TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Thursday, 14th May 2026
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Page 348

Singapore media reps get first-hand experience on Malaysia’s cultural offerings

By TTG Asia
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Tourism Malaysia Singapore recently hosted the Malaysia Familiarisation Programme for Singapore’s media representatives and key opinion leaders from May 6 to 11.

In collaboration with AirAsia, Penang Global Tourism, Langkawi Development Authority, Tropical Charters Sunset Cruise, Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, and Dream Forest Langkawi, this initiative aimed to showcase Malaysia’s unique appeal as a premier tourist destination, further enhancing its positive image among Singaporean travellers. It enabled participants to explore unique tourism offerings of Penang and Langkawi, emphasising the concept of dual-city holidays in Malaysia.

Singapore media representatives and KOLs at Langkawi’s Eagle’s Nest SkyWalk

Participants, representing magazines, newspapers, and online platforms, enjoyed luxurious accommodations at The George Penang, explored the Kubang Badak Biogeotrail, and immersed themselves in the magical adventure of Dream Forest Langkawi.

The programme gave participants a first-hand insight into the cultural experiences awaiting visitors, such as batik painting at Atma Alam Batik Art Village in Langkawi and visits to iconic attractions like The Habitat Penang Hill and Escape Penang.

Manoharan Periasamy, director general of Tourism Malaysia, expressed optimism about the programme’s impact in boosting arrivals and promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination for Singaporean travellers, capitalising on the strong cultural and historical connections between the two nations, in gearing up for Visit Malaysia 2026.

Skyscanner unveils new generative AI travel planning tool

By TTG Asia
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Skyscanner has launched its app-exclusive Savvy Search tool, powered by Open AI’s Chat GPT technology, to offer travellers an easier way to plan their trips.

Currently available in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, the UK and the US, travellers can now simply tell Savvy Search what kind of trip is on their mind and the app will find the best spots – from the most common queries like “a cheap European city break in October” to something more specific like “a 30th birthday trip with fun nightlife and a great food scene”. The tool will then generate up to three curated destination recommendations.

Savvy Search makes recommendations based on the traveller’s search request

Following extensive traveller testing, imagery is combined with rich destination descriptions to highlight the unique characteristics of each recommendation. Upon deciding a destination, travellers are taken straight into Skyscanner’s flight search funnel to compare prices and pick their perfect flight.

Piero Sierra, chief product officer at Skyscanner commented: “Globally, 44 per cent of travellers are using AI to help them plan and research travel, but its use varies a lot depending on the market. For example, 23 per cent of Singaporean travellers are already using AI on their phones compared to just eight per cent in the UK.

“The next logical step is to use the AI technologies now available to us to help these travellers in the discovery phase of their travel planning journey.”

To celebrate the launch of the Savvy Search tool, Skyscanner has delved into the usage data collected during its beta phase to reveal some of their favourite queries so far.

These include “Somewhere to get lost and forget about all my life’s worries”, with recommendations like Santorini, Greece; “Birthday trip with fun night life and great food scene” which shows destination ideas like New York in the US; “Warm holiday where I can skateboard” suggests Spain’s Barcelona, a burgeoning destination for skateboarders due to its vibrant skateparks and diverse street skating scenes; and even Astrophotography highlights like a journey to Norway to witness the Northern Lights.

Cross Hotels & Resorts launches new Lumen brand in Bangkok

By TTG Asia
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Cross Hotels & Resorts is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of its new destination-centric brand, Lumen, in partnership with Italmar (Thailand) Co. – its first property, Lumen Bangkok Udomsuk Station, recently opened in Thailand.

Lumen is a hybrid hotel that amplifies the character of its neighbourhood and celebrates the community. With the tagline A Brighter Way to Stay, the brand is aligned with the company’s vision to redefine the hospitality experience by creating memorable stays for guests.

Cross Hotels & Resorts debuts its new destination-centric brand, Lumen, in Bangkok, Thailand

Each Lumen hotel is infused with local flair through curated signatures tailored to the setting, with offerings like local dishes, light displays, and more.

The 102-key Lumen Bangkok Udomsuk Station features a rooftop infinity pool offering panoramic views, and an array of amenities. With its prime location and convenient access to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring Bangkok’s famed retail landscape including Bangkok Mall – The Grand Metropolis, said to be the largest shopping centre in South-east Asia.

