The Farm at San Benito is offering holistic healing and transformative retreats for families with curated creative activities for the kids – even furry members are welcomed!
Located in Lipa, Batangas, just a 90-minute drive from Manila, families seeking the ultimate getaway can indulge in The Farm’s immersive wellness experience, with medically supervised health programmes carried out by internationally-trained medical doctors and licensed health professionals.
Enjoy a family picnic, furry members included, at The Farm
Both adults and little ones can also enjoy spa treatments, including body scrubs and massages.
Together, families can Indulge in water therapy at the Family Acqua Wellness, or retreat to one of The Farm’s luxury pool villas to relax and cool off by the pool.
With so many activities available, children are kept occupied with creative Mandala Flower Meditation, yoga, kite flying, organic farm tour and vegetable picking, pet feeding, arts & crafts, and more.
For F&B, the vegan restaurant serves up dishes made from all-natural ingredients grown and hand-picked from the resort’s organic garden. An outdoor family picnic in the gardens can also be arranged by The Farm.
ChatGPT is one of the most powerful and exciting communications innovations in recent times, with clear beneficial use cases for travel and tourism companies, says Kurt Weinsheimer, chief solutions officer at Sojern.
In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions, Weinsheimer discusses the potential uses as well as limitations of ChatGPT for travel and tourism companies, how Sojern is harnessing ChatGPT, AI and big data for more precise traveller engagement, how ChatGPT will change the role of content creators and marketers, and more.
Grand Hyatt Jeju boasts Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds
Grand Hyatt Jeju boasts Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds
Centrally located in the vibrant heart of Jeju city in South Korea, Grand Hyatt Jeju is the largest Hyatt hotel in Asia-Pacific and the ideal base from which to explore all that the holiday island has to offer. Being the biggest and highest hotel in Jeju, the iconic landmark is visible as soon as the plane lands on the runway.
The 38-storey twin-tower and integrated resort delivers an impressive selection of world-class culinary, leisure and entertainment experiences, featuring 1,600 rooms and suites, 13 restaurants and a bar, as well as a dedicated two-storey retail space, HAN Collection.
The majestic hotel also houses the island’s largest outdoor deck with a heated infinity pool, indoor pool, two premium spas, eight residential-style event spaces and a world-class casino.
Hotel highlights
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Located at the highest 38th floor, Pocha offers modern Korean street food and evergreen favourites
Hotel guests at the heated infinity pool can marvel at awe-inspiring views over the horizon
Lounge 38 is a sky lounge for guests to unwind over tipple against panoramic views of the hotel surroundings
The luxury guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Halla Mountain, sea and city
The Corner Suite comes with a separate bedroom and living space, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, island bathtub and Grand Club privileges
Double-storey K-fashion mall, HAN Collection, provides hotel guests with a wide range of offerings by over 200 talented local designers
The modern Korean bathhouse experience at Jjimjil Spa offers head-to-toe pampering with four specialty therapy rooms
Noknamu spotlights the finest cuts of Jeju black pork and Hanwoo beef, grilled to perfection
Great connectivity & accessibility Grand Hyatt Jeju is just a 10-minute drive from Jeju International Airport, 15-minute drive from the port and cruise terminals, and within walking distance from shopping and culinary hotspots such as Jeju Dongmun Market and Nuwemaru Street.
Luxurious accommodation with scenic views Offering 1,600 rooms and suites ranging from 65m2 to 260m2, the spacious accommodations feature 2.7m-tall floor-to-ceiling windows with unprecedented breathtaking views of the Halla Mountain, the turquoise sea and the city.
Each luxurious guestroom is also accented with modern Korean art, equipped with a 75-inch flat-screen television, three-seater sofa, marble bathroom with double vanity and an island bathtub.
The popular 130m2 Corner Suite, comes with a separate bedroom and living space, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, island bathtub and Grand Club privileges.
Ideal for intimate celebrations and private events, the lavish 260m2 Presidential Suite is furnished with two super king beds, separate living and dining areas, a massage room, sauna steam room, island bar, Grand Club privileges, Jjimjil Spa access and dedicated butler service.
With eight function and event spaces designed against a warm, residential setting, Grand Hyatt Jeju is also an ideal venue of choice for grand celebrations, destination weddings and intimate gatherings.
