TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Friday, 19th December 2025
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The time is now

By Alastair Newport
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The group had its official launch in January. Why now?
The decision to officially launch APOLA in January was strategic, marking the beginning of a new year with a fresh vision for the future of outdoor lodging in the Asia-Pacific region. This timing reflects our readiness to address the growing demand for sustainable and responsible tourism, leveraging a period of recovery and transformation in the travel industry post-lockdown. It’s a pivotal moment to influence how people travel, emphasising outdoor experiences that respect and preserve the natural beauty of our destinations.

This year, our immediate priorities include establishing a solid foundation for APOLA by expanding our network of members, developing sustainable tourism guidelines, and launching initiatives that support local communities and conservation efforts.

Over the next five years, our vision is to position the Asia-Pacific region as a global leader in sustainable outdoor lodging. This includes advocating for policy changes, driving innovation in eco-friendly accommodations, and fostering a culture of responsible travel among tourists and industry stakeholders alike.

However, we do face some significant hurdles. The main challenges include navigating diverse regulations across countries, balancing growth with sustainability, and changing the perception of outdoor lodging from niche to mainstream while maintaining environmental integrity. Additionally, we must work on educating and engaging local communities and stakeholders about the benefits of sustainable tourism, ensuring they are active participants in this journey.

Why do you think interest in outdoor lodging has grown in the region?
Interest has surged due to growing awareness of the need for sustainable travel options and a desire among travellers to connect with nature on a deeper level. The region’s rich natural landscapes and cultural diversity make it an ideal setting for outdoor lodging experiences that offer escape, adventure, and immersion in local environments.

The most pressing issues include habitat destruction, water scarcity, and waste management. APOLA is committed to addressing these challenges by promoting best practices in eco-friendly construction, water conservation, and waste reduction among our members. We will also support initiatives that contribute to habitat restoration and encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources to minimise the environmental footprint of outdoor lodging sites.

APOLA has a great selection of characters within its founding members. How did this evolve, and who put the team together?
The development of APOLA’s founding team emerged organically from a collective enthusiasm and shared aspirations for advancing outdoor lodging in the Asia-Pacific, recognising both the sector’s growth potential and its distinct challenges. The team was brought together by Paul Dean, principal of Dean & Associates; Robert Hecker, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Horwath HTL Singapore; and Bill Barnett from C9 Hotelworks in Phuket, who each saw the opportunity to unite their knowledge and expertise to steer the outdoor lodging industry towards a sustainable future.

You are based on Samui. If you could change one thing right now that would immediately impact the island’s sustainability, what would that be and why?
It would be to implement a comprehensive waste management system that includes recycling and composting, significantly reducing the island’s waste footprint. Effective waste management is crucial for protecting the island’s natural beauty and marine life, ensuring Samui remains a sustainable and attractive destination for future generations.

For Thailand, I would advocate for a nation-wide shift towards sustainable tourism practices. This includes not only improving waste management and conservation efforts but also investing in sustainable infrastructure and education programmes that empower local communities. By prioritising sustainability, Thailand can safeguard its natural and cultural heritage, ensuring it remains a vibrant destination for responsible travellers.

Expedia to shed jobs globally as part of restructure

By TTG Asia
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Expedia will reduce its global workforce by about 1,500 as part of its transformation and resource assessment.

In a statement, Expedia assured that “the business continues to evaluate the appropriate allocation of resources to ensure the most important work continues to be prioritised”, and explained that the job cuts would allow the company to “invest in core strategic areas for growth”.

Expedia will cut about 1,500 jobs globally

“Consultation with local employee representatives, where applicable, will occur before making any final decisions,” noted Expedia’s statement.

Swiss-Belhotel International to expand in Indonesia

By TTG Asia
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Swiss-Belhotel International is set to launch several new properties in Indonesia this year, adding to its current portfolio of 81 hotels and resorts across 48 cities in the country.

Upcoming projects by Swiss-Belhotel International comprise locations such as Jakarta, Indramayu, Yogyakarta, Bali, Labuan Bajo, and Ambon.

