Saudi Arabia gains more interest among Indonesians
Traditionally regarded as Umrah and Hajj destination, Saudi Arabia is picking up in popularity as a leisure destination among Indonesian travellers who are seeking experiential travel, observed Indonesia’s outbound players.
Yento Chen, CEO, Destination Tour Indonesia, has seen demand for Saudi Arabia rising over the past year, including from non-Muslim travellers, who are keen to explore new destinations. He shared that most clients are “curious and excited to see things” that they have heard about Saudi Arabia, such as tales like living in the desert and 1,001 Nights.
Destination Tour Indonesia has sent its first Indonesian group of 15 pax to the kingdom last February, with group bookings up to the end of the year.
The six-day itinerary includes attractions such as Shubra Palace, Arrudaf Park, Old Town Jeddah, Harrat Viewpoint, Elephant Rock, and Al Masmak Fort – there are also plans to expand the programme to include the Red Sea and more off-the-beaten-path destinations for 2025.
Seeing the positive trend, Yento is confident that Saudi Arabia will be a hot destination for 2025, especially when “the development of tourism products, most of which are premium, are completed”, he added.
Likewise, Ricky Hilton, spokesperson at Golden Rama Tours & Travel, perceives Saudi Arabia as a new destination with huge tourism potential, having received several queries from priority customers who favoured experiential travel.
He shared: “Travellers in these markets are drawn by the exotic allure of Saudi Arabia as well as the luxury hotel chains that have flagged their brands there.”
This growing trend has prompted Golden Rama Tours & Travel to create new packages for sporting holidays, such as golf, and soft adventure activities like trekking, paragliding and horse riding.
The development of Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain destination, and Sheybarah Islands are some attractions that can fulfil his clients’ preference for luxury and hidden gems, stated Ricky, adding that the four-day free visa facility for transit in Saudi will also help agents to develop more business.
“We can create a Europe plus Saudi package – this could be a favourite tour because it gives clients more choices of attractions and experiences,” he noted.
Aviatour’s director Jeffry Darjanto, however, opined that although Saudi Arabia is becoming a hot topic among the premium market, more information about the country as a tourist destination was still needed. Many queries persist on what attractions were available beyond Mecca and Madinah.
Jeffry also called for a closer collaboration between the NTO office in Jakarta and Indonesian outbound travel companies.
In the meantime, Pauline Suharno, managing director of Elok Tour, hopes that Saudi Tourism Authority will promote the destination through roadshows, travel marts or travel fairs to raise awareness on tourist spots.
She also pointed out the need for the Saudi Arabian government and tourism business stakeholders to train Indonesian travel agents to better understand the country’s tourism sector, including its attractions and offerings, so that they would be well-equipped to push Saudi Arabia’s tourism products to prospective travellers, especially to non-Muslim travellers.
Club Med boosts China inbound tourism with global event
Club Med hosted its Lijiang Resort’s first global event with the theme of Dancing with Yulong (Jade Dragon) that invites overseas guests to experience the beauty of China.
Around 100 tourism trade partners and media from different markets were invited to this global event, including Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan region, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and Belgium, during which they visited the Club Med Guilin and Lijiang resorts respectively.
At Lijiang Resort, guests experienced a wide range of activities both within and outside the resort – they saw the sunrise over the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, took a stroll through Baisha Ancient Town (the World Cultural Heritage), appreciated the traditional art of Naxi tie dye and learned about the Dongba script, which is the only existed pictographic writing system throughout the world. Plus, Discovery, a product series of Club Med excursion, includes the travelling route not only in Lijiang, but Kunming, Dali, and Shangri-La.
Guests from Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong SAR can get direct flights from their respective cities to Lijiang and Kunming, providing them with convenient access to the diverse exploration itineraries that Club Med offers in the destination.
