Deepak Ohri, will be stepping down has CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts – a brand he founded and established – at the end of the year.
He is planning to move to a luxury “hybrid” hospitality brand that will launch in the US.
Under Ohri’s leadership, lebua opened five properties across India, Thailand and New Zealand.
Silver Nova is the first in Silversea Cruises’s Nova Class to launch, and she has captured plenty of media attention. She is said to be the leisure cruise industry’s first to adopt an asymmetrical ship design, which grants her innovative use of spaces for guests; is the biggest vessel in the cruise line’s fleet; and is the first luxury liner to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the principle fuel source, allowing her to reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent compared to her most advanced sister ships currently sailing, Silver Muse and Silver Moon.
Among Silver Nova’s many superlative highlights, I find the debut of S.A.L.T Chef’s Table the most impressive.
Before I get to the ‘why’, let me first tackle the ‘what’. S.A.L.T refers to Silversea Cruises’s signature dining programme, Sea And Land Taste, which showcases flavours of the destinations and region the ship calls at. It was conceived by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur Magazine and who is now director of the programme. S.A.L.T is an exclusive programme, available only on Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, and now Silver Nova.
S.A.L.T, according to Sachs, is an “ecosystem” that comprises S.A.L.T shore excursions, which are in-depth tours led by food experts who delve into local culinary traditions; S.A.L.T onboard dining through S.A.L.T. Bar and Kitchen, where the menu changes with the ports of call and local recipes are made with local products; and S.A.L.T Lab, where small groups of guests can get hands-on experience of local recipes in a professional kitchen.
This ecosystem is expanded on Silver Nova, with the first-ever S.A.L.T Chef’s Table. This dinner experience is conducted in the same beautiful S.A.L.T Lab professional kitchen on deck 10, but for the S.A.L.T Chef’s Table 18 guests are seated around a U-shaped counter, all facing the chef duo who will perform delicious magic.
The convivial chefs take their time to introduce each of the small-plate dishes curated for the evening and the story behind the key local ingredient that makes up each dish. Guests see how each dish is put together and served, before savouring the creation.
I was fortunate to be among the first set of guests on Silver Nova’s exclusive Architectural Preview sailing on August 10 to experience S.A.L.T Chef’s Table.
We took three enjoyable hours to savour 11 beautifully-plated dishes that feature prized ingredients unique to the Mediterranean region where Silver Nova would be sailing for its maiden season. We started off with a refreshing Mazara red prawn crudo served in a gilded ‘oyster shell’. Soon after, we discovered how a unique rice grain accessible only to the Chinese emperor a long time ago was later crossed with a local Italian rice and became a popular summer dish ingredient – the black Venus rice came accompanied by tender monkfish and savoury chorizo crumbs. Many more memorable flavours surfaced through the evening, including a surprisingly comforting palate-cleanser cocktail made of boiled tomato juice and in a lovely golden hue.
I learnt that the S.A.L.T Chef’s Table was designed for just two hours or so, and the presentations during the trade- and media-only Architectural Preview would help the team sharpen the concept and delivery.
Verdict
While cruises typically present opportunities for travellers to explore different ports and destinations, not everyone is able to make time for a memorable and authentic dining experience on shore. S.A.L.T Chef’s Table onboard ensures guests get a chance to appreciate the region thoroughly through food and flavours.
What I love most is that the S.A.L.T Chef’s Table experience is more than just a showcase of amazing flavours; it is also a wonderful opportunity to see how ingredients are used differently in other cultures and be inspired to try new ways of cooking back home, and for travellers to trade food stories and bond over their shared love for all things delicious.
Rate: $180 per person
Website: www.silversea.com/ships/silver-nova.html
Avani+ Luang Prabang has created a multi-day Luang Prabang Serene Sojourn package that includes meditation classes with a senior monk, health-conscious meals, alms-giving ceremonies, and other immersive activities that showcase the essence of Laos and its enduring heritage.
The experience is offered ahead of the World Wellness Weekend on September 15-17, 2023.
The programme begins with a Sunrise Cruise by Mekong Kingdoms, a tranquil breakfast served on board a traditional boat.
On weekends, guests can join meditation sessions hosted in a hidden Buddhist temple by Monk O-Bee, a highly respected elder who draws on his profound knowledge of Buddhist philosophy to guide attendees on the path to mindful and fulfilling living. Guests can also join locals for a daily alms-giving ceremony as a way of showing respect to the monks and earn merit. These traditional activities will give guests precious insights into local habits and ways, while their voluntary donations to temples will go towards their development and maintenance.
