New hotels: Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Hotel Central and more
Lanson Place Mall of Asia, the Philippines
Lanson Place Mall of Asia exudes a warm and contemporary ambiance in its 247 guestrooms, 142 serviced residences, five dining options, and event spaces for up to 412 pax.
The property boasts a one-floor event space with a lobby, expansive pre-function space for cocktail reception, pillarless ballroom and seven meeting spaces. Other facilities include the rooftop infinity pool, co-working space, fitness centre, and kids’ corner.
The four-star property is conveniently situated within the Manila Bay MICE, business, entertainment and shopping areas just six kilometres away from the international airport.
Hotel Central, Macau
Hotel Central, a landmark of Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, offers a total of 114 rooms with six different room types ranging from the Superior Room to the Supreme room with balcony.
On the fourth floor is the high-end restaurant, Palace, which specialises in nostalgic Western dishes.
Nearby are attractions such as Ruins of St. Paul’s and The Senado Square.
Hyatt Centric Zhongshan Park Shanghai, China
Situated amid the iconic Zhongshan Park and the vibrant Yuyuan Road surroundings, Hyatt Centric Zhongshan Park Shanghai is a lifestyle hotel combining Shanghai’s diverse cultural heritage with contemporary sophistication.
With its proximity to the landmarks with historical attractions, local residences, modern-day shops and restaurants, as well as skyscrapers, the 262-room hotel provides guests insider knowledge and resources to explore the city.
Onsite are F&B options, a fitness centre, large ballroom and six function rooms.
Four Points by Sheraton Sonmarg Resort, India
Set among the majestic Himalayan Ranges, Four Points by Sheraton Sonmarg Resort is conveniently accessible from the Srinagar International Airport.
The resort features 47 guestrooms, each with a private balcony offering valley and mountain views. Facilities include a multi-cuisine all-day dining venue, gym, lobby café, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
Auckland extends Destination Partnership Programme
Following a successful first year, Auckland’s Destination Partnership Programme, developed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as an interim funding solution to attract leisure travellers and business events to the region, will be extended.
Businesses can now register for the second year of the programme, starting July 1, 2024.
The first year of the programme generated NZ$1.9 million (US$1.1 million) from more than 140 businesses from across the visitor economy sector – including local tourism operators, accommodation providers, business event service providers, and venues. Platinum Partners in year one included Accor Hotel Group, Cordis Auckland, Hospitality Services, SkyCity Group, and Auckland Airport.
Annie Dundas, director of destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, said that the programme has been critical to delivering important activity on behalf of Auckland’s visitor economy.
She said: “By joining forces with the industry, we can continue to position Auckland as a destination of choice for leisure travellers and business events in an incredibly competitive environment globally.
“Reflecting on our first year, we are thrilled with the support from industry, from major players such as Auckland Airport and the SkyCity Group, through to smaller operators like Time Unlimited Tours and Beyond the Blue. We want to build on this success and extend the offer and opportunity to the wider industry to share in and support Auckland’s success.”
Taking feedback into consideration, the extended programme will come with two new partnership levels to enable smaller or emerging businesses, such as restaurants, retail or business services, to be part of Auckland’s tourism success story.
There are seven levels of partnership on offer, starting at a free Partner Listing. The two new partnership levels are Love AKL, for small and emerging tourism businesses, and those businesses indirectly benefiting from tourism and events, such as retail and restaurants; and Destination Services Partner, for tourism marketing and support providers, including web design and accounting suppliers.
Partnership benefits vary by level, ranging from a basic business listing on Discover Auckland – Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s online platform which carries destination information, to opportunities across marketing, sales and promotion; tradeshows; education and insights; networking and events (local and international); and advocacy and governance.
The programme funds a robust itinerary of consumer and trade marketing activity in the domestic, Australia and North America markets especially, as well as the attraction of business events to the Auckland region.
Experience the Northern Lights at Gardens By The Bay
Visitors to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore can now experience a new night programme at Supertree Grove with the artistic installation Borealis.
Conceptualised by Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher, Borealis is both a work of art and a technological performance, where the Northern Lights is recreated in the centre of Supertree Grove when beams of laser light travel through particle clouds.
Since 2016, Borealis has travelled to more than 40 cities across Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, including Hong Kong, Sydney and London. Borealis at Gardens by the Bay is its first permanent installation and kicks off in the rare bumper year for Northern Lights sightings.
