Trip.com Group has signed a three-year partnership with Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways to develop strategic campaigns aimed at promoting traffic and tourists to explore Fiji as a destination.
The agreement will also see the three parties work together to increase exposure in the Greater China market through travel marketing initiatives, product expansion and leveraging data insights, as well as highlight Tourism Fiji’s latest Where Happiness Comes Naturally campaign launched earlier this year that showcases the rich and diverse cultures and traditions in Fiji.
The partnership will see the three companies driving traffic and tourists to explore Fiji as a destination
In addition, Fiji Airways now offers two flights a week between Hong Kong and Nadi, which will increase to three flights a week by June.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, said: “China was Fiji’s fourth largest market prior to the pandemic, (and) our collaborative approach with Ctrip and Fiji Airways will undoubtedly contribute to driving more visitor arrivals from the Chinese market.”
“In line with our ‘local focus, global vision’ strategy, we have initiated a series of recovery sales activities and campaigns to stimulate overseas travel demands in the Chinese market. We look forward to collaborating with Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways to leverage our resources and data insights to boost Fiji tourism development,” shared Edison Chen, vice president, destination marketing & strategy, international public relations, Trip.com Group.
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has signed with Lansum Properties to debut the first Radisson Collection hotel in Hyderabad, India, slated to open 2Q2026.
When open, Radisson Collection Hotel, Hyderabad Financial District will be close to the city’s financial district, which houses business centres, IT Parks, and Special Economic Zones.
Radisson Hotel Group will debut its first Radisson Collection hotel in Hyderabad; Golkonda Fort, pictured
The 300-key hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, tea lounge, rooftop bar, pool, health club, spa and meeting venues.
“This signing comes at an opportune time for us as we complete 25 years of operation in the country, which is a testimony of our stakeholders’ trust in us. Radisson Collection brings us a step closer to our vision of delivering unparalleled services to our guests while maximising the value proposition for our partners,” said Zubin Saxena, managing director and area senior vice president, South Asia, RHG.
Lansum Properties’ chairman and managing director, Umesh K, commented: “We first joined hands with (RHG) for opening Radisson Blu Resort Visakhapatnam and have closely experienced its value addition across operating and managing the hotel. We are extremely proud to introduce RHG’s luxury lifestyle brand to the beautiful city of Hyderabad… delivering a class-apart experience to travellers.”
Starting with Hyderabad as a key market, RHG will further expand its portfolio under the Radisson Collection brand by adding properties across markets, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Rajasthan, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.
Bhutan Airlines and Amadeus have teamed up to allow travel sellers to book outgoing flights on the Amadeus Travel Platform.
This new partnership will help Bhutan Airlines gain visibility with travel sellers around the world, including travel management companies, tour operators, retail travel agencies, and online travel agencies.
The partnership will allow travel sellers to book outgoing flights on the Amadeus Travel Platform
The airline offers daily flights to Bangkok via Kolkata, India, and three flights a week to Delhi, from Bhutan’s only international airport in Paro. It is undergoing digital transformation to improve the traveller experience, and recently launched a brand-new in-flight entertainment system.
Pema N Nadik, CEO, Bhutan Airlines, commented: “These new systems are part of our ongoing efforts to improve our services and provide our customers with the highest level of comfort and convenience.”
“We are excited to add Bhutan Airlines to our roster. We are confident that the Amadeus Travel Platform will help Bhutan Airlines reach more travellers with the right offer and we look forward to supporting the carrier’s growth” said Frederic Saunier, vice president, airline distribution, Asia Pacific, Amadeus.
Hotel MYS Khao Yai, Thailand
Nestled in the lush natural environment of mystical Khao Yai National Park, Hotel MYS Khao Yai offers a serene living experience with nature and bespoke serenity.
The hotel offers multiple types of accommodation, from deluxe room to suite, as well as a pool villa and the MYS three-bedroom villa. It also provides a range of personalised services such as floating breakfasts, romantic treats, movie night with popcorn, and more.
Hotel facilities include gardens, pool, F&B, and event venues.
Cap Karoso
Cap Karoso, Indonesia
Located on the shores of Karoso Beach, Cap Karoso is a new eco-conscious lifestyle resort boasting uninterrupted views of sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
The resort features 47 rooms and 20 beachfront villas, in addition to a 30,000m² organic farm.
It also offers artistic residency programmes that open up the possibility for creative collaboration between Sumbanese and international artists.
