The 208-key INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is offering the paw-fect stay for fur parents and their four-legged kids with the introduction of its Pet Friendly programme.
Amenities includes a welcome card, welcome bag of snacks, pet bed, bowls for food and water, and doggie bags for waste collection.
Fur parents can now bring their four-legged kids for a stay at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit
Furry guests will have access to the upper deck of the lifestyle hotel’s top floor, which features outdoor lounges and is accompanied by sweeping vistas of Bangkok’s skyline.
Other pet-friendly areas include the hotel’s ground lobby and 32nd floor.
Only one dog is permitted to stay in an INNSiDE Room at an additional cost of 1,200 baht (US$33) per room per night. A maximum of two dogs are allowed in the Townhouse accommodation for an additional 2,000 baht per room per night.
The hotel’s concierge team are also on hand to recommend dog-friendly attractions and venues in the neighbourhood and across Bangkok.
During the booking process, the reservations team will gather as much information as possible about the guest’s dog to help personalise the experience from the moment the guest and their furry companion set foot in the hotel.
Hoiana Resort & Golf has launched a series of entertainment, sports events and activities, and special packages as part of its Summer Vibes campaign
For a holiday that packs a punch in activities and entertainment, the Hoiana Resort & Golf delivers on both fronts.
Located along the Hoi An coast, the 1,200-key luxury integrated resort comprises four hotels – Hoiana Hotel & Suites, New World Hoiana Hotel, New World Hoiana Beach Resort and Hoiana Residences.
Hoana Resort & Golf has launched its Summer Vibes campaign that offers a series of entertainment and activities for all ages to enjoy.
Packed schedule of entertainment
Kicking off the Summer Vibes 2024 Festival was the Miss Universe Australia 2024 pageant. Hoiana hosted the top 28 finalists, who explored Quang Nam’s picturesque landscape and culture, participated in traditional Vietnamese cooking classes, and joined charity events.
For the young at heart, the resort’s Hoiana International Entertainment Club and NOX Beach Club — the largest beach club in Asia — offer a vibrant atmosphere with weekly pool parties, Ladies’ Night every Friday, Girls’ Night Out every Wednesday, and live UEFA Euro Championship 2024 game screenings.
Guests can enjoy daily performances, including fire dance shows, DJ sets, live music, and celebrity appearances, ensuring non-stop excitement.
Feel the adrenaline rush of live sports
Look forward to prestigious competitive and charity tournaments
Sports enthusiasts, get ready, because Hoiana Resort & Golf is bringing the excitement of international sports right to the resort with football themed decorations.
In conjunction with the live football broadcasts, there will be a vibrant beer festival, freestyle football shows, performances, contests and photo experiences.
In addition, Hoiana will host a boxing event from August 2 to 4, 2024 in its Grand Ballroom. International title fighters from Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam, will be in town to fight, providing thrilling matches for guests.
From August 31 to September 1, the resort will also host the International Half Marathon in collaboration with Quang Nam Province.
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the exceptional facilities at Hoiana Shores Golf Club, one of Asia’s top golf courses. The club will host prestigious competitive and charity tournaments, offering a world-class golfing experience.
Fun for the whole family
For those with children, there are also a variety of activities to participate in. From July 25 to 28, 2024, the resort will host the International Kite Festival, in collaboration with Quang Nam Province.
The kids can also participate in the various educational workshops, group activities and games at the 2,700m2 Kids’ Club PLAY.
For those who prefer playing in the pool, the outdoor wet play area comprises family pools, water slides, foam parties at New World Hoiana Beach Resort, and the children’s mini water park at New World Hoiana Hotel. Guests can also participate in activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, aquafit, and yoga.
Get value for your stay
Room packages come with F&B vouchers, complimentary access to various events and activities, and more
Hoiana Resort & Golf has crafted special packages that offer great value to guests. The Stay & Watch, Stay & Boxing, and Stay & Marathon packages include benefits such as complimentary buffet breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades, F&B vouchers, and free access to the 2,700m2 Kids’ Club and recreational activities.
