In celebration of Deepavali, TTG Asia will be taking a break on October 31, 2024.
News will resume on November 5, 2024.
Here’s wishing all our Hindu readers a Happy Deepavali!
Hilton to debut flagship brand in Udaipur
Hilton is launching its flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Udaipur, marking its debut in the City of Lakes. Developed with Elysian Hotels, the 118-key Hilton Udaipur is set to open in early 2026.
Hilton currently operates two hotels in Rajasthan, namely Hilton Jaipur and DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur Amer. This signing solidifies Hilton’s commitment to broadening its portfolio in the northwestern state, following the signings of its iconic Waldorf Astoria brand in 2023 and India’s third Conrad Hotels & Resorts property in Jaipur, earlier this year.
The new-build Hilton Udaipur will offer views of the city’s lakes and palaces, including Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake, and easy access to Udaipur’s city centre, airport, and railway station will further boost the hotel’s appeal.
Upon completion, Hilton Udaipur will offer 118 guestrooms and suites, four dining outlets, outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre, and executive lounge. The hotel also boasts 1,850m2 of indoor event spaces and 438m2 of outdoor event spaces.
Zubin Saxena, senior vice president and regional head, Hilton, South Asia said: “Udaipur, often referred to as the Venice of the East, is a preferred destination for both international and domestic travellers for both tourism and weddings. This presents an exceptional opportunity for us to cater to the rising accommodation demands of the city. We found a wonderful partner in Elysian Hotels and together we will deliver exceptional hospitality experiences to guests in the charming city of Udaipur.”
“This hotel, situated in the city’s iconic lake precinct, will set a new benchmark for hospitality experiences reflective of the region’s regal splendour and will contribute to Udaipur’s growing appeal and desirability as a preferred tourist and wedding destination,” added Ravindra Singh, director, Elysian Hotels.
Booking.com unveils next phase of its sustainability programme for partners
Booking.com has launched the latest evolution of its partner-focused sustainability programme, prioritising accommodation needs by testing an improved pathway to third-party certification.
Sustainability now plays a core role in business operations across the travel and tourism industry, and substantiating these efforts through third-party certifications is increasingly critical. Global travellers are also seeking new levels of clarity and consistency with 45 per cent sharing that coming across an accommodation labelled as more sustainable is increasingly appealing and 67 per cent agreeing that all travel booking sites should use the same sustainable certifications or labels.
However, certifications are not yet widespread across global accommodation supply; 63 per cent of Booking.com partners surveyed shared they would like to know which third-party certifications are available in their region, while 75 per cent would like to know which practises to implement – the new programme sets out to address these questions.
Partners will now be able to access tailored insights that guide them towards third-party certifications best suited to their property’s profile, needs and operations via their individual Booking.com extranet. During the early testing phase, a subset of third-party certifications will feature, with sustainability software provider BeCause making it easier for both accommodation partners and certification providers to share their data at scale.
In parallel, partners will also receive targeted tips and resources related to the actions they could start taking across categories including water, food waste, energy, plastic and local community. The guidance is generated based on their responses to a detailed survey that gathers the accommodation’s characteristics, location and existing sustainability efforts and credentials.
With almost a quarter of partners sharing concerns that the cost of third-party certification is too high, Booking.com will also provide information on organisations that provide funding, discounts on certifications and reduced fees for ongoing subscription. In addition, partners will maintain access to educational resources, from a wide variety of materials on the company’s Partner Hub, including a handbook on more sustainable hospitality, to online courses developed in partnership with UN Tourism.
Accommodation that have achieved a third-party certification will continue to have that information clearly displayed on Booking.com which, coupled with the ability to filter searches accordingly, further helps travellers easily identify corresponding properties.
Booking.com’s approach continues to be developed in consultation with independent experts and organisations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, UN Tourism and Travalyst, with industry-wide collaboration playing a vital role in how best to address some of the challenges travellers face in making more sustainable choices and the operational barriers faced by accommodation and beyond.
Danielle D’Silva, director of sustainability at Booking.com, stated: “While many of our partners are already making great strides in their journey, for others it can be challenging knowing where to start or what certification may be best suited to their needs.
“In empowering partners to make more informed decisions and accelerate their progress, our ultimate goal is to help bridge the gap between the number of accommodation with third-party certifications and the breadth of choice available in the market.”
Explore South Korea with Traveloka
Traveloka has joined forces with Lotte Hotels & Resorts, South Korea’s largest hotel group, to unlock exclusive deals for visitors to South Korea.
From now to November 10, Traveloka users can book tickets and tour packages to South Korea on Traveloka and enjoy promotions for Lotte Hotels & Resorts, with properties located in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
Have a fun family holiday staying at Lotte Hotel World Seoul’s exclusive family rooms, and enjoy direct access to Lotte World Adventure Park.
For couples seeking a romantic getaway, Lotte Hotel Jeju lets lovebirds soak in the ocean views while indulging in the island’s culinary delights. Or, experience the vibrant coastal charm of Busan when staying at L7 Haeundae by Lotte, situated just steps away from the famous Haeundae Beach.
