Centara Hotels & Resorts has unveiled an array of promotions and privileges exclusively tailored for The 1 Members through the The 1 platform.
These exclusive offers encompass an assortment of experiences, including dining options, hotel stays, spa treatments, and more.
Centara The 1 members can enjoy dining, hotel stays, spa treatments, and more via the app
These privileges come in two distinct categories: Free and Points. The former grants immediate access to the privilege without the need for any points redemption, while the latter stipulates the number of The 1 points required to unlock a specific perk.
Once redeemed via The 1 APP, the privileges are conveniently stored in the Coupons section for future use at the respective Centara property.
Customers can easily earn and redeem points for rewards when shopping, eating and more at Central department stores, Central shopping centres and The 1’s partners.
Some highlights include a weekend international and seafood buffet, a 30-minute Neck & Shoulder massage at Cenvaree Spa at Centara Udon, and a getaway at COSI Samui Chaweng Beach.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s new river barge, the Nam Jai, is available for both group and private cruises along the Ping River. It will feature two itineraries for guests to choose from.
The Nam Jai is an antique teak rice barge which has been restored by hand and outfitted with comfortable seating for eight. Cruises will set off from the resort’s newly built private pier, Long Muan, which means “fun sailing” in the local Lanna dialect.
The barge, Nam Jai, will feature two itineraries for cruises along the Ping River
The sunrise cruise departs at 09.00 for the nearby Wat Ket Karam where guests will have the opportunity to make merit with the Buddhist monks, then cross the road to snack at the simple roadside stall Lung Kajohn which serves up delicious bite-sized steamed rice dumplings, Khao Kriab Pak Moh. From there, it is a short stroll to the pedestrian bridge of Khua Khaek for views of the river and Doi Suthep in the background.
The twilight voyage departs at 17.00, sailing north past some of the city’s most iconic bridges, and small temples. Guests enjoy free-flow sparkling wine and canapés.
Prices start from 1,800 baht (US$49) per person for the sunrise cruise and 2,800 baht per person for the twilight voyage.
Satair has appointed Richard Stoddart as its new chief executive officer and head of Airbus Material Services, effective October 1, 2023.
Richard joins Satair with a wealth of experience from the Airbus Defence and Space and Commercial Aircraft divisions, where he has led various customer-oriented programmes. He most recently headed Airbus’ transformation towards a decarbonised future.
UNWTO has marked World Tourism Day (WTD) with official celebrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which saw the attendance of some 500 public and private sector leaders, including 50 ministers of tourism, from 120 countries.
Opening the two-day conference, held over September 26 to 27 on the theme of Tourism and Green Investments, the country’s minister of tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb shared his goal of all countries being able to benefit from tourism through global collaboration.
UNWTO’s Zurab Pololikashvili speaking during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Riyadh (Photo: Kathryn Wortley)
“About 70 per cent of travel and tourism is supported by 10 per cent of countries; why can’t this sector grow in a more balanced and fair way?” he asked. “I believe we can all advance together – every single country in this room, every corner of the globe. It needs to be done responsibly and sustainably, but the opportunity is there if we pull together.”
“Tourism matters to everyone,” agreed UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili, noting the power of tourism to change lives, economies and societies. “On this World Tourism Day, we celebrate tourism’s ability to drive growth while also highlighting the vital need for investments to ensure such growth is inclusive and sustainable.”
The need is urgent, explained UNWTO executive director Natalia Bayona – up to 25 per cent of tourism staff in the EU have only low-level qualifications; only 26.3 per cent of accommodations globally have climate action plans; and only 2.2 per cent of global venture capital has been invested in tourism start-ups between 2018 and 2022.
However, UNWTO’s comprehensive new investment framework based on the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can act as an engine for sustainable global tourism growth, she said, adding that “it’s time to diversify and promote investment in all regions of the world”.
