Trip.com teams up with Macau to boost travel to the city

April 26, 2023

Trip.com has launched the See You in Macao campaign to promote the city as a destination choice for leisure and business, as well as offer international travellers discounts for hotel bookings in Macau.

Trip.com users who book a stay of two consecutive nights or more at selected hotels marked with a Macao Bonus tag and using the promo code will enjoy discounts of up to 50 per cent during the promotion period from now to June 30.

The campaign hopes to promote Macau as a destination choice for leisure and business

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said: “With Macau’s unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment, this vibrant destination offers something for every traveller. We will continue to collaborate with our trusted partners on co-marketing campaigns with the aim of empowering visitors with most up-to-date travel information and exciting deals.”

Edison Chen, vice president of Trip.com Group, recalled the success of an earlier collaboration with MGTO on the company’s Ctrip platform.

He said: “As we have seen a significant increase in search volumes and bookings among travellers across various markets in recent months, we are excited to have extended the partnership to our Trip.com platform for travellers from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and worldwide.”

The destination has a line up of upcoming attractions and large-scale events this year, such as the 70th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix, Light Up Macao 2023, and the 33rd Macao Arts Festival.

Royal Caribbean Group advances on sustainability movement

By TTG Asia

April 26, 2023

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Royal Caribbean Group’s (RCL) 15th annual Seastainability Report, which provides an in-depth update on the company’s corporate responsibility strategy and performance across its three wholly owned brands, has identified 2022 as a watershed moment in the company’s advancement of Environmental, Social and Governance efforts.

Defining events include the 30th anniversary of the company’s first environmental program, Save the Waves, and the publication of the first Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures report, published with the 2022 Seastainability Report.

Royal Caribbean Group’s annual Seastainability Report gives an update on the company’s strategy and performance as it aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050; Serenade of the Seas, pictured

“As we advance on our sustainability journey, our strategic priorities remain rooted in creating business value and uplifting our employees, guests and the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Through collaboration and innovation, we continue to make great strides on our commitment of delivering great vacation experiences responsibly.”

The targets and strategies laid out in the annual report highlight Royal Caribbean Group’s progress to reduce emissions, promote the safety and well-being of its guests and employees, including its commitments to sustainable tourism, protecting the oceans it sails and inspiring and empowering the communities it visits.

Some highlights from the report include setting a short-term target to reduce carbon intensity by double digits by 2025; partnership with Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to develop zero carbon technologies and solutions for the maritime industry; creating a new Executive Diversity Council to prioritise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and create accountability, empowering and inspiring employees; growing the number of sustainable tours certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council; increasing its sustainable seafood sourcing; renewing its partnership with World Wildlife Fund, and more.

The group’s sustainability journey began over 30 years ago, and is moving closer to its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Vietjet ramps up summer operation with new Da Lat-Busan service

By TTG Asia

April 26, 2023

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Vietjet will launch the first and only direct route connecting Da Lat, Vietnam and Busan, South Korea from July 13.

The Da Lat-Busan service will operate daily return flights, flying between Lien Khuong Airport in Da Lat and Busan’s Gimhae Airport.

Vietjet will commence the new Da Lat-Busan service in July

With the addition of this route, Vietjet will offer a total of 13 routes for travel between Vietnam to South Korea.

Ascott to open 70 properties globally

By TTG Asia

April 26, 2023

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Ascott expects to open 70 properties across its brands in key travel destinations this year.

Co-living brand, lyf, will welcome seven new properties in Austria, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, answering the need for meaningful spaces that allow for interaction among the next generation of travellers.

The Robertson House by The Crest Collection in Singapore is set to open by the end of the year

The Citadines brand, which focuses on city living and lifestyle experiences, will add 21 properties in cities like Yokohama, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and Jakarta, Indonesia as well as Amsterdam, Netherlands and Vienna, Austria farther afield.

To cater to the growing trend of family vacations and multigenerational trips, Ascott will open an additional 11 Somerset properties this year. There will be several new openings in China, such as Somerset Tangzhen Shanghai, Somerset Star River Minhang Shanghai, Somerset Taihu New City CBD Wuxi, Somerset Fengdong Xi’an, Somerset Changxin Hefei and Somerset Chayuan Chongqing. Other openings are set for Bandung and Jakarta in Indonesia; Cebu and Makati in the Philippines; and Vienna.

For the bleisure demographic, Oakwood will open in Chongli, China and Bali, Indonesia.

The Ascott brand, which will undergo a brand refresh within 2Q2023, will launch Ascott Pazhou Guangzhou and Ascott China Central Place Suzhou – both in China.

The company is also expanding its The Crest Collection, aimed at travellers desiring one-of-a-kind experiential stays that immerse them in the history and culture of a destination. The brand’s flagship in Asia, The Robertson House by The Crest Collection in Singapore, is set to open by the end of 2023.

