Discover the beauty of Thailand with industry-leading properties from ONYX Hospitality Group

May 6, 2024

Amari Watergate Bangkok_Club Two Bedroom Executive Suite Living Room [600] — Upscale accommodation awaits in Amari Bangkok

Brought to you by ONYX Hospitality Group

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In Thailand, vibrant cultural heritage intertwines with renowned cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and genuine hospitality, creating a captivating destination.

With over 18 properties in The Land of Smiles, including Amari Hotels & Resorts, Oriental Residence Bangkok, OZO Hotels, and Shama Serviced Apartments, these accommodations allow every guest to experience comfort, convenience, and unparalleled hospitality in urban and resort destinations alike.

Amari Bangkok, Amari Pattaya, and Amari Phuket

Celebrating its 30th year, Amari Bangkok, stands as the flagship of the esteemed Amari brand, providing upper upscale accommodation in Ratchaprasong. Close to world-class shopping centres and cultural sites, it recently underwent refurbishments, introducing a new spa called maai spa, which offers unique holistic treatments to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

New dining options include ChomSindh, featuring Thai freshwater and seafood delicacies, and NILA, which offers contemporary Indian coastal cuisine that heightens the senses.

Amari Bangkok offers nine accommodation types, including family-friendly suites with club privileges.

Meanwhile, Amari Pattaya offers a tropical beachfront escape just minutes from the city centre, boasting sea views, lush greenery, spacious accommodations, expansive swimming pools, and the famed Italian restaurant Prego onsite.

Family-friendly amenities include The Tree House Kids’ Club and the newly opened maai spa. Accommodations range from a Deluxe Pool View room to the Grand Amari Suite.

Amari Phuket

Located on the secluded shores of Patong Beach, a short distance from Phuket Town, Amari Phuket reinvigorates with the perfect blend of tranquillity and convenience. Expect verdant greenery and bright blue hues of the Andaman Sea right at the door steps of the hotel.

Guests will be spoilt for choice with six dining experiences to choose from, including the famed The TreePods and Samutr Bar, as well as 11 room types catering to couples, friends, corporate, and family travellers.

Amari Kuala Lumpur, a business hotel in the heart of KL Eco City

Beyond Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, guests can explore various Amari properties across Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Amari Kuala Lumpur and Amari SPICE Penang, for instance, are some of the city’s leading business hotels. The former is in the heart of KL Eco City and the latter is directly connected to the SPICE Convention Centre and SPICE area, both of which offer halal dining options.

Oriental Residence Bangkok

Situated in Bangkok’s most prestigious location on Wireless Road, the luxurious Oriental Residence Bangkok exudes sophistication and grace. Embracing a tapestry of history and diplomatic legacies, it offers serenity amidst lush gardens, inviting guests to feel at home.

The suites seamlessly blend Oriental living wisdom, Thai hospitality, and modern elegance and comforts. Expect fully furnished one- to three-bedroom serviced residences, equipped with separate living and bedroom spaces for optimal relaxation and productivity.

Guests can savour tantalising gourmet comfort food all day at Café Claire, enjoy light bites at The Play Deck pool bar, and unwind with an array of spirits and cocktails at the intimately private Oriental Bar. Best of all, Oriental Residence Bangkok is located just 700m from Phloen Chit BTS Station and 1km from Chit Lom BTS Station, making getting around Bangkok a breeze.

Shama Petchburi 47, Shama Sukhumvit, and Shama Lakeview Asoke

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For those seeking extended stays and the amenities of home, Shama Serviced Apartments are an ideal choice. While all Shama properties prioritise home-like comforts and convenient locations for exploring, some also cater to medical travellers.

Shama Petchburi 47 Bangkok is adjacent to Bangkok Hospital and just a 10-minute drive to Thonglor, Ekkamai, and Bumrungrad International Hospital. This upscale serviced apartment offers 127 serene rooms, from cosy Junior Suites to spacious Three Bedroom Suites. Guests enjoy a peaceful retreat with modern facilities and attentive services.

Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok, near Ploen Chit and Nana CBD, is ideal for business and medical travellers as well as families and groups, with accommodations ranging from sleek one-bedrooms to spacious three-bedroom apartments. Close to Bumrungrad International Hospital and just 10 minutes away from MedPark Hospital, each residence boasts modern amenities and expansive city views.

If a truly centralised location is your top priority, Shama Lakeview Asoke will not disappoint. Located in Bangkok’s bustling CBD in Asoke, just a brief 10-minute stroll from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) and Benjakitti Park, Shama Lakeview Asoke offers a serene escape while providing easy access to the city’s attractions. Accommodations range from studio suites to spacious three-bedroom apartments, offering peaceful views of the lake or city skyline.

Shama has more than 10 properties throughout China, including Hong Kong. No matter the destination, Shama provides convenient access to vibrant city life, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for both long and short-stay residents.

