Happy 59th Birthday Singapore!
TTG Asia, with its editorial headquarters in Singapore, will take a break for the public holiday on Friday, August 9, in recognition of the country’s 59th National Day.
TTG Asia’s online news bulletin will resume on Monday, August 12.
Happy National Day to all Singaporean readers!
Citadines Canal Amsterdam
Location
Tucked among rows of tall and narrow houses typical of Amsterdam, Citadines Canal Amsterdam occupies a building that was once a weaver’s house. The entrance is private and serene, with its own spacious driveway.
The hotel enjoys the serenity of being part of a quiet residential neighbourhood and excellent access to Vijzelgracht metro station and the iconic canals of Amsterdam. Top tourist landmarks like Rijksmuseum is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel while Van Gogh Museum is 16 minutes away.
Facilities
First impressions matter, and I happened to arrive at Citadines Canal Amsterdam on a summer night, when the retiring sun had turned the sky blue, providing a beautiful contrast to the red brick exterior of the building. There was something utterly welcoming about white-framed windows with warm lights glowing from within.
Stepping through the front door, I came upon a lobby that looked like an enormous living room in someone’s home. The generous use of wood fittings, eclectic mix of furniture, and delicious palette of sage, cream and chocolate, with flashes of vibrant blue, conveyed a homely vibe.
To appreciate Citadines Canal Amsterdam’s design of guests facilities, one needs to understand the Citadines brand, which promises the comfort of a serviced residence and the flexibility of a hotel. This promise is carried through the layout of public spaces. At this hotel, the lobby is more than just a space for guests to check in and out; there are several welcoming areas to sit, read, and chat. In the same space is a lounge, where guests can purchase snacks, drinks and even bottles of wine to enjoy in their room or one of the cosy nooks around the hotel.
The brand’s signature experience, For the Love of Coffee, which offers guests a complimentary cup of local brew no matter the time of day, is executed at the lobby too. A self-help coffee machine is available throughout the day for guests desiring a quick perk-up.
The concept of flexible social spaces flows through the breakfast area in the basement. After breakfast service, this stylish space, with a meeting room in a corner, welcomes guests looking for an area to work and meet.
Other facilities at Citadines Canal Amsterdam include a gym with some very stylish water-powered fitness equipment, and a launderette.
Accommodation
The hotel offers 93 keys across seven apartment types. The lead-in standard room stands at 12m2 while the largest one-bedroom executive apartment offers 42m2 of space.
Studio apartments form the majority of rooms here, and these are furnished with a fully-equipped kitchen, double bed, living/dining area with sofa and TV with Chromecast, a wardrobe and nook for bags, jackets and other daily essentials.
The Studio was my home for two restful nights. While I spent most of my time exploring the city and had lovely meals outside, I could appreciate the convenience of having access to my own kitchen during my travels and especially on longer trips.
F&B
The hotel provides a breakfast buffet, filled with an assortment of breads and pastries, fruits, cereal, cold cuts and cheese – all presented most sumptuously. With the eclectic mix of furniture styles throughout the space, I had a bit of fun selecting my seat every morning – rustic today, chic tomorrow.
Service
Check-in and out was swift, and there was always someone close by to help with breakfast service. However, I wished there was a less strenuous way to move my hefty suitcases in and out of the building – there was a short flight of steps between the front door and the lobby.
Verdict
I love the location: great surroundings to explore on foot; and the interior design: gorgeous pastel colour scheme and interesting furniture. Part of the fun of staying in a hotel is getting to live in environments so different from home.
Contact details
Website: http://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/netherlands/citadines-canal-amsterdam
Malaysia tunes up cruise tourism development efforts
Cruise tourism development is gaining attention within the Malaysian government, with investments pumped into port infrastructure development to enable the country to attract more cruise ships to homeport and, in turn, lift international tourist arrivals and the local economy.
Transport minister Anthony Loke recently shared at a press conference that improvements included expanding the capacity at Selangor’s Port Klang Cruise Terminal and beautifying the surroundings at Penang’s Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.