Mercure Melbourne St Kilda Road
Mercure Melbourne St Kilda Road, Australia
Mercure Melbourne St Kilda Road boasts 145 rooms and has a restaurant, bar, gym and laundry facilities.
The property is situated near numerous IT, health, and government businesses, and is only minutes from all attractions, restaurants, and shopping in Melbourne.
Parking is available at the hotel.
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi, Japan
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi is located in Kawaramachi in Kyoto, known for its famous tourist attractions like Yasaka Shrine, Fushimi Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The 232-room hotel offers modern comfort essentials, including high-speed Wi-Fi and coin-operated laundry facilities – it also features a restaurant and a gym.
Nearby the property are numerous bus and subway stations, as well as convenient access to JR Kyoto Station, Itami Airport and Kansai Airport.
Guests on The Ghan now offers guests new ways to connect with the country as part of the journey with the latest Off Train Experiences.
These include the Standley Chasm Cultural Walk in Alice Springs, a tour of the Nitmiluk Cutta Cutta Caves or Top Didj Cultural Experience in Katherine, or upgrading to a spectacular flight and full-day experience from Coober Pedy to the Painted Hills, William Creek and Lake Eyre.
The Painted Hills and Lake Eyre Scenic Flight is an optional upgrade on The Ghan’s Off Train Experiences (Photo: Wrightsair)
The Standley Chasm Cultural Walk in Alice Springs lets guests learn about ancient geology, native flora, fauna, bush medicine and bush tucker along the way, while the Top Didj Cultural Experience takes guests on an insightful cultural experience with indigenous artist Manuel Pamkal, who shares what it is like growing up in the bush, cultural differences, tribal life and insights to his own family tree.
Venture into the immersive underground cave experience at the Cutta Cutta Caves, found 15m below the surface and formed millions of years ago, and still growing today, or head to the skies with the Coober Pedy: Painted Hills and Lake Eyre Scenic Flight, an optional upgrade. Guests will fly over the dramatic landscape to see it in all its glory, and includes an immersive ground tour in the remote Anna Creek Painted Hills, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, and more.
In addition, the Katherine Outback Experience is returning after a two-season hiatus. It outlines what it is like to live and work on a huge cattle station, with interactive experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances, as well as a live demonstration of the art of horse-breaking.
Tours will depend on whether it is available on northbound or southbound departures on The Ghan or The Ghan Expedition.
Booking.com has released new research that highlights a dilemma where people feel potentially forced to choose between cutting costs and being more mindful about making sustainable travel choices.
The insights were gathered from more than 33,000 travellers across 35 countries and territories, including Singapore.
More travellers plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, bike or take public transport
At a time of general global uncertainty, travelling more sustainably continues to be front of mind for Singapore travellers, with 75% believing people need to act now and make more sustainable choices to save the planet for future generations.
The news continues to be a key influence driver for 59%, who say the recent climate change news agenda has encouraged them to be more sustainable, and yet it also speaks to a quandary facing people when it comes to being more mindful about when, where and how they travel. While 44% think the environment will get worse in the next six months, 68% believe the cost of living crisis will also get worse, leaving people unsure of what to prioritise as they work to reconcile what is important to them with the demands of everyday life.
A tale of two wallets in an unsteady global climate
The economic weather has changed drastically since last year, and the big topics at the front of people’s minds are the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis. 79% of Singapore travellers say they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months, while 82% think the global energy crisis and rising cost of living is impacting their spending plans.
For some travellers, the two are mutually exclusive. With rising inflation, nearly half of travellers think that they must make a choice between sustainability and spending, with 59% believing more sustainable travel options are too expensive (up 13% from Booking.com’s 2022 data). For these respondents, sustainability and travel combined can seem non-urgent when they are worried about affording bills and the energy crisis. On the flip side, 49% of today’s Singapore travellers are willing to pay more for travel options with a sustainable certification, dialling up their spend to feel reassured they are driving impact.
As an increasing number of Singapore travellers feel the pinch, they are seeking more sustainable travel options rich in rewards, highlighting the perceived trade-off between making conscious choices and saving money, and the need for incentivisation. Nearly half (46%) want discounts and economic incentives in order to opt for eco-friendly options (up 13% from 2022) while 41% would be encouraged to travel more sustainably with reward points for making more sustainable choices that they could use for free perks or discounts through online travel booking sites.