Additionally, guests can join the Hoiana Premier Rewards membership program to receive a welcome pack valued at US$27.50 (700,000 dong). This pack includes a spa discount, complimentary draft beer, soft drink and F&B vouchers redeemable at all dining outlets.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched a Concept and Price Revenue tender to develop and operate a wellness attraction at the Marina South Coastal site. This project is a key part of STB’s strategy to grow wellness tourism, offering holistic and immersive wellness experiences as part of its tourism offerings for visitors.
The four-hectare site is located prominently along the waterfront, and the wellness attraction will be one of the key attractions in the precinct when completed, complementing other places of interest such as Gardens by the Bay, Founders’ Memorial in Bay East and Marina Barrage.
STB is calling for tenders to develop and operate a wellness attraction at the Marina South Coastal site in Singapore (Photo: Singapore Tourism Board)
STB is looking for proposals with innovative, high-quality concepts that can positively impact physical, emotional, or mental wellness, such as therapeutic art, tech-based offerings (floatation or light and frequencies-based therapies), complementary health and alternative therapies, as well as fitness or recovery-related activities, like indoor and outdoor water or equipment-based activities.
Additionally, the wellness attraction must also implement a strong pipeline of regular, high-quality wellness-themed events or programmes on its premises, as well as in public spaces within the wellness attraction or in the surrounding areas which will appeal to both tourists and residents.
The tender is open to local and international bidders, and will run for a period of three months, with the closing date for the submission of proposals set for October 4, 2024.
Carrie Kwik, executive director, world expo and special projects, STB, said: “With the rising demand for more restorative and wellness-related experiences, we believe Singapore is well-placed to be a leading Urban Wellness destination that prioritises holistic well-being.
“The tender marks a significant stride towards realising our wellness ambition as we leverage Singapore’s existing strengths in accessibility, technology and as a strong business hub. This wellness attraction will contribute to Singapore’s tourism sector by giving travellers more compelling reasons to extend their stay and spend more in Singapore. Locals will also get to enjoy the wide range of wellness offerings available.”
Hotel companies are weaving storytelling magic to better convey sustainability achievements to customers that value such features
Improved communications on sustainability success stories can correct misconception that responsible operations, luxurious experiences and profitability cannot coexist
Projects supporting the community and involving guests should be looked at more deeply by hotels wanting to win over well-travelled high-end customers
Minor Hotels runs responsible tourism programmes that benefit the local community while involving hotel guests, such as Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort’s Walk with Giants experience
Well-travelled, well-heeled individuals, who were among the first travellers to hold hotels to responsible actions, are becoming more critical of what qualifies as sustainable operations, leading hoteliers to make a more conscious effort to communicate their accomplishments in this aspect and to lead deeper impact projects.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has recently started an online video series for its Considerate Collection, profiling property owners who are active supporters of the environment, culture and community through their business.
The Considerate Collection, launched in 2021, is a portfolio of properties that pass strict assessment across three levels – Environmentally Conscious, Cultural Custodians and Community Minded – by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Although the Considerate Collection has grown in numbers – 61 properties compared to 21 at the start, consumer awareness of impact projects was lacking.
“Feedback from the marketplace is that we are not telling our stories enough; a lot of the sustainability programmes undertaken by owners of our Considerate Collection properties remain behind the scenes. We talk a lot about these efforts at travel trade events, but many travellers in the public space are unaware. So, we decided to help our owners tell their story,” said Mark Wong, senior vice president, Asia Pacific of SLH.
Besides stepping up on communications, SLH is taking accountability and sustainability measurement ever more seriously. To ensure that Considerate Collection properties maintain their investments in environment, culture and community, it has partnered with Weeva, a company that will establish a management system that enables properties to track sustainability achievements.
“This will allow properties to document and quantify their impacts, and share results with their owners, team members and the media,” said Wong.