Currently, Club Med operates 10 resorts in China, with Lijiang and Guilin resorts as two of its iconic destinations – its three mountain resorts, located in Changbaishan, Beidahu and Yabuli, provide professional skiing facilities, instructions and diverse snow activities.
In anticipation of the upcoming peak tourism season, Club Med has taken a series of proactive steps to promote outbound travel among domestic guests, such as an early bird promotion, which commenced on March 26, offers discounts of up to 30 per cent and up to 30 days cancellation notice.
Andrew Xu, CEO of Club Med China, commented: “We are thrilled to utilise this global brand event as a showcase for our resorts and the beautiful destinations in China to media and travellers worldwide. With a robust demand for skiing and summer vacations across all regions, we anticipate a sustained increase in bookings throughout 2024.”
Royal Caribbean partners Make-A-Wish foundation
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Make-A-Wish are joining forces to support the latter’s mission of creating life-changing wishes for many kids around the world with critical illnesses.
RCI’s Wishes at Sea programme aims to contribute to the non-profit organisation’s efforts with both fundraising and in-kind donations of Royal Caribbean’s most impactful asset – memorable family experiences.
In addition to making donations online, adventurers will soon be able to raise awareness and funds while enjoying their vacations across the cruise line’s ships and private destinations. The line-up of efforts will vary from Walk for Wishes 5Ks and walkathons to auctions for exclusive experiences and more.
Every wish will come to life with a bigger, bolder Royal Caribbean getaway that is specially planned for wish kids and their families. The adventures in store will be packed with everything from the ultimate experience at the cruise line’s top-rated private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, that includes access to the waterpark in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, a private cabana and a high-flying experience on the Up, Up & Away helium balloon. Plus, VIP treatment from start to finish, with exclusive experiences, complimentary Wi-Fi, private FlowRider sessions, and more.
“The memories we make with our families and friends on vacation are among the moments that are the most special and impactful, and for wish kids and their families, that very impact can change the course of their lives,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, RCI. “In this partnership, we are in a position to do what we love – delivering memorable vacations – while making a difference in the lives of those at the heart of Royal Caribbean, families, that need it most.”
“As we celebrate World Wish Month, we are grateful to partner with Royal Caribbean International and open a sea of new opportunities for us to fulfil our mission of granting life-changing wishes,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “We know that a wish can chart a new course in these children’s lives, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work together to deliver that life-changing impact.”
Marriott International debuts The Westin brand in Penang
Marriott International has signed with Westfield Global to bring The Westin brand to the island of Penang, marking its fourth Westin in Malaysia.
Slated to open in 2026, The Westin Hotel, Penang will boast 217 rooms and suites, offering guests sweeping views of greenery and the Andaman Sea.
Onsite facilities will comprise all-day dining and speciality restaurants, lobby lounge, pool bar, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, kids’ club and event venues, including a grand ballroom.
The property overlooks the newly opened Gurney Bay Park, a seafront public recreational space including a skate park and retail areas, and is nearby Gurney Drive’s popular attractions of local street food, with Gurney Drive Hawker Centre and popular shopping malls of Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon.
Just a few minutes’ drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town, the hotel is also close to other popular Penang attractions including Kek Lok Si Temple and Batu Ferringhi, known for its beach and water activities, with Penang International Airport a 30-minute drive away.
“We are delighted to bring the beloved Westin brand to the celebrated destination of Penang and be a part of the island’s offering for both leisure and business travellers. We are confident that The Westin Hotel, Penang will exceed expectations in offering both leisure and business travellers a thoroughly fresh, yet familiar and certainly enjoyable stay in Penang,” said Andree Susilo, senior director – development, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
Yeoh Yih Sean, group managing director, Westfield Global, added: “This partnership is a significant step towards advancing Penang’s tourism sector and this underscores our goal of providing a world-class wellness hospitality experience which enhances the reputation of Penang as a global travel destination.”