The Unlimited Collection, comprising boutique hotels, will reopen Ann Siang House, set in Singapore’s Chinatown area, in 2Q2023 after completing refurbishments.

Lifestyle brand, Harris, will reach beyond Indonesia later this year, with the opening of Harris Sunshine Penang in Malaysia.

Summer fun for the kids at Fusion

By TTG Asia

April 26, 2023

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Fusion has introduced a suite of family-friendly kids’ activities and exclusive stay packages just in time for summer school holidays.

The activities have been specially designed to help children put down their digital devices and engage with nature and their own creativity, with experiences ranging from feeding deer and kayaking in the surf to making traditional Vietnamese crafts, riding a zipline, and tending fresh fruit and vegetable gardens.

Kids can have fun learning how to cook their own dishes at Maia Resort Quy Nhon

At Fusion Suites Vung Tau, families can stay active together with mountain biking, stand-up paddle-boarding in the ocean, and cooking classes. Priced from 8,650,000 dong (US$368), the two-night Summer Fun Family Package includes a cooking class, transportation to and from Saigon, a spa treatment, high tea, nightly cinema, complimentary Kids Club access, and more.

Young guests at Alba Wellness Valley in Hue can learn the traditional crafts of central Vietnam. There is also a farm and deer garden on site, where kids can pick out eggs delivered by cage-free hens, tend to flowers, as well as feed and interact with the local deer. Meanwhile, older kids can seek an adrenaline rush at the resort’s high wire adventure course, featuring 32 challenges.

Maia Resort Quy Nhon offers plenty of beach activities, with complimentary kayaking, paddle-boarding, sandcastle-building, and more. There are also cooking classes and art workshops, where young visitors can engage with the local culture.

The Fusion Farm at Fusion Resort Cam Ranh lets kids learn about sustainable growing practices and the importance of biodiversity and protecting the environment. They get to pick fresh fruit, harvest vegetables, and even pick freshly-laid free-range eggs for their morning breakfast.

Other activities include tennis and badminton lessons (with free ice cream afterward), yoga classes and the daily Kids Cinema screening.

For more information, visit Fusion Hotel Group.

Assam to press on international tourist arrivals

By Rohit Kaul

April 25, 2023

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The north-eastern Indian state of Assam, which welcomed a record 10 million domestic tourists in the financial year 2022-2023, is now training its guns on international markets including the UK, Europe and South-east Asia.

The state welcomed about 20,000 international visitors in fiscal 2022-2023 – a slight improvement compared to the 18,000 international tourists it received in fiscal 2019-2020.

Bora: to create awareness about our tourism products and experiences in international markets

Speaking to TTG Asia, Kumar Padmapani Bora, secretary, tourism department & managing director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation, government of Assam, said: “We are looking to participate in key trade shows, like WTM London, to create awareness about our tourism products and experiences in international markets.”

He shared that the north-east of India has “geographical proximity as well as cultural similarities with South-east Asia”, and that previous participation in a travel event in Bangkok helped stakeholders understand how to attract tourists to Assam.

“One significant outcome of these meetings was that we need to promote our Buddhist sites – we are now (putting emphasis on) such destinations on our tourism map,” added Bora.

As part of India’s present G20 Presidency, Assam has hosted five meetings this year. Foreign delegates arriving in the state as part of the engagements participated in experiences like a cruise on the Brahmaputra River and a trip to Kaziranga National Park.

“The G2O meetings have helped us to showcase our diverse tourism experiences, hospitality and cuisine to foreign delegates, which we expect will help our promotional activities,” said Bora.

Apart from the destination’s natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, the tourism department of the state is looking to promote its tea gardens in both domestic and international markets. The government of Assam is supporting a scheme to provide capital infrastructure subsidies to the tea estates which are located in the existing tourism circuits.

Bora shared: “We have already selected 50 tea gardens across Assam that will receive a capital subsidy of 50 per cent of the total project with an upper ceiling of 20 million rupees (US$244,073).

He added that there will also be support for the renovation of iconic tea bungalows, aside from adding facilities like a pool, spa, restaurants or creating more rooms.

Macau courts European market through Portugal

By TTG Asia

April 25, 2023

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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has concluded its eight-day campaign in Lisbon, Portugal, an exercise that is the destination’s first overseas tourism promotional event after the pandemic.

In collaboration with Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Cultural Affairs Bureau, and six integrated tourism and leisure enterprises, the Experience Macao Unlimited – Macao Promotion in Lisbon event featured 32 sessions of video mapping shows, a destination experience zone at Lisbon’s Square of Commerce, and destination seminars for Portuguese travel trade members.

Light Up Macao: Macao Tourism Video Mapping Show was staged 32 times across eight nights, with images projected upon the facades of major architecture at Lisbon’s Square of Commerce

The activations were paired with online-offline marketing campaign through multiple channels.