Believing in the power of positive stories shaping the right travel decisions, Preferred Travel Group has crafted an informative website for its Beyond Green portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges. These are properties that pass a rigorous vetting process by independent investigators, based on globally recognised sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, conducted every two years. The website is a treasure trove of Good Stories features that detail members’ efforts in environmental and cultural conservation, community development, and more.
Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Travel Group, acknowledged that a lot of the more complex sustainability efforts, such as energy conservation and food waste management processes, are hidden from the view of travellers and guests. Hence, it is important for hotels to tell their stories and “do it in a way that consumers find interesting”.
Being more vocal about hotels’ responsible efforts will also help to correct misconceptions about luxury, sustainability and revenue not being able to coexist.
“There is a perception among consumers that a sustainable property may not be luxurious. Our job is to make sure that travel advisors know that is untrue and have the information (from Beyond Green’s Good Stories features) to share with their travellers,” stated Woodley.
“Some people also think that hotels have to be out in the middle of nowhere to be sustainable. That is untrue. An example is Starhotel’s E.c.ho. Milan, which is a city hotel that has developed a great way to communicate its sustainability efforts. The hotel has a guide book that tells guests about all the good things being done, including back-of-house processes. Our sales team now uses this guide book to cite examples for their sustainability-focused corporate clients,” shared Woodley.
Good Stories features have also allowed Preferred Travel Group to demonstrate to hoteliers that sustainability and profitability can coexist.
When asked if these communication efforts have a direct impact on bookings and revenue, Woodley said: “Sure, but that’s not the key expectation of hotels in the Beyond Green portfolio. Hotels invest in being qualified for Beyond Green to be able to connect with like-minded hotels and to share ideas on how to harness renewable energy or to contribute to species preservation.”
137 Pillars House, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has a number of community projects, including supplying essentials periodically to orphans, raising funds for students from low-income families as well as visually impaired children, and sourcing products from the weaving community of the Karen tribe in Chiang Mai’s mountains
What’s next?
As sustainability messages flood the marketplace, Marion Walsh-Hédouin, vice president communication & public relations for Minor Hotels, said “competition” among hotels and resorts to excel in sustainability efforts benefits everyone and the environment.
“This competition raises the bar for conservation, and I am all for that competition,” she remarked.
Savvy hoteliers who are looking to level up to the next stage of conservation efforts and to truly convince travellers who are increasingly scrutinising tourism companies for potential green-washing, must develop programmes that can be executed within the community and with the involvement of customers, she opined.
Citing an example, she pointed to the group’s Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which offers the Walk With Giants experience. Guests are invited to bond with the elephants of northern Thailand in their natural habitat, by strolling alongside these gentle creatures and witnessing them go about their day. The programme allows the resort to employ elephant mahouts with a salary while supporting their family with accommodation and solar-powered electricity.
“Normally, mahouts and their elephants would live away from their families in an animal attraction or camp. Our activity allows us to reunite them,” she explained.
In addition, money collected from Minor’s Dollars for Deeds’ programme, which invites guests to combine their stay with opportunities to support a range of good deeds that help local communities and the environment, is being used to fund English education for village children, giving the next generation an opportunity to raise their quality of life, as well as mahout training that teaches better ways to care for elephants.
SLH is paving the way for its next step in responsible operations, by delving deeper into community support through universal accessibility and inclusivity. It is assisting property owners in setting up operations and hardware to facilitate welcome for guests with both visible and invisible disability and medical issues.
One way it is doing this is through a partnership with IncluCare, a UK-based organisation that offers inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment, and accreditation for the tourism industry. Details will soon be shared.
Wong believes that by becoming accessible and inclusive, properties will not only be able to welcome a whole new segment of guests, they will also begin to look at differently-abled individuals as potential staff.
“This is a pool of human resources that hotels seldom think of hiring. These differently-abled individuals are often left out of society,” he added.