ONYX Hospitality Group has multiple properties that have recently opened and are scheduled to open in 2024. The former includes Shama Hub Metro South Hong Kong and the latter include Amari Bangsaen in Thailand, Amari Vientiane in Laos, Amari Colombo in Sri Lanka, and three properties in Malaysia including Shama Susana Johor Bahru, Shama Medini, and OZO Medini.

Visit ONYX Hospitality Group for the latest company updates. Or meet the team in person at various travel and tourism events worldwide. This month, they will be at Arabian Travel Market from May 6 to 9, 2024.

Book a stay at an ONYX Hospitality Group property now: Amari Hotels & Resorts, Oriental Residence Bangkok, Shama Serviced Apartments, OZO Hotels.

Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore welcomes new GM

By TTG Asia

May 5, 2024

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Dao by Dorsett has appointed Jessie Khoo-Gan as its new general manager.

She joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and has amassed over 30 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.

Prior to joining Dao by Dorsett, she has held leadership roles at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, as well as at Pan Pacific Hotels Group and the Shangri-La Group.

Rubel Miah joins Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, BDMS Wellness Clinic as GM

By TTG Asia

May 5, 2024

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Rubel Miah has been appointed as the new general manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok and BDMS Connect Center.

With over 20 years of hospitality expertise, the French national was previously the general manager of Lebua Hotel Bangkok.

Macau woos Singapore visitors with a diversified strategy

By Audrey Ng

May 3, 2024

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As Macau celebrates its 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), it is ramping up efforts to grow inbound tourism from Asia, particularly from Singapore, which is the destination’s eighth most valuable international visitor source market.

In 1Q2024, Macau welcomed over 25,000 visitors from Singapore, with an average daily visitor volume increase of 263.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Cheng: Macau is now a diversified destination that offers various experiences covering culture, sports, events and more

Speaking at the Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart in Singapore on April 25, Cheng Wai Tong, deputy director, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), observed more interest in visiting Macau among Singapore travellers, partly due to direct air routes between the two destinations.

Traveller demographics have also changed, according to a survey by MGTO. Visitors from Singapore are younger, have a high education background and income, tend to travel with family, and prefer to visit heritage sights and experience local food and culture.

“Macau has transformed from a gaming destination to a diversified destination,” he said.

Tourists are coming to experience the non-gaming aspect of Macau and to meet this changing demand, the government will continue to focus on its Tourism+ strategy to promote other aspects of the destination. It includes culture and creativity; sports; business events; public events; wellness; gastronomy; technology; e-commerce, and education.

Cheng also highlighted the increased number of concerts hosted in Macau since last year. Cantopop artistes and international acts such as Bruno Mars and Blackpink have all performed in the destination, creating a positive impact on tourism. As most concerts were held in the evening, concert-goers stayed overnight and had more opportunities to shop and dine.

Macau has also made travel arrangements more seamless. Singaporean passport holders can now use the conventional two-gate e-Channels at Macau’s various border checkpoints upon registration, which will expedite the clearance process.

There is also a bonded bus service that connects visitors to Hong Kong International Airport via the Macau side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, launched last August.

These developments support Macau’s aim to welcome 33 million visitors in 2024.

“Looking ahead, MGTO will continue its marketing efforts in Singapore, focusing on five key pillars to position Macau as a premier travel destination. These pillars include partnerships with key airlines and online travel platforms for discounted packages, collaborations with Singapore travel agencies, utilisation of KOLs and social media, participation in major travel fairs, and organising mega offline consumer events to showcase Macau as a destination,” said Cheng.

Iloilo campaigns for more visitors

By Rosa Ocampo

May 3, 2024

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A private-government sector collaboration has launched the Visit Iloilo campaign, complete with branding and tactical offers, to position the province as a leading tourism destination for foreign and domestic travellers alike.

‌Iloilo Festivals Foundation (IFFI) president Allan Tan said that apart from presenting the destination in every imaginable discussion and platform possible, Iloilo will increase its presence in local trade fairs and international travel expos.

Iloilo’s tourism community comes together to raise the profile of the destination for international and domestic travellers

‌Soon to be launched across service partners are discounts and added service value systems, Tan added.

‌The campaign also draws support from Iloilo MICE Alliance, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo Chapter, Department of Tourism, local government units, and the province of Iloilo.

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group general manager Art Boncato Jr said the website www.visitiloilo.ph is being jazzed up and a digital marketplace page will be added to highlight tourism suppliers and their offerings. The e-commerce platform will enable convenient service transactions between customers and businesses.

‌Visit Iloilo is envisioned to be a progressive campaign to last a long time as the province doubles down on expanding its tourism hardware including an international airport, ferry services linking it to other domestic destinations, a convention centre, more hotels, and more natural and cultural attractions, heritage sites and festivals.

