IHG Hotels & Resorts signs two hotels in Vietnam’s Quang Binh
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) marks its entry into the Quang Binh province of Vietnam with a two-hotel deal with Hai Thanh Hung Investment Joint Stock Company and Vietnam Royal Investment and Construction Co. (VRIC) in Quang Binh province, home to many famed attractions including Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site with one of the largest karst regions globally.
The 68-villa voco Quang Binh Resort joins voco Ma Belle Danang in Vietnam next year, while the 232-room Crowne Plaza Quang Binh City Centre opens in late 2025.
Crowne Plaza Quang Binh City Centre will be situated within Royal Landmark, a mixed-used development that includes a commercial centre. It is a 15-minute drive from Dong Hoi Airport and a 45-minute flight from Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport and will also be within easy reach of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Facilities will include four restaurants and bars, meeting spaces, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, kids’ club, and an executive lounge.
voco Quang Binh Resort will offer travellers a private beach with sea views and facilities such as two restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, kids’ club, spa and resort centre.
Chris Anklin, senior director, development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “It is wonderful to be expanding into Quang Binh – an exciting new destination for IHG in Vietnam. We continue to grow in Vietnam and will more than double our size in the next few years to more than 40 hotels across the country.
“This destination debut will strengthen the presence of our brand portfolio in Vietnam, offering stay experiences for every type of traveller.”
Thang Hoang, CEO of Hai Thanh Hung Investment Joint Stock Company and VRIC, said: “Quang Binh has traditionally been a domestic-led destination with a great opportunity for growth. The entry of voco hotels and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts in Quang Binh will elevate the attraction of the destination for travellers to stay and explore its many wonders.”
Experience the thrill of F1 Singapore Grand Prix with Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels in Singapore has rolled out a collection of stay packages offering exclusive savings, bonus reward points and special perks for racing enthusiasts as they gear up for the 18th race of the Formula 1 season in Singapore from September 20 to 22.
Valid until September 30, the Elevate your Stay in Singapore package includes two nights or more in a premium room or suite, daily breakfast for two adults and two children (under 12 years old), and hotel credits based on the hotel category.
Marriott Bonvoy members can earn up to 5,000 bonus points when booking a stay in central Singapore with Courtyard Singapore Novena, where guests have easy access to the Orchard Road shopping belt, CBD, and Gardens by the Bay.
Over at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, a special stay package includes breakfast for two, while Sheraton Towers Singapore offers additional savings of up to 10 per cent off on advance bookings, with flexibility to change stay dates up to 14 days prior to arrival.
Those seeking wellness options nearby the race action can stay at The Westin Singapore which includes wellness perks such as gear lending, guided runs and yoga.
For more information, visit Marriott Bonvoy.
Nozo Hotel Furano offers self-drive tours around Hokkaido
Travellers looking to explore the countryside of Hokkaido can check out Nozo Hotel’s recommendation of self-drive exploration tours this autumn.
Nozo Hotel is the first international hotel in the scenic rural area, with a multilingual team on hand to guide guests as they explore the idyllic and picturesque area famous for its rolling landscapes of colourful flowers, green fields, autumn leaves and lakes.
With ample car parking space for every guest to park their own vehicle, the hotel can also help facilitate local car rentals. Those who prefer to enjoy the Hokkaido countryside through scenic guided cycling tours can check the hotel’s partnership with specialist operator Cycle Japan as well.
Some fun itineraries that Nozo Hotel Furano has curated include white water rafting in the rapids of the Sorachi River, canoeing in more gentle waters, river fishing and barbeque, hiking at Daisetsuzan National Park, visiting famous flower fields, photoshoots at the Shirogane Blue Pond and Shirahige Waterfall, night sky watching from a cosy tent, and more.
For culinary experiences, Furano is a great place participate in vegetable picking followed by farm-to-table cooking experience, fruit picking, and cheese/butter/ice cream-making, at one of the local Furano cheese factories.
Other local activities include visiting beeswax candle-making workshops, making jam with fresh local ingredients, visiting the local Furano wineries for wine tasting, or visiting the Furano Music Box Museum or Glass Forest to out glass blowing.
Guests who stay at Nozo Hotel can book directly through the hotel to experience these local activities.
From now to November 1, guests booking directly via the hotel’s website for a three-night stay, for the period between now and November 30, will receive 20 per cent off the regular price if they book 30 days in advance.
For more information, visit Nozo Hotel.
US luxury travel to India surges but infrastructure challenges hinder full potential
While the luxury inbound business from the US to India is growing strongly, there is a need to address challenges restricting the growth of demand, according to industry stakeholders.
Vikram Madhok, managing director of Abercrombie & Kent India, noted that the American outbound travellers have shown strong resilience, even amid concerns about the US economy.
