Onyx Hospitality Group has signed on Shama Suasana Johor Bahru in Malaysia, making Malaysia the first country, outside of home-base Thailand, to host all three Onyx brands: Amari, Ozo, and Shama.
Shama Suasana Johor Bahru is the first Shama property in Malaysia and the second property jointly led by Onyx Hospitality Group and UMLand, following the five-star Amari Johor Bahru in 2017.
Malaysia is the first country outside of Thailand to host all three Onyx brands
Scheduled to open in 1Q2024, Shama Suasana Johor Bahru offers a modern living experience in the heart of the city, nestled next to the Zenith Lifestyle Centre, Johor Bahru’s premier entertainment hub, and within walking distance of malls, department stores, and Johor Bahru’s Heritage Trail.
The hotel is also accessible by the Rapid Transport System, while the CIQ (a customs, immigration and quarantine checkpoint for cars, buses, and the JB Sentral train station) is within walking distance.
Shama Suasana Johor Bahru offers suites with spacious living rooms and separate bedrooms, and fully-equipped kitchenettes.
Riding in the pajero up to Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano’s climbing gate
Location
Home to about 700 households of farmers and ranchers, Nglanggeran Tourism Village is located at the eastern part of Yogyakarta, a 45-minute drive from the city centre. The village is nestled in the serene hills of Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano and is part of Mount Sewu Unesco Global Geopark. It was recognised by the UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages programme in 2021.
Activities
The tour started with trekking the Nglanggeran Ancient Volcano. A pickup truck, which the local dubbed as pajero – an abbreviation from Javanese language which means hot inside and out – took us up to the climbing gate.
Although friendly for beginners, the Nglanggeran trekking route is quite tricky because visitors have to pass through narrow stone passages, and sometimes there are sharp inclines and the road gets a little slippery after it rains. There are four bases to pass to get to the top of the ancient volcano, but our group decided to stop at base two – yet the view there was breath-taking.
We then headed to the cacao plantation and factory where we were taught how to grow cacao trees and transform the beans into a variety of items, such as chocolate cookies and chocolate spa powder.
Participants get to join in the karawitan, a traditional gamelan music performance
A simple lunch comprising of rice, chicken, eggs and fresh vegetables was served on banana leaves, while we mingled with the villagers donning traditional batik clothes. After lunch, we enjoyed karawitan, a traditional gamelan (percussion) music performance. The group members also had a chance to try out the instruments and play along with the musicians.
Next on the agenda was a 30-minute cycling tour around the villages, where we enjoyed scenic views of mountains and shimmering emerald paddies. Thereafter, the group indulged in a popular Indonesian dish, bakso meatball soup – a great way to end the tour.
Verdict
Visiting Nglanggeran is not just witnessing the majesty of the ancient volcano – it is also a great way to learn about the history and culture of the destination.
Spending time to stroll through villages, chatting with the locals and participating in various activities will give visitors a deep connection with local traditions and customs. The villagers are warm and welcoming, and eager to engage in a cultural exchange.
For those who wish to experience the local way of life, an overnight stay at over 80 homestays in the area can be arranged. These homestays, managed by residents, provide an opportunity to feel the hospitality of the community.
Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island, Vietnam
Nha Trang Marriott Resort & Spa, Hon Tre Island is a rejuvenated beachfront resort boasting 829 keys, just a short eight-minute boat ride from Nha Trang.
The resort is set on its own private bay with 1.7km of beach, and offers seven swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centre, spa, kids’ club, playground, F&B, clubhouses, and a social interaction space.
Visitors can explore the island’s natural wonders, tee-off at Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang, or enjoy local attractions such as the VinWonders theme park and Imperial Club entertainment centre.
Hotel Toranomon Hills
Hotel Toranomon Hills, Japan
Hotel Toranomon Hills offers 205 rooms and suites, with views of the city or the Tokyo Tower.
Guests can dine at the fine dining restaurant and café, as well as enjoy access to The Lounge, a multi-functional space with a six-metre ceiling and views of Tokyo’s cityscape.
Situated in the heart of Tokyo within the new Toranomon Hills Station Tower in Toranomon Hills, the hotel is within walking distance of the Imperial Palace, around 30 minutes by car from Haneda International Airport, and connected directly to Toranomon Hills subway station on the Hibiya Line via Toranomon Hills Station Tower.
Vivere Hotel, Artotel Curated
Vivere Hotel, Artotel Curated, Indonesia
Vivere Hotel, Artotel Curated features 107 rooms, a restaurant, bar, pool and rooftop area. It also has a ballroom that caters from 400 to 800 pax, as well as six meeting rooms.
The property is located in the Gading Serpong area of Tangerang, which is close to shopping centres, business centres, entertainment, F&B, hospitals, and the Indonesia Convention Exhibition.
Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya
Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya, Japan
The 143-room Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya is nestled in the heart of Sakae, Nagoya’s central commercial district, nearby local landmarks including the Sky Boat Ferris Wheel, Nagoya City Science Museum, and Nagoya City Art Museum.