“Being equipped for universal accessibility is also a sensible thing to do now because societies across the world are aging. Facilities like ramps, grab bars and brighter lighting are needed by elderly travellers, not just those with disabilities. Hotels, in designing their hardware of the future, must take these requirements into account now,” he concluded.
Japan’s travel and tourism sector can expect a record-breaking 2024 based on its “robust recovery” in 2023, according to a study by WTTC.
The 2024 Economic Impact Research forecasts the sector’s contribution to Japan’s economy will reach almost 44.6 trillion yen (US$275.9 billion) in 2024, equating to a 5.7 per cent increase on 2019’s contribution and accounting for 7.5 per cent of the country’s GDP.
A study by WTTC expects Japan’s travel and tourism sector to break all records this year
Employment in the sector is set to surpass six million jobs this year, a 10 per cent increase year-on-year and 209,700 more than in 2019.
Visitor spending is also expected to reach new highs, with international and domestic travellers projected to spend 6.3 trillion yen and 24.9 trillion yen respectively. This consumption would surpass 2019 levels by 16 per cent for inbound tourists and two per cent by Japan-based ones.
“Japan’s travel and tourism sector is set to break all records, partly fuelled by a positive exchange rate for international travellers,” said Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC.
“All the indicators are set to rise – contribution to the Japanese economy, increasing job numbers and visitor spending. These milestones highlight Japan’s leadership and commitment to excellence in the global tourism landscape,” she added.
Government data indicates it may even be possible that Japan’s travel and tourism sector performance will exceed predictions. In 1Q2024 alone, spending in Japan by international visitors totalled an annualised 7.2 trillion yen in nominal terms, making tourism the country’s second-largest export category.
The new 24-km Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge has cut down the travelling time between Shenzhen and Zhongshan from two hours to 30 minutes, spurring tourism within Greater Bay Area (GBA) and courting more traffic to and from Hong Kong.
Commissioned on June 30, this mega link includes a sea-crossing bridge, a subsea tunnel, artificial islands and an underground interchange, connecting Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Nansha District of Guangzhou. It also boasts the only direct expressway connecting Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou with Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Jiangmen.
Tourism stakeholders visited the bridge facility for an inspection on June 21 (Photo: Travel Industry Council)
Hong Kong-based Sino Step Travel Service branch manager Wing Chan plans to roll out at least 20 new tour itineraries using the new bridge and expects business to increase by two thirds. She shared that the mass market is their target, and that the one-day tour to Zhongshan has been popular among senior travellers.
“For sure, the new bridge experience will stimulate desire for travel (as well as) more time to explore sightseeing and shopping,” she said. “In addition to Zhongshan city, nearby areas like the western part of Guangdong Province will also benefit (from it).”
She is confident that this route will remain in demand for quite a while, unlike the dissipating Shenzhen shopping tours to Sam’s and Costco that “Hongkongers craved for earlier this year”.
The Hongkong-Zhongshan route is currently operated by Eternal East (E&E) Cross-Border Coach Management. Its deputy chief operating officer, Paul Tse, explained that the route has cut the travel time from Hong Kong to Zhongshan by 45 minutes. The cost of a one-way bus fare has also been lowered from HK$110-120 (US$14-15) to HK$90-$100.
Tse commented: “We have also boosted the frequency of services between both cities – from 26 to 40 times per day. Moreover, we are thankful to have benefitted from the government’s labour importation scheme last month (where) Mainland Chinese bus drivers arrived to alleviate the acute labour shortage.”
To mark the inauguration of the bridge, its sister company E&E Tours had also rolled out a special two-day-one-night Zhongshan tour – all 60 seats were snapped up in an instant.
In addition, tourism stakeholders comprising airline, travel trade associations and hotels paid a visit to the site on June 21 for an inspection.
Travel Industry Council chairman Gianna Hsu hopes more visitors from overseas will adopt multi-destination tourism and visit the GBA via the bridge.