Leading culinary destination with 13 restaurants and a bar A culinary powerhouse, the hotel offers the widest selection of cuisines within one destination in Jeju, with an option of 14 dining venues serving fresh seasonal ingredients, local Jeju produce and international cuisine.
Three signature restaurants located at the highest 38th floor include Pocha which offers modern Korean street food and evergreen favourites; Lounge 38 is a sky lounge for guests to unwind over tipple; and The Steak House serves tasty grilled steaks and fresh seafood towers.
Jeju is famous for its fresh abalone, and a local speciality is abalone porridge, a richly fragrant porridge of rice and fresh abalone. Both Jeju black pork and abalone porridge, along with popular Korean fare like haejangkuk, bibimbap, kimchi jjigae can be found in Noknamu. The Korean restaurant also spotlights the finest cuts of Jeju black pork and Hanwoo beef, grilled to perfection.
China House whips up oriental delights such as dim sum, wok, BBQ and Peking duck by a team of world-class Northern Chinese, Shanghainese, Sichuan and Cantonese speciality chefs.
Wellness escape An indulgent modern Korean bathhouse experience at Jjimjil Spa awaits guests seeking some head-to-toe pampering. Complete with four speciality therapy rooms, visitors can enjoy a full-body detox on the Jeju lava-stone floors, relax in the steam room and dry sauna and enjoy healthy snacks and drinks at the juice bar.
The Rosebay Spa offers the ultimate luxurious experience designed to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. The comprehensive range of face and body treatments combine the latest techniques and premium skincare products to leave guests feeling energised. After a day out exploring Jeju, they can pamper their feet with a lavish foot treatment too.
Non-stop entertainment and recreation Guests staying at Grand Hyatt Jeju can head to Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds.
With a capacity of more than 200 people, Grand Club, the largest Grand Hyatt club lounge in Asia-Pacific, allows suite guests and World of Hyatt Globalist members to enjoy complimentary access to breakfast, leisurely tea and evening cocktails, as well as personal check-in service.
Fashionistas keen on retail therapy can shop at HAN Collection, a stylish, double-storey K-fashion mall with a wide range of offerings from luxury, contemporary to casual and street wear, as well as shoes, bags and jewellery by over 200 talented local designers.
The integrated resort is also home to the Jeju Dream Tower Casino, a 5,367m2 casino floor with 190 gaming tables and 219 machines, providing round-the-clock entertainment.
Unique explorations nearby For travellers keen to explore natural attractions, stunning coasts and beautiful beaches, Jeju presents a hidden gem with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within close proximity.
Outdoor adventure seekers will be delighted with the picturesque hiking trails of Hallasan National Park, a short 20-minute drive from Grand Hyatt Jeju. At 1,950m, Hallasan is the highest mountain in South Korea and the park’s volcanic geology, ecosystem and natural biodiversity will appeal to nature lovers too.
To the west of Jeju, another UNESCO site, Seongsan Ilchulbong, is a stunning volcanic crater formed during an undersea volcanic eruption 5,000 years ago. The 600m-diameter crater and its steep cliffs rise 182m out of the ocean, and adventurous visitors can ascend to the top to savour the magnificent scenery and diverse geological structures of the area.
Another UNESCO-listed national treasure on the island is the finest volcanic cave system, Manjanggul Cave, one of the longest lava tunnels in the world, which is accessible for visitors to explore.
Keen to explore Asia-Pacific’s largest Hyatt hotel? Find out how Grand Hyatt Jeju can make your client’s next trip to the holiday island an exceptional one.
From left: Disney Parks, Experiences and Product's Josh D'Amaro; and STB's Keith Tan posing with Captain Mickey and Minnie
A brand-new Disney Cruise Line ship will be exclusively homeporting in Singapore for at least five years starting from 2025, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Disney Cruise Line shared in a joint announcement earlier this evening (March 29).
The yet-to-be-named ship will feature Disney experiences and entertainment, dining, as well as interactions with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.
From left: Disney Parks, Experiences and Product’s Josh D’Amaro; and STB’s Keith Tan posing with Captain Mickey and Minnie
Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences, added: “We are going to work very diligently to make sure we have a nice balance of giving guests what they expect from Disney, while also respecting the local culture. We are very sensitive to different cultures, and we will find the right way to interact (with the region’s guests).”
Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. It is also expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fuelled by green methanol, one of the lowest-emission fuels available.
More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.
“This is a very exciting year for The Walt Disney Company – 2023 marks our 100th anniversary,” Disney Parks, Experiences and Products’ chairman, Josh D’Amaro, said. “As part of this, Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world. We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.”
Construction is projected to be completed at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.
“We look forward to welcoming the magic of Disney Cruise Line to Singapore in 2025,” said Keith Tan, chief executive of STB. “This is an important milestone for STB and reflects Disney Cruise Line’s strong confidence in Singapore and South-east Asia. The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come.”
The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air. It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors.
In 2022, 1.2 million passengers passed through Singapore’s ports, or two-thirds of pre-Covid-19 levels.
“This bodes well for the industry to recover to pre-pandemic levels soon,” said minister-in-charge of trade relations S. Iswaran. He pointed out that the cruise industry currently contributes about S$630 million (US$473.8 million) to Singapore’s GDP, and supports around 7,000 jobs.
When TTG Asia asked about market activation activities, Tan shared: “We are getting all of our regional offices ready, as we expect and welcome very strong interest from the South-east Asian market because this is the first time that travellers from the region will be able to cruise with Disney without having to travel far.
“We will do all that we have been doing in the past, in terms of educating our networks of travel partners in the region about the facilities and what’s in store for them from Disney Cruise Lines.”
The latest industry report by global marketing agency Finn Partners and research consultancy Consumer Search Group, Outbound Rebound: The Return of Chinese Travellers, indicates that mainland Chinese travellers intend to boost their pre-pandemic pace of overseas travel this year.
Just days after the China government lifted international travel restrictions, a survey was conducted from January 10 to 24, 2023 which gathered findings from over 2,000 affluent Chinese in first-, second- and third-tier cities in mainland China, and Hong Kong.
Chinese travellers are making plans for at least five trips this year
The respondents’ average annual household income is over 1.4 million yuan (US$209,000), with purchases of luxury travel and products in the past 12 months. All respondents have travelled overseas prior to the pandemic.
“We already know that there is a strong eagerness and urge to travel after years of border restrictions in China,” said Jenny Lo, managing partner, China, Finn Partners. “We conducted this in-depth study to identify the changes in behaviours, needs, decision-making and expectations of affluent travellers, offering insights to better address the Chinese outbound travel market that is anticipating a faster-than-expected revival.”
Whet the wanderlust
About one in two affluent Chinese travellers are making plans for at least five trips in 2023. On average, they are planning to make 5.9 trips this year, up from 5.6 trips in 2019. While the 26- to 36-year-old demographic shows the most significant increase in number of trips, younger affluent Chinese travellers aged 21 to 25 years continue to be the most frequent travellers.
Aside from more frequent leisure trips, a majority want to stay longer per trip. 72% plan to vacation from six to over 10 days in 2023, bringing the average duration per trip to 8.7 days versus 8.4 days in 2019. Indulgence in longer vacations is prevalent in the 21 to 25 age group.
Ready to splurge on luxury
The affluent segment plans to increase spending by 15% to 102,500 yuan (US$15,299) in 2023, 22% more than the budget set aside by Hong Kong travellers. The increase in travel budget is more evident in the 36+ age group, as well as those from Tier-1 cities. Meanwhile, the well-heeled segment (survey respondents in the top 20%) is willing to spend an average of 284,000 yuan (US$42,388).
More than one third of affluent Chinese travellers plan to fly in first or business class, while one in two choose to stay in upscale or luxury hotels on their next leisure trip.
Take it slow, experience is priority
Gone are the rushed, major attractions-packed tours as the affluent Chinese evolve from tourists to travellers. Over 70% of respondents desire slow, recuperative travel over an itinerary filled with activities. Travellers plan to immerse themselves like locals (58%), take more road trips (56%), take better care of themselves (56%), and attend more events (51%) in their future holidays.
Eight out of ten travellers are more willing to pay for experiences over tangible products, particularly those from Tier-3 cities (86%). This points to the growing potential of authentic and personalised travel experiences, where one savours the local sights, sounds and culture.