Loke noted that ports in Langkawi, Kuantan, Melaka, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching could also support cruise ships with upgraded infrastructure.
A technical committee has been formed to spearhead various cruise industry initiatives and attract more cruise operators to homeport in Malaysia. This is led by both the Transport and the Tourism, Arts, and Culture ministries.
Local media The New Straits Times reported that one of the initiatives of the new technical committee would involve the simplification of customs, immigration, and quarantine procedures to ensure smoother passenger movements and cruise ship stopovers.
“The Immigration Department has introduced a QR code system to expedite immigration clearance for cruise passengers. This system will greatly reduce processing times, enhancing the shore excursion experiences for our cruise tourists,” Loke told the media.
In 2023, Malaysia received 1,055 cruise ships which brought 1.5 million tourists to the Malaysian shores. It was an 85 per cent increase in cruise ship arrivals compared with 2019.
Loke said: “Establishing Malaysia as a (cruise) homeport would encourage passengers to enter through Malaysian airports, stay in local hotels before and after their cruise, and spend more within the country.”
Currently, most cruise ships dock in Malaysian ports for a few hours while passengers go on shore excursions. Ships do not take on new passengers.
Jane Park named PATA Face of the Future 2024
PATA has awarded Jane Park, assistant manager – F&B revenue management & operations at Hotel Icon in Hong Kong, the title of Face of the Future 2024.
The award is bestowed to enterprising individuals whose leadership shines through their involvement with tourism campaigns, or demonstrated commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific travel industry in a spirit in line with PATA’s mission.
Park graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. During her tenure in the Elite Management Trainee programme at Hotel Icon, she recognised that service staff are the essence of the hospitality industry, and their ability to deliver exceptional service is critical in fostering guest loyalty and enhancing brand reputation. To emphasise the significance of guest service, Park successfully undertook two projects in collaboration with hotel executives at Hotel Icon, focusing on developing a revenue generation strategy and menu engineering for the F&B outlets.
In alignment with Hotel Icon’s philosophy, We Love to Care, Park launched the Delight Your Guest programme, which enables staff at all levels to participate in the planning process and create memorable experiences for guests. This programme contributed to Hotel Icon being named the most reviewed hotel in Hong Kong for 2022.
For her second project, Park collaborated with the director of revenue and marketing to develop a more sophisticated approach to planning, yield management, and forecasting for F&B operations. Implemented in April 2024, this new method led to an increase in market bookings despite challenging recovery conditions. By prioritising guest experience, fostering a collaborative environment, and promoting innovative revenue management strategies, Park ensures that service staff can take pride in and derive satisfaction from their valuable contributions to the industry.
Commenting on Park’s win, Mayur Patel, head of Asia OAG Aviation and PATA Executive Board member, said: “PATA has consistently led in human capital development and in recognising and nurturing young tourism professionals. We applaud your participation in this special award, which celebrates an exceptional rising star in the industry. As young leaders in this dynamic industry, you play a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism, which evolves continuously with changing trends. Your passion and innovation are essential for driving the industry forward.”
Patel is the Head Judge for this year’s PATA Face of the Future judging panel. He was also the PATA Face of the Future in 2002.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “The tourism industry must make a concerted effort in allowing the younger generation to be the thought leaders and permit them to shape the future of the travel and tourism industry, because, after all, they are the beneficiary.”
He added that the PATA Face of the Future “is undoubtedly crucial in our effort to move towards the future tourism economy”.
As the 2024 PATA Face of the Future, Park has been invited to join the PATA Board, representing the youth community of the association. She has also been granted full sponsorship for participation at PATA Travel Mart 2024, alongside other benefits as a winner.
Booking.com announces leadership updates in Asia-Pacific
Booking.com has made two leadership changes within Asia-Pacific.
Anthony Lu has expanded his remit to cover all markets across South-east Asia in his new role as regional director for South-east Asia and China, including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei, in addition to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Now based in Singapore, he leads the commercial growth of Booking.com’s business across South-east Asia and China overall.