“In the meantime, Mainland Chinese FITs can enjoy a better access to Hong Kong, and we are pleased to see agents proactively preparing various tour programmes by leveraging on this bridge,” noted Hsu.
Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 4 that will see about 15,000 workers from SDC and partners attend training programmes over three years.
“Through this collaboration with NTUC LearningHub, we aim to enhance the equipping of our workforce with the necessary skills to provide exceptional experiences to our guests, increase productivity of our businesses and bolster the tourism value proposition of Sentosa and Singapore,” said Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of SDC.
SDC and NTUC LearningHub forge partnership to transform tourism workforce together with Sentosa businesses (Photo: Sentosa Development Corporation)
The partnership is centred on the formation of the One Sentosa Transformation and Equipping Platform (1-STEP), a “learning framework aimed at accelerating the transformation of Sentosa as a tourism destination through emerging tourism capabilities” said the signatories.
Key areas of focus are customer experience, wellness and regenerative tourism, sustainability, and data and artificial intelligence.
Among the targets are to implement 100 transformative projects and initiatives, engage 2,000 participants over three editions of Sentosa Learning Festival (SLF) and have at least 15 island partners attain and retain two tourism-related certifications such as Certified Event Sustainability and Digital Event Strategist.
1-STEP covers some 200 establishments on Sentosa comprising hotels, attractions and F&B outlets.
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), which employs 70 per cent of workers on Sentosa, is the main supporting partner.
RWS CEO Tan Hee Teck shared: “The customised training offered by 1-STEP will benefit our multi-disciplinary teams performing various roles across the integrated resort destination, from world-class attractions to entertainment and lifestyle offerings.”
The inaugural SLF from June 24 to July 5 gave almost 1,000 participants a taste of 1-STEP programmes through masterclasses, workshops and tours. They were held at various locations on and off the island, and comprised in-person and virtual sessions.
NTUC LearningHub will work with training providers/partners such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, World Mode Holdings Group, Professional Convention Management Association, Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers and Tourism Management Institute of Singapore.
Jeremy Ong, CEO of NTUC LearningHub, stated: “We are committed to fostering an ecosystem that not only enhances the skills and employability of tourism professionals but also establishes new standards of excellence for Sentosa to enhance its visitor experience. This is crucial as we champion our shared vision in solidifying Singapore as a leading destination for tourists.”
The Singapore Tourism Board and NTUC LearningHub also signed a three-year MoU that has SDC as pilot partner. Covering the wider tourism sector, courses will be in emerging areas such as sustainability and service experience excellence.
Kuala Lumpur-based Pacific World Travel (PWT) has been appointed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to provide trade representation services for the Malaysian market effective July 1.
PWT will be responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of trade marketing strategies and campaigns to encourage visitor arrivals from Malaysia to Hong Kong.
Tunku: we are committed to fostering strong partnerships and delivering innovative campaigns
Tunku Iskandar Tunku Abdullah, group president of Melewar Group’s tourism-related companies which includes PWT, shared: “We are committed to fostering strong partnerships and delivering innovative campaigns that will highlight the unique and vibrant experiences Hong Kong has to offer.
“Our team at PWT is excited to embark on this journey and work closely with the travel trade and media organisations to make Hong Kong a preferred choice for Malaysian travellers.
“With your continued support and collaboration, we can achieve great success in promoting Hong Kong as a leading international city in Asia and a world-class tourist destination.”
AirAsia X to debut flights to Nairobi AirAsia X will connect travellers from Malaysia to Nairobi in Kenya’s capital from November 15 this year, following the airline’s introduction of new flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan.
The airline will also offer a seamless Fly-Thru connection, creating a link between Kenya and 130 destinations across South-east Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia.
Vietjet
Vietjet launches new routes to Xi’an, Daegu Vietjet has commenced two new services – from Ho Chi Minh City to Xi’an in China, and between Nha Trang and Daegu in South Korea.