‌Located in Western Visayas, Iloilo City was named UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for 2023, recognising its heirloom dishes including pork dumpling soup called pancit molo; savoury noodle dish of batchoy made from innards, beef and pork strips sprinkled with pork crackling; native chicken delicacies, and more.

Oceania Cruises unveils 2025 Mediterranean sailings

By TTG Asia

May 3, 2024

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Oceania_Marina__Mediterreanan_Monte_Carlo_2024_640 — Oceania Cruises' Marina

An array of new European sailings, ranging from nine to 56 days, has been added to Oceania Cruises’ 2025 Mediterranean programme.

Cruise enthusiasts can expect to journey with Oceania’s Marina and Nautica to iconic islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic as well as well-loved European resort towns and bustling cities, and lesser-known ports of call.

Oceania Cruises’ Marina will show off refreshed interiors with its 2025 Mediterranean sailings

Cities including Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Rome and Lisbon frame the 16 voyages, allowing the ships to meander from lively jet-set resort towns such as Monte Carlo, Cannes, Positano and Sorrento, to hidden gems including Tirana and Sarande in Albania; Trapani in Sicily; Calvi and Propriano in Corsica, and Sibenik in Croatia.

Through Oceania’s extensive set of small-group, immersive shore excursions, guests can rediscover previously-visited favourites through a new lens, or uncover new places for the very first time. For example, while in Santorini, travellers can choose an adventurous tour of the island’s active volcanoes, or while in Montenegro, see a new side of Kotor by exploring Europe’s southernmost fjord, Boka Bay.

The new voyages also come with enhanced onboard experiences, as the 1,250-guest ship, Marina, emerges from an expansive refurbishment. It will feature two new dining options, an expanded poolside ice-cream parlour, and refreshed Penthouse Suites and public areas.

Yotel makes Japan entry with Frasers’ hands

By TTG Asia

May 3, 2024

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Global hospitality brand Yotel and Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality have formed a partnership that will allow the former to launch the first Yotel hotel in Japan in early 2025.

The 244-key Yotel Tokyo Ginza will command a prime location in the city’s most popular dining and shopping destination, with Tokyo Station a short 15-minute walk away.

Yotel Tokyo Ginza will offer 244 rooms and an attractive address for both leisure and business travellers

It will showcase the brand’s distinctive signature style, seamlessly blending modern design with locally inspired artwork. Guests can expect new features during their stay, such as robotic concierge, motorised SmartBeds, and fully integrated technologies enabling a complete digital guest experience from reservation up to check-out.

Hubert Viriot, Yotel’s CEO, said the new property would be the brand’s flagship.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with an investor who shares our dedication to innovation and excellence in hospitality,” he said.

Eu Chin Fen, CEO of Frasers Hospitality, said: “The debut of the inaugural Yotel-branded hotel in Tokyo, Japan marks a significant milestone for us and reaffirms our commitment to deepen our presence in the country as we continue to grow the portfolio. We are pleased to join hands with Yotel to launch the brand in Japan and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership in the long term.”

Yotel Tokyo Ginza is part of the brand’s wider strategy to expand across key cities in Japan. The group is also working to roll out Yotelair, a transit hotel concept, at key gateway airports and train stations.

Adventure, Inc. expands in Asia, acquires Singapore’s Silkway

By TTG Asia

May 3, 2024

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Singapore-based travel management company Silkway Travel Asia has been acquired by Japanese OTA Adventure, Inc. as part of the former’s regional expansion strategy, and will now function as a fully owned subsidiary of the latter.

The deal is mutually beneficial and will not affect Silkway Travel Asia’s operations in Singapore, including its name, management team, and product offerings, assured the company in a press statement.

Japan’s Adventure, Inc. will leverage Silkway Travel Asia’s established presence and expertise in both Singapore and the region; Kampong Glam, Singapore pictured

The deal will allow Adventure, with an annual turnover of 20 billion yen (US$130.7 million), to leverage Silkway Travel Asia’s established presence and expertise in both Singapore and the region, and cater to the diverse travel preferences of Asian customers as part of the company’s strategic expansion into South-east Asia.

The integration of Silkway Travel Asia’s unique offerings into Adventure’s extensive portfolio ensures travellers will enjoy unparalleled access to tailored travel experiences.

Silkway Travel Asia will also gain access to Adventure’s air ticket reservation platform skyticket, which streamlines the booking process for customers by allowing them to search, book, and pay for flights through Google’s search engine, without needing to be redirected to other websites.

James Tang, director and co-founder of Silkway Travel Asia, said: “Silkway Travel Asia will continue to expand its portfolio of MNC and SME clientele, providing extensive and comprehensive corporate travel management products and services.”

