Paradox Singapore Merchant Court has named Christine Choo as its general manager. She will spearhead the overall strategic executive management and operations of the hotel.
An accomplished hotelier with over 10 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Choo brings along her wealth of experience in operating resorts and hotels in destination-centric locations in Singapore since 2011.
She was most recently area general manager (Sentosa Cluster) at Far East Hospitality Singapore.
Stuart De San Nicolas has been appointed as the new cluster general manager for Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, Avani+ Fares Resort and NH Collection Maldives Havodda.
With over 30 years of hands-on industry experience, he joins Minor Hotels from Conrad Bora Bora Nui, where he helped to elevate the resort’s luxury offerings through his position as general manager.
Trip.com Group reflects on the dynamic landscape of travel over the past year, and offers insights into the top travel trends, AI revolution, and sustainable journeys in 2024.
China’s border reopening sparks global travel surge
With the opening of China’s borders, travel was greatly boosted by a wave of Chinese travellers with a pent-up demand for overseas travel. Trip.com data unveils a significant rise in outbound travel bookings, showcasing a six-fold increase compared to 2022. This trend is especially prominent during holiday periods, such as the eight-day Golden Week in October 2023 which witnessed an eightfold surge in outbound travel.
The data also revealed that Chinese travellers have a strong interest in visiting South-east Asia, with Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia topping the list of preferred outbound destinations in 2023.
China’s inbound travel is also showing steady signs of recovery – there was a four-digit growth in visitor numbers in 2023 as compared with the same period in 2022, surpassing 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
China’s top source markets for inbound tourism include South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the US, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, the UK and Germany. These visitors’ preferred destinations in China are Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Foshan, Xiamen, Zhongshan, and Chengdu.
AI takes centrestage in predictive planning for 2024
The travel landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the widespread integration of AI. An example is Trip.com’s TripGenie, launched last year, which is an advanced AI travel assistant integrated into the Trip.com mobile app, helping travellers plan their journeys – from crafting bespoke itineraries, enabling instant bookings and delivering lightning-fast responses to user queries. The personalised travel assistant can respond to queries as well as recommend tourist spots, shopping destinations and even provides booking links, images and city maps.
Expanding beyond TripGenie, Trip.com also introduced AI-powered curated lists to enhance the booking experience for users, such as Trip.Best that recommends the best travel options, Trip.Deals that shows top flights, accommodations, and other travel deals, and Trip.Trends which features the most popular travel topics and events based on user searches. These dynamic compilations are tuned to user preferences derived from real-time data, providing a sneak peek into the future of travel planning in 2024.
Based on searches on Trip.Deals, global users have shown particular interest in the following top five destinations: London, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Paris, and Hong Kong.
Music festivals and theme parks lead the way
The world of travel in 2024 is embracing the fun trend of event tourism, with festivals and iconic theme parks emerging as the cornerstones of trips.
Theme parks specifically, are poised for a stellar rise, having witnessed an impressive 65% increase in bookings in 2023 compared to 2019 levels. The top 10 theme parks in 2023 globally include Hong Kong Disneyland; Universal Studios Japan, Ocean Park Hong Kong; Universal Studios Singapore; Tokyo Disneyland; Tokyo DisneySea; Everland, South Korea; Universal Studios Hollywood; Legoland, Malaysia; and Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Theme parks also made five of the top ten most popular attractions globally in 2023, with Singapore Zoo, Gardens by the Bay, The Peak, S.E.A Aquarium, and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan also making the top 10 list.
Concerts featuring international acts are anticipated to sustain their prominence as the most sought-after global events, promising a thrilling 2024 filled with unforgettable cultural experiences.
In 2023, the category of event+ticket became one of the most sought-after products on Trip.com’s platform, with concerts and music festivals such as Jay Chou’s Carnival World Tour in Bangkok and Wang Leehom’s ONE concert in the same city were shown as the top two most popular concerts respectively.
These concerts also resulted in a surge in hotel and air ticket bookings, for example, searches for air tickets to Bangkok exhibited a substantial increase of 213%, while the number of hotel stay bookings in Bangkok on December 9 spiked by 129% when comparing the same two weeks. Additionally, flight bookings from China recorded a significant rise of 118%.
The rise of sustainable travel and event tourism in 2024
For 2024, two pivotal trends look to be shaping the travel landscape – sustainable travel, and the ascent of event tourism. More than a numerical projection, these trends signify a shift in traveller consciousness and preferences.
According to Trip.com Group’s latest ESG report, more than 16 million customers have opted for low-carbon travel options, signalling a rising interest in eco-friendly exploration.
The group’s low-carbon hotel standard initiative was also launched in 2023 with promising results. With over 1,500 partners shortlisted as low-carbon hotels, this suggests that sustainable accommodation is set to become a major trend.