Following the launch of its Shanghai and Chengdu services earlier this year, the airline’s non-stop direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Xi’an operates four round trips per week.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines commences Hong Kong-Xining service
Hong Kong Airlines will launch a new route to Xining in Qinghai Province, offering two flights weekly from July 9.
Xining is situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and serves as a key gateway linking China’s eastern and western regions, including Tibet.
This new direct flight service will further strengthen connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Emirates
Emirates’ new Boeing aircraft destinations Emirates has unveiled the first cities on its network to be served with its newest Boeing 777 cabin interiors – Geneva, Tokyo Haneda and Brussels.
The airline will offer customers more opportunities to experience its signature Premium Economy on this aircraft and, for the first time, Emirates’ next-generation Business Class seats, set in a new 1-2-1 configuration.
The first upgraded Emirates Boeing 777 products will operate on the following services: EK 83/84 to and from Geneva from August 11, EK 312/313 to and from Tokyo Haneda from September 1, and EK 183/184 to and from Brussels from September 11.
A total of 81 Boeing 777s will be refurbished as part of Emirates’ investment in its retrofit programme, and more destinations to be served with the airline’s latest products will be announced over the course of the next few months.
To celebrate Singapore’s 59th Birthday, Singapore Flyer has unveiled an array of special events and promotions, including its first-ever overnight flight, complemented by a waterfront night market and a lucky draw for tickets to premium experiences and dining vouchers.
For the first time ever, the Singapore Flyer will operate non-stop overnight from 23.00 on August 9 to 08.00 on August 10. Guests can immerse themselves in the National Day celebrations after hours at only S$25 (US$18), which includes a 30-minute flight on the giant observation wheel and admission to Time Capsule, an immersive and multi-sensory attraction that spans across two levels, showcasing Singapore’s storied past, present and future.
Singapore Flyer will operate its first-ever overnight flight to celebrate Singapore’s National Day
Furthermore, Singapore citizens and permanent residents born in August can enjoy free entry to the Moonlight Flight with every paying guest.
From August 7 to 11, the Street Eats Under the Stars night market is set to light up the Singapore Flyer grounds with a full array of F&B offerings and casual seating facilities over the National Day long weekend. Located at the Waterfront Promenade beside the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix race track, guests can savour night market fare alongside views of iconic landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Street Eats Under the Stars is open from 17.00 to 23.00 on August 7, 8, 10 and 11, and from 17.00 on August 9 to 03.00 on August 10. Admission is free.
Additionally, guests get a chance to win prizes by scanning a QR code at Street Eats Under the Stars.
Well-travelled, well-heeled individuals, who were among the first travellers to hold hotels to responsible actions, are becoming more critical of what qualifies as sustainable operations, leading hoteliers to make a more conscious effort to communicate their accomplishments in this aspect and to lead deeper impact projects.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has recently started an online video series for its Considerate Collection, profiling property owners who are active supporters of the environment, culture and community through their business.
The Considerate Collection, launched in 2021, is a portfolio of properties that pass strict assessment across three levels – Environmentally Conscious, Cultural Custodians and Community Minded – by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Although the Considerate Collection has grown in numbers – 61 properties compared to 21 at the start, consumer awareness of impact projects was lacking.
“Feedback from the marketplace is that we are not telling our stories enough; a lot of the sustainability programmes undertaken by owners of our Considerate Collection properties remain behind the scenes. We talk a lot about these efforts at travel trade events, but many travellers in the public space are unaware. So, we decided to help our owners tell their story,” said Mark Wong, senior vice president, Asia Pacific of SLH.
Besides stepping up on communications, SLH is taking accountability and sustainability measurement ever more seriously. To ensure that Considerate Collection properties maintain their investments in environment, culture and community, it has partnered with Weeva, a company that will establish a management system that enables properties to track sustainability achievements.
“This will allow properties to document and quantify their impacts, and share results with their owners, team members and the media,” said Wong.