Nuno Guerreiro is now the regional director for South Asia Pacific & Chains, will continue to focus on the growth of Booking.com’s business in India, Indonesia and Oceania, as well as for the Chains segment of the company’s business in Asia-Pacific. He remains based in Singapore.
Anchor Land names new GM
Gel Gomez is now general manager of Anchor Land’s newly-launched hospitality division.
The luxury real estate developer, which owns Admiral Hotel Manila managed by M Gallery by Accor, is diversifying into a chain of hotel and serviced residences in several key destinations in the Philippines including Boracay as well as Coron and San Vicente in Palawan.
Gomez is handling their branding and business model, among other tasks.
She has a wide experience in the hotel industry including stints as group general manager and head of group sales and marketing of Hotel 101 Group, assistant director of sales at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
Sports tourism a strong magnet for Indian travellers
More Indians are travelling with the intention of attending global sports events and extending their trip for a more holistic experience, observed outbound specialists.
Monish Shah, founder and CEO, DreamSetGo, a tour agency specialising in sports tourism, said: “Sports tourism in India is on a remarkable upward trajectory, growing at a CAGR of approximately 17.5 per cent, outpacing the overall tourism sector’s 10 per cent. This growth is fuelled by India’s deep-rooted passion for sports and an increasing interest in diverse international sports beyond cricket.”
Indeed, Indian sports enthusiasts are drawn to football, rugby, golf, badminton and basketball tournaments and competitions.
Thomas Cook (India)’s consumer data trends for 2024 highlights growing demand for big-ticket global sporting events like the International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup, Wimbledon Championships, the Olympics, and Formula 1 races in various parts of the world.
Rajeev Kale, president & country head, holidays, MICE, visa at Thomas Cook (India), told TTG Asia that these sporting events influence travel decisions, with 23 per cent of consumers taking them into account while choosing destinations.
Daniel D’Souza, president & country head – holidays, SOTC Travel, observed a 20 to 35 per cent year-on-year increase in demand for sports tourism among his Indian clientele. Interest stems from various demographics, including young professionals and corporate groups, who view these events as opportunities for fun and networking.
DreamSetGo’s Shah has seen “significant demand” from corporate clients. The corporate hospitality programme at major sporting events often include meet-and-greet experiences with sports legends and other exclusive activities.
Indians travelling for sports are willing to splurge, with many opting for VIP boxes as well as premium hospitality packages and experiences.
Thomas Cook (India)’s Kale told TTG Asia that one of the firm’s premium programmes for the Olympics is priced around US$13,103 per person for a group of 50.
As the Official Travel Partner for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, DreamSetGo offers an exclusive package that includes a private meet-and-greet with Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion and World champion for the Men’s Javelin Throw event. The priciest package that takes clients to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics is priced from US$1,192 to US$14,295 per person.
SOTC Travel’s D’Souza said Indians are not only keen on being spectators. Many are travelling abroad to participate in events like marathons and adventure, reflecting the growing shift towards experiential travel preferences.
Tentrem Group unveils new Jakarta hotel
Indonesian luxury hospitality company, Tentrem Group, has launched its latest property in Alam Sutera, Tangerang Selatan (off Jakarta), which is recognised as a milestone development for the organisation.
Hotel Tentrem Jakarta, owned by Praja Karalan Perdana and managed by Hotel Candi Baru (Tentrem Group), offers 200 rooms, including 29 suites, and one Presidential Suite; four F&B outlets; a spa and fitness centre; playground; and a collection of events venues, comprising a 1,000-pax ballroom, 11 meeting rooms and a multi-purpose hall.
Tentrem Group has been in business since 2012, and its portfolio includes properties in Yogyakarta and Semarang, Central Java.
Hotel Tentrem Jakarta is Tentrem Group’s first property under a third-party owner.
Karina Pikanto, owner of Hotel Tentrem Jakarta, said: “We are excited to bring the Tentrem experience to Jakarta. This city is a vibrant hub of business and culture, and we believe Hotel Tentrem Jakarta can become a sanctuary for both locals and international travellers.”
She added that the property will “preserve culture, teach good values, and develop people”.