Event tourism, encompassing concerts, festivals, and sporting events, is poised to gain momentum in 2024. With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the ticket+hotel category is expected to be a sought-after product, underscoring the growing importance of events in shaping travel choices.
Regal Hotels Group, Cosmopolitan International Group, and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore a strategic partnership in hotel development and management.
The objective of the MoU is to acquire, own, develop, and manage a network of sustainable hotels, serviced apartments, and centres of innovation under Regal Hotels’ iclub brand to foster tourism, innovation, and technology exchange between China, including Hong Kong, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The potential partnership will aim to leverage the combined strengths of Regal Hotels and Cosmopolitan, together with MISA’s expertise in shaping and driving investment into high value tourism opportunities.
Regal Hotels intends to build about 100 hotels around the world worth US$5 billion with an emphasis on the Middle East. According to Regal’s vice-chairman and managing director Poman Lo, the company plans to have about 30 hotels in Saudi Arabia. She said: “We are delighted to partner with MISA to accelerate our shared vision of becoming a global leader in delivering world-class services through our hospitality management expertise and embracing sustainable technologies.”
Regal Hotels will integrate cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices into their hospitality and real estate projects, with plans to finish construction by 2035. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment will help secure funds for the projects, and Regal is also open to accepting capital from investors in Mainland China and Hong Kong.
The MoU will also help build the Kingdom’s presence in the tourism, innovation, and sustainability sectors, noted MISA’s deputy minister of investment, Saleh Al-Khabti.
Meanwhile, Cosmopolitan expects to contribute its experience and expertise in project management of real estate and hotel development projects in Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Furthermore, Regal Hotels and Cosmopolitan will evaluate opportunities to invest in an asset management platform through joint ventures, investment funds, and/or publicly listed companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and/or Hong Kong.
The 31st Travel Tour Expo (TTE) and the ninth International Travel Trade Expo will be held from February 2 to 4 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City in the Philippines.
Organised by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), the TTE 2024 will spotlight how the Philippine tourism and hospitality industries have levelled up to make domestic and international trips for Filipinos more worthwhile through exclusive deals and packages on air fares, tours, and accommodations.
TTE 2024 will host more than 200 participating exhibitors with 702 booths, and anticipates a turnout of 100,000 travel enthusiasts. Booths will include airlines, domestic and international travel agencies and tour operators, hotels and resorts, cruise liners and shipping, merchandisers and more. It will also serve as the launchpad for new destinations, affordable tours, transportation choices, tailor-fit accommodations, and various payment options to cater to every voyager.
“Many travellers are eager to make up for lost time. Revenge travel has undeniably played a role in the resurgence of tourism – more importantly, people have realised that life is short. This renewed eagerness to travel, to live life and experience other places and cultures is definitely long-term,” remarked PTAA president Evangeline Tankiang-Manotok.
While digital platforms have made travel more accessible, convenient and personalised, TTE 2024 chairperson Patria Chiong said that “travel agencies offer people-to-people connection” and offer ever-ready assistance “in case of misconnections, missing luggage, insurance”.
This event is sponsored by Tourism Promotions Board, Union Bank of the Philippines, AirSwift Transport, Philippine Airlines, TIEZA, PLDT, and Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
Jetstar Asia’s inaugural flight from Singapore to Wuxi took off on December 28, 2023 from Changi Airport to Sunan Shuofang International Airport, marking the start of the Singapore low-cost carrier’s second direct route to mainland China.
Operated by Jetstar’s expanding fleet of Airbus A320s, the service will commence with two weekly return flights on Mondays and Thursdays.
It will then increase to four weekly services from January 15 to meet growing demand, flying every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Club Med Kiroro Grand, Japan
Immersed in the breath-taking beauty of Kiroro’s natural landscapes, the 266-key Club Med Kiroro Grand beckons guests into a sanctuary where nature and design seamlessly intertwine.
The resort provides direct access to ski slopes spanning the Asari and Nagamine mountains and features 23 diverse courses catering to skiers of all levels. Individual and group lessons are available and the ski and lift passes will be ready upon arrival.
Aside from skiing, guests can also pamper themselves at the spa, indulge in gastronomy at the resort’s four restaurants and bar, or even explore the lesser-known wonders of Hokkaido with a day trip to the Otaru Coastal Town.
Kinn Studios, Singapore
Kinn Studios is situated in the heart of the CBD-fringe area of Keong Saik Road in Singapore, and places a significant focus on holistic wellness by offering a curated guest programme promoting emotional and mental fulfilment.