This framework, centring on the three pillars of investment for people (in education), for planet (in sustainable infrastructure) and for prosperity (in technology and entrepreneurship), is the focus of WTD, which has been held since 1980.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled its latest global campaign, Made in Singapore, to inspire travellers to choose Singapore as their next travel destination.
The campaign puts a fresh spin on the Passion Made Possible destination brand, which was launched in 2017 by STB and Singapore Economic Development Board. Replacing STB’s SingapoReimagine international recovery campaign launched in November 2020, Made in Singapore will spotlight quintessentially Singapore experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems, and how ordinary moments are turned into extraordinary experiences in Singapore.
The new campaign will spotlight unique Singapore experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems; Peranakan houses, pictured
Kenneth Lim, assistant chief executive (marketing group), STB, said: “The Made in Singapore campaign is anchored on our Passion Made Possible destination brand, which embodies the Singapore spirit of fulfilling individual passions and creating new possibilities. Through this latest campaign, we would like to reinforce Singapore as a destination that turns imagination into reality. Our goal is to showcase how everyday ordinary moments are made extraordinary and unforgettable – experienced only in Singapore – to inspire travel here.”
The campaign aims to keep Singapore top of mind and connect across different travellers by showcasing the country’s key attributes – an inspiring City in Nature destination that is not only vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also rooted in strong multicultural heritage.
To build emotional affinity and inspire travel to Singapore, the campaign adopts a bolder and playful approach to convey the spirit of Made in Singapore. From “forest bathing” at the unexpected setting of Jewel Changi Airport’s Rain Vortex, to working up a sweat dining at Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, and witnessing a colourful “air show” at the all-new Mandai Bird Paradise, Singapore turns imagination into real and inspiring experiences for travellers.
Made in Singapore will roll out across key markets globally including China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, the UK and the US. Beyond film and social, the campaign will include in-market activations, industry partnerships, collaborations with content creators, as well as familiarisation trips to immerse media and influencers in Made in Singapore experiences.
Dragon Trail International (DTI) and ForwardKeys’ latest webinar on Chinese Tourism Outlook: October Holiday and Beyond on September 26 revealed a couple of unexpected findings.
Iceland has become a hotspot all thanks to social media and was the most searched destination on popular Chinese platforms like Xiaohongshu, Douyin and Weibo, according to Janice Meng, DTI market research analyst.
Dragon Trail International and ForwardKeys’ latest webinar revealed the latest Chinese traveller preferences
Meng noted the photos and videos of active volcanoes and beautiful scenery placed Iceland, which had never made it to the top 10-destination list, in the number five spot.
“More and more, social media is making an impact on trip planning and traveller behaviour,” she added.
On where they want to visit this year for the first time, a high proportion of Chinese travellers picked South Korea, Japan (when the survey was conducted before news of Japan’s release date of treated nuclear water from August 24), Thailand, Hong Kong, Iceland, Macau, the Maldives, France, Singapore and the UK.
Noticeably, Thailand has fallen off the top 10 list based on the August survey of some 1,000 respondents, and Nancy Dai, China market expert, ForwardKeys, commented all eyes were on its recovery with the destination offering visa-free entry from September 25 until February 2024, straddling the Spring Festival high season.
Dai observed: “We will have to wait and see the impact of Thailand’s visa-free entry and what the airlines announce in the last week of October for the winter season.”
In taking a more detailed look at safety in 16 destinations, she said Hong Kong and Singapore were perceived to be “much more safe” and “less unsafe”.
Western countries like Australia also improved and the safety perception of the US described as “terrible in the past” improved considerably.
She continued: “Thailand’s safety ranking dropped, with 51 per cent saying it was now unsafe during to news of kidnapping, human trafficking and Chinese being robbed and the reason for joining tour groups and buying travel insurance.”
September 29 to October 6 marks the last week-long holiday in China this year.
Tiana Tian, DTI market research analyst said Trip.com reported that outbound travel hotel searches increased by 20 per cent and flight searches nearly recovered 100 per cent compared to 2019.