Breaking through barriers to drive change
It’s not just cost that is a perceived hurdle to travelling more sustainably. From limited data to a perceived lack of options, barriers to travelling more sustainably appear higher than ever. 60% of Singapore travellers believe there are not enough sustainable travel options, while 73% want travel companies to offer more sustainable travel choices (up from 62% in 2022). Despite good intentions, 56% of travellers do not know where to find more sustainable options. For example, 74% seek authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture, yet in stark contrast 53% do not know how or where to find these tours and activities that will ensure they give back to the local community.
Adopting sustainable micro-habits on vacation
Despite existing barriers and the tightening of purse strings, it is clear there is a huge appetite for solutions with four in five (80%) Singapore travellers confirming that travelling more sustainably is important to them. Travellers say they are converting intent into action by taking active small steps at home, and when travelling, to drive a more sustainable future. Today, 53% use reusable shopping bags, 48% recycle waste and 51% carry their own reusable water bottle – and there has been a significant uptake in travellers adopting everyday habits on vacation in the past year.
59% turn the air conditioning off at accommodations when they aren’t there, 48% use their own reusable water bottle, 65% say they turn off the lights and appliances at accommodations when they aren’t there, while one third (31%) now recycle their garbage when travelling. Even more promisingly, travellers are making conscious choices on vacation that go beyond these everyday micro-habits. When it comes to transportation, 44% now plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, bike or take public transport, while 35% travel outside of peak season in a bid to avoid overcrowding. There is also consensus among travellers on taking the “buy local” mantra on vacation, with 34% favouring small, independent stores.
Trust, truth and the travel industry
Amid rising climate anxiety, travellers are becoming more responsible consumers, from their accommodation to their transport choices. 64% aim to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived, and travellers in Singapore are increasingly adopting a regenerative approach to travel and searching for vacations with maximum positive impact, while seeking credible assurance when booking across the entire travel experience.
For example, travellers can now easily filter their rental car search results to quickly find fully electric and hybrid cars across 110 countries for their next trip; or choose one of over 500,000 more sustainable options for their next stay, no matter the accommodation type. Nearly two thirds (64%) would feel better about staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification or label, while 61% want to filter their options for those with a sustainable certification next time they book.
In response, the travel industry must adapt to meet the changing expectations of these more conscious consumers to accommodate the 35% who are always on the lookout for brands that promote sustainability as well as the 71% interested to learn more about why specific options are recognised as more sustainable, such as eco-friendly LED lighting and water-efficient toilets. Still, with 47% of Singapore travellers today not trusting that the sustainable travel options labelled are truly more sustainable, there are huge strides for the travel industry to make in gaining the trust of consumers.
Making more sustainable travel solutions easier for everyone
Booking.com’s new features and developments include the 100% Electric tagging in search results so travellers can find and book greener taxi options in 95 cities worldwide, tagging indicating where flights are offering a relatively lower emissions option, and available public transport ticketing options in 47 cities worldwide, including London, Amsterdam, Bangkok and Melbourne.
“Although travel has resumed, Singapore travellers remain mindful of the rising costs of living and the impact of travel on the environment,” said Nuno Guerreiro, regional director, South Asia, Oceania & Chains, Booking.com.
“We’re encouraged to see that travellers are driving change by adopting more sustainable travel habits and seeking responsible experiences. More sustainable travel is an investment in the world, and we’re dedicated to making it easier for everyone to travel in a more mindful and responsible way, no matter where they are on their sustainability journey.”
The increased levels of tourism recovery demand for the Mekong region are likely to cause operational in-bound challenges this summer, particularly with traditional markets such as China, stated Catherine Germier-Hamel, CEO of Destination Mekong.
Speaking ahead of her speech at the upcoming Arival Activate event in Bangkok from June 12 to 14 June, Germier-Hamel commented that the Mekong region is not yet fully equipped to cope with surging inbound tourism demand likely to happen for the foreseeable future.
The Mekong region is not yet fully equipped to cope with increasing inbound tourism demand; Angkor Wat in Cambodia, pictured
The Mekong region faces four particular challenges, she opined, stating that the industry has not yet recovered from job losses and the collapse of businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the difficulty tourism companies face in attracting and retaining skilled workers.
In addition, tourism businesses are not equipped to deal with Chinese visitors, as many of the local Chinese speakers have switched over to better-paying non-tourism jobs.
The last challenge is meeting the high expectations of inbound visitors who have waited so long to finally be able to travel.
