Laguna Phuket and Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) have partnered to open Laguna Wellness by BDMS, a wellness centre within Laguna Phuket.
The new facility will position Laguna Phuket as a premium wellness hub in the region offering a wide range of healthcare services and holistic wellness solutions. It will give the Laguna Phuket residents access to the latest medical technology and the expertise of world-class medical professionals, including comprehensive health check-up packages, regenerative medicine, IV therapies and personalised supplements.
Laguna Wellness by BDMS offers a wide range of healthcare services and holistic wellness solutions
Strategically located in the heart of Laguna Phuket and a convenient 25-minute drive from the international airport, Laguna Wellness by BDMS complements the existing array of resorts, residences, spas, and recreational facilities in the area.
Having partnered with the private hospital network for over 30 years, Banyan Tree Group’s executive chairman and founder, Ho Kwon Ping, shared: “This partnership was further developed by launching the Laguna Wellness by BDMS Phuket, marking a significant milestone in our journey centred on bringing advanced healthcare offerings to Laguna Phuket and elevating our overall destination experience to new heights.”
“We champion a future where Thailand, Phuket and Laguna Phuket become synonymous with world-class medical services and holistic well-being, and the opening of Laguna Wellness by BDMS together with our trusted partner on the island is an important step towards that shared goal,” added Narongrit Havarungsi, deputy CEO of BDMS Group 6, which includes hospitals in Bangkok, Hat Yai, Suratthani, Koh Samui and three hospitals in Phuket.
Avana Retreat is rolling out a new two-night stay package that takes in highlights both in and out of the property.
The Avana Immersion package celebrates Mai Chau’s natural landscapes and the culture of local ethnic groups. Activities range from local craft workshops and nature treks to exploration in a classic open-top military-style jeep.
Avana Retreat’s new two-night stay package highlights the area’s natural landscapes and the local culture
The package comprises round-trip limousine shuttle bus transfer, two nights in Bauhinia Mountain Suite, daily meals and snacks, a three-hour guided nature trek, a jeep tour of the local villages, a 60-minute body massage, a craft and cultural workshop, a tour of the on-site museum, and daily yoga classes in the H’mong Cottage.
In addition, guests can customise their dining plan, and choose to upgrade their dining experience to Private Dining at the Waterfall or Private Dining at the Hidden Spring Lagoon.
Avana Immersion is available for bookings year-round, but is now priced at an introductory offer of 25 per cent off all packages until December 22.
Rates start from US$625 per person for two nights.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton has officially opened and has a special offer to welcome guests.
The promotion includes 30 per cent off the best available rate on accommodation, complimentary breakfasts, guaranteed late checkout, and S$30 (US$22) Mondrian credit to enjoy at the hotel’s four eclectic bars and restaurants.
Linda Reddy has been appointed as the new hotel manager at Hilton Singapore Orchard.
A seasoned veteran with over 25 years of hospitality experience, Reddy’s most recent stint was general manager of Hilton Sandton, a position she held since 2019.
In her new role, she will oversee a wide range of duties at the hotel, including its MICE and wedding offerings.
A firm believer in the power of teamwork and shared vision, Reddy is also passionate about championing the advancement of women in hospitality and executive positions, to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
Park Regis Singapore has appointed Kenny Yeo as its new general manager.
He will lead the strategic direction, business performance, and operations of the hotel in his new role.
With over 24 years of experience, he joins Park Regis Singapore from Oasia Hotel Novena and Oasia Hotel Downtown where he served as hotel manager for five years.
ACI Asia-Pacific’s study on airfare trends in the region revealed that while airport charges have remained flat since the pandemic, airfares have soared above pre-pandemic levels as major airlines reap record profits hampering the aviation industry recovery.
In collaboration with Flare Aviation Consulting, the study examined around 36,000 routes in the top 10 aviation markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, which showed an alarming increase in international airfares by up to 50%, while domestic routes went up by less than 10%. The markets that saw the highest airfare increase are India (41%), the UAE (34%), Singapore (30%) and Australia (23%).
While airport charges remain steady, the rising airfares are hampering the recovery of the aviation industry
In 1Q2023, despite a progressive increase in traffic, domestic airfares have continued to increase in several of these markets, including India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan, only decreasing marginally on international routes.
Airlines are capitalising on low competition and pent-up demand to increase profits and recover losses incurred during the pandemic, while airports continue to provide enhanced services to passengers despite incurring heavy operational and capital expenditures.
Expressing concerns about the high-pricing practice, Stefano Baronci, director general of ACI Asia-Pacific, said: “These excessive airfares threaten the industry’s long-term recovery and may have a far-reaching influence on the associated industry by reducing demand for air travel and increasing the financial burden on the already stressed sector.
“Airlines should exercise fair pricing that supports recovery and safeguards consumers’ interests. A supply-demand imbalance should not be exploited by airlines at the expense of customers by restricting the capacity, especially international one which is a key driver of social and economic growth and a major source of revenues for the airport sector.”
He added that governments should consider “liberalising markets through policies such as open skies” to help keep airfares “under control” while allowing competition.
Factors behind airfare increases Fuel prices and inflation are responsible for a significant portion of airfare increase. Fuel prices went up 76% in 2022 compared to 2019. The airlines’ costs increased as the Consumer Price Index saw an average 10% increase over the same period.
Several major international airlines recently announced record profits for the year 2022 financial year. However, airport operators have been reporting negative EBITDA margins for the last 10 consecutive quarters, particularly in China, Japan, Thailand and India.
Airport charges vs airfares Despite a decrease in passengers and continuous financial losses, airports have made tremendous efforts to support airline partners during the crisis. They accomplished this by freezing or reducing airport charges, including landing, parking, and passenger fees, as well as providing incentives at the peak of the pandemic.
This is despite the fact that airports have made significant investments in capital expansion and technology during this period to ensure a secure and smooth airport experience.
While the quantum of airport charges has always been a matter of debate, it has typically been attributed to increases in airfares. For the record, airport charges are unlikely to have a major cascading impact on airfares as they account for less than 4% of the airline cost base and the ACI Asia-Pacific study demonstrates no correlation between airport charges and airfares.
Airport charges are determined predominantly based on objective items of the airport’s cost base, comprising operating expenses, depreciation, and cost of capital. These charges cover the cost of operations, maintenance, and development of airport infrastructure. Airlines, however, enjoy absolute market freedom to adjust pricing according to operational costs.
Baronci remarked: “One fact is clear. As it has been largely the case in the past, airport charges are not the reason for airfares increase in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Airport charges in 2019 to 2022 remained stable or decreased in nominal terms in Asia & Middle East by 4% on international routes; and increased only by +3% on domestic routes.
“The few airports that increased charges did it significantly below CPI levels after Covid in both domestic and international markets. Unlike airlines, airport operators do not have the privilege to set airport charges capable of covering the full cost of the service – this is not only because their prices are heavily regulated, but also because market driven factors, such as competition and/or a dominant buyer power exerted by airlines prevent them from doing so.”
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.
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 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.
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.
In her new role, she will oversee a wide range of duties at the hotel, including its MICE and wedding offerings.
With over 24 years of experience, he joins Park Regis Singapore from Oasia Hotel Novena and Oasia Hotel Downtown where he served as hotel manager for five years.