“The market is buoyant post the pandemic and travellers are not averse to spending top dollar when they travel. As a company, we are seeing a large number of luxury travellers from the US visiting India. In terms of overall luxury outbound business from the US, India features in third position for us as a company. It’s all looking good,” shared Madhok while talking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Indo-US Tourism & Hospitality Summit organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi last week.
Ventours International Travel, which specialises in private plane charter tours to India, also reported strong demand from the US, with about 75 per cent of its business originating from American travellers. However, Vivian Peres, director of Ventours, pointed out operational issues at Indian airports that are impeding further growth in the charter segment. For instance, limited parking space at airports like Agra has led to complex logistical challenges.
He explained: “For example, we have a charter coming to Jaipur, where guests stay for two nights. They also need to visit Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Now there is no parking space available at Agra airport because IndiGo is also operating in the city. So, we have to rework our timing to drop the passengers in Agra and the aircraft goes back to Jaipur and comes back again when the IndiGo flight leaves in the afternoon.
“While there is an e-visa facility for travellers visiting India, if someone is coming on a charter flight to Agra, we have to land the aircraft in Lucknow or Varanasi for customs and immigration – (this) takes about three hours. After that, you leave for Agra. Such challenges are restricting much more charter business for the country,” added Peres.
Ragini Chopra, executive vice president of corporate affairs at InterGlobe Enterprises, added that India could benefit from a more aggressive marketing approach in the US. She suggested: “The Indian government needs to hire a local destination marketing agency in the US to drive up the numbers of inbound arrivals.”
AirAsia dons new livery showcasing Singapore attractions
AirAsia, together with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Group, have unveiled the Love, Singapore aircraft livery as part of a joint campaign to promote inbound travel to Singapore from visitors in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
This Airbus A320 aircraft livery features a special design showcasing Singapore’s iconic attractions, including Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Group’s wildlife parks such as Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise, alongside Merli, Singapore’s brand character inspired by the Merlion.
AirAsia currently operates a total of 10 direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Langkawi, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, and Phuket to Singapore.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group adds Gurney Bay hotel to portfolio
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) will open its fourth hotel in South-east Asia with the addition of Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel in Malaysia.
The group will take over the operations of the existing hotel and embark on a phased soft renovation from September 1.
This announcement follows after the launch of Parkroyal Serviced Suites Jakarta in January, Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort in February and Pan Pacific Jakarta in June.
With views of the Penang coastline, Penang Hills, and George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 368-room hotel is 10 minutes from George Town and is located within the new Gurney Bay lifestyle precinct developed by the Penang State Government as part of its Penang2030 Vision.
The hotel’s facilities include a 220-seater all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar, a ballroom which can accommodate up to 550 guests, four meeting rooms, kids’ club, outdoor tennis court, two swimming pools including a kid’s pool, steam and sauna rooms, and a 24/7 gym.
Aligned with the Parkroyal brand’s ethos of All Things Local, Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel will offer authentic local experiences within its culturally rich surroundings – from Penang’s renowned street food to the historic charm of its old town.
PPHG CEO Choe Peng Sum commented: “The city-centre Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel will complement Parkroyal Penang Resort which is located right at the beach at Batu Ferringhi.
“Both the hotel and resort will benefit from the state’s expansion of Penang International Airport which is set to become the country’s second largest airport. When it is completed in 2028, the new airport will double its current capacity of 6.5 million passengers per year to 12 million passengers per year.”
Saudi Tourism Authority woos Malaysian travellers with new initiatives
Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has returned to Malaysia with its largest trade networking event NUSUK today at Mandarin Oriental, bringing together over 40 prominent Saudi stakeholders and 500 travel agencies from Malaysia and the South-east Asia markets.
With the presence of Saudi Arabia’s minister of Hajj & Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah, this pivotal trade event provides STA an opportunity to engage with DMCs, hotels, transportation providers, and essential travel partners.
The goal is to gain deeper insights into their needs and refine offers, products, and packages to enhance the spiritual journey of Malaysian travellers performing Umrah and to facilitate easier exploration of other Saudi destinations.
During the event, STA will also unveil several key collaborations and initiatives with its major trade partners.
The first is Andalusia’s Exclusive Travel Experience with WeXpress in December, where Andalusia will introduce a unique travel experience package featuring exclusive itineraries, travel recommendations, and filming permissions supported by STA.
Secondly, Mitra Kembara and Grab will collaborate to enhance accessibility for Malaysian Grab drivers to perform Umrah. Under this initiative, specialised packages will be offered to over 300,000 eligible Grab drivers, funded by Grab and supported by Saudia for airline tickets. STA will play a crucial role by advising on itineraries, supporting logistical needs, and offering special access to key locations to ensure a smooth and enriching journey.
Finally, Saudi is set to launch Aroya Cruise, its first owned halal cruise line, operating from Jeddah with its inaugural itinerary starting in December 2024.
In addition, Saudi is making travel more accessible for Malaysian visitors with the free 96-hour Stopover Visa and an eVisa valid for up to 90 days. For those holding an Umrah visa, there is also the opportunity to explore additional destinations within the 90-day validity period.
