The Travel Corporation (TTC) has appointed Koo Sok Hoon as the marketing communications director for TTC Asia.
She will lead the development and execution of TTC Asia’s marketing and communications strategy, planning and implementation of new marketing initiatives, alongside exploring and activating new partnerships.
Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to TTC Asia, she has previously headed various marketing roles in luxury brands from automobile, hospitality, timepieces to fashion.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has named its first female president, Mitsuko Tottori. She first joined in 1985 as a flight attendant and rose through the ranks to senior management over the years.
She will take over from current president Yuji Akasaka starting April 1.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has appointed Jill Goh as general manager, making her the property’s first female to hold this position.
A veteran hotelier with over three decades of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in hotel operations and management to her new role.
Having previously been the resident manager at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, she rejoins the Singapore property from The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong where she also served as general manager.
Steve Odell has been appointed chief sales officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
With over 35 years of experience, Odell rejoins Regent and brings with him a wealth of experience in the luxury travel industry having most recently tenured for Regent as senior vice president and managing director of the Asia-Pacific region for seven years.
He will be responsible for the sales organisation including maximising opportunities across all booking distribution channels and deepening valued travel partner relationships.
Skyscanner has unveiled its latest campaign, Everywhere Agency, connecting travellers with five record-holding travellers who have visited every country in the world.
Travellers can explore tips offered by the Everywhere Agents through the Everywhere Guide, or speak to these five travellers by making free, one-to-one virtual appointments.
At a recent event, when queried about who had access to this Everywhere Agent feature, Cyndi Hui, Skyscanner, commercial director, APAC, told TTG Asia: “The (virtual appointments are) available in 14 different countries. In Asia-Pacific, it is available in Australia, Singapore, India, and South Korea. However, the guides are accessible to travellers globally.”
Everywhere Agents include Singaporean Basanth Sadasivan, who at the age of 25, became one of the youngest people to visit every country in the world; Renee Burns, a world-record holder for travelling to the most countries in a year in a wheelchair; and Rachel Davey and Martina Sebova, the first Australian and Slovakian women to have travelled to every country in the world, all achieved on a daily budget of A$50 (US$33).
Hui shared that since the Everywhere Agency campaign was rolled out in the UK a few weeks ago, it has been “very popular”, and she expects it to be well-received in Asia-Pacific too.
In addition to the virtual appointments, the Everywhere Guide will be an online widget on Skyscanner that shares responses to frequently asked questions, based on each Everywhere Agent’s personal experience. Questions include “Where’s the most memorable night out?”, “Where should everyone try a once-in-a-lifetime activity?”, and more. The Everywhere Guide also displays a Trip Snapshot for every suggested destination, showing the lowest flight and hotel prices, and the cheapest day to travel, for any selected month of 2024.
This campaign was inspired by Skyscanners’ Everywhere search, a tool that helps travellers discover destinations – not thought about previously and ordered by price – from thousands of travel sites.
“This is a value-add for travellers. These days, travellers are very influenced by social media, and films and TV shows they consume. We launched this campaign to inspire travellers to explore new destinations, help them expand their horizons, and create more unforgettable memories,” she said.
Overall, Hui pointed out that “demand for travel out of Asia-Pacific is really, really strong”, with Skyscanner reporting more travellers booking trips at least 90 days in advance.
“Singapore’s travel search volume during the period (between) December 26, 2023, and January 2, 2024, rose by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year. For South Korea and India, this is even higher, closer to the 40 per cent mark,” she added.
Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed a double agreement with Sunset Studio One, a subsidiary of Bhuwanatala Indah Permai Tbk (BIP Group), to launch the Cross Vibe brand in Indonesia.
The 175-key Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta is located on Jalan Raya Kuta and is just a brief 10-minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. Within walking distance of the iconic Kuta beach, guests can relax on the beaches, explore bustling shopping hubs and local attractions by day, and then enjoy the vibrant nightlife and an array of dining experiences.
Facilities at the low-rise property includes all-day international dining, tropical swimming pool, spa and gym.
Cross Hotels & Resorts’ current portfolio includes 28 hotels under six distinct brands – Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Lumen, Cross Collection and Kaura – across four countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam.
Cathay is aiming to cultivate increased collaboration with important stakeholders to decarbonise the aviation industry and achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Following the successful launch of its Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme in 2022, Cathay has added three new partners to the programme: Dimerco Express Group, Yusen Logistics, and NGO partner Business Environment Council.
The three have joined Cathay to promote the wider adoption of renewable energy by the aviation industry to decarbonise their business travel and cargo shipments.