Between activities, Seychellois chef Marcus Freminot, known for his Creolean cooking techniques, will dish out nutritious meals inspired by Laotian ingredients, while the resort’s spa will conduct wellness therapies to heal the soul, calm the mind and relax the body.
The three-day, two-night Luang Prabang Serene Sojourn package is priced from 11,940 baht (US$338) per night, and includes accommodation for two guests, roundtrip airport/train station transfers, and all the above stated activities.
Teardrop Hotels has launched a seven-night Highlights of The Pekoe Trail journey that grants guests access to highlights of the 300 kilometre-long trail (made up of 22 stages) in manageable stretches.
Guests will get to enjoy parts of The Pekoe Trail before returning to the comfort of Teardrop Hotels’s tea country bungalows, Camellia Hills, Goatfell and Nine Skies.
The trail experience is backed by the European Union as part of its 5.3 million euro (US$5.7 million) investment to support the revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, with an additional support of US$787,000 from the US Agency for International Development. The trail will begin operations in 2024.
Treks can be self-guided or guided for an additional fee, and at each bungalow walkers are provided with hiking boots, trekking poles, leech socks, insect repellent, sun hats and recommendations on where, when, and how long to walk depending on experience.
Highlights of The Pekoe Trail is priced by US$4,350 based on two adults sharing a double room for one night at Wallawwa on B&B, two nights at Camellia Hills, two nights at Goatfell, and two nights at Nine Skies on all-inclusive basis including breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, dinner, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The package come with picnic breakfast at Camellia Hills, tea factory visit at Goatfell, and Sri Lankan cookery demonstration at Nine Skies, train tickets from Hatton to Nuwara Eliya and from Nuwara Eliya to Demodara-Ella, and all transportation in an air-conditioned car with an English-speaking chauffeur.
Mantra Melbourne Airport will begin a multi-million dollar refurbishment that will result in a whole new look and improved facilities come 2024.
The hotel, formerly known as Mantra Tullamarine, will remodel all guestrooms and present new furniture, bedding, and interior design. The restaurant and bar will also be transformed and promises a memorable dining experience along with a refreshed beverage menu once complete.
The enhancements will join the other facilities currently available at Mantra Melbourne Airport – a fully equipped gym, sauna, heated lap pool, and the conference and events centre.
Mantra Melbourne Airport’s general manager, Stuart David, said: _”_The refurbishment is a significant investment in the hotel, and we are confident that our guests will enjoy the new facilities.”
Qantas Group’s current CEO Alan Joyce will bring forward his retirement by two months to help the company accelerate its renewal, paving the way for CEO designate Vanessa Hudson to assume the role of managing director and group CEO effective September 6, 2023.
Joyce said: “In the last few weeks, the focus on Qantas and events of the past make it clear to me that the company needs to move ahead with its renewal as a priority.
“The best thing I can do under these circumstances is to bring forward my retirement and hand over to Vanessa and the new management team now, knowing they will do an excellent job.”
In a press statement, Qantas chairman Richard Goyder noted that Joyce “always had the best interests of Qantas front and centre”, and thanked him for his leadership “through some enormous challenges”.
Goyder said: “This transition comes at what is obviously a challenging time for Qantas and its people. We have an important job to do in restoring the public’s confidence in the kind of company we are, and that’s what the Board is focused on, and what the management under Vanessa’s leadership will do.”
As planned, shareholders will formally vote on the appointment of Vanessa Hudson as managing director at Qantas’ Annual General Meeting in November.
With Joyce’s advanced retirement, one of the executive changes announced in June this year will also be accelerated, namely the appointment of Rob Marcolina as the group’s chief financial officer and Hudson’s transition to the group CEO role.
Leveraging AI that can help its airline and travel agency communities, Sabre will complete migrating and moving all of its GDS business to Google Cloud this year.
“Google has the best ability to advance our capabilities in the travel space….and so we’ve been working collaboratively…to figure out how do we leverage our own data and assets, and adapt AI and machine learning for our partners,” said Brett Thorstad, vice president, Sabre Travel Solutions, agency sales, APAC.
Speaking at the Sabre Space Asian roadshow in the Philippines, Thorstad said that in the first years following its 2020 partnership with Google, Sabre launched airline pricing products so carriers can use AI to dynamically price their fares and ancillaries.