Borealis can be experienced every Saturday and Sunday at 21.00, and Monday at 20.00. The installation will last for 30 minutes each time.
Variations in wind, humidity and temperature make Borealis an ever-changing experience, where each encounter is unique due to the changes in movements, colour and density of the light beams. Accompanying the installation is a custom atmospheric soundtrack by French composer Guillaume Desbois, which contributes to the installation’s dreamy and contemplative mood.
Borealis joins the night repertoire at Supertree Grove, which includes the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show, where the lights on the Supertrees dance to a changing musical soundtrack, that takes place daily at 19.45 and 20.45.
For more information, visit Gardens by the Bay.
Accor debuts Pullman brand in Tasmania
Accor has signed a hotel management agreement with Red Panda Property to manage a five-star Pullman hotel in the heart of Launceston city in Tasmania, Australia.
Pullman Launceston will be Accor’s first Pullman property in Tasmania, and sixth hotel in Launceston overall.
Designed by DKO, Pullman Launceston will regenerate a heritage-listed educational building into a 139-room hotel with restaurants, bars, and event venues.
The project is expected to be completed in 1H2027.
Located on a hillside on Wellington Street, the hotel tower will be the second tallest building in Launceston, with views of the city and adjacent Tamar River. The top of the hotel will feature a rooftop bar showcasing local produce and wines from the Tamar Valley.
In 2021, Launceston was named as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, one of only 36 cities worldwide. Within easy proximity to Royal Park and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, there are also plans to build a natural linkage to other recent developments and the Seaport precinct where guests can take river cruises.
Red Panda Property owner and director, Andrew McCullagh, said the project would significantly elevate Launceston’s tourism infrastructure while delivering economic and cultural benefits to the local community.
He shared: “Preserving Launceston’s heritage was our foremost consideration, and our plans to regenerate the area will enable visitors to enjoy a rich combination of history and modernity in the one precinct.”
“With nature and food-based tourism being such powerful drivers of travel, Launceston and Tasmania have so much to offer domestic and international travellers… and with Launceston attracting new direct air services, we believe the arrival of the Pullman can further energise the State’s tourism sector,” said Adrian Williams, COO, PM&E, Accor Pacific.
Ivy Kwan joins Capella Hotel Group as SVP of sales and marketing
Capella Hotel Group has named Ivy Kwan as senior vice president of sales and marketing.
In her new role, Kwan will champion the strategic positioning of the company, and oversee the development and implementation of innovative commercial strategies, and consolidate the unique positioning of Capella Hotels & Resorts and Patina Hotels & Resorts within the competitive luxury market.
With a career spanning over 30 years, she joins Capella Hotel Group from Urban Resort Concepts where she served as senior vice president of commercial strategy and business development since 2021.
Malaysia launches agency for enhanced border control
The Malaysia Checkpoints and Border Agency (MCBA) has commenced operations since May 1 and will serve as a single agency to oversee the management and control of the country’s borders.
Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, addressed the recent challenges faced at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where surging air arrivals strained immigration counters. This congestion underscored the necessity of MCBA’s role in ensuring efficient and seamless entry for visitors.
In 1Q2024, Malaysia experienced a notable surge in tourist arrivals, with 5.8 million foreign visitors – a 32.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Key markets contributing to this growth included Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the UK, Australia, and the Philippines.
Arrivals are expected to grow further in the coming months leading up to Visit Malaysia 2026 as the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, together with Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings and the Ministry of Transport, as well as local airlines flying on international routes are collaborating to increase flight frequencies, new route development and seat capacity, especially from key markets such as West Asia, China, India and South Korea.
Concurrently, the Home Ministry is actively crafting strategies to integrate technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), into border control measures. Its minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail emphasised that it is imperative to leverage AI in order to fortify governance and operational efficiency.
In pursuit of this goal, the ministry aims to harness AI’s capabilities to bolster security measures and optimise border control procedures. By embracing technological innovation, Malaysia seeks to strengthen its position in safeguarding national borders while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate tourists.
Colombo’s controversial hotel pricing policy to end May 31
The pricing policy for Colombo hotels effective since August 2023 to upgrade city room rates will be terminated on May 31, 2024, now that its objectives have been met.
Tourism minister Harin Fernando told reporters that the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) for hotels in Sri Lanka’s capital has successfully raised room rates by 33 per cent.