These new partners also join the programme’s launch customers – AIA, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Kintetsu World Express, PwC China, Standard Chartered and Swire Pacific.
Cathay’s Corporate SAF Programme partners are committed to reducing the climate impact from their business travel and airfreight activities through scaling up the use of SAF, which is considered to be the most important lever for decarbonising airline operations over the next few decades, before alternatively powered aircraft can be widely deployed in commercial operations.
Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam said: “Cathay is undertaking a multi-pronged approach to contribute to the aviation industry’s transition towards a greener future. SAF is an important facet of this approach, and we have received strong support from our corporate and cargo customers since the launch of our Corporate SAF Programme. We have also established new SAF supply partnerships in the broader Asia region to convey a clear message to the SAF supply chain that there is firm demand from this part of the world.”
Cathay was among the first airlines in the world to announce a target of 10 per cent SAF for its total fuel use by 2030. Since then, it uplifted SAF at Hong Kong International Airport for the first time in 2022, and successfully conducted its first overseas SAF uplifts on commercial flights at Singapore Changi Airport and Los Angeles International Airport last year.
Last year, Cathay and State Power Investment Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to drive the further development of the SAF supply chain in China.
In addition to increasing the use of SAF, Cathay’s carbon reduction roadmap includes fleet modernisation, operational efficiency improvements, leveraging on emerging technology breakthroughs to decarbonise aviation, and high-quality carbon offset projects.
Luxury department store Galeries Lafayette Macau will soon open at YOHO Treasure Island Resorts World Shopping Centre in Macau on January 26, marking the debut of the first Galeries Lafayette in Hong Kong and Macau.
Galeries Lafayette Macau will offer diverse shopping experiences and activities that will attract international and local shoppers and infuse Macau with a tapestry of urban vibrancy and fashion allure.
Positioned as the “New Waterfront Fashion and Art Landmark”, this shopping haven overlooks the Nam Van Lake and houses over 100 renowned international and designer brands, including more than 10 first-in-Macau brands and the cross-brand area EDIT by Galeries Lafayette.
Designed with French elegance and charm, Galeries Lafayette Macau will also feature a seven-metre indoor replica of the iconic Parisian landmark, the Eiffel Tower.
To celebrate the grand debut of Galeries Lafayette Macau, there will be shopping offers and exclusive limited-time events, such as the debut of the first Marni Market in Macau, and Byredo’s first Chinese New Year-themed pop-up store in Macau with limited-edition tea sets, and more.
On the official opening, January 26, Galeries Lafayette Macau and Charlotte Tilbury will jointly present Macau’s premier brand drone show above the Nam Van Lake to celebrate the occasion.
For the month of February, Ayana Bali in Jimbaran is unveiling a series of celebrations for the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) – from festive traditional delicacies and lavish buffet dinners to spa treatments.
Guests can enjoy a Special Noodle Menu encircled by koi ponds and verdant gardens at To’Ge, or indulge in a Family-style Lunch and Special Dinner Menu from February 8 to 11 at Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant.
On February 9, Ayana’s Rock Bar – perched just 14 metres above the Indian Ocean – will host the Dragon’s Roar: Chinese New Year Countdown, while on the same evening guests can enjoy a Special Buffet Dinner surrounded by terraced lotus ponds at Padi.
Then on the first day of CNY, February 10, a Barong Dance and Fireworks Show will illuminate the resort’s lobby, while at night, guests can enjoy a Buffet Dinner featuring an array of traditional Chinese fare.
As for the littles guests, they will be invited to take part in the CNY Kids Activities at the Kids Club on February 10.
Ayana Bali is also offerings a special Perfect Family Getaway package, which is valid for minimum three-night stays until March 31. The package comprises a 15 per cent discount on room rates, daily breakfast for two adults and two children under nine years of age, resort credit, and more.
For more information, visit Ayana Bali.
Emirates is giving away free tickets to two of Dubai’s top attractions – the Museum of the Future and Atlantis Aquaventure – to travellers who have bought flights to Dubai or added a stopover in Dubai of eight hours or more.
The Museum of the Future is the newest jewel in the Dubai skyline, bringing together the best of science, technology, and innovation. Visitors will be taken on a journey 50 years into the future through multi-sensorial exhibitions.
At the world’s largest waterpark, Atlantis Aquaventure, visitors can enjoy the thrills of rides and slides, get up close and personal with hundreds of marine animals, and suit up for a fun afternoon of water sports.
This special offer is valid on tickets bought between January 12 and February 1 for travel between January 15 and March 31. The offer is available across all cabins.
For more information, visit Emirates.
