Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen, China
Perched atop the Shenwan Huiyun Center, Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen occupies its top 13 floors. Its 272 rooms offer spectacular views, while the 77th floor Wellness Club, and all-day dining restaurant and Chinese restaurant will keep guests satiated.
It is easily accessible by three metro lines and a 35-minute drive from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Nearby attractions include Shenzhen Bay Park, Window of the World, and He Xiang Ning Art Museum.
JEN Kunming by Shangri-La, China
Nestled in the bustling heart of Yunnan Province’s capital, JEN Kunming by Shangri-La offers 274 smartly designed rooms, a 2,200m2 Wellness Club, and the OpenHouse Café Bar.
Its location in Kunming’s First Ring CBD, is ideal for exploring the city’s popular attractions including Kunming Museum, the bustling Nanqiang Night Market and the historic Qianwang Street.
The hotel is part of a dual-brand project, located in the same building as Shangri-La Kunming, which will debut in 2025.
Six Senses Kyoto, Japan
The Six Senses brand has launched in Japan with the opening of Six Senses Kyoto. Inspired by the golden Heian age, the hotel’s design infuses elements of traditional arts and folklore to create a refined, modern atmosphere.
It offers 81 guestrooms and suites, including specialty suites with a private Japanese courtyard and a 238m2 three-bedroom Penthouse Suite.
The Six Senses Spa offers a wellness screening and programmes that focus on sleep, detox, yoga, and fitness.
Katra Marriott Resort & Spa, India
Set among the serene landscapes of Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, the Katra Marriott Resort & Spa features 100 modern rooms, suites and cottages that offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape.
Cottage suites come with a private swimming pool, while some rooms open to private balconies.
For relaxation, guests can indulge in the Quan Spa or recharge at the fitness centre.
The resort is close to several attractions, including Patnitop Hill Station, Mansar Lake and Krimchi Temple, all of which are within an hour’s drive, while Katra’s local market is just five minutes away.
Cambodia Angkor Air, the national flag carrier of Cambodia, will commence four-times-a-week direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi beginning June 16. When operational, the service will mark the first direct air connection between the two countries.
“The Indian outbound tourism market is growing rapidly. Since a lot of Indians are looking to explore new destinations like Cambodia, we remain positive about the demand for our flights. Our future plans include increasing frequency to daily flights on the Phnom Penh-New Delhi route besides connecting the Indian capital to Siem Reap. We also see potential in expanding direct service to other Indian cities like Mumbai,” said Eng Molina, the airline’s chief commercial officer.
Speaking to TTG Asia at a trade event in New Delhi on May 14 to announce the new flights, Molina also shared that talks will soon begin with Indian carriers for a codeshare agreement, as Cambodia Angkor Air looks to tap feeder markets across the country.
“This year we are planning to launch a promotional campaign in India. Our focus will be to promote not just Siem Reap but also other experiences like beautiful beaches, islands, eco-tourism, vibrant cities, and shopping options,” said Seila Hul, undersecretary of state, Cambodia’s ministry of tourism.
As per official tourism statistics, 34,016 Indians visited Cambodia in 2022. Cambodian travel agents are optimistic that the new flights will help to boost demand from the Indian outbound market.
“We are already working on tour packages ranging from three nights, targeting weekend travel, to 15 nights. Presently, Angkor Wat (in Siem Reap) is very popular among Indians visiting Cambodia. However, we see potential in promoting our other cultural heritage sites like Temple of Preah Vihear, mangrove forest, river cruises, and bird-watching sites like Prek Toal. Our focus is on both leisure and MICE segments,” said Chhay Sivlin, president, Cambodia Tourism Association.
Anil Kalsi, vice president of the Travel Agents Federation of India, noted that direct flights would reduce the cost of tour packages. Indian travellers currently struggle with high airfares due to the need for connecting flights from locations such as Bangkok to reach Cambodia.
“Cambodia Angkor Air should further offer convenient connections to Siem Reap from their Phnom Penh flights. Indian travellers can then (combine) Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Also, if the Cambodian government can consider visa waivers for Indian tourists, it will have a very positive impact on demand,” added Kalsi.
Cambodia Angkor Air is planning to start direct thrice-a-week direct flights to Singapore by the end of this year.