“What we are seeing among more affluent and experienced travellers are different mindsets and habits. We are seeing less desire for a frenetic pace of travel and itineraries that are deliberate. Millennials and Gen Z are more laid-back, they prefer experiences where they can interact with locals in meaningful and authentic ways,” said Simon Tye, executive director of Consumer Search Group.
Good experience drives loyalty
The survey confirms that Chinese travellers long to revisit destinations where they had positive experiences and fond memories, after missing out on travel for more than three years. They are keen to repeat the good times and pleasant experiences hence prioritise all-time favourite destinations including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, the US, New Zealand and Canada.
Affluent Chinese travellers also tend to choose hotel or resort brands where they had good personal experiences in the past. Star-ratings and positive word-of-mouth also carry great potential for repeated visits.
Live to eat but bask in nature
While culinary experience remains a strong driver of leisure travel, 60% of travellers consider natural scenery as their first priority, especially among those aged 36+ (69%).
Chinese outbound travellers are also keen to incorporate wellness in their holidays (56%), where one-third prefer experiences including camping, hiking, outdoor adventures and cultural immersion. While shopping remains popular among them, interest in this activity wanes in younger age groups.
Hotel brands influence destination choices
Majority of travellers decide on a destination first before making hotel choices, but this decision process is declining. Instead, hotel brands are becoming a deciding factor in destination choice, especially among Gen Z travellers, with 26% planning their vacations around locations where their favourite hotel brand has a property.
The expectation on the roles of a hotel or resort has also expanded. With Chinese travellers keen to engage and build social connections on the road, they hope to meet and interact with new people in the accommodation they stay in, shifting their preference towards community-minded and design-centric hotel properties, where there is a sense of conviviality, impeccable hospitality, and aesthetics.
Business travel returns
Mainland Chinese expect to resume their pre-pandemic level of international business travel this year, at an average of 2.1 trips – consistent with optimism towards post-lockdown recovery. While globally, business travel is facing a slower return amid economic concerns, work-related trips from China are expected to rebound on the back of client servicing needs, internal engagements, conferences and industry events.
Staycations to stay
Even as there is strong sentiment to travel overseas, staycations are also becoming more popular, with 80% planning to continue domestic travel, while 31% expecting to take four to 10 staycation trips in the next 12 months.
“This augurs well for domestic tourism which has grown tremendously over the past three years. With the government pump-priming development of attractions and experiences across China, we anticipate that domestic tourism will continue to be in demand even as international outbound travel continues to pick-up,” added Lo.
The Outbound Rebound: The Return of Chinese Travellers report also provides in-depth insights into other areas of interest, including key factors influencing decision-making, satisfaction levels of destinations, the value of loyalty memberships, the consumer decision journey, among others.
The full copy of the report is available for download here.
Artotel Group continues its expansion in Indonesia with its latest acquisition of Milestone Pacific Hotel Group (MPHG).
MPHG manages 45 hotels across various Indonesian provinces and regions, targeting middle and economy-class markets with its six brands – Maxone, Nite & Day, Zia, Ruma Ruma, Marc, and One of a Kind.
From left: Artotel’s Eduard Pangkerego and MPHG’s Samudra Hendra
Eduard Pangkerego, chief operating officer of Artotel Group, told TTG Asia that his company was drawn to MPHG’s “good brand values” and “good prospects”. With Artotel Group’s acquisition, MPGH will now have the financial support to “move forward”.
Samudra Hendra, chief mission officer of MPHG, hopes that Artotel Group will further grow the hotel brands that he had built for over a decade.
He noted that MPHG has grown fast as a local company, having started in 2011 and now boasting 45 properties. However, the “tough competition in the hospitality industry today” meant having “a strong and everlasting local brand to compete with the currently dominating international brands”.
“In order for (our brands) to grow bigger and stronger, we cannot work alone – we need to join forces,” he explained.
By controlling the majority stake in MPHG, Artotel Group now manages over 100 properties across different brands, catering to a wide range of accommodation needs in Indonesia’s domestic markets.
Despite Covid-19 challenges, Artotel Group has rapidly expanded its business through various aggressive expansions, such as acquiring the Indonesia franchise of Kyriad, and leading Indonesian local brands such as Dafam and Maxone.
The company’s success shows no signs of slowing down, with 50 new hotel projects set to be managed by Artotel Group from 1Q2023 to 2025.