In addition, she said Tongcheng Travel noted the average price of international air tickets on September 29 was 72 per cent higher than the average price during summer.
According to Dai, the revival of outbound travel was “unaffected by China’s economic downturn, with travellers favouring longer stays and 61 per cent spending more than six nights away”.
ForwardKeys is also tracking smaller group sizes with solo, couples and families of three to four going away between September 23 and October 8 as of September 6, compared to 11 per cent for groups with five or more people.
It added that Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia were the most resilient destinations in Asia for outbound China travel with +52 per cent, +36 per cent, +10 per cent, -11 per cent and -33 per cent arrivals respectively, based on tickets issued on September 15 for travel between September 23 and October 8, compared to 2019.
The news that AOT, the organisation that manages Thailand’s international airports, is proceeding with plans to build a new hub in Phang-Nga, has been welcomed by local stakeholders.
Conceived as a way to ease pressure on the region’s infrastructure, the construction is part of the 140 million baht (US$3.8 million) Andaman-Lamphun project, with the goal of building two new airports in Lampuhun and Khok Kloi in Phang-Nga for 70 million baht each.
A new airport hub at Phang-Nga is in the works; Phang-Nga Bay, pictured
With Phang-Nga’s proximity to Phuket, where there has been demand from local businesses for a second hub on the island to process the surge in arrivals, the new airport is welcomed news. Phuket’s rapid tourism recovery has driven a sharp rise in recovery, but it has also impacted the island’s population profile.
Bill Barnet, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, explained the effect of the influx of travellers and the need for increased connectivity.
“Covid-19 saw a dramatic urban flight of new residents from Bangkok and expat migration from Hong Kong, Singapore, the US and others. Also, the Russian-Ukraine conflict sparked a significant rise in residents. The island’s real estate sector has boomed, and the island is now embroiled in a looming infrastructure crisis.
“The need for a second airport (nearby) is not all about tourism – though it’s hard to ignore that the current facility also serves a growing Khao Lak hotel sector – Phang-Nga is (also) a secondary gateway for nearby Krabi.
“The long-term growth of Phuket and the Andaman region is clearly moving ahead, and a single airport on the island simply cannot cope with the growing population and urbanisation of Phuket. Something has to give.”
Duncan Worthington, chief strategist, Infinity Communications, cites how the move might increase footfall and boost the local economy.
He said: “We don’t see the Phang-Nga airport significantly impacting our business. If it drives arrival numbers (and not simply disperses them), then there could be some trickle-down benefits by creating more businesses and local jobs.”
Worthington has some reservations about the construction project’s impact on the environment but believes if the work is carried out sustainably, then it can only be for the good of the region.
“Infrastructure is a concern – the road network from the new airport to the coastal resort destination, as well as those inland, will need upgrading to support the increased traffic volume, which could mean expansion and land appropriation. Several national parks and green spaces in the area also need to be protected.
“Overall, the move is a good one. Short-term, giving travellers easier access to the destination is a positive for local hospitality businesses. If the pre-pandemic growth trajectory for Phang-Nga returns long-term, the airport will likely become a key economic driver benefitting the core hospitality industry. If the airport also helps to disperse visitors from Phuket and takes pressure off the island environmentally and infrastructure-wise, then that would also be a positive.”
VistaJet, which operates private flights to 187 countries, is seeing a high renewal rate among its clients in Asia, with high net-worth membership growing at an average rate of around five per cent. Most sign-ups are for the firm’s three-year programme.
Its intra-Asia and flights to and from Asia have also surged 80 per cent year-on-year in 1H2023.
Moore: VistaJet has committed to being fully carbon neutral by 2025
Ian Moore, chief commercial officer, stated that Asia was a big buyer of its flagship Bombardier VistaJet Global 7500 product, which can fly non-stop from Singapore to London, Vancouver, San Francisco and Cape Town.
Hourly rates start from US$15,000 and are between 20 and 30 per cent more for “short hops” and during “peak hours”.