Albert Hong, director and co-founder of Silkway Travel Asia, added: “We’re thrilled to embark on the next stage of our growth with Adventure. This acquisition signifies Adventure’s confidence in our offerings and long-term strategy in expanding our operations further in Singapore and South-east Asia region, as travel demand continues to grow post-Covid.”

Both Tang and Hong will continue to serve as directors of the company post-acquisition.

Describing Silkway Travel Asia as a “valuable addition to the Adventure family”, Shunichi Nakamura, CEO of Adventure, said both companies “share a common goal of creating impactful and sustainable travel experiences that resonate with the evolving desires of today’s modern travellers”.

Hotel Indigo brand deepens reach in Thailand

By TTG Asia

May 3, 2024

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IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), along with property developer Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), will take its Hotel Indigo brand to a new mixed-used development in Bangkok, one that is said to be the largest project of its kind in the country. The 274-room Hotel Indigo The Forestias Bangkok is expected to open in 2026.

The hotel will be located alongside residential and office space, retail, dining and family entertainment options, expansive meeting spaces and a hospital.

Hotel Indigo The Forestias Bangkok will be part of a massive mixed-use development

The Forestias will also be home to another IHG property – Six Senses The Forestias, a 85-room hotel and 27 residences development closely attached to a five-hectare forest park.

Hotel Indigo The Forestias Bangkok will offer a café, lounge, pool bar, gym, swimming pool, and over 6,500m2 of meeting space for up to 400 people. Guests can also expect easy access to Bangkok’s city centre and Suvarnabhumi International Airport, both of which will be accessible through a high-speed rail link.

Saowarin Chanprakaisi, senior director, development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG said: “MQDC and IHG have a shared vision of providing our guests with the best stay experience while operating in total harmony with the natural environment. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting project that will set the benchmark for community living.”

Paisit Kaenchan, head of hotel & hospitality business, MQDC, added: “The Hotel Indigo brand is perfect as the flagship hotel for The Forestias, thanks to a design philosophy that brings its neighbourhood to life. Through this we will see a strong connection forged between our guests, the community and the environment, and our visitors can expect to be fully immersed into the eco-educational and nature experiences offered at The Forestias.

“Combining innovation and technology, The Forestias will become a destination of the future to live, work and play in a sustainable way. More than half of the project space will be forest and green spaces rich in wildlife, with residential, community and leisure spaces sensitively integrated.”

Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG, with 39 hotels across nine brands in the country and another 37 properties in the pipeline. Together with Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road and Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong, Hotel Indigo The Forestias Bangkok will join three other hotels in the pipeline including two in Bangkok and one in Koh Samui.

DidaTravel announces strong sales growth across GCC markets ahead of ATM

By TTG Asia

May 3, 2024

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DidaTravel ATM Dubai 2024 — The fastest growing source markets were Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain

Brought to you by DidaTravel

DidaTravel, a tech-driven global travel wholesaler, announced strong year-to-date sales growth from across GCC source markets and destinations ahead of the 2024 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) show in Dubai.

For DidaTravel, the leading B2B travel wholesaler in China and APAC, the GCC region has been of increasing strategic focus over the past few years and the year-to-date growth is testament to the success of this strategy, with an average outbound sales increase of +104% from GCC source markets.

The fastest growing GCC markets were Saudi Arabia (+202%), Qatar (+199%), Kuwait (+157%) and Bahrain (+104%), while the most popular destination countries were the UK, USA, Turkey, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

From an inbound perspective, the most popular GCC destinations continue to be Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha and Jeddah. Year-to-date average daily rates (ADRs), for GCC destinations booked through DidaTravel’s platform and distribution channels have grown by a very positive average of +31%.

In addition, DidaTravel’s flight distribution business has been growing very fast across the GCC region with average regional outbound sales growth of +556% year-to-date.

Jinyan Li, vice president of Global Account Management at DidaTravel said: “For DidaTravel, the GCC region is of paramount strategic importance from both a source market and destination perspective, so it is great to see such positive results over the past 12 months after all the hard work of both our sourcing and distribution teams. We are grateful to all our hotel and distribution partners in the region for their continued confidence in Dida and we look forward to meeting everyone at the upcoming ATM show”.

DidaTravel will be exhibiting at ATM, Stand TT3350, from May 6 to 9.

Discover the beauty of Thailand with industry-leading properties from ONYX Hospitality Group

Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore welcomes new GM

Rubel Miah joins Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, BDMS Wellness Clinic as GM

Macau woos Singapore visitors with a diversified strategy

Iloilo campaigns for more visitors

Oceania Cruises unveils 2025 Mediterranean sailings

Yotel makes Japan entry with Frasers’ hands

Adventure, Inc. expands in Asia, acquires Singapore’s Silkway

Hotel Indigo brand deepens reach in Thailand

DidaTravel announces strong sales growth across GCC markets ahead of ATM

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