TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 30th December 2025
Page 457

Singapore Grand Prix 2023 on track to becoming more environmentally sustainable

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The Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (GP) 2023 and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have taken initiatives to transform the race event into an environmentally sustainable street circuit.

These include generating cleaner energy, going digital for greater resource efficiency, improving waste management, and reducing single-use plastics. The installation of solar panels on the rooftop of the F1 Pit Building have also been completed, while installations for a more energy-efficient lighting system at the night race underway.

Singapore Grand Prix 2023 is undergoing transformation to become an environmentally sustainable race event

The 1,396 solar panels on the rooftop are expected to generate energy that is sufficient to power the F1 Pit Building for an entire race month – this includes providing the power for the F1 Paddock Club suites, Race Control Room, Media Centre, garages, as well as the administrative offices. Excess solar energy will be sold to the grid to offset the facility’s utility costs.

Work is now underway to install a more energy-efficient track lighting system for the remainder of the term until 2028. LED track lights will replace the existing metal-halide projectors to illuminate the 4.928km-long race track, while the old lights will be given new life as recycled art, and will feature at an art exhibition in September.

The new lights will require significantly less power per fitting, consume at least 30 per cent less electricity than the previous bulbs, and do not require any warm up time to reach their full luminance.

In addition, the new ArenaVision LED floodlights are designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for drivers, F1 fans, media and broadcasters – the lighting system will provide visual clarity, effective heat management, and have a long lifespan.

Ong Ling Lee, executive director, sports and wellness, STB, commented: “This is an important milestone because it will reduce the carbon footprint of the race, as well as all other events that use the F1 Pit Building beyond the race period. Sustainability is a key priority for the Singapore race, and we will continue to work with Singapore GP and our partners to make our race more sustainable.”

“We are excited to kick off our sustainability efforts for the new term and we look forward to drive change at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. More initiatives are currently being planned for the night race, and we will be announcing these, as well as the results of our carbon footprint report from last year’s event in the coming weeks,” said Sasha Rafi, director of sustainability, Singapore GP.

KidZania returns to Singapore with new experiences

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Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and Sim Leisure Group (SLG) have teamed up to refurbish and bring back KidZania to Singapore, which will now offer new future-ready attractions for kids aged four to 14 years.

The new and improved KidZania Singapore is expected to reopen in 1Q2024.

KidZania Singapore will reopen 1Q2024 with new attractions and experiences (Photo: KidZania Singapore)

KidZania 5.0 will focus on portraying the cities and jobs of the future, preparing the citizens of tomorrow and instilling a better sense of sustainability by incorporating at least eight elements of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals – purpose partners will include renowned Singaporean and worldwide brands.

Having secured the long-term licensing rights for Singapore from KidZania, a global edutainment attraction from Mexico, SLG will refurbish the 7,600m² family entertainment centre located at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach which housed the original KidZania Singapore to introduce a whole suite of new attractions and experiences.

KidZania offers an engaging, educational and hands-on learning experience about the world of adult occupations by allowing kids to role-play different professions. New highlights will include YouTube Entrepreneur, Animation Studio and Makers Space, as well as a range of KidZania activities across Sentosa Island to make it even more engaging for families and children.

Recognising Singapore’s reputation for being a centre for education and innovation, KidZania’s founder, president and CEO Xavier López Ancona remarked that KidZania is “eager to make an effect on a whole new generation” as the world “grapples with the challenges of the twenty-first century”.

Sim Choo Kheng, founder and chairman, SLG, said: “This opportunity of taking over KidZania Singapore was never something I could imagine being part of. I am very confident… that KidZania Singapore will be a runaway success. This time I will make sure KidZania Singapore is here to stay.”

“Sentosa Development Corporation is pleased to welcome Sim Leisure Group to bring the innovative KidZania experience back to the island, with a renewed focus on inculcating a deeper understanding of sustainability and future-readiness,” shared Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of SDC.

Royal Caribbean expands collaboration with OceanScope

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Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) has extended its investment in OceanScope by four years – the renewal with the open-source data programme builds on over 20 years of ocean and marine life research from RCG ships and helps ensure ongoing monitoring and changes of key ocean and atmospheric processes in critical ecosystems.

Leveraging a comprehensive suite of oceanographic and meteorological instruments located onboard RCG ships, these generate continuous, simultaneous collection of the ocean’s vital signs such as the structure of currents, sea surface temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations, and salinity taken along the repetitive ship routes – which allows scientists to monitor changes on scales of seasons, years, and even decades.

The extended collaboration will help ensure ongoing monitoring and changes of key ocean and atmospheric processes in critical ecosystems

The information is then passed on to scientists to study climate and ocean conservation. Key programme partners include the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

OceanScope’s open-source database is also available to the international scientific research community worldwide. The resulting data products and peer-reviewed research are key to informing ocean and conservation policy.