MGTO said the Experience Macao Unlimited – Macao Promotion in Lisbon event “capitalised on Lisbon as a gateway to promote Macau more widely to potential visitors in Europe, rebranding the destination in more visitor markets”.

InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping puts local experiences at the centre

By Karen Yue

April 25, 2023

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With months to go before its opening at summer’s end, the new InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping in Thailand is finalising a series of experiences that will connect its guests with Chiang Mai’s arts, culture, history and natural scenery.

Speaking to TTG Asia at a media preview in Singapore on April 25, general manager, Peter Pottinga, said the property would be more than just a hotel for travellers to Chiang Mai.

InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping has built a range of guest experiences that present the best of the destination; Tha-Pae Gate, pictured

“Chiang Mai may not be the most well-known Thai destination, but it has so much to offer. At the same time, some of the best experiences may not be widely listed. And so, my team has curated a wide range of local experiences that will build wonderful and unique memories for travellers who visit,” said Pottinga.

His team is working with “reputable third parties” in designing these destination experiences, and priority is given to operators who possess a deep knowledge of Chiang Mai and can present authentic and quality experiences.

Experiences on offer for now include pottery workshops, sunrise balloon flights, treasure hunts on bikes, and visits to art museums and galleries.

“We intend to keep building our range of experiences. We are now looking to hire a full-time Cultural Host, whose job is to identify exciting and meaningful experiences in Chiang Mai and then build all that into programmes for our guests,” he revealed.

The hunt for this individual is now on, and the incumbent will be tasked with organising exhibitions at the hotel, curating art displays reflecting the best of the city, putting together events showcasing talented local musicians, and working with the local community to curate standout guest experiences.

Pottinga is also keen to engage topical experts, such as professors or students in the field of local history, architecture or art, to lead guests on tours. “These people will be able to provide a more colourful narration than your usual tour guide who (repeat findings) from a book,” he remarked.

InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping is determined to support local people and businesses within the hotel as well, such as through a retail gallery that carries handicraft and products made by local social enterprises, and sourcing food items from local producers.

“As the hotel is designed to be a living museum that showcases local culture and heritage, our guests will also have much to see by just exploring our grounds,” he said, pointing to the 600-year-old temple, Wat Chang Kong, which is conserved on site as an example.

Melia rolls out Earth Day activities for guests

By TTG Asia

April 25, 2023

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Various Meliá Hotels International properties in South-east Asia will host Earth Day activities this Saturday to get guests involved in environmental initiatives.

Sol by Meliá Benoa Bali, Indonesia, for instance, will host a beach Cleaning Blitz with opportunities for guests to join in, along with sustainable craft activities for kids where they will paint bags. Adults can also make torches using waste cooking oil.

Meliá properties in South-east Asia will get guests involved in environmental initiatives for Earth Day this Saturday; Meliá Ho Tram, pictured

Over in Meliá Ho Tram, Vietnam, guests can take part in complimentary eco-themed activities, such as rock painting, paper craft using recycled materials and tree planting.

Meliá’s newest hotel in the region, Innside by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras, will launch its poolside vegetable garden on Earth Day, planting lemongrass, pandan leaves, chili, mint and tomatoes. The garden will be watered by recycled rain water and eventual harvests will supply the kitchen.

Cebu Pacific elevates passenger experience at Manila airport

By TTG Asia

April 25, 2023

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Cebu Pacific (CEB) recently enhanced customer service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3) with features that help to ease the travel experience.

Passengers who have completed online check-in can go straight to the boarding gates if not checking in their bags. Those who need to check in their bags may proceed to CEB’s self-bag tag kiosks, scan their boarding passes at a machine, print and attach the tags on their bags.

Cebu Pacific has introduced enhanced customer service features at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (Photo: Nate Hovee)

Domestic passengers can then proceed to the online check-in bag drop counters while international passengers may check the counters assigned to them on the flight information monitors.

For passengers who did not check in online, they can use any of the check-in kiosks, print their bag tags and use the bag drop counters.

CEB will offer a repack area where all passengers can check if they are within their baggage allowance – the area allows passengers to conveniently repack or arrange their bags if necessary.

There will also be a 24/7 help desk at CEB’s ticket office to address passenger concerns with same-day flights.

In addition, Manila International Airport Authority has undertaken measures to further provide a seamless travel experience for passengers. These include the removal of the initial security check in all four NAIA terminals, reassignment of some domestic and international flights to other terminals, and implementation of several digitalisation projects.

Trip.com teams up with Macau to boost travel to the city

Royal Caribbean Group advances on sustainability movement

Vietjet ramps up summer operation with new Da Lat-Busan service

Ascott to open 70 properties globally

Summer fun for the kids at Fusion

Assam to press on international tourist arrivals

Macau courts European market through Portugal

InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping puts local experiences at the centre

Melia rolls out Earth Day activities for guests

Cebu Pacific elevates passenger experience at Manila airport

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