The aircraft seats 14, sleeps eight, is designed with four unique living spaces comprising a living area, a dining area for up to six passengers, a cinema and a stateroom.
To ensure an exquisite flight experience for guests, VistaJet works with more than 7,000 suppliers around the world, the finest producers and purveyors, the most sought-after private chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Guests flying out of Singapore, for instance, can enjoy a farm-to-table meal from award-winning Origin Grill located at the Shangri-La Singapore.
Looking ahead, Moore said VistaJet has committed to being fully carbon neutral by 2025. Since introducing offsets in 2020, more than 85 per cent of members have opted in to compensate for their fuel emissions by investing in certified carbon credits.
An announcement on the use of sustainable aviation fuel will be made soon, according to Moore.
Quincy Hotel Singapore has introduced its new Qool Weekend package in partnership with Sachi and Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie.
Upon arrival, guests will be treated with a welcome ice cream, and are invited to join Sachi’s Cocktail Making Workshop at 17.00 where they will be introduced to the world of soy wine, which are low in calories and high in antioxidants, and create their very own Quincy cocktail.
Guests can create their very own Quincy cocktail during the Sachi’s Cocktail Making Workshop
Guests will also have the opportunity to create their very own chocolate slab at Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie, a Singapore-based chocolate lifestyle brand that specialises in artisanal chocolate bonbons and treats from cacao, sourced only within Asia.
The Qool Weekend package is priced at S$528 (US$384) for two and can be booked from now to March 26, 2024 for stays till March 31, 2024.
Train bookings on Trip.com Group, have skyrocketed not only for travel in Europe – where the European Union is targeting climate-neutrality by 2050 – but also in Asia where more travellers want “to pursue the perfect trip for a sustainable future”.
Dennis Li, CEO of International Train Ticket, Trip.com Group, told TTG Asia: “We have a global customer profile and 50 per cent of them are under 35.”
Li: we have encouraged more than five million travellers to travel by train
Li added that sustainable travel as a concept and practice across the globe “had moved from the back of travellers’ minds to a dominant position in the decision-making process”.
“More than 16 million people have chosen sustainable travel options, with Gen Z exhibiting the highest preference for sustainable products, including travelling by trains compared to other age groups.
“We launched PalGreen Energy on Trainpal at the end of 2021. This feature allows users to view the carbon emissions they reduce when travelling by rail on our platforms. Since the launch, we have encouraged more than five million travellers to travel by train, collectively reducing over 60,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.”
Li shared that Trip.com recently joined the Science Based Targets initiative and is the first travel company in Asia-Pacific to commit to an ambitious corporate climate action.
One year since green tourism goals were launched at Trip.com, sustainable travel products have been incorporated into multiple business lines, including trains, flights, car rentals and business travel.
Meanwhile, “split ticketing” in the UK has become one of the “best-received features”, Li noted.
“We are the first company to launch this feature in Europe,” he continued, which allows passengers to save money by splitting their train journey into two or more tickets without the need to change trains.
“Alternatively, it can create new transfer routes to reach the intended destination for even higher savings for budget travellers. In practice, the feature can help a user save up to 95 per cent of the ticket costs, with an average saving of 20 per cent.”
He said: “It is very popular among our users, and 39 per cent of all tickets we issue are split tickets. We plan to further optimise this feature by covering more routes, improving split ticket monitoring. We are also going to be the first platform extending split ticketing to UK seasonal tickets.”
Launched in 2017, Trip.com Group’s “ticket snapping” service is another innovation for passengers using Ctrip’s WeChat mini programme to greatly improve their chances of getting a ticket by placing them on a prioritised waiting list to “snap” a ticket as soon as any inventory becomes available again.
Richard joins Satair with a wealth of experience from the Airbus Defence and Space and Commercial Aircraft divisions, where he has led various customer-oriented programmes. He most recently headed Airbus’ transformation towards a decarbonised future.