Each room type caters to a different experience: Cosy Rooms are perfect for those who enjoy natural light and vibrant streets; Ground Rooms, which are also wheelchair friendly, grant easy access to the communal dining area and lounge; while those who prefer more privacy can opt for the Hideaway Rooms, which are neatly tucked away on the topmost floor.
The hotel aims to furnish guests with access to therapy sessions to help counter any travel anxieties and worries through its collaboration with Safe Space, an online/offline mental health counselling service provider in Singapore. Guests will also get to use and keep a Kinn Pocket Serenity wellness booklet featuring words of affirmation and personal journaling prompts.
Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak, Indonesia
Cross Paasha Bali Seminyak in Indonesia is nestled at the heart of Seminyak, offering guests beachside bliss by day and an electrifying nightlife scene after sunset.
Just a 30 to 40-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the 99-key hotel features a variety of suites ranging from 55m² to the expansive 110m² Penthouse Suite which is great for families and small groups.
There are facilities like a pool, spa, gym, and dining options. Nearby attractions include Seminyak Beach, Seminyak Square, Petitenget Temple, Ku De Ta Beach Club, Eat Street, Potato Head Beach Club, The Seminyak Village for shopping, Batu Belig Beach, and more.
Mantra Tonsley Adelaide, Australia
Mantra Tonsley Adelaide in Southern Australia offers 88 rooms and apartments, a restaurant and bar, as well as two conference rooms.
Situated in the Tonsley Innovation Precinct, just a 12-minute drive south of Adelaide’s CBD, the hotel is also near Flinders University and the Flinders Public & Private Hospitals.
The hotel provides easy access to iconic South Australian destinations, including McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and Glenelg Beach.
Location
Opened on May 19, 2023, Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel occupies levels 18 and 20 through 38 of the new 48-storey high Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Tokyo’s lively Shinjuku district.
Tokyu Kabukicho Tower was developed with a grand plan to be the upmarket hub of arts and entertainment in the Kabukicho party central, and therefore packs in a cinema, a threatre and a live event venue besides two hotels – Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel and the ultra-luxurious Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel.
For the uninitiated, Kabukicho is a rather exciting aspect of Tokyo. Its name translates to kabuki street, and is a reference to what the area was meant to serve – a kabuki theatre for traditional dance that was planned for in the 1940s. Although that theatre did not materialise, many other entertainment facilities did, from movie theatres and night clubs to restaurants and bars.
Hence, even though Kabukicho has a notorious side (it is regarded as a red-light district), it is also a treasure trove for travellers in search of great food in lively environs. Young social rebels and homeless folks may sit side by side on the streets, some chatting, some singing, some drunk and dancing, some simply watching the world go by, but Kabukicho feels absolutely safe and my little boys had fun walking around to marvel at countless bright lights past their usual bedtime.
The hotel is within walking distance of four stations – Shinjuku, Seibu-Shinjuku, Shinjuku Sanchome, and Shinjuku-nishiguchi – which grants guests easy access to several train lines that weave through Tokyo.
Occupying the upper floors of the building, Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel affords guests unblocked views of the wider Shinjuku area as well as the landmark Tokyo Skytree. On a clear day and in the right position, one can even glimpse Mount Fuji.
Reflecting Kabukicho’s entertainment background, the hotel’s interior design adopts a certain 1970s vibe, with colourful splashes, nostalgic pieces of furniture turned into art pieces, and a massive wall containing pieces of vinyl records and record covers from a bygone era.
Accommodation
There are 538 guestrooms spread across levels 20 to 38, and every one of them boast city views.
Like the rest of the hotel, guestroom design also adopts an arty vibe. Our room – a 61m2 Japanese suite – blends traditional design with vibrant shades. A tatami-mat platform in neutral colours is set against a carpet of pink, blue and mauve geometric prints that reminds me of costumes donned by Abba and Boney M; magnetic Do Not Disturb signs resemble vinyl records.
The suite is elongated, taking in a spacious lounge, a minimalist wardrobe space, a tatami-mat platform that doubles up for tea and sleep (futons are laid out in the evening), and a plush King bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows run the entire length of the room on one side, and dual toilets and shower areas occupy the other.
The suite is practical, pretty and very comfortable.
Travellers who prefer unusual accommodation should ask for one of nine Art Rooms in the hotel. These are designed in collaboration with three Japanese artists – Yoshiaki Kaihatsu, Takuro Tamayama, and Tomoyuki Washio – and every one is different and absolutely photogenic.
F&B
Level 17 is the hotel’s social central, housing Jam17 Dining, Jam17 Bar and Jam17 Gelateria. Jam17 Dining is the main restaurant where a buffet is laid out for breakfast and Italian meals are served for lunch and dinner. Jam17 is an artistic watering hole, with Tatzu Nishi’s enormous art piece made up of old furniture, books, clothes, bags and a street lamp collected from around Shinjuku all sewn together, hanging overhead.