“While the tourism industry has dreamed of seeing visitor numbers returning to 2019 levels, we are now nonetheless faced with the reality of welcoming all these visitors without the 2019 levels of infrastructure or staff in place,” said Germier-Hamel, adding that with higher expectation from visitors, the “Mekong region is going to be in the ‘high-class problem’ situation of not being able to cope properly with such demand for the foreseeable future”.
As to maintaining the destination’s reputation, such as how visitors will react or what they may say to friends and on social media, she remarked that it is crucial to act now or “risk pushing travellers towards other destinations”.
During the Arival event in Bangkok, Germier-Hamel will elaborate on the causes of these challenges and share advice on how to overcome them through implementation of some policies and strategies like drawing upon local resources and local models, specialising to escape from an over-reliance on traditional segments, building innovative experiences that add real value, creating a brand that draws upon demand from travellers for sustainability and authenticity-focused experiences, and finding ways to engage more with travellers who really care about their experiences.
Crowne Estate Malaysia's Sean Chen and AccorHotels' Garth Simmons ink their partnership for a Swissotel development
Accor will debut the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts brand in Malaysia for the first time come 3Q2028, with the property marked for King’s Park up on Malaysia’s Genting Highlands.
King’s Park, a development by Highlands ParkCity, in partnership with Crowne Estate Malaysia and Yuk Tung Group, will span 60.7 hectares and pack in a wide variety of retail shops, restaurants, convention centres, tourist attractions, entertainment outlets, hotels and amenities.
Crowne Estate Malaysia’s Sean Chen and AccorHotels’ Garth Simmons ink their partnership for a Swissotel development
Swissôtel Genting Highlands will boast elegant rooms, all-day dining options, executive lounges, bars, as well as contemporary conference facilities, and a grand ballroom. The 300-key property will also come complete with a heated swimming pool, sundeck, fitness centre, spa, scenic jogging tracks and a kids’ club.
Guests at the 30-story building can enjoy unblocked views of the stunning mountains and the Genting Highlands summit, located just a 15-minute drive away.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on April 19, Sean Chen, COO, Crowne Estate Malaysia, said: “It is a huge step forward for Highlands ParkCity and Crowne Estate Malaysia in their goal to make King’s Park an eco-friendly tourist and destination hub for people all over the world.”
Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor for South & South-east Asia, Japan, South Korea and India, said: “The signing of Swissôtel Genting Highlands in one of the most popular destinations in the country for locals and tourists alike, further strengthens Accor’s leading position in Malaysia’s hospitality industry.”
Two new grandstands at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 have opened for sale.
The additional grandstands cater to strong demand and mitigates the overall reduction in capacity due to the closure of the Bay Grandstand as part of the redevelopment of The Float at Marina Bay.
This year’s Singapore Grand Prix is expected to attract another sell-out crowd
With 12 ticket categories already almost sold out and the entertainment line-up soon to be released, this year’s Singapore Grand Prix, taking place from September 15 to 17, is expected to attract another sell-out crowd.
Limited seats are now available at two new grandstands – the Sheares (Turn 1) and Promenade (between Turns 17 & 18) Grandstands, along with the Pit Entry Grandstand (Turn 19). Ticketholders will have access to all zones in the Circuit Park.
Limited single-day Zone 4 and Premier Walkabout tickets are also available for sale, providing ticketholders access to strategically located viewing bleachers within the Marina Bay Street Circuit as well as the entertainment in Zone 4.
Singapore Grand Prix will continue to explore additional areas for ticketholders to view the race in the Circuit Park.
A long-awaited passenger ferry service between Sri Lanka and India is set to commence by the end of April, officials in Colombo said.
This service is a revival of one held many decades ago, which was discontinued when air transport became more popular.
The ferry service will travel from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry to Kankesanthurai port in northern Sri Lanka; Karaikal Port in Pondicherry, pictured (Photo: Every Shutter Counts)
The ship will carry 150 passengers at a time and will take around four hours to cover travel from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry in southern India to Kankesanthurai port in northern Sri Lanka. The tickets are priced at US$50 for one way.
Pondicherry is about 2,365km from the capital Delhi while Kankesanthurai is 415km from the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
At a recent discussion on the new ferry service, it was noted that each passenger would be allowed a baggage allowance of 100kg. Only daytime operations will be in force during the first stage of the service, officials said.
India is Sri Lanka’s biggest tourism source market and the new service would be a boost to tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka. Another advantage of the new service is that the mostly Tamil minority, who live in northern Sri Lanka, have many relatives and share cultural traditions and customs with Tamils in southern India.
