Japan agents introduce new off-season offerings to attract inbound visitors
Agents are preparing new products for Japan’s off season (December to February) to maximise on the rapid recovery of the country’s inbound tourism market and ease operational challenges caused by extremes of high and low numbers of visitors throughout the year.
In addition to promoting snow sports, which the Japan Tourism Agency has named a “key tourism activity” that can increase spending and time spent in regional areas, tourism stakeholders are developing other outdoor activities and experiences.
DMC Discova is creating new sake brewery tours and local food excursions for winter in Shinkansen-accessible snow destinations such as Nagano and Niigata prefectures.
“As Japan’s inbound tourism business has been densely populated in the peak cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, it has been causing some operational burdens for our partner agencies and internal operations. Discova Japan is trying to spread demand throughout the four seasons by developing and providing low season products,” said Olivia Yeji Jeung, country manager, Japan for Discova.
The company is “expecting a new product line-up for winter to bridge until next year’s cherry blossoms pop up”, she said, adding that “diversification in areas and activities is the key to success for 2024 and even upcoming 2025”.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau is inviting inbound travellers to “venture beyond the city to the resort area of eternal springtime” on the Izu archipelago, which is part of Tokyo but typically enjoys temperature of 12-14 degrees Celsius from December to February.
Rakuten Travel Experiences is offering two experiences on Kozushima island – stargazing with a high-tech telescope and hiking on Mount Tenjo.
Cross Hotels & Resorts inks management agreement for two Bangkok hotels
Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed a hotel management agreement (HMA) with Yutthaporn Development for two properties: Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin and Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin in Thailand.
Located in Bangkok’s eastern suburbs, both hotels are a 20-minute taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and connected by the new MRT Yellow Line monorail.
The area is a treasure trove of shopping, entertainment, and relaxation. Guests can explore Seacon Square, one of South-east Asia’s largest shopping malls, or unwind in Suan Luang Rama IX Park.
The 221-room Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin will feature an outdoor pool, health club, spa, and restaurant, as well as eight creative spaces and meeting rooms, while Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin offers 64 suites that come with private balconies, fully-equipped kitchens, and facilities such as a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, swimming pool, and spa.
Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts, said: “This agreement for Cross Vibe Bangkok Srinakarin and Lumen Bangkok Srinakarin aligns perfectly with our vision to expand our footprint in key markets. We are excited to bring our unique hospitality offerings to the dynamic district of Srinakarin, enhancing guest experiences and delivering exceptional value to both parties.”
Park Regis by Prince Singapore dons new look and identity
Park Regis by Prince Singapore has unveiled its rebranding and extensive room refurbishment to align with Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts’ vision of ‘A Guest-Centric Future’.
The rebrand will also introduce innovative technologies, upgraded accommodation features, and a unified loyalty programme.
Park Regis by Prince Singapore will retain its iconic Fleur-de-lys logo, a symbol of the brand’s heritage – the three petals represent the brand’s Australian roots, its partnership with Japan, and its respect for local cultures and customs.
With 203 newly refurbished guestrooms, the seven-story hotel’s extensive room refurbishment is nearing completion and is expected to be fully finalised by the end of August. Guests can immerse themselves in lush greenery and a serene, minimalistic Japanese-inspired environment, reflecting the elegance of Australian heritage and the vibrant nature of Singapore. Technology enhancements include contactless check-in with mobile room key lock and casting capabilities.
Situated along Merchant Road, Park Regis by Prince Singapore is surrounded by the bustling city nightlife in Clarke Quay and the cultural streets of Chinatown, while within walking distance to Clarke Quay MRT station.
In addition, Park Regis by Prince Singapore leverages Seibu Prince Global Rewards, a free loyalty programme with over two million members across the region. The programme features four tiers of rewards – Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Blue – offering members exclusive discounts and rewards across Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts properties.
“This landmark addition to the Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts portfolio embodies our commitment to offering a sophisticated, yet warm and familiar experience, where impeccable service is paramount. This rebranding marks a new era of hospitality excellence, as we dedicate ourselves to upholding the highest standards of service in the world’s most thoughtful hotels,” said Yoshiki Kaneda, president and CEO of Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide.
Jeju Air partners Amadeus to sharpen revenue management
Jeju Air has signed a new technology agreement with Amadeus in its efforts to enhance cost competitiveness.
The partnership will see the South Korean low-cost carrier deploy Amadeus Segment Revenue Management Flex (Amadeus SRM Flex) which will provide Jeju Air with more sophisticated intelligence allowing them to streamline their workflows and improve their data-driven decision-making process. The solution is designed to enable the airline to better anticipate and deliver on customer demand to better maximise revenues.
In 2022, Amadeus acquired Kambr, a US-based start-up that specialises in providing revenue management solutions and advisory for airlines. This strategic move has resulted in SRM Flex being fully integrated as part of the Amadeus Revenue Management Portfolio.
Jaepil Jung, chief commercial officer, Jeju Air, said: “Amadeus SRM Flex will help us understand exactly how the Jeju Air routes are performing, allowing our team to easily find revenue opportunities from the information at their fingertips. As we grow our tour operator business, we are working with Amadeus to develop the solution to accurately manage and forecast bookings, creating a solution to perform total revenue optimisation.”
“Amadeus has worked closely with Jeju Air over the last few years, most recently during its adoption of the New Skies PSS, and now we look forward to further innovating with the airline in the revenue management space,” added Javier Laforgue, executive vice president, travel unit & managing director, Asia Pacific, Amadeus.
SeaLink Whitsundays launches new full-day cruise experience
Australia’s SeaLink Whitsundays is introducing a new premium offering for the Whitsundays region onboard Reef Quest III with a new full-day cruise taking guests on a journey through the Whitsunday Islands.