The hotel has an onsite restaurant serving breakfast daily, and is accessible to Nagoya Station and Sakae Station, with Chubu Centrair International Airport just 40km away.
Although international arrivals to Indonesia in November 2023 exceeded 10.4 million arrivals – surpassing the target of 8.5 million – Indonesia’s tourism investment is still not up to expectations and remains dominated by domestic direct investment.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), the total tourism investments between January and September 2023 was US$1.6 billion – 12 per cent lower than in 2022’s US$1.8 billion – out of which US$1.1 billion was domestic direct investment, while the remaining US$588 million was foreign direct investment.
From left: TTG Asia’s Tiara Maharani, MoTCE’s Agustini Rahayu, Check-in Asia’s Gary Bowerman, MoTCE’s Sandiaga Uno, and GIPI’s Haryadi Sukamdani (Photo: MoTCE)
Addressing delegates at the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2024 Forum in Jakarta, Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia’s minister of tourism and creative economy stated that in order to boost foreign investment, the government will be more active in providing interested parties with investment opportunities.
He is optimistic that investment achievements in 2024 will improve since the government has made it easier to invest in the five super priority destinations and areas in the Special Economic Zones.
“Government policies are also made with an investor-centric approach, including our commitment to prioritise tourism development with a sustainable and environmentally-friendly concept, which is in line with the vision of today’s international investors,” he said.
Sandiaga also promised that more roadshows and promotions will be conducted this year. Earlier this month, a roadshow was held in the UAE to meet with Ayana Holding’s chairman Abdullah Lahej to offer an investment opportunity in Indonesia. Similar opportunities have been made to Indonesia’s top foreign investors, including Singapore, Hong Kong and India.
During the forum, Check-In Asia’s director Gary Bowerman opined that despite the global economic situation slowing down investment flows, investors were less interested in injecting funds into Indonesia, as most global investors tend to focus its feasibility studies on the country’s inbound market performance.
This is because many international investors do not know how monumental Indonesia’s domestic market movement is, Bowerman said, thus it is up to the government to explain and promote this so as to encourage international investments.
To do this, Bowerman pointed out that the government needed to explain its tourism plan, tourism targets, and marketing and branding in order to reassure international investors.
He added: “Another key point is connectivity. The government needs to (stimulate) more flights to connect to destinations, both globally or domestically.”
In addition, Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), said the government needed to maintain the investment climate and encourage the development of local investor businesses by optimising financial institutions, such as the Financial Services Authority, and Banking, to develop funding instruments or create investment financing schemes.
Local investors must not be forgotten, and given incentives to help grow their businesses, added Hariyadi. “When local investors increase, the domestic market will grow, and international investors will definitely come.”
The Airai State Government is collaborating with Airai Global Corporation (AGC) to revolutionise eco-tourism and healthcare in Palau with two key signings on January 19 at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
The agreement outlines the development of an integrated eco-resort and various facilities across a land area of up to 23 million square meters, which will help drive economic growth in Palau. This will comprise the development of special economic zones in fields like non-invasive modern healthcare, exclusive premium villas, marina, seaport, tourism infrastructure, and theme parks.
The two signings will see the development of Palau as an eco-tourism and healthcare destination
AGC is also joining forces with Pure & Cure Health Care Group to provide high-quality healthcare services with plans for a local cell therapy centre. Both companies aim to address prevalent health issues, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, benefitting both locals and foreign tourists.
There is also the passport programme for migration to Palau to bring about more high net-worth foreign migration traffic.
Acting on the government’s call for more foreign investor participation in recent years, AGC has forged ahead with the Tourism+ initiative to build an integrated leisure destination encompassing culinary and recreational attractions, shopping, entertainment, culture, arts, healthcare and more. It will also strengthen cooperation with public and private sectors, and expand the list of countries of inbound tourists and boost diversification.
An AGC spokesperson commented that Palau is not only “a paradise for investment but also the largest all-natural health and wellness paradise in the region”, remaining mostly pure and pollution-free due to no heavy industries and intensive agriculture at the destination.
Trip.com Group’s CEO Jane Sun shared insights on new trends and opportunities in the post-lockdown travel landscape at this week’s World Economic Forum annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland.
She also expressed optimism about Asia’s continued growth and shared her perspective on its investment potential during the panel discussion titled Asia – the world’s next growth anchor?, which convened influential stakeholders to delve into the opportunities and new challenges emerging in Asia.
From left: Standard Chartered Bank’s Ben Hung, Manulife’s Roy Gori, Trip.com Group’s Jane Sun and Khazanah Nasional’s Geoff Lee
Trip.com Group has witnessed strong booking interest in Asia, with Thailand, Japan, and South Korea among the top travel destinations. The rise in consumer income has also led to growing trends in the region such as high-quality wellness experiences and event tourism, particularly for sought-after events like concerts and music festivals.
Sustainable tourism is another shift that is picking up steam, with environmental awareness motivating more travellers to choose low-carbon travel options, such as hotels that adhere to sustainable standards. The group has also prioritised options such as the rental of electronic vehicles and offering flights with lower carbon emissions.