Mario Hidayat, director of Hotel Candi Baru, said: “We feel that it’s time Hotel Tentrem steps outside of Central Java (and) we are fortunate to (have found partners) who share the same passion and values with us.”
Mario said the introduction of Indonesian culture through luxury hospitality was of prime importance for the company.
“We feel the luxury segment gives us more room to explore our culture through architecture, art, interior (design), fashion, food, music, way of greetings, and much more,” he commented.
The hotel’s design is an interpretation of Javanese culture, using natural materials like wood, natural stone, and greenery.
The hotel’s Kayu Manis Restaurant serves up authentic Indonesian dishes, with a focus on local food sources.
Mario said the company aims to be different from “many hotels that try to serve luxury international food with imported meats, fish and dairy”.
At Tentrem Group’s existing properties in Yogyakarta and Semarang, for example, restaurants serve traditional street food. “We collaborate with popular traditional food vendors in town and serve their dishes every morning at our buffet breakfast,” said Mario.
Mario stated the location of the new hotel was carefully considered. “With so many future developments in the Alam Sutera area, we’re certain the area holds great potential for tourists, events and MICE, and the area’s infrastructure is well developed and maintained as well. We believe Hotel Tentrem will be well represented here.”
He has plans to bring the Hotel Tentrem brand to more destinations, and will prioritise quality over quantity.
Cathay to bolster its South-east Asian network
Cathay recently concluded a six-day visit to three South-east Asia countries – Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam – with plans to enhance connectivity with South-east Asian partners to grow the Hong Kong international aviation hub.
Joining a delegation led by chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR Government John Lee Ka-chiu, Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam toured a variety of local enterprises and major infrastructure projects in these three countries, gaining valuable insights into their latest developments while seeking out new avenues to foster synergy and strengthen ties in trade, commerce, technology and tourism between Hong Kong and the South-east Asian region.
On the Cambodia leg of the visit, Lam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia Airports CEO Cyril Girot to reinforce partnership between the two parties. As part of the MoU, Cathay Pacific will boost its flight frequency to Phnom Penh from five per week to daily starting from October 27, reflecting its confidence in the Cambodia market and growing customer demand.
The Cathay Group, which includes passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, currently flies to a total of 17 South-east Asian destinations, with over 360 flights per week.
Cathay Pacific and HK Express currently operate flights to three destinations in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang; there are plans for HK Express to launch a new route to Phu Quoc in 4Q2024.
Lam commented: “As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay is committed to furthering the growth of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub and enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to the rest of the world. Our visit to the three South-east Asian countries attests to the immense potential we see in these dynamic regional markets.
“The completion of Hong Kong International Airport’s Three-Runway System will unlock great opportunities for us to grow for the future. We will continue to strengthen our existing routes, and deepen our network and collaboration across South-east Asia to seize these growth opportunities.”
Garuda Indonesia and private airport transfer specialist have joined hands to offer a seamless pre- and post-flight land transport support at selected airports and destinations served by the airline.
Ifran Setiaputra, president & CEO of Garuda Indonesia, said the collaboration is a part of the airline’s effort to deliver added value for its customers, especially in providing premium services through a range of alternatives for airport transportation.
“In addition to offering safe and convenient air connectivity services, providing exclusive pick-up and drop-off services is an essential step that we are focusing on to further enhance our pasenger’s travel comfort. This initiative represents our commitment to provide a seamless travel experience from pre-flight, in-flight, to post-flight,” Ifran elaborated.
Sota Kimura, CEO and founder of SmartRyde said: “This partnership represents a major milestone for SmartRyde as we incorporate air and ground transportation together and provide a seamless travel experience to our mutual customers. SmartRyde aims to elevate the ancillary products for the aviation industry by offering pre-booked private airport transfers to travelers globally.”
The new airport transfer service is available to book on the FlyGaruda app, at up to 48 hours prior to arrival time. It is currently available to travellers in Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne, Thailand’s Bangkok, Japan’s Haneda and Narita, South Korea’s Incheon, the Netherlands’ Amsterdam, Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.