi), president director of the GBK Complex Management Centre shared that the venue was poised to become a world-class destination beyond sporting events.
He said: “We want to be more than a domestic leader – our goal is to establish GBK as a global player for sports, arts, culture, music, education and business.”
To achieve this, GBK Management Centre is studying successful international sports complexes, with Singapore Sports Hub serving as a key benchmark.
As a government asset worth 348 trillion rupiah (US$21.8 billion, based on 2020 valuation), the GBK complex spans 279 hectares of land in Jakarta’s city centre, making it not only the oldest but also the biggest sports hub in South-east Asia.
Eighty-four per cent of the complex is an open green area, home to rare species of trees and 22 species of birds.
The GBK complex is divided into three primary zones: sports (53 per cent), commercial (25 per cent), with the remainder for government buildings.
The Sports zone houses the main stadium, secondary stadium, soccer field, swimming stadium, athletic stadium, courts for tennis, basketball, hockey and baseball, gymnasium halls and an archery facility.
The commercial area takes in hotels such as Fairmont Jakarta, Hotel Mulia Senayan, The Sultan Hotel & Residence, Harris Hotel FX Sudirman and Artotel Gelora Senayan, as well as major shopping malls and restaurants.
Extensive renovations of the sports facilities started in 2018 for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games. The Jakarta Convention Centre, revamped for the 46th ASEAN Summit last year, is in the process of a management take-over from Singgasana Hotels & Resorts. Additionally, Artotel Gelora Senayan is undergoing a complete overhaul, while plans to revitalise Block 15, home to The Sultan Hotel and Residence, will commence once legal issues with the hotel management are resolved.
Taking inspiration from Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, the revitalised space aims to accommodate international events and meet the need for open-space public activities.
Other plans by GBK Management Centre include developing an interactive museum showcasing the history of the complex, expanding the GBK facility tour which is currently available to students and the general public, as well as adding more electric buses between the GBK gates and around its vicinity.
Adi said precise development plans were still being decided on.
Save big on travel with Traveloka’s EPIC Sale
Traveloka will be launching its EPIC Sale from July 30 to August 11, the largest online travel promotion ever by Traveloka.
Running simultaneously in six countries – Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia – Traveloka EPIC Sale has something for everyone to plan their holidays with discounts of up to 50 per cent off for flights, hotels, experiences and other travel products.
Across the sale are special timed events for more savings, such as the Super EPIC Deal, EPIC Hour Deal, EPIC Brand Day.
Completing the array of EPIC Sale 2024 promotions, Traveloka also introduces the flexibility feature for various travel products, including a 100 per cent refund guarantee, rescheduling options, various payment options, and more.
For more information, visit Traveloka EPIC Sale 2024.
Indonesia’s Komodo National Park will implement periodic closures to protect its fragile ecosystem and ensure long-term sustainability, with these conservation cool-offs expected to start mid-2025.
The exact format of the closure has yet to be decided, stated officials.
Frans Teguh, CEO of Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Board, emphasised the need for the park to regenerate for sustainability, and the goal of the periodic closures is to minimise disruptions to both conservation efforts and the tourism industry.
Frans said efforts would be made to “manage the flow of tourists”.
Several factors have contributed to the decision for the periodic closures. Intense tourism activity has put significant pressure on the park’s natural resources, which need time for recovery.
Additionally, the government aims to diversify tourism within the region. It is promoting other attractions on Flores Island and creating economic opportunities for more local communities. Infrastructure and amenities in Labuan Bajo and Flores have been developing over the last few years, all to disperse travellers beyond the national park. Currently under development is the Parapuar Labuan Bajo, a 400-hectare green space that will comprise zones for culture, recreation, wildlife, and adventure.
Nia Niscaya, a senior advisor at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, acknowledged the challenges posed by the periodic closure, and stressed the importance of public education and communication to ensure understanding and support for the decision.
Nia said the initiative now would pave the way for something better in the future.
She is optimistic that the decision to close Komodo National Park periodically can maintain a healthier Komodo ecosystem in the future.
“This step is part of sustainable, inclusive, and quality development,” she remarked.