The hotel is located in Bangkok’s newest district, Suburban Udomsuk, which remains unique with its neon-lit cafés and bars, as well as traditional shophouses. It is also right on the doorstep of the Thai capital’s skytrain network, with easy access to BITEC Bangna, a premier business and entertainment venue, as well as a wide variety of dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences. There are local highlights such as the Udomsuk Walk night market and Train Night Market Srinakarin.

“Lumen is a special hospitality brand that truly matches the destination to the product, making it a really unique proposition. It is a brand that adapts to its neighbourhood and brings the local community into its fold. Our unique firefly icon symbolises the constant sparkle and warmth that we aim to add to every guest’s experience,” said Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Direk Vongvairoj, chairman, Italmar (Thailand) Co., shared: “Lumen is an exciting offering that allows us to pioneer the development of Udomsuk and the eastern part of Bangkok. We believe in a fruitful partnership with Cross Hotels & Resorts, leveraging our combined strengths to achieve our business goals and unlock the full potential of this project.”

IHG expands presence in Vietnam

By TTG Asia
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IHG Hotels & Resorts will introduce Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection in Vietnam this year with the launch of Hotel Indigo Saigon The City in Ho Chi Minh City, and the upcoming Vignette Collection hotel in Hoi An, which is situated close to the famous UNESCO Heritage Site in the historic central coast city.

In addition, IHG will also open its first property in Ha Long City with InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, followed by Holiday Inn Resort Halong Bay in 2026. The company also plans to introduce its InterContinental brand in Thanh Xuan Valley within the city of Vinh Phuc – its first valley resort project in Vietnam – within the next few years.

IHG will debut its Hotel Indigo brand in Vietnam with the opening of Hotel Indigo Saigon The City in Ho Chi Minh City

Paul Cunningham, senior director, operations, South-east Asia and Korea, IHG, said: “Our growth in Vietnam is buoyed by a positive outlook for travel in the country, where domestic demand remains strong and international demand continues to grow, especially within Asia thanks to its growing middle class and expanding GDP. With new flight routes from major cities including New Delhi, Manila, Sydney and Munich set to further increase demand, we have strong aspirations for our growth in the market.”

He added: “With 18 hotels and 26 properties in the pipeline, we’re seeing many great new opportunities for growth in Vietnam as we enter new destinations including Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Vinh Phuc.”

Emirates inks MoUs with Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong

By TTG Asia
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Becky IP, deputy executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board (front left) and Orhan Abbas, senior vice president Commercial Operations Far East (front right)

Emirates has reaffirmed its strategic cooperation with Tourism Seychelles and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and has forged a new partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, to boost tourism to these destinations.

The airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tourism Seychelles to support travel agents and tour operators in their efforts to promote Seychelles as a leisure destination. This includes the development of special holiday packages among other incentives, marketing support and familiarisation trips.

Becky IP, deputy executive director of Hong Kong Tourism Board (front left) and Orhan Abbas, senior vice president Commercial Operations Far East (front right)

Emirates also reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to promoting tourism to Sri Lanka. Now in its 38th year of operating in Sri Lanka, Emirates will continue efforts to support the island nation’s tourism by developing special packages and familiarisation trips from key feeder markets.

As part of its wider efforts to support the Indian Ocean nation, Emirates will also engage closely with travel agents and tour operators in key strategic markets to help showcase the destination’s offerings to customers across its global network.

With the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Emirates aims to boost inbound tourism into Hong Kong from key target markets in the Middle East and Europe. The MoU with HKTB will see various joint activities including familiarisation trips, a comprehensive promotional plan, and targeted advertising campaigns.

New hotels: Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen, JEN Kunming by Shangri-La, and more

By TTG Asia
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Six Senses Kyoto
Shangri-La Nanshan, Shenzhen

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

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

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

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’s maiden direct flights to India set off market development

By Rohit Kaul
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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.

Cambodia Angkor Air announces the first direct air connection between Cambodia and India

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.

Vietnam outbound power grows for Japan

By Kathryn Wortley
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Record numbers of Vietnamese travellers are holidaying in Japan, demonstrating the potential of the South-east Asian country as one of Japan’s key source markets.

Tourist arrivals from Vietnam have been rising continuously since the 1990s, except during the Covid-19 period, and bounced back quickly in 2023 to reach 173,672 arrivals, almost touching 2019’s volume of 173,936.