Sri Lanka’s national carrier to lease more aircraft
SriLankan Airlines will soon receive four A330 aircraft under a leasing arrangement with two suppliers from Ireland, ORIX Aviation and Aergo Capital, a government minister told reporters on Tuesday.
“Under these contracts, ORIX Aviation will provide two aircraft on a monthly lease of US$360,000 for six years, while Aergo Capital will lease two aircraft on a monthly fee of US$365,000 for eight years,” minister and cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardene said, after cabinet approval was given to the move.
In mid-February, SriLankan Airlines chairman Ashok Pathirage said the airline has contracted for three A320s, one of which has already been received. Additionally, the airline has received offers for six A330s and hopes of finalising these acquisitions by the end of the year.
The fleet expansion of the national carrier is of vital importance to the airline as the current fleet consists of 17 aircraft, of which three are grounded.
The government is seeking an investor for the cash-strapped airline, though running at an operating profit is saddled with a huge debt which the authorities hope to absorb once a foreign investor enters the scene.
The airline chief has said they were managing the number of destinations they operate by reducing some of it due to a shortage of aircraft – these routes will be restored once the new aircraft arrive.
He said the national carrier stopped its services to Muscat, Oman and will be suspending its services to Beijing, China from this week. The airline operates to 126 destinations in 61 countries (including codeshare operations).
Meanwhile, a pilot project of visa-free entry for travellers from seven countries which was introduced in October/November last year and due to end in March 2024 has been extended to April 30, stated tourism minister Harin Fernando. He said a final decision on the pilot project and whether to make it a permanent feature would be taken into consideration in the coming weeks.
Visa-free entry is available to travellers from key generating markets, such as India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Celebrate Songkran with Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy’s hotels and resorts have revealed a series of exclusive dining offers, activities and value-added benefits for travellers who book premium rooms, suites and villas under the Stay Elevated, Stay Elite campaign during Songkran, the iconic Thai New Year water festival.
In Bangkok, the Maha Songkran World Water Festival extravaganza will take place from April 11 to 15 with celebrations and parades across the city. Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong will have a special F&B offer while Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok’s Mahachai Coconut Ice Cream promotion at MoMo Café will sweeten up the festivities from April 12 to 16.
Le Méridien Bangkok sets the scene for fun-filled festivities with an outdoor Songkran Party, mini foam party and a choice of Thai delights (April 13-15); The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok will serve up Khao Chae while The St Regis Bangkok will treat diners to a six-course Discovery set menu at VIU (April 12-15).
Guests who stay at Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel can enjoy auspicious Song Nam Phra activities at 11 temples across the city from throughout April, plus the lively Water War in Chiang Mai on April 13. Alternatively, at Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, travellers can discover the Paweni Pi Mai in Chiang Rai, or head to the banks of the Mekong River for the Chiang Saen Songkran Festival.
In Phuket, highlights include The Patong Festival on the Beach, with cultural traditions of Songkran being embraced in Phuket’s Old Town – accommodation options here are Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort and Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town.
Families and friends who want to escape the city can enjoy Songkran by the sea can check out beachfront properties like Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, W Samui and Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui.
To enjoy the festivities for longer, travellers can head to Pattaya and stay at Courtyard by Marriott North Pattaya or Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa.
For more information, visit Marriott Bonvoy.
New hotels: Five Luxe, Amora Brisbane and more
Five Luxe, the UAE
With vistas of the Arabian Gulf and landmarks, Ain Dubai and Palm Jumeirah, the newly-opened Five Luxe in Dubai features 222 hotel rooms and suites, alongside 276 lavish residences for celebrations.
The hotel offers facilities like restaurants, bars, swimming pool, spa and gym.
For poolside social gatherings, the property has pool party rooms ranging from one to four bedrooms, each with its own private pool – there are also wellness suites such as the Ultimate Spa Suite with XL Pool which boasts its own spa, hot tub, sauna, and steam room.