As of 2023, data has been collected from over 100,000 nautical miles sailed from four ships, traveling across the Caribbean Sea, Galapagos, North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

RCG is also working to decarbonise its business through innovation, collaborative partnerships and a transition to cleaner fuels, smarter technologies, and improved energy efficiencies – driving the company’s efforts to reach net-zero by 2050 and to deliver a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.

A stress-free family holiday with Traveloka

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Traveloka has unveiled its Now, Not Never campaign for travellers to plan family vacations without the stress.

From now to July 9, consumers will be offered attractive travel deals such as discounts of up to S$185 (US$137) – with an additional 10,000 points – for airline tickets, accommodation, and Xperience bookings on Traveloka.

Traveloka’s new campaign helps travellers plan stress-free family vacations

Those eager to jet off for a mid-year adventure can also access the convenient and easy-to-use travel features across the platform.

From easy rescheduling for flights and ground transportation, payment upon checking in for added assurance, and buying travel-related products and services in advance with Xperience, which lets consumers schedule their preferred date of use.

For more information, visit Traveloka.

Seek wellness at Jumeirah Bali

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Jumeirah Bali is celebrating global wellness day with a transformational daily wellness programme showcasing an array of activities and spa treatments throughout the month of June.

The Revitalize Your Life brings participants on a soothing singing bowl meditation followed by a mindfulness painting session, and treatment at Talise Spa. It is priced at 350,000 rupiah (US$24) for in-house guests and 500,000 rupiah for non-resident guests.

Guests can participate in a soothing singing bowl meditation at Jumeirah Bali

The Art of Wellbeing Through Mindfulness includes a 60-minute Hatha Flow and Mandala Singing Bowl Meditation. Priced at 500,000 rupiah, inclusive of refreshments, guests will also have the option to add an elemental cooking class, afternoon tea, a skin chakra consultation, and facial treatment at an additional cost.

For those seeking relaxation, the Awakening Jagaraga at Talise Spa will help restore harmony and vitality with chakra aromatherapy and a singing bowl ritual. This programme features a body scrub, Jagaraga body massage, and a choice of either a green aventurine jade face massage or a calming lavender foot massage, before ending with a 15-minute meditation session. This 120-minute experience is priced at 3,000,000 rupiah per person.

For more information, visit Jumeirah Bali.

Singapore Airlines announces senior management appointments

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Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced several senior management appointments, all effective from September 10.

Tan Kai Ping, currently executive vice president finance and strategy and chief financial officer, will be appointed executive vice president operations and chief operations officer. He will be responsible for SIA’s cabin crew, customer services and operations, engineering, and flight operations divisions.

From left: Tan Kai Ping and JoAnn Tan

JoAnn Tan will take on the role of senior vice president finance and chief financial officer. Currently senior vice president of marketing planning, she led SIA’s efforts to restore network connectivity and capacity after borders re-opened, as well as played a role in deepening strategic partnerships with multiple airlines around the world.

Divisional vice president digital, Dai Hao Yu, will be promoted to acting senior vice president marketing planning. Having joined SIA in 1998, he helped lead the SIA Group’s digital transformation in his current role.

Meanwhile, executive vice president operations and chief operations officer Mak Swee Wah will retire on September 9 after 40 years with the company.

In search of the perfect villa

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What are the key customer trends and new consumer segments you have observed in the current market?
More than ever, our clients are looking for unique experiences. Our concierge team has recently assisted a number of fun requests, such as arranging for helicopter rides and private yachts, decorating a villa for an anniversary and even researching local tattoo parlours for one client!

Our concierge team has always set us apart, and while our customers are from Australia, the US and Europe, we’re seeing an increase in the number of travellers from Asia (Singapore and Indonesia) seeking personalised holiday experiences. It might be their first time experiencing a villa versus a hotel, and with us, they know they can trust the villa experts.

Post-pandemic, the ability for many to work remotely has driven a lot of clients to destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Samui. These clients tend to stay on a longer term. Picture them working by the poolside, savouring the refreshing taste of a freshly made mojito, while embracing the flexibility and comfort of their remote work lifestyle.

How do you set up your business operations and systems to respond to these evolving trends and segments?
We are a technology-driven company with a mission to offer great experiences for clients when staying in a villa.

We invest in our employees to ensure we’re always able to adapt, from our recruitment processes, tailor-made training modules to personal development plans. We create new roles to ensure we can scale, most recently building a growth and research team which comprises digital, marketing, product and UX (user experience) functions.

While our entire business is built around offering great holiday experiences, we conduct a thorough screening process to ensure the quality of our portfolio. This helps us understand each villa’s unique selling point, which translates into a tailored experience for our clients. Our team looks after them throughout the entire stay – from the moment they book with us until they reach their hometown, at no extra charge!