For sweet, icy treats, Jam17 Gelateria satisfies and draws even non-hotel guests.
Breakfast at Jam17 Dining comprises a mix of western and Japanese morning staples, plus a main course from an a la carte menu. There were four options on the morning I dined, and my selection – stone oven-baked eggs – was memorable; cream, tender spinach, gooey yolk and melty mozzarella made a divine combination.
Facilities
As a practical traveller who likes to pack light, my favourite facility in this hotel is the laundry room on level 20. But halt – this is no regular laundry room; this space, styled like a bowling alley from the 80s, packs in four washer/dryer sets, multiple vending machines that dispense drinks and snacks, and a seating area. Along with free and strong Wi-Fi plus gorgeous city views, one can easily Netflix and chill with their device while outfits are being washed.
Verdict
Excellent hardware and spacious rooms that families will appreciate. Superb location gives travellers a different view of Japan alongside excellent access to all the fun and beautiful attractions across Tokyo.
Contact details
Website: www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-groove-shinjuku.html
Email: enquiry.prgtk@parkroyalhotels.com
The Indonesian government may grant visa-free entry to a larger number of countries as it seeks to boost quality tourist arrivals.
Presently, only passport holders from ASEAN member countries are permitted to enter Indonesia without a visa.
Discussions among related government agencies are now underway to determine if 20 nominated countries could avail the facility next.
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia minister of tourism and creative economy, said president Joko Widodo had instructed the consideration of a visa-free facility as a means to boost tourism, investment, and the local economy.
Proposed countries to benefit from this move are Australia, China, India, South Korea, the US, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, as well as other Middle Eastern countries. Passport holders of these countries currently need a visa-on-arrival.
Sandiaga explained that these candidates were chosen based on per capita income of the country of origin, length of stay, average expenditure per visit, number of outbound tourists from the country of origin, as well as security conditions and health quality of the country of origin.
He added: “The goal is not just quantity but also quality. The selected countries are contributors of quality tourists.”
Travellers from these countries would also likely support green tourism, which will ensure the successful transformation of Indonesia towards regenerative tourism.
Sandiaga believes that offering these source markets visa-free entry would give Indonesia a competitive edge in the battle for quality travellers.
“Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have flexible policies. So, we need to adapt our policies to the current situation to face competition with our neighbours,” he remarked.
Tourism Australia is recording strong demand from the Indian market on the back of enhanced air capacity, a friendly visa regime, and growing interest from diverse segments like business events and young travellers.
Indian arrivals to Australia have reached 385,000 for the period between October 2022 and September 2023, and the market is now the fifth largest inbound market for Tourism Australia.
Nishant Kashikar, country manager, India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, told TTG Asia that India “has been the first market to bounce back to pre-Covid levels”. The market used to rank number seven.
Indian travellers are also spending more in Australia – up 24 per cent, reaching a substantial A$2.2 billion (US$1.5 billion) for the period from July 2022 to June 2023.
Improved flight connections play a pivotal role in fostering tourism growth, opined Kashikar. Capacity on the India-Australia route has increased from eight flights a week pre-Covid to 28 flights per week today. Most recently in December 2023, Air India commenced thrice weekly direct flights connecting Mumbai and Melbourne.
Said Kashikar: “We are seeing a lot of young Indians travelling to Australia. We are going to leverage the digital ecosystem to reach out to young Indian travellers and inspire them through our Come & Say G’day campaign that we launched a year ago. We are also noticing a growing demand for self-drive holidays from India.”
Tourism Australia also recorded overwhelming interest from the Indian corporate events segment last year – “a remarkable five-fold increase in MICE leads compared to 2019 levels”, shared Kashikar.
“This is primarily because of the faster turnaround time, and streamlined service offered for corporates by the Department of Home Affairs to process their visas. So, we have seen Australia’s attractiveness rise in terms of MICE in 2023. The Indian economy has done well and segments like banking, financial services, insurance, infrastructure and healthcare have helped in the growth of MICE demand for Australia,” he explained.
Guldeep Singh Sahni, managing director, Weldon Tours & Travels, commented that an easy visa application system is a strong motivation for travellers to pick a destination.
“Even though the average turnaround time for visa processing is four to five days, we have seen some applications being processed within 24 hours. As a result, many Indian travel agents are suggesting travel to Australia,” said Sahni.
In the new year, Tourism Australia will do more to promote destinations beyond well-known ones – the draws of Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Canberra, Perth, Northern Territory, Daintree region in tropical North Queensland, and the Great Barrier Reef will be highlighted to the Indian market.