Swiss-Belhotel International will launch new properties in Indonesia by 2024; Swiss-Belhotel Lombok, pictured

The journey within this captivating archipelago has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Emmanuel Guillard, senior vice president of operations and development at Swiss-Belhotel International for Indonesia, commented: “Our expansion goes beyond the well-known landscapes of Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bali as we extend our reach to third-tier cities like Indramayu. Additionally, our journey takes us to the enchanting realms of Eastern Indonesia, with Ambon and Labuan Bajo, promising destinations brimming with tourism potential for both local and international visitors.

“In our future developments, we remain dedicated to expanding our mission and vision by growing our portfolio across diverse market segments in Indonesia.”

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong unveils luxury family offerings

By TTG Asia
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Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong has revealed a luxury family-friendly haven with the transformation of its 45th floor that specially caters to families.

The 45th floor lift lobby resembles a Hong Kong train station with a moving model train, and each corridor has either a garden or marine theme.

Families can enjoy a fun stay at Island Shangri-La’s new family suites, like the Safari Adventure suite, pictured

The 21 new rooms and suites provide a stress-free stay complemented by family services such as The Hangout – a living-dining-play room that features a grab & go station, workshop room (with activities, books and games), and The Pantry, which offers a wide range of children-related appliances for parents to use including a washing machine and tumble dryer, and a wash basin, microwave, and other essentials.

Accommodation choices include one-bedroom guestrooms, two-bedroom family suites, and three-bedroom Family Suites will be launched soon. Suite themes comprise Hong Kong Wonders suite, Safari Adventure suite, Safari Adventure Two-Bedroom Suite, Underwater Treasure Two-Bedroom Suite, Airship Voyage suite, and Fairy Garden suite.

Located on the eighth level is the pool deck featuring an exclusive outdoor Waterplay area designed as a joyful space for families. Crafted with safety in mind for children up to the age of six, the area includes a toddler paddling pool, a splash park with a water tunnel, water jets, and LED lights, as well as flower sculptures and an interactive Whack-a-mole wall. Guests on the 45th floor will also receive a pool bag with amenities, and additional supplies such as pool toys and swimming diapers are provided on the pool deck for added convenience.

Luxury cabanas are available for guests to relax and enjoy Island Shangri-La Hotel’s poolside service as well.

For more information, visit Island Shangri-La Hotel.

Iran welcomes Singapore travellers with no visa requirements

By TTG Asia
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Singapore nationals can now enter Iran for tourism without the need for a travel visa, and remain in the destination for no more than 15 days for every 180 days.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Singapore said the move was enforced on February 4 this year.

Iran will develop its tourism infrastructure; view of Tehran in winter pictured

Iran has been working to raise the profile of its tourism industry, and had hosted the 17th International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition from February 12 to 15 this year. Minister of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami, told the media during the event that Iran has plans to develop areas for tourism, launch tourism campaigns, and facilitate urban investments.

Hiroshima hits Singapore market with stronger promotions

By Karen Yue
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A cuddly yellow bear has been tasked with flying Hiroshima’s flag in Singapore over the weekend, as the Japanese destination seeks to deepen its reach into the city-state’s outbound travel market.

Named Hirokuma, the mascot hosted a destination presentation and meet-and-greet on February 24 for more than 50 Singapore members of Facebook community group, Wanderers of Hiroshima, an initiative by the Hiroshima Tourism Association (HIT). The group now boasts over 2,500 members from all over Asia. Members are said to be travellers familiar with Hiroshima as well as those curious to discover more of the destination’s hidden gems.

Members of Hiroshima Tourism Association and mascot Hirokuma lead destination presentations in Singapore

In an interview with TTG Asia, Matsubara Kazuki, section chief of HIT’s International Tourism Department, said the Saturday event was the organisation’s first face-to-face interaction with Wanderers of Hiroshima’s Singapore members. Attendees got to learn more about the destination and local F&B products.