He noted that both traditional travel agencies and OTAs, which value automation, could also benefit from AI use.
Hence, Sabre launched this month the Lodging AI that offers up to 20 alternatives when a hotel is sold out or a search criteria is not met. Additionally, the Schedule Change Predictor of flight cancellations and disruptions can be used to create and offer travel itineraries. Both products are available on the Sabre Red 360 platform.
While the GDS is traditionally known for air content, today the most addressable types of content is air followed by hotel, car rental, cruise and tours.
“We’re looking at ways to add more content into the GDS,” said Thorstad.
“Bringing (more content) into the GDS, into a single shopping request, and having it all bookable into the same portal will be hugely beneficial for our (agency) community,” he said.
“We do see a potential for the future where anything can be sold through our platform,” he added.
Further, Thorstad also shared insights into the industry. He said airline seat capacity is recovering and almost back to normal, but travel agency GDS bookings are not growing as quickly; most bookings come from the corporate travel side.
Thorstad pointed out that the work-from-home environment has complicated the corporate travel market. Corporates are booking less frequently as they reduce day trips and become more intentional about travel. On the bright side, business travellers are taking longer trips.
As a percentage of corporate travel bookings, business class and premium economy seats are selling better now than in 2019, he said.
Global OTA Trip.com has launched its year-long exclusive Explore with Mastercard promotion, spanning 17 territories across Asia-Pacific and granting travellers discounted flights when they pay with any Mastercard World or World Elite Consumer Credit and Debit cards on the Trip.com app.
Explore with Mastercard is a result of the MoU that was signed between the two companies earlier in March this year.
Range of discounts and minimum spend conditions vary across territories. In Singapore, for example, customers can enjoy S$25 (US$18.50) off with at least S$670 charged to their card for all flights, while in Malaysia a minimum spend of RM2,000 (US$431) is required to qualify for an RM88 off.
Edmund Ong, senior product & marketing director (Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia), Trip.com, said: “We are always seeking to help our customers plan the perfect trip. We hope that this promotion will encourage them to explore more of the world and live their dreams, and we look forward to introducing more of such programmes together with Mastercard in the coming months.”
Explore with Mastercard promotion will conclude on August 31, 2024.
Thai Vietjet will increase the number of flights to and from Phuket, Thailand starting this October, with a target of 204 weekly flights by the end of the year.
Woranate Laprabang, CEO of Thai Vietjet, said the decision came after a discussion with Thailand’s prime minister Srettha Thavisin and the Thai Airlines Association.
“We all agreed that tourism is one of the largest sources of sustainable income for Thailand, and it’s important that we push forward and enhance policies to stimulate the tourism industry in the long run, including the free-visa policy for tourists from potential countries such as China and India. In response to those open policies, Thai Vietjet will be increasing our flight capacity to Phuket, which is one of the most popular Thai destinations, from 126 flights weekly to 204 flights weekly, beginning October onwards, which highlights our relentless efforts to contribute to the recovery and sustainability of the travel industry, said Woranate.
The services will connect Phuket International Airport with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai in Thailand, as well as Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Thai Vietjet will announce additional Phuket services to and from different cities in China, India, South-east Asia, and Australia soon.
The former Parkroyal on Kitchener Road will adopt the Novotel brand from November 1, 2023, as Accor and Worldwide Hotels Group sign on a new partnership. This follows Worldwide Hotels Group’s acquisition of the property in July 2023.
The 543-key Novotel Singapore on Kitchener, located in the Little India cultural enclave, will begin its rebranding exercise on October 31, 2023.
Accor has an existing strong partnership with Worldwide Hotels Group, as evidenced by the latter’s successful management of ibis Styles Brisbane in Australia and ibis Budget Osaka Umeda in Japan. Carolyn Choo, CEO of Worldwide Hotels Group, said: “This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy and allows us to expand our commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and thoughtful customer service in strategic locations.”
The hotel had previously undergone a full-scale refurbishment in 2020, presenting now updated décor and interior design. It is ideal for both leisure and business travellers, with facilities ranging from all-day dining restaurant, hospitality lounges, and retail shops.
“We are delighted to introduce Novotel Singapore on Kitchener as a milestone achievement in our ongoing partnership with Worldwide Hotels Group, a property that emphasises our shared commitment to exceptional guest experiences,” said Garth Simmons, CEO for Accor’s Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in Asia.
“This signing is a significant step for Accor as we continue to elevate hospitality standards to provide our guests with genuine hospitality and premium comfort.”