From August 28 to September 1, there will be the first-ever Saudi Travel Fair at IOI Putrajaya Mall, offering exclusive deals, packages, interactive virtual and cultural experiences, and a chance to win amazing gifts and more.
The Westin Singapore readies for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
The Westin Singapore has extended its partnership with Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for two more years as the Official Elite Hotel of the sports event.
The three-day festival will take place from November 29 to December 1 and is expected to draw up to 50,000 participants globally.
As the region’s only World Athletics Gold Label race and an established marquee running event in Singapore’s sporting calendar, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon welcomes professional, avid, and leisure runners to partake in the running experience, while exploring Singapore’s iconic city landmarks.
This year, The Westin Singapore is bringing back Natalie Dau, a Guinness World Record holder for her Project 1000 charity run from Thailand to Singapore in 12 days as ambassador. Alongside her will be Soh Rui Yong, a Singaporean national long-distance runner, and Joakim Gomez, a radio personality and an avid runner.
The hotel has also curated monthly run clinics and community runs leading up to the marathon weekend led by the Westin Run Concierge, Eddie Chang together with the appointed ambassadors.
Centrally located with convenient access to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon trackside, guests who will be participating in the marathon can look forward to a rejuvenating weekend stay with the hotel’s three-day/two-night Move Well: Marathon Stay package which includes daily breakfast, massages, late checkout, and hotel credits.
In addition, The Westin Singapore will be launching Marriott Bonvoy Moments that include meet and greet with Elite runners, ambassadors, one pair of tickets to the marathon, access for two to the VIP Start Pen at the commencement of the day’s races, and more.
“As a hotel and brand centred around well-being, our partnership with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon makes perfect sense. At Westin we understand the demands travel places on our guests so everything we do is curated with their needs in mind” said James Walkden, general manager of The Westin Singapore.
Stopovers made better with Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok
For travellers making a stopover in Bangkok, Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok is offering its Quick Escape package starting from just £75 (US$98) per night, inclusive of daily breakfast.
Travellers who book a stay before December 31 and sign up as an Onyx Rewards member will also receive an additional 10 per cent discount and up to 15 per cent discount when booking a minimum of two nights.
The 429-room hotel is located a short stroll from Don Mueang International Airport and accessible via an overhead walkway. It is just a 45-minute train ride or taxi journey from the heart of Bangkok, allowing travellers to make the most of their stopover, or plan a longer stay in the city. Popular destinations include Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, Future Park Shopping Mall, and the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market; there are also golf courses close by.
Don Mueang International Airport offers connections to popular destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. Travellers can also easily connect to international destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Vientiane.
For more information, visit Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok.
Cruise passengers can soon experience a new world of special privileges and comfort with Resorts World Cruises’ Balcony Class, commencing from September 1 for Genting Dream and November 1 for Resorts World One.
Starting at the cruise terminal, Balcony Class guests will have access and the convenience to check-in at dedicated counters. Upon returning and disembarking, Balcony Class guests will also receive priority for their luggage to be checked-out with express delivery off the ship to the cruise terminal.
Other onboard privileges include a complimentary welcome drink per guest to be redeemed at designated onboard venues; complimentary Beverage Onboard Credits amounting to SG$50 (US$38) per night per cabin; complimentary Tea and Coffee set with full amenities in the cabin; complimentary Wi-Fi for two devices per cabin per cruise; special designated seating zone for live stage performances at the Zodiac Theatre; priority bookings for various onboard venues and entertainment; and special discounts for selected onboard offerings and at souvenir mart.
Resorts World Cruises’ Balcony Class are popular as guests enjoy their own private step-out balcony, premium amenities, and the choice of inter-connecting Balcony Class accommodations for families and larger groups.
At present, Genting Dream departs Singapore thrice a week on two- and three-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang or Melaka), Penang and Phuket. For those embarking from Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang), there are the three- and four-night cruises to Singapore and Penang.
Starting November 18, guests can embark from Melaka for the One-Way Melaka-Singapore-Penang-Kuala Lumpur Cruise. Guests can also choose to embark Resorts World One from Keelung to enjoy the two-night High Seas Weekend Getaway Cruise and the five-night cruises to the Kyushu region and Okinawa Island in Japan. Guests can explore the Gulf with the Resorts World One set to homeport in Dubai from November 1, offering three weekly departures with a series of two- and three-night cruises to Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi, Doha in Qatar, as well as to Khasab and Muscat in Oman. For a longer cruise vacation, guests can combine any of the itineraries to make a four-, five- or seven-night cruise.
“At Resorts World Cruises, we constantly strive to innovate and provide offerings to enhance our guests experiences onboard our ships. As such, we are excited to introduce our Balcony Class across our fleet with a series of new and exclusive privileges for their cruising pleasure, which will bring our guests’ comfort and enjoyment to new heights,” said Michael Goh, president of Resorts World Cruises.