For more information, visit Traveloka.
New hotels: Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection, QT Singapore and more
Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection, Thailand
Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection boasts 174 guestrooms and suites featuring panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline, and amenities such as F&B options, swimming pool, bar, fitness centre, and meeting venues.
Just 40 minutes by car from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and a 30-minute drive from Don Mueang International Airport, the hotel is set in the residential area of Langsuan. It is also nearby to Chidlom BTS station, offering connections to shopping areas such as Central Chidlom, Central Embassy, and Central World.
QT Singapore, Singapore
QT Singapore is the latest boutique hotel located in the transformed Telegraph heritage building on Robinson Road.
The 134-key hotel offers guest suites and king rooms in several styles – Junior, Corner, Balcony, and Premier Suites – each with a large ensuite bathroom and separate walk-in rain shower, including iPad-controlled room functionality.
QT Singapore’s signature dining experiences, Cygnet and Rooftop at QT, have also opened. Guests can soak in the labyrinth rooftop pool and enjoy views of the Singapore skyline.
Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside, Thailand
The 241-room Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside is situated atop the ICS, a mixed-use lifestyle complex along the famed Chao Phraya River, just under an hour’s drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Adjacent to the True Icon Hall Convention Center, the hotel also comes with easy access to the ICONSIAM shopping complex, and is conveniently connected to Charoen Nakhon BTS Station.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, all-day dining restaurant, grab-and-go station, and event venues.
Amara Singapore, Singapore
Amara Singapore, the iconic 38-year-old hotel in Tanjong Pagar, has completed an extensive 11-month renovation, offering refreshed guestrooms, public areas, event spaces, and dining venues that have been designed to celebrate the city’s rich heritage.
Guests can enjoy facilities like an outdoor pool, spa and gym.
The hotel has also launched a series of curated Singapore Heritage Experiences, where guests can savour local kopi (coffee) and teh (tea) traditions while learning the craft of traditional popiah making; head on a walking tour in the neighbourhood and learn about the city’s past gang culture; or immerse themselves in Singapore’s Peranakan culture with an exclusive tour of The Intan, a home museum showcasing intricate artefacts that reflect the city’s heritage.
Singapore Cable Car and Hello Kitty celebrate 50 years
A vibrant garden party celebration in the skies awaits as the Singapore Cable Car and Hello Kitty join hands for their 50th celebration.
From November 1 to December 31, visitors to the hilltop destination will be able to ride in Hello Kitty garden party-themed cable car cabins along the Mount Faber Line.
Inspired by the lush greenery of Mount Faber Peak, the Singapore Cable Car cabins will be transformed into garden-themed spaces. Available in five unique designs, each cabin celebrates Hello Kitty and her family – Dear Daniel, Mimmy, and their parents.
As guests arrive at the entrance of Mount Faber Peak, they will be greeted by a larger-than-life Hello Kitty sculpture dressed in a gold ensemble to commemorate the golden jubilee. Additionally, a new two-metre-tall Hello Kitty figure, dressed in her signature red bow and blue overalls, stands at the boarding deck alongside the first and third generation vintage cable car cabins. These cabins feature Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel, adding a nostalgic touch to the celebration.
Tickets for the Singapore Cable Car are available at counters and through MFLG’s website at the regular price of S$35 (US$26) for adults and S$25 for children aged four to 12, covering a round-trip journey on both the Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line.
Guests can experience all five unique Hello Kitty garden party-themed cabin designs with a S$10 upgrade for unlimited rides valid for one day. Children under three enjoy complimentary rides.
For more information, visit Singapore Cable Car.
Tokyo Skytree rolls out special culture tours
Visitors to Japan can now purchase tours that immerse them in Japanese culture, starting from Sumida City, home of the Tokyo Skytree.
The tour includes a geisha performance, a sumo show, and a special photo session on the tower’s observation deck, where participants gain exclusive access before or after regular hours.
Also included is the night plan, which allows tourists to enjoy the night view from the observation deck, followed by a traditional dance performance by geishas from Sumida City’s entertainment district, a cultural heritage dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1867).
Another tour option features an early morning itinerary, where participants can savour a specially prepared breakfast using local Tokyo ingredients while watching the sunrise from the observation deck. This experience also includes a sumo show with retired wrestlers, the chance to participate in a mock sumo match in a full-body costume, and professional photographs.
Additionally, the company offers a mini plan that provides priority entry to Tokyo Skytree, accompanied by a private guide, along with a souvenir Edo Kiriko shot glass.
For more information, visit Tokyo Skytree.
Malaysia, Thailand to boost cross-border travel with self-drive routes
Malaysia and Thailand have joined hands to promote cross-border tourism through the launch of a self-drive initiative aimed at raising awareness of tourism routes and activities in both countries.
Tourism Malaysia, together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, organised a launch event to promote tourism across the Malaysia – Thai border where a special Malaysia – Thailand self-drive tourism fun map was introduced, highlighting attractions along the route in both destinations.