Kazuki said Hirokuma’s first public appearance at a Japan travel fair in Singapore last October was a hit, and that encouraged HIT to leverage the mascot’s popularity to raise Hiroshima’s destination profile among Singapore travellers.

HIT will also rely on the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to further raise destination awareness. The JNTO Singapore office recently spearheaded an initiative that followed a Singaporean couple who explored Hiroshima’s fun and romantic facets and introduced their experiences through social media. The campaign, titled Dreamlike Trip for 2 across Hiroshima and San’in, featured coastal drives along the Shimanami Coast, a stay at luxury hotel Azumi Setoda, and an oyster farm tour plus feast, among many other things.

While JNTO collaborations for 2024 are still being discussed, Singapore travellers can expect more motivations to visit Hiroshima soon.

Kazuki revealed that an airfare promotion with All Nippon Airways will soon commence. The campaign will allow Singapore residents to enjoy special fares when they book flights from Singapore to Hiroshima via Tokyo Haneda International Airport and choose to begin their exploration of Japan in Hiroshima.

Plans are also underway to establish a physical space where Singapore residents can purchase Hiroshima’s famed products, such as okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) ingredients, and be inspired to visit the destination.

Kazuki said Hiroshima has many aspects that are yet unknown to Singapore travellers, such as the prefecture’s varied local cuisine and affiliation with popular manga and anime titles. Landmarks that appeared in Slam Dunk, a hit basketball-themed manga and anime series, as well as Ponyo, an animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, are located in Hiroshima.

HIT’s latest promotions in Singapore follows on the heels of the organisation’s move to intensify marketing across Asia last year, which saw it pushing adventure tourism opportunities and its Seto islands.

Japan sees record spending by tourists in 2023

By Kathryn Wortley
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Spending by international visitors to Japan reached record levels in 2023, despite the number of inbound travellers reaching only 79 per cent of the 31.88 million who arrived in 2019.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan welcomed last year 25.06 million inbound tourists, who spent 5.29 trillion yen (US$35. 1 billion), up 10 per cent from the 4.81 trillion yen spent in 2019.

Spending by international visitors reached record levels in Japan last year

Taiwanese arrivals comprised the largest share (14.7 per cent) of total tourism expenditure, with 778.6 billion yen in spending. In second place was China, with 14.4 per cent of total spending, despite its arrivals totalling only 2.42 million or 25 per cent of 2019 levels.

Visitors from South Korea increased 25 per cent compared to 2019 data and comprised 14.1 per cent of total consumption. Travellers from the US and Hong Kong also made up a significant share: 11.5 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively.

There was increased spending by visitors of all target countries, with average capita spend 34 per cent higher than in 2019. Some countries’ visitors were particularly big spenders, such as Spain, with 342,000 yen spend per traveller, and Australia, with 341,000 yen spend per traveller.

Accommodation made up the largest share of expenditure, taking over shopping, which was the leading segment in 2019. Still, major Japanese retailers report that autumn 2023 was their most profitable period since 2019, thanks to greater duty-free spending, particularly for watches, cosmetics and luxury goods, by overseas visitors.

Japan sees lower number of Chinese visitors over Lunar New Year

By Kathryn Wortley
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Japan welcomed fewer Chinese tourists than expected over the recent Lunar New Year, despite the country’s previous popularity during the period and this year being the first Spring Festival celebrated without travel restrictions following the lifting of a Covid-induced Chinese ban on group tours to Japan in August 2023.

The number of Japan visas issued to mainland China-based travellers for the holiday was only 60 per cent of the number issued over the same period in 2019, according to the Japanese embassy in Beijing.

Narita International Airport saw about half the number of Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year as compared to the same period in 2019 (Photo: CAPTAINHOOK)

Chinese inbound bookings over February 10-17 reached 40 per cent of the level in 2019, largely due to the number of flights between Japan and China remaining at only 50 to 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, according to major airlines.

Narita International Airport welcomed around half of the number of Chinese tourists it did over Lunar New Year in 2019, according to a spokesperson.