Believing in the power of positive stories shaping the right travel decisions, Preferred Travel Group has crafted an informative website for its Beyond Green portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges. These are properties that pass a rigorous vetting process by independent investigators, based on globally recognised sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, conducted every two years. The website is a treasure trove of Good Stories features that detail members’ efforts in environmental and cultural conservation, community development, and more.
Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Travel Group, acknowledged that a lot of the more complex sustainability efforts, such as energy conservation and food waste management processes, are hidden from the view of travellers and guests. Hence, it is important for hotels to tell their stories and “do it in a way that consumers find interesting”.
Being more vocal about hotels’ responsible efforts will also help to correct misconceptions about luxury, sustainability and revenue not being able to coexist.
“There is a perception among consumers that a sustainable property may not be luxurious. Our job is to make sure that travel advisors know that is untrue and have the information (from Beyond Green’s Good Stories features) to share with their travellers,” stated Woodley.
“Some people also think that hotels have to be out in the middle of nowhere to be sustainable. That is untrue. An example is Starhotel’s E.c.ho. Milan, which is a city hotel that has developed a great way to communicate its sustainability efforts. The hotel has a guide book that tells guests about all the good things being done, including back-of-house processes. Our sales team now uses this guide book to cite examples for their sustainability-focused corporate clients,” shared Woodley.
Good Stories features have also allowed Preferred Travel Group to demonstrate to hoteliers that sustainability and profitability can coexist.
When asked if these communication efforts have a direct impact on bookings and revenue, Woodley said: “Sure, but that’s not the key expectation of hotels in the Beyond Green portfolio. Hotels invest in being qualified for Beyond Green to be able to connect with like-minded hotels and to share ideas on how to harness renewable energy or to contribute to species preservation.”
What’s next?
As sustainability messages flood the marketplace, Marion Walsh-Hédouin, vice president communication & public relations for Minor Hotels, said “competition” among hotels and resorts to excel in sustainability efforts benefits everyone and the environment.
“This competition raises the bar for conservation, and I am all for that competition,” she remarked.
Savvy hoteliers who are looking to level up to the next stage of conservation efforts and to truly convince travellers who are increasingly scrutinising tourism companies for potential green-washing, must develop programmes that can be executed within the community and with the involvement of customers, she opined.
Citing an example, she pointed to the group’s Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which offers the Walk With Giants experience. Guests are invited to bond with the elephants of northern Thailand in their natural habitat, by strolling alongside these gentle creatures and witnessing them go about their day. The programme allows the resort to employ elephant mahouts with a salary while supporting their family with accommodation and solar-powered electricity.
“Normally, mahouts and their elephants would live away from their families in an animal attraction or camp. Our activity allows us to reunite them,” she explained.
In addition, money collected from Minor’s Dollars for Deeds’ programme, which invites guests to combine their stay with opportunities to support a range of good deeds that help local communities and the environment, is being used to fund English education for village children, giving the next generation an opportunity to raise their quality of life, as well as mahout training that teaches better ways to care for elephants.
SLH is paving the way for its next step in responsible operations, by delving deeper into community support through universal accessibility and inclusivity. It is assisting property owners in setting up operations and hardware to facilitate welcome for guests with both visible and invisible disability and medical issues.
One way it is doing this is through a partnership with IncluCare, a UK-based organisation that offers inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment, and accreditation for the tourism industry. Details will soon be shared.
Wong believes that by becoming accessible and inclusive, properties will not only be able to welcome a whole new segment of guests, they will also begin to look at differently-abled individuals as potential staff.
“This is a pool of human resources that hotels seldom think of hiring. These differently-abled individuals are often left out of society,” he added.
“Being equipped for universal accessibility is also a sensible thing to do now because societies across the world are aging. Facilities like ramps, grab bars and brighter lighting are needed by elderly travellers, not just those with disabilities. Hotels, in designing their hardware of the future, must take these requirements into account now,” he concluded.