Erastus Radjimin, founder and CEO of Artotel Group, said: “The success we have achieved by managing more than 100 hotels… gives us a greater responsibility to provide the best service to our stakeholders.”
The company has prepared a sustainable business strategy to increase hotel revenues and stakeholder welfare, prioritising technology-based infrastructure to make hotel operations more efficient and effective.
Klook has reported robust recovery in Thailand tourism, with significant growth that has more than doubled for three consecutive quarters.
The company also observed a 30 per cent increase in average traveller spend for experiences in 2023 compared to pre-Covid times, signalling that travellers are willing to spend more for authentic and meaningful experiences in Thailand.
Klook and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have partnered to drive more visitors from key markets to Thailand
Eric Gnock Fah, chief operating officer and co-founder, Klook, said: “Klook’s exceptional growth in Thailand, a key destination for us, reflects the importance of travel and the value it delivers to the Thai economy.”
Klook has teamed up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to drive more visitors from key markets to Thailand and showcase the best of the country’s experiences. Targeting FIT millennials, the partnership will cover seven markets including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.
“We want to offer visitors to Thailand the chance to connect deeply with its rich culture through joyful and authentic experiences. As more travellers plan their trips to Thailand, we look forward to making their journey meaningful and unforgettable,” Fah added.
Klook will create and amplify engaging digital content centred around Thailand’s tourism offerings to capture new audiences, focusing on two important elements of Thai tourism namely 5F Soft Power (food, film, festival, fight and fashion) and the value of meaningful travel experiences.
As an official partner of TAT’s Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters, Klook is committed to supporting and contributing towards TAT’s objectives of boosting tourist arrivals in 2023.
It will kick off the partnership with TAT’s Let Your Journey Be Thai campaign, which highlights authentic Thai activities and experiences.
IHG has signed a management agreement with Amritsar Golden Hospitality to develop the new Holiday Inn Amritsar Golden Temple in Punjab.
Slated to open in 2Q2027, the 215-key hotel will be IHG’s third hotel in the city along with Holiday Inn Amritsar Ranjit Avenue and Holiday Inn Express Amritsar Golden Temple, which is scheduled to open in 2025.
Holiday Inn Amritsar Golden Temple will stand a short walking distance from the Golden Temple, pictured
Holiday Inn Amritsar Golden Temple will be located in the heart of the city centre and a short walking distance from the Golden Temple. It will be in close proximity to the railway station and 13km from the airport.
The property will have F&B options, swimming pool, gym, and meeting spaces.
Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG, said: “Amritsar is a hotspot pilgrimage centre due to the presence of Golden Temple. Rich in history, culture, food, and as a textiles’ hub, the city has a strong appeal for both leisure and business travellers.
“With the signing of Holiday Inn Amritsar Golden Temple, IHG aims to offer differentiated hospitality experience to guests coming in from all parts of the world.”
Tejinder Singh, managing partner at Amritsar Golden Hospitality added: “With a combination of an excellent location and IHG’s strength and scale of global systems, technology and loyalty programme, we are confident that the new hotel will be a popular choice when it opens its door to guests.”
IHG currently has 47 hotels operating across five brands in South West Asia, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express, and a pipeline of 55 hotels due to open in the next three to five years.
The annual Body & Soul wellness retreat returns to Club Med Bintan in Indonesia from May 7 to 25 this year, offering a holistic experience for the young and young-at-heart by focusing on three core pillars: Eat Well, Move Well and Feel Well.
Over the course of three special-themed weeks, guests will be immersed in a journey of self-discovery, health and healing comprising of a specially curated selection of fitness classes, wellness workshops and mindful culinary indulgence.
There are many choices of wellness programmes, such as aerial yoga, pictured
Highlights include cooking demonstrations and classes, workout sessions, wellness classes such as aerial yoga and family yoga, a healing sound bath, creating handmade LUSH products, art classes, beeswax wrap workshop, and more.
Guests can also participate in the weekly Beach Clean Up organised by the resort.
The resort also offers dining, entertainment, and over 30 activities such as flying trapeze, archery, rock climbing, sailing and many more.
James Sutcliffe has joined Avani+ Khao Lak as general manager and will oversee all operations for the resort.
He has over a decade of operational experience in the hospitality industry, and was previously the opening general manager at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
He has over a decade of operational experience in the hospitality industry, and was previously the opening general manager at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