The event saw both parties flagging off the Thailand-Malaysia Self-Drive Tourism convoy, which included over 50 cars and motorcycles from both Malaysia and Thailand. More than 150 drivers and motorcyclists participated in this cross-border journey, experiencing the rich tourism offerings and engaging in cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, said: “The Royal Thai Government, through the operation of TAT and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, continually seeks opportunities to enhance Thailand as a global tourism destination and promote cross-border tourism with neighbouring ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia. Currently, Malaysia ranks as the second-largest source market for tourists visiting Thailand, after China.”
“Mooted from the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Task Force on Tourism Cooperation, this initiative aims to enrich the tourism experience while fostering deeper cultural exchange between our two nations,” added Yasmeen Yasim, deputy secretary-general (tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia.
Hilton Global Foundation commits US$5.3 million to support people and planet
The Hilton Global Foundation has committed US$5.3 million towards 16 non-profit organisations working to combat poverty, foster career development opportunities and protect the destinations where people live, work, and travel.
The foundation’s annual grant process allocates funds to organisations that support its primary funding pillars of environmental sustainability, career development and community resilience. It aims to make a positive social and environmental difference for communities, ensure a sustainable future for generations to come and supercharge Hilton’s progress towards its 2030 Travel with Purpose goals.
Since its launch in 2019, funding from the Hilton Global Foundation has provided more than 220,000 people with access to clean water, donated more than 18 million pounds of food to communities in need and created nearly 113,000 learning and career growth opportunities.
The Hilton Global Foundation aims to empower communities by funding projects that offer training, skill development, and career opportunities for all in the hospitality industry. For instance, Hilton has been partnering with the International Youth Foundation in Mexico since 2012, supporting its global efforts to connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives through training, skill-building workshops and career opportunities.
Other initiatives comprise empowering homeless individuals including veterans and prison leavers by offering training, career development and financial support to overcome barriers to employment in London, England; providing job coaching and training to individuals with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities in Istanbul, Türkiye; supporting vulnerable youth in Vietnam, including orphans and trafficked individuals, by offering residential training programmes in hospitality and tourism in Danang, Vietnam; among others.
For the environment, the foundation supports projects that reduce waste, increase access to clean water in our communities, and protect the biodiversity in the destinations and communities served. One highlight is Scholars of Sustenance Indonesia, a food rescue organisation dedicated to fighting hunger and food waste by redistributing surplus food to vulnerable communities in Bali and Jakarta, including low-income villages, orphanages, and organisations supporting the elderly and disabled. Another is the World Wildlife Fund, which builds on a previous grant from the Hilton Global Foundation to collaborate with stakeholders on projects that focus on conserving and restoring biodiversity across vital landscapes in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Hilton Global Foundation also supports organisations that manage local initiatives, disaster recovery efforts, and create economic opportunities in their communities, including identifying partnerships that enhance responsible business practices and human rights initiatives. Some examples are the Kechara Soup Kitchen in Kuala Lumpur, which serves marginalised communities in Malaysia; and The Felix Project, a London-based food redistribution charity that provides meals to vulnerable communities in London like the homeless, children dependent on free school meals, the elderly, and those living in isolation.
In addition to the annual grants distributed by the Hilton Global Foundation, micro grants are being distributed to 100 local organisations nominated by Hilton hotel-based and corporate team members. These funds will be used to support volunteer efforts in communities that are home to Hilton properties around the world.
“Now more than ever, our communities need meaningful positive impact, and the Hilton Global Foundation is proud to be supporting these remarkable 16 grantees with the largest ever donation in our history,” said Katherine Lugar, executive vice president, corporate affairs, Hilton and president of Hilton Global Foundation.
“Together, we are working to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges, and we look forward to making a positive impact and ultimately a better world for travel.”
Plaza Premium Group to open first Aerotel hotel in Shanghai
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has signed an agreement with Shanghai Airport Group Co. to open the new Aerotel airport hotel at Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 2, marking the official debut of Aerotel in Shanghai.
Set to open in the 2Q2025, the Aerotel Shanghai Pudong Airport Hotel is an integrated hospitality facility combining accommodation, dining, and wellness, with 82 hotel rooms in total.
Launched in 2016, Aerotel airport hotels offer flexible hourly booking, quality services, and cosy environments. To date, Aerotel has established locations in ten cities globally, including Beijing, Qingdao, Kuala Lumpur, Cebu, Singapore, Sydney, Rio De Janeiro, London, Muscat, and Jeddah. The new Aerotel in Shanghai represents the eleventh global location and the third in China.
Additionally, Smart Traveller, the global travel membership by PPG, will also be launched in China.
PPG founder and CEO Song Hoi-See commented: “As one of China’s three major hub airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport boasts a robust international passenger traffic, offering favourable conditions for us to establish a new Aerotel.
“With the increase of international transfer routes and experience enhancement for transfer and customs clearance, the number of international transfer passengers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has grown substantially.
“We are confident that the new Aerotel will further elevate the airport experience and make a great in-airport accommodation option for passengers.”