Amora Brisbane, Australia
Amora Brisbane offers 296 keys and features a restaurant, lobby bar, café, outdoor pool and deck, fitness studio, sauna, and 11 refurbished conference and events spaces spanning 1,148m².
Located in the prime CBD area, Amora Brisbane is a short stroll from Central Railway Station, The Queen St Mall, Treasury Casino and Suncorp Stadium. It is also a five-minute drive to the entertainment precincts of Howard Smith Wharves and Fortitude Valley, and 15 minutes by car to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Sheraton Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport, Indonesia
The 227-room Sheraton Jakarta Soekarno Hatta Airport offers facilities such as restaurants, bars, three swimming pools, fitness centre, social workspace, ballroom, and six meeting rooms.
Situated within the vicinity of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the hotel is a five-minute drive from Cengkareng Golf Club and Soewarna Business Park, and 30 minutes away from Pantai Indah Kapuk, the hub of entertainment, leisure, shopping and culinary experiences.
Hilton Saigon, Vietnam
Hilton Saigon is nestled in the vibrant financial and residential hub of Ho Chi Minh City, and features 228 guestrooms and suites with views of the Saigon River.
The hotel also has restaurants, a spa, pool, fitness centre, lounge, and F&B options. For events, there is a pillar-less ballroom and meeting rooms available.
Just 30 minutes away from the Tan Son Nhat Airport, the hotel is surrounded by cultural and historical landmarks such as the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Saigon Opera House, all within walking distance from the hotel.
TAT, Michelin to push new destinations through food tourism
The Thai province of Chonburi has been selected as the “new city debut” in the Michelin Guide Thailand for 2025, as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues its work to market destinations through food.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of TAT said at today’s press conference that both the NTO and Michelin Guide have worked together for more than seven years to promote the value of the food industry in Thailand tourism, as well as drive the economic growth of the country.
“Today’s (announcement) marks another milestone in promoting the soft power of food that will help make Thai tourism experience more meaningful and valuable,” said Thapanee.
Since 2019, Michelin Guide Thailand has announced at least one new city or area of focus annually, including Phuket, Phang-Nga, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Koh Samui and the Surat Thani mainland.
Chonburi, already a popular destination with local foodies, includes cities like Pattaya, Sriracha – famed as the origin of Sriracha sauce – and the navy port of Sattahip.
TAT’s deputy governor for marketing communications, Nithee Seeprae, expressed hope that the Michelin collaboration would help to stimulate the economy in Thailand’s secondary destinations.
“We can already see how when famous chefs open their restaurants in Thailand, it drives tourism here. We hope that this collaboration could boost tourism to Chonburi up to 20 per cent,” he shared.
Food blogger and KOL Mark Wiens highlighted seafood as the main draw of the province and said that he hopes the designation of Michelin restaurants will help to draw tourism into local communities throughout the province and help their signature dishes to be more widely known and recognised.
“Tourists currently know Pattaya, but not much about the greater province of Chonburi – it would be great to be able to recognise more areas of (the province),” he opined, adding that the incentive to drive a few hours to a famous restaurant can also lead to travellers booking longer stays for explorations in the area.
Singapore grows concert tourism appeal with new plug-and-play venue
Singapore’s growing popularity as a concert destination among music promotors is expected to level up with the opening of Arena@Expo, a new 6,700-seat multipurpose, ready-to-use concert hall that joins Singapore Expo’s cluster of event venues.
Soft-launched in January this year and presented to an exclusive group of music promotors and producers last week, Arena@Expo has already worked up strong interest in the marketplace, thanks to its capacity and plug-and-play capability filling a sweet spot in Singapore’s concert infrastructure.
Arena@Expo packs in a Grand Stage, a production console, and a flexible space that can be configured for up to 6,700 seats or a blended setup with standing pen for 2,500 tiered seats and 4,200 standing. It can also cater to smaller shows with hundreds of people in the audience.