“Occupancy levels have also increased from 46 per cent to near 70 per cent, hence it is believed the industry is now mature enough to continue (business based on market forces) from this stage,” he explained.
The MRR, which drew widespread protests from travel agents and event promoters last year, was promoted by the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka.
Trip.com Group aims to expand footprint in MENA region
Trip.com Group is stepping up its activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with the opening of its new regional office in Dubai last Saturday as well as participating at the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) 2024 for the first time.
The company is also tying up with local companies to create cross-selling opportunities by working closely with tourism boards in the region.
“We have just done the localisation of our sites in the Middle Eastern languages which we feel is critical to tap this market. We are also focusing on forging local partnerships like the recent one with Saudi Arabia’s Seera Group where we are talking about hotels, flights and even car rental integration. In the next one or two months, we are expecting to sell each other’s inventories,” said Boon Sian Chai, managing director and vice president of international markets at Trip.com Group while speaking to TTG Asia at ATM 2024 currently taking place in Dubai.
The company has also signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with regional tourism boards like Qatar and Saudi Arabia to expand its collaboration in the Middle East.
“We recently had a joint promotion with the Saudi Tourism Authority and SAUDIA airlines where we bundled air tickets with hotels to attract Chinese travellers – it recorded an overwhelming response. We are looking to forge similar partnerships with other tourism boards in the region,” he added.
In North Africa, Trip.com Group is mainly focusing on Egypt and Morocco primarily. Chai noted: “We are still small in the North African markets and are open to collaborating with tourism boards in the region too.”
Trip.com Group has observed an increase in travel interest to key destinations in the Middle East such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with a triple-digit growth in bookings in 1Q2024 compared to the same period in 2023, demonstrating the region’s growing appeal.
Sydney’s heritage hotel to join Accor’s Handwritten Collection brand
Hotel Woolstore 1888, one of Sydney’s finest heritage hotels, will be joining Accor’s portfolio of Handwritten Collection hotels in May under a hotel management agreement with the hotel’s new owners Shakespeare Property Group.
The iconic Darling Harbour property was originally built in 1888 and is the fourth oldest of 21 surviving wool stores in Sydney. First opening as a hotel in 2013, this four-level sandstone and brick building boasts 90 guestrooms, neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar, private dining room and meeting space.
The property is located in a prominent inner-city location on the corner of Pyrmont and Murray Streets in Darling Harbour, just behind the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour and the soon-to-be redeveloped Harbourside Shopping Centre.
Hotel Woolstore 1888 is the fifth hotel that Shakespeare Property Group has partnered with Accor on in Australia, following the success of Pullman Cairns International, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort and Peppers Marysville.
Accor Pacific COO PM&E, Adrian Williams, commented: “We’re seeing rapidly increasing popularity and demand in the boutique accommodation market, and Hotel Woolstore 1888 is well placed to capture this growth as a Handwritten Collection hotel.
“Partnering with Accor to operate Hotel Woolstore 1888 under its Handwritten Collection brand was an ideal choice for us as we really want the original character of the hotel to shine. (The) Handwritten Collection offers flexible brand standards, which is perfect for boutique hotel owners,” said Richard Saab, vice president hospitality assets and investments, Shakespeare Property Group.
WebBeds and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have created a new series of inspiring videos that highlight new draws in Bangkok with the aim of stimulating inbound visitation.
The 10 videos follow eight distinct themes – Eat, Nourish, Play, See, Shop, Explore, Relive and Indulge.
Eat, for example, highlights the best places to savour Thailand’s world-famous cuisine, from street food to fine dining, while Nourish focuses on organic wellness, spa treatments, singing bowl therapies and yoga classes.
The new set of destination content made its first appearance at the Arabian Travel Mart 2024 on May 6, and can be viewed on WebBeds’ Bangkok Unboxed YouTube playlist.
WebBeds will be providing all its partners with exclusive access to the content.
Daryl Lee, CEO, WebBeds, said: “We are delighted to be working with the TAT once again to provide a boost to Thailand’s tourism sector. With our ability to monitor global booking data, WebBeds is in a unique position to identify trends even before they occur.
“Due to our long-standing relationship, we were able to advise Thailand’s tourism authorities of potential opportunities and take proactive steps to capitalise on them.”