Officially joining the SeaLink Whitsundays fleet at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, fresh from a complete vessel fit out in Brisbane, Reef Quest III boasts plush seating in air-conditioned comfort across two decks, expansive open spaces, and a 360-degree top deck for unspoiled panoramic views, and can accommodate up to 125 guests and five crew members.
Guests on the SeaLink Big Island Day Tour to Whitehaven Beach can look forward to a scenic cruise on Reef Quest III through the Whitsunday Islands, with leisurely stops at Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, fully guided tours of the Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach lookouts, full bar service throughout the duration of the tour, a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas, and complimentary bus pick-up and drop-off service from multiple transfer points.
This unique tour is capped at 84 pax and provides access to exclusive spots not featured on other Whitsunday Islands tours. SeaLink Whitsundays is also currently offering special rates for family and senior bookings.
For more information, visit SeaLink Whitsundays.
Daniel Burstein to lead The Westin Kuala Lumpur as GM
The Westin Kuala Lumpur has named Daniel Burstein as its new general manager, where he will oversee all aspects of operations and management of the hotel.
Prior to joining The Westin Kuala Lumpur, he was general manager at the Four Points by Sheraton, Kuala Lumpur Chinatown, earning numerous awards and accolades during his tenure.
Minor Hotels names Richard Beh as VP commercial – Asia
Minor Hotels has appointed Richard Beh as vice president commercial – Asia.
Based at the company headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, he will spearhead the overall regional strategy, adopting a holistic approach to sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue and distribution across all Minor Hotels brands in Asia, including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, NH and NH Collection.
Before joining Minor Hotels, Beh served as global vice president, hotel chains at Trip.com.
Grand Hyatt Jakarta appoints new GM
Parveen Kumar has been named the new general manager of Grand Hyatt Jakarta, where he will oversee the operations of the hotel.
The Australian first joined Hyatt as part of the pre-opening sales team at Hyatt Regency Mumbai in 2002.
Before joining Grand Hyatt Jakarta, Kumar was the hotel manager at Grand Hyatt Singapore.
La Miniera Pool Villas Pattaya sharpens outfit for inclusivity and sustainability
Urban resort La Miniera Pool Villas in Thailand’s Pattaya is taking firm steps to provide a warmer welcome to guests with health and physical issues and to achieve a more positive environmental impact.
Pongwit Ngamjarukit, general manager of the all-villa property, told TTG Asia that the team is now working with IncluCare, a UK-based organisation that offers inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment and accreditation for the tourism industry, to perfect its journey towards inclusivity and universal accessibility.
“They have identified a few things we must do at the resort to be more welcoming to guests in wheelchairs, guests who are deaf, guests with autism and ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), etc,” shared Pongwit.
Chanisorn Mongkollapkij, chief marketing officer at La Miniera Pool Villas added that the new kids’ club on property – now in construction – is also designed for children with autism and ADHD in mind.
“Richard Thompson, the CEO of IncluCare, Pongwit, and I are working together to make this new kids’ club as accessible and inclusive as possible. There will be an outdoor calming zone for neurodivergent kids to connect with nature, touch some water from a fountain, and play with sensory toys while improving their emotional regulation skills,” detailed Chanisorn.
At press time, 40 per cent of villas are wheelchair-accessible and adaptable, but “that’s not good enough”, remarked Chanisorn.
Additionally, the resort is making changes to achieve better green goals. According to Pongwit, the property is already certified with the Department of Climate Change and Environment of Thailand’s Green Hotel Plus programme.
New hardware and improved operations in support of inclusivity, universal accessibility and sustainability are expected to be ready by the fourth quarter.
La Miniera Pool Villas hopes to qualify for Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s Considerate Collection once these improvements are complete. 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. There are now 61 properties in the collection.
IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its portfolio in Indonesia with eight properties launching in four cities this year, following the opening of the 144-room Holiday Inn Resort Canggu, Bali in December 2023.
This announcement was made by Andreas Bergel, area general manager of IHG Indonesia, at Meet and Mingle in Jakarta – the company’s first media event in Indonesia since the pandemic.
Earlier in March, Holiday Inn Lampung Bukit Randu in Lampung Province unveiled its first phase opening with 155 rooms. It targets to finalise the remaining 84 rooms by December. Following that, the 277-key Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar opened its doors on July 6.
Pascal Caubo, general manager of Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar, told TTG Asia that the Indigo brand hotel captures the spirit of the city. Located at the stylish Dago neighbourhood, its design is influenced by Bandung’s cultural traditions and folklore, where guests can enjoy local coffee in the café and authentic delicacies in the restaurant. The hotel also offers two infinity pools and a rooftop bar that frames stunning city views.
Opening in 3Q2024 are the 72-room Holiday Inn Express Sunset Road and the 162-room voco Bali Seminyak – the latter will mark the entry of the voco brand into Indonesia.
The Rumah Luwih Bali, a Vignette Collection, will open later in the year with 72 keys. It will be joined by the 150-suite Regent Bali Canggu.
IHG said in a media statement that, with the introduction of these new brands, it is “ushering in a new era of experience-seeking travellers”.
“This includes couples, friends, and families, all drawn to the continued growth of mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express,” it cited.
IHG will also open two properties in Bintan in 4Q2024 – the 258-room Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach and the 122-room Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach.
Michael Beechey, cluster general manager of the two Bintan hotels, said they would be differentiated by customer segments. “Hotel Indigo is for experienced travellers; when they have (a) family and want to stay in Bintan, they can come to Holiday Inn Bintan.”