Zooming in on the post-lockdown economic trajectory in one of Asia’s largest regions, Sun asserted that China offers more investment opportunities than what some may have perceived. She said: “Investors should not overlook the thriving travel, wellness or entertainment sector in China. With its vast size, diverse industries, and varying levels of consumer buying power, the investment opportunities are abundant.”
In particular, the travel sector presents numerous untapped growth opportunities, such as the rapid increase in inbound and outbound travel, as well as favourable policy developments.
Sun expressed optimism about the growth of the tourism industry, especially with recent positive developments, such as increased flight capacities and expanded visa-free arrangements, that have facilitated international travel to and from China.
Since July 2023, China has removed visa requirements for citizens of 11 nations. These include the recent unilateral visa-free policies for several countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, mutual visa-free agreements with Malaysia, and plans for similar arrangements with Singapore and Thailand. China also announced earlier in the week that it will unilaterally grant visa-free entry to Swiss and Irish nationals.
According to Trip.com Group data, significant increases have been recorded in inbound search and booking volumes from countries such as Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Those with visa-free arrangements or plans for relaxed visa policies, such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are among the top destinations favoured by Chinese tourists for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Moreover, since its launch in September 2023, Trip.com’s China Travel Guide, which provides information about hotel, transport, payment, and other travel-related issues, has served nearly 100,000 international travellers planning to visit China.
Meanwhile, as of mid-January, outbound travel orders for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays have surged more than 10 times compared to the previous year.
For the wider Asian economy, Sun maintained that its prospects remain robust, citing projections that it will contribute to around 50 per cent of global GDP growth. The rapid development of the tourism industry in Asia, coupled with the strong purchasing power of Asian customers, has indicated the potential for sustained growth in the region.
“We are committed to forging an influential network for our global partners, empowering them to welcome customers from every corner of the world,” commented Sun. “Equally, we stand poised to usher Asian customers into the global arena, opening doors to boundless opportunities and creating pathways for unprecedented international success.”
Resorts World Cruises (RWC) kickstarted 2024 with the maiden voyage of Resorts World One to the Philippines.
As part of her special and inaugural five-night sailing from Hong Kong, Resorts World One arrived at Manila yesterday and is scheduled to arrive in Boracay today.
A special ceremony was held on Resorts World One to commemorate her arrival in Manila
With the Resorts World One homeport in Hong Kong year-round, the cruise ship offers a variety of itineraries to many different destinations for its two-, three- and five-night cruises, which include the Philippines for this special sailing, complementing current destinations to Sanya, Okinawa (Naha and Miyakojima) in Japan, as well as to Danang and Nha Trang in Vietnam.
“The Philippines marks our first new destination in 2024 and we are excited to include both Manila and Boracay as part of this special five-night cruise aboard Resorts World One from Hong Kong,” said Michael Goh, president of RWC. “We look forward to exploring future opportunities together to boost the cruise tourism sector for the Philippines and the region.”
Costa Cruises, along with cruise operator Hwajing Travel & Tours (Hwajing), has established its first international cruise homeport at Port Klang in Malaysia.
The strategic decision to anchor Costa Serena at Port Klang aligns with Hwajing’s commitment to exploring new markets and offering passengers an unparalleled travel experience.
Costa Serena will homeport at Port Klang in Malaysia
Both companies have also embarked on a journey to explore the vast potential of the untapped Muslim travel market, customising its services and offerings to cater to the specific needs and preferences of Muslim travellers.
With a 75-year history, Costa Cruises made its foray into the Asian market over 15 years ago. Costa Serena homeporting at Port Klang will not only redefine luxury cruising in Malaysia, but also acts as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth – as the inaugural international cruise homeport, it will have a spill-over effect, invigorating Malaysia’s economy and unlocking opportunities across various sectors.
“This Costa Cruises and Hwajing partnership signifies a paradigm shift in travel,” said Francesco Raffa, director of region and growth markets, Costa Cruises. “This collaboration promises a positive and promising trajectory for Malaysia’s cruise industry, reflecting a shift towards culturally sensitive and friendly travel experiences.”
“Even during the pandemic, we maintained a close working rapport with Costa Cruises,” said Kenny Cheong, managing director of Hwajing Travel & Tours. “The strategic choice of Port Klang as Costa Serena‘s homeport underscores Malaysia’s emergence as a maritime hub, poised to cater to a diverse international clientele.”
Travel DMC Group and its subsidiary, KP Transport, have launched the Sit in Coach programme in Singapore, an initiative designed to redefine the travel experience for a global audience, offering a suite of services that includes airport transfers, attractions transfers, and city tours.
Travellers can now experience seamless and luxurious airport transfers to and from Changi Airport; dedicated transfers to Singapore’s iconic attractions; and explore the city’s cultural landmarks, historical sites, and vibrant neighbourhoods with an experienced guide.
The Sit in Coach programme offers airport transfers, attractions transfers, and city tours around Singapore
To celebrate the launch of the programme, Travel DMC Group and KP Transport are offering special rates on platforms Globaltix and Kkday, as well as directly on KP Transport’s website.
