The Aloft hotel brand’s emphasis on innovative music programming through its Live @ Aloft platform is conveyed through its Singapore property in multiple ways – including a meaningful platform that supports local musicians and bands.
Every Friday, from 19.00 to 22.00, Aloft Singapore Novena’s W XYZ lobby bar sets the limelight on a featured local band and invites hotel guests and everyone else to come in for an entertaining evening.
Since its opening in September 2023, when the massive twin-tower hotel was rebranded from Ramada by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park and Days Hotel by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park, Aloft Singapore Novena has showcased over 20 local musicians and bands, surpassing 100 hours of live performances through its Live @ Aloft programme.
An in-house music committee handpicks local musicians and bands, with priority given to versatile ones who can perform a variety of music genres and songs across languages, according to Macy Cheng, director of marketing and Live @ Aloft programme evangelist.
From now until July, acoustic live band AGOPSG (also known as A Group of People) performs at W XYZ. The local band is popular with weddings, corporate events, and private functions.
The hotel will feature a new set every quarter.
Besides Friday evening showcases, guests at the hotel can also enjoy a unique playlist curated just for the Aloft brand, with tunes playing in public areas. The hotel’s Yue restaurant, which specialises in traditional Chinese cuisine and fresh seafood, presents a menu comprising dishes bearing names inspired by popular karaoke songs.
Aligned with its focus on music, the hotel recently celebrated the inaugural World Music Day on June 21 with a private event at W XYZ. It featured a music-pairing menu of innovative dishes from Yue and cocktails by W XYZ’s mixologists – with AGOPSG crooning songs that inspired the dishes as each item was brought out.
For more information, visit Aloft Singapore Novena.
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Malaysian leadership announced an extended visa exemption for Chinese travellers until end of 2026 during Chinese premier Li Qiang’s recent three-day official visit to Malaysia.
The 30-day visa exemption was first announced by Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in November 2023, and it came into effect on December 1.
In May this year, China had agreed to extend its visa-free policy for Malaysian tourists until the end of 2025 and the visa-free duration per trip had also been extended from 15 to 30 days.
Anwar and Li said in a joint statement that they welcomed the keen interest in continuing consultations and discussions on mutual visa exemptions to facilitate the entry of Malaysian and Chinese citizens.
Uzaidi Udanis, chairman of the Consortium of Inbound Tourism Alliance, opined that the visa exemption for Chinese travellers to Malaysia as well as Malaysians travelling to China, will allow the travel trade from Malaysia and China to continue with their campaigns and promotions to attract quality tourists and niche segments such as business travellers from both countries.
He shared: “It is also a timely announcement by the Malaysian prime minister as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. It will encourage more Chinese travellers to visit Malaysia and help the country achieve its target of 35.6 million tourists and target receipts of RM147.1 billion (US$31.2 billion).
“China is very important market as it is the top medium-haul inbound market in terms of number of tourists. Also, with this latest announcement, it will encourage airlines (based in) Malaysia and China to improve their connectivity and frequencies between Malaysia and China.”