Kobe is featured, among other Japanese destinations, in study tours for Vietnamese students

Growth in 2024 has been even more rapid, with 122,633 Vietnamese travellers arriving in Japan from January to March, up from 172,100 over the same period in 2019, equating to a growth rate of 40.3 per cent.

Data from Booking.com during February 8 to 14 shows that Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto were the most popular overseas destinations for Vietnamese tourists for this Lunar New Year holidays.

March was busy, too, with a record-high number of travellers from Vietnam and record-high sales for a single month in Vietnam, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

“Vietnam was affected by a recovery in the number of direct flights (above the 2019 level), including between Ho Chi Minh and Narita, and the organisation of incentive tours,” said a report by JNTO.

A March 2024 survey by global data and business intelligence platform Statista shows eating Japanese food was the most popular motivator for travel, at 37.1 per cent, followed by nature/scenery sightseeing (18.1 per cent), shopping (10.8 per cent) and seasonal activities (4.9 per cent).

Travel agents expect such high demand to continue among tourism and business events sectors.

Companies Hoang Kim Japan and Aikai Group are developing eight-day itineraries incorporating Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe as Customized Abroad Study Tours, following the successful launch of similar tours in March.

Norwegian Sun opens 2025 Asia-Pacific season for sale

By TTG Asia
0

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has released itineraries for the Norwegian Sun’s debut in Asia-Pacific for the 2025 season.

The ship will first make her Australian debut in Brisbane and Melbourne on December 18 and 21 respectively, and offer three new sailings to the Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific, three island-hopping French Polynesia cruises between Fiji and Tahiti, and two in Asia.

Norwegian Sun will sail 35 voyages in Asia-Pacific from October 2024 through March 2026

This deployment marks NCL’s most extensive South Pacific offering with first-time visits to Port Douglas and Townsville in Australia, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, and Suva, Fiji.

It will also be the first time that Norwegian Sun visits several other ports including Mystery Island and Port Vila in Vanuatu; Dravuni, Fiji; Noumea, New Caledonia; and the popular port of Kushiro, which is known for some of the most unspoiled scenery and wildlife habitats in Japan.

“This new collection of voyages provides even more choice for those who prefer to explore close to home with more South Pacific destinations than ever before, including Far North Queensland, where we will be returning for the first time since 2019,” said Ben Angell, vice president and managing director, NCL APAC.

Altogether, Norwegian Sun will sail 35 voyages in this region from October 2024 through March 2026.

Four-party partnership to drive marketing efforts for Singapore’s Sentosa

By TTG Asia
0
The MoU aims to drive tourism to Sentosa and develop it as Asia’s premier island resort getaway and leading lifestyle destination

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), DBS Bank (DBS), and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) signed an MoU last week to enhance Sentosa’s guest experiences through the development of a Sentosa Precinct Partnership.

To promote it as Asia’s premier island resort getaway and leading lifestyle destination, marketing efforts include SDC’s event line-up and new offering launches; STB’s Made in Singapore global brand campaign; and RWS’ and DBS’ strengths in offering shopping, dining, travel, and family experiences for customers across Singapore and key inbound markets like China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

The MoU aims to drive tourism to Sentosa and develop it as Asia’s premier island resort getaway

The partnership will encourage discovery of Sentosa offerings across accommodation, attractions, entertainment, dining, and retail, enabling a longer stay on the island.

Visitors to Sentosa can expect an enlivened precinct, with enhanced unique and personal experiences.

This partnership comes as RWS sharpens its product offerings, with S.E.A. Aquarium set to triple in size and be rebranded as the Singapore Oceanarium with new oceanic zones. RWS will also host the Asian premier of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, a multimedia spectacle showcasing mysterious places of the Wizarding World in 4Q2024, while Illumination’s Minion Land will open at Universal Studios Singapore this year.

The Forum at RWS is also undergoing a makeover into a 20,000m2 lifestyle space of upscale restaurants, specialty retail, entertainment, and new-to-market concept stores. These will open progressively in 2025.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Onyx sets growth targets as it marks 60th anniversary
TTG Asia | Agoda survey highlights growing demand for purpose-led travel in Asia
TTG Asia | Indian prime minister’s remarks on outbound travel stir concerns