At Kansai International Airport, flight capacity from China reached 70 to 80 per cent during the eight-day holiday, but the number of flights between Japan and China is only about 40 per cent of what it was in 2019, according to Kansai-based airlines.

Other destinations including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, where Chinese travellers can stay visa-free for up to 30 days under new visa-exemption agreements, saw record numbers of Chinese arrivals.

Total bookings to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand over February 10-17 were 30 per cent higher than over the same period in 2019, according to Trip.com.

South Korea’s Justice Ministry also reported that Chinese visitors during Lunar New Year were up four per cent from 2019.

CapitaLand Investment gets new fund to expand lodging portfolio

By TTG Asia
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CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) has established a new lodging private fund, CapitaLand Ascott Residence Asia Fund II (CLARA II), valued with a target equity size of US$600 million which will invested in serviced residences and co-living properties in Asian gateway cities.

CLARA II is the follow-on fund to the US$600 million Ascott Serviced Residence Global Fund (ASRGF). The latter’s latest property, lyf Ginza Tokyo was opened in November 2023 and has since exceeded its average target rent.

Goh: CLARA II will leverage Ascott’s global operational expertise, and sales and marketing network

CLI will hold a 20 per cent sponsor stake in CLARA II in line with its asset-light strategy to grow its funds under management while keeping strong alignment with its investors and partners. The remaining 80 per cent will be held by third-party institutional investors.

The new fund has secured its first close with equity commitment by global institutional investors from Europe and Asia, and will acquire two seed assets – 308-unit lyf Bugis Singapore with a 50 per cent stake, and set for a mid-2024 opening; and 200-unit lyf Shibuya Tokyo, Japan with a 100 per cent stake, scheduled to open in 4Q2024.

The two freehold properties are strategically located within their respective city centres and are well-positioned to capture the strong demand from business and leisure travellers. Both properties are also set to be green-certified.

Kevin Goh, CEO for CLI Lodging and Ascott, said: “Combining CLI’s investment management capabilities and Ascott’s expertise in operating lodging properties worldwide under our award-winning brands, we are well-positioned to support the growth of our private funds.

“We are in a strong financial position to seize good investment opportunities and inject quality assets into our private funds. Tapping on travellers’ preference for trusted brands, CLARA II will leverage Ascott’s global operational expertise, and sales and marketing network. This enables us to enhance the value of the assets and deliver sustainable returns to investors. Investors will further benefit from the strong demand for lodging as international travel continues its upward trajectory.”

Goh added that there is potential to establish more lodging private funds in other regions such as Europe.

Mak Hoe Kit, managing director for lodging private equity funds at CLI, said serviced residences and co-living properties have proven to be resilient even during the pandemic.

“These properties generate stable income from long-stay guests and have the flexibility to take in guests on short stay to maximise revenue. With trends such as increased global mobility, co-living becoming mainstream, and travellers spending more time overseas, the sector is strategically positioned to offer attractive returns,” remarked Mak, who added that CLARA II will target markets with strong economic fundamentals and transparent regulations.

Travel Exclusive Asia expands into Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

By TTG Asia
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Travel Exclusive Asia is expanding into Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to foster sustainable tourism, social responsibility, and regional growth in the region.

The Thai DMC is targeting further expansion across South-east Asia and is enhancing its global sales network to meet the increased industry demand for collaboration.

Thai DMC Travel Exclusive Asia is looking to expand into Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Founded in 2016 by André van der Marck, Travel Exclusive Asia has become a premier destination specialist, celebrated for its hands-on management and B2B partnerships.

Travel Exclusive Asia has achieved significant success in Thailand by offering unique products that support local communities. Its dedication to sustainability has also recently been recognised with a Travelife Partnership.

Yves Van Kerrebroeck, managing partner for Indochina and the group business development director, is poised to drive sustainable growth through careful partnerships with suppliers and B2B clients.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Diamond Princess begins Singapore homeporting season
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
TTG Asia | Hilton teams up with Explora Journeys to expand loyalty programme to luxury ocean voyages