What new value-added products and services have you introduced to your organisation to enable it to grow and remain customer-centric in the current dynamic market conditions?
We embrace technology and love how it allows us to be more efficient so we can focus on the most important part of our roles – looking after our clients. Our CRM is custom-built in-house specifically for our needs, with the goal of simplifying the team’s workflow.

Our team is available seven days a week so that there’s always someone to help a client if they need anything, such as a last-minute nanny, massage, or a reservation for dinner.

Our concierge team also prepares a number of resources for clients travelling to our destinations, such as a series of guidebooks, Island Indulgence, detailing the best attractions, restaurants and spas from experts on the ground.

How did you leverage digital tools to market the new offerings, as well as optimise localisation and integration with new partners’ payment systems?
We consistently challenge our processes, and as part of our growth strategy, we have implemented various tools and technologies to enhance our operations.

Using our in-house built CRM, our development team is able to sync many tools and payment vendors via custom APIs. We have established API connections with property manager systems, channel managers and banking systems, streamlining the flow of information and enabling seamless integration.

Additionally, we have digitised our HR and finance processes, eliminating manual tasks and embracing automation to increase efficiency and accuracy. These measures play a vital role in supporting our expansion and ensuring smoother operations across the organisation.

Less back and forth means more time spent on our clients’ holiday experiences.

With OTAs becoming marketplaces, how do you plan to respond to shifts in the industry value chain to augment your revenue stream?
We provide our clients the flexibility to choose between instant bookings and engaging with our villa experts. We have observed a significant surge in online bookings as more and more clients opt for the convenience of digital transactions.

While we prioritise technology, we also value building long-standing human relationships with our clients and villa owners. We strive for strategic partnerships with villa owners and partners which strengthen our offering as a trustworthy partner.

Over 100 of our properties are marketed exclusively by us as we offer a one-stop solution for villa owners. Our niche market comprises affluent families and groups seeking unique holiday experiences. Our scalable technology stack also ensures personalised experiences remain at the forefront.

Our clients appreciate our expert knowledge and personalised approach. With proficiency in eight languages, we understand the diverse cultures and needs of our clientele.

You will be speaking at the upcoming Digital Travel APAC 2023. What will you be focusing on?
Digital Travel APAC gives me an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, stay updated on the latest trends and gain insights into the future of the travel industry.

On the panel, I plan to share our expertise in leveraging technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences. I will discuss how our scalable technology stack enables us to cater to the evolving needs of our clients while maintaining a personalised touch.

I will also address the importance of collaboration with the right partners to create a strong customer offer. Attendees can expect practical insights on these topics.

Catch Saputri and other progressive business leaders sharing their insights at the upcoming Digital Travel APAC 2023 from August 15 to 16, 2023.

Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford appoints new commercial GM

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Theo Ocks has been named the new commercial general manager of Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford. He will spearhead the strategic business direction for the hotel in his new role.

He has extensive experience from resorts to conference and urban hotels across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and was most recently the vice president of business development at Resorts World Sentosa.

Renest Kumbhalgarh welcomes new GM

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Renest Hotels and Resorts has appointed Abhishek Bhatnagar as the general manager of their newest property Renest Kumbhalgarh.

In his new role, Bhatnagar will oversee and coordinate all aspects of the resort’s operations.

He has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having previously worked with various hotels in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and a nine-year-long tenure at the HRH Group of Hotels.

Philippine DOT partners Grab to boost tourism with digital bookings

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The Department of Tourism (DoT) in the Philippines has teamed up with Grab to provide tour guides access to Grab’s digital platform, and to allow users to book a tour guide directly.

The partnership will help the Philippines pilot the GrabTours project in Metro Manila, which will offer tourist transportation from three DoT-accredited accommodation establishments, namely Sheraton Manila Bay, Okada, and Solaire. Their destinations will initially cover two major tourist destinations in Manila: Intramuros and Binondo.

Travellers can engage the services of a tour guide by referring to the tour guide roster which Grab will integrate in its platform (Photo: Philippine Department of Tourism)

Philippine tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco remarked: “It is incumbent upon us to introduce innovations and digitalisation to the tourism industry so as to provide increased opportunities for our DoT-accredited stakeholders to also have access to millions of potential tourists already using digital platforms to travel.”

For the duration of the pilot run, tourists who book the service can also book tour guiding services of DoT-accredited tour guides at their end destination by registering with the GrabTours concierge staff at the pilot hotels’ lobby.

Travellers who would like to engage the services of a tour guide will be referred to the tour guide roster which Grab will integrate in its platform. In effect, DoT-accredited tour guides will have the opportunity to directly access Grab’s users now pegged at over a million people in the Philippines.

While the pilot testing date of the GrabTours service is yet to be determined, consultations with tour guide associations and Grab Philippines are ongoing to firm up possible product offerings including offering a “Book a Guide” option on the Grab platform.

Discussions are also being held on collaborating with DoT-accredited tour operators and travel agencies to provide the latter access to digital bookings for tour packages and bookings through Grab.