Concert producers are supported by high-quality basic audio and visual technology on site, which are included in the flat-fee venue rental, with half-hall and full-hall options. They are free to supplement their production and event management needs through either Arena@Expo’s partner vendors, or their own preferred ones.
Quality back-of-house infrastructure is also provided, such as comfortable and well-designed hospitality suites for artists. Come May, Arena@Expo will unveil new ticketing and merchandise booths at the front of the venue.
According to Ng Sim Lim, vice president, sales with Constellar, the organisation that manages Singapore Expo, Arena@Expo is now almost half-way to its 2024 target of 25 to 30 shows. These concerts are scheduled to perform throughout the year, and are from a variety of music promoters, across different genres of music and languages.
“Music promotors liked what they saw, and that sparked off positive word-of-mouth,” said Ng, who pointed out that prior to Arena@Expo, Singapore did not have a suitable venue for concerts attracting 5,000 to 7,000 attendees.
“We are able to attract regional artists who have good fan base and are still building up their following,” said Ng.
The new venue has so far welcomed concerts by American singer-songwriter, Melanie Martinez; Lebanese-Swedish singer-songwriter and music producer, Maher Zain; and South Korean idol, Kyuhyun. Come May 11, the venue will host Japanese rock band Radwimps.
As most of these concerts are planned for weekends, Arena@Expo intends to build up weekday content through smaller music promoters and associations that support local artists looking for an opportunity to perform.
Ng believes that Arena@Expo is a valuable addition to Singapore’s venue offerings, especially as the country grows its reputation as a “mecca for artists (and) a destination that (music promotors) must include as a stop in Asia”.
Recent A-lister concerts, such as those put up by Taylor Swift and Coldplay, have positively impacted Singapore’s concert and music industry, and highlighted the city-state’s hardware and supporting functions necessary for high quality performances, opined Ng.
“Singapore Expo works with the hospitality industry to position Singapore as an ideal destination for hosting and attending concerts. We are not just a space for rental; we have a partnership programme with many commercial entities, from production companies to hotels. This partnership programme brings convenience and preferential rates to music promotors, and help them recognise that Singapore is a supportive destination with lots of options,” he elaborated.
Ng has observed a trend among artists to avoid “multiple stops” in a single region, preferring instead “a location that they are very comfortable with and can attract their fans from around the region”.
“They make their (concert tour) decision based on more than just the venue; other supporting functions must be in place. For example, Singapore’s accessibility from anywhere in the world certainly helps promotors to pick Singapore as a destination for regional or world tours,” he noted.
Air Canada’s newest international service – and the only non-stop flight between Singapore and Canada – has commenced, with an arrival in Singapore this morning.
Stretching 12,818km, the route is the airline’s longest flight measured by distance even though the flying time from Singapore is scheduled to be only 14 hours and 40 minutes.
The Singapore-Vancouver route is operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners offering a choice of three cabins: Air Canada Signature Class featuring lie-flat individual pods; Premium Economy featuring larger seats with additional leg room and premium services; and Economy featuring complimentary chef-inspired and designed meals, wines, and beverages.
The service is operated four times a week, with flights departing from Vancouver International Airport every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and from Singapore Changi Airport every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mark Galardo, executive vice president, revenue and network planning at Air Canada, said: “These new Singapore flights are part of our strategic expansion at (Vancouver International Airport) which, together with an efficient and seamless in-transit connection process, further position the airport as the preferred North American gateway to Asia.
“Singapore is also an important gateway from beyond destinations. Customers have a multitude of connection options travelling from South-east Asia, Southern India and Western Australia with our longstanding codeshare and Star Alliance partner, Singapore Airlines.”
Lim Ching Kiat, executive vice president for air hub & cargo development at Changi Airport Group, said the new service was “especially timely, as travel volume between Singapore and Canada last year has seen a healthy rebound, exceeding 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels”.
Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO, Tamara Vrooman, noted that the new service from Vancouver International Airport would generate US$18 million in economic output and support jobs across the sector.