Singapore Zoo’s Glamping in the Wild returns from April 1 with a refreshed programme featuring behind-the-scenes tours to thrill the heart of any animal lover looking for a meaningful respite amid nature.
From feeding Asian Elephants to discovering the inner workings of the zoo’s Wildlife Nutrition Centre, visitors can enjoy an afternoon performance with priority seats at the Splash Safari presentation, followed by a hearty dinner before retreating into the cosy comfort of the dome tent. The next morning, indulge in the signature Breakfast in the Wild while encountering animal ambassadors such as Orangutans, Tamandua, Coatimundis and Macaws.
The Glamping in the Wild experience features an air-conditioned tent for up to four people
The Glamping in the Wild experience is priced at S$1,699 (US$1,259) for a one-night stay in a fully air-conditioned glamping tent for up to four people – it includes two-day admission to Singapore Zoo, Asian Elephant feeding, guided tours, behind-the-scenes tours at Wildlife Nutrition Centre and Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre, priority seating at Splash Safari presentation, and Breakfast in the Wild.
For guests who prefer getting up close with aquatic animals, River Wonders offers Glamping with the Manatees, also available from April through August this year. Priced from S$1,299 per tent (for four people), the package comprises priority seating at Once Upon a River presentation, meet and greet with animal ambassadors, Manatee-inspired activity before bedtime, and two meals (dinner and breakfast).
Accor has announced its new commercial executive committee across three key regional centres: Singapore, Dubai and Sydney.
The committee will be led by Kerry Healy, chief commercial officer for premium, midscale & economy brands in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Asia-Pacific, who is based in Singapore.
Kerry Healy will head the new commercial executive committee
Having been a part of the Accor family since 2011, Healy previously served as chief commercial officer for South-east Asia, Japan & South Korea since 2020. With over 25 years of experience, she will oversee the commercial functions for a diverse region which comprises nearly 1,000 hotels across 42 countries.
Other committee members based in Singapore include Victoria Sertic, senior vice president of brand, marketing & loyalty, and Antony Meguerdijian, senior vice president of sales.
Those in the Dubai office comprise Amro Khoudeir, vice president of digital & distribution, and Sarah Fernandez, vice president of PR & communications.
The new senior vice president of topline performance & business intelligence, Kent Warren, will be based in Sydney.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) has strengthened its partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to encourage travellers to visit the Lion City.
Both parties previously signed a memorandum of understanding in April last year to mark the reopening of Singapore’s borders, and have now renewed the agreement to intensify their collaboration to promote travel to Singapore.
Cebu Pacific and Singapore Tourism Board have renewed their agreement to promote travel to Singapore
Key projects will include joint marketing and promotions, and joint business development in the areas of fly-cruise and meetings and incentive corporate groups.
Juliana Kua, assistant chief executive for international group, STB, said: “Philippines is a key market for Singapore, and the attractive promotions from Cebu Pacific will be complemented by STB’s ‘SingapoRewards’ programme, which offers a free experience for every eligible tourist to Singapore.”
CEB currently flies thrice daily between Manila and Singapore, and once daily from Cebu. The airline will increase its Singapore flights from Davao up to four times weekly starting on March 26, and introduce its daily Clark-Singapore flight on April 28.
Taiwan’s largest travel agency, Lion Travel Group, is working with Amadeus to support its expansion plan in growing its footprint in Taiwan and across Asia-Pacific through digitalisation.
The collaboration will see Lion Travel implement New Distribution Capability (NDC) which will enable the agency to provide richer, NDC-sourced content available on the Amadeus Travel Platform by using the Amadeus Travel API to its customers in Asia-Pacific.
The collaboration will enable Lion Travel to provide NDC-sourced content available on the Amadeus Travel Platform
Lion Travel will also utilise Amadeus’ Master Pricer Instant Search which serves up the best bookable recommendations for any given search request in a sub-second to deliver a seamless search, order and buy experience to its customers.
Jason Wang, chairman, Lion Travel Group, commented: “We have started working on projects to revamp our technology platform to provide a frictionless travel experience for our customers, either online or offline.”
“This multi-year agreement is a testament to both the strength of our partnership and Lion Travel’s commitment to transform its technology and lay the foundation to modern retailing,” said Javier Lafourgue, executive vice president, travel unit, Asia-Pacific, Amadeus.
“We look forward to supporting (Lion Travel’s) growth and help deliver content and services at the right touch points in their travellers’ journey.”
Marriott International has signed with Asset World Corporation (AWC) to introduce The Ritz-Carlton to Phuket, Thailand.
The existing Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket will undergo renovation and be rebranded as The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket when it opens in 2025.
Marriott International and Asset World Corporation have signed The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket, slated to open in 2025
The new hotel will offer 182 guestrooms, suites, and private villas, eight F&B options, three swimming pools, spa, fitness centre, and four function rooms.
The property is located on the east coast of the island overlooking the Andaman Sea, just a short distance from Phuket’s old town.
Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International, said: “We are confident that The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket, once opened, will be well-positioned to meet the increased demand of luxury travel to the destination, in line with the Thailand Government’s goal of attracting more discerning travellers to the Thai Kingdom.”
“The launch of The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket will add to AWC’s portfolio of hotels in Phuket, which meet the needs of a diverse range of travellers,” said Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and president, AWC.
Other hotels under AWC include the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, and Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa Nai Yang Beach.
Go City and Mandai Wildlife Group have signed a multi-year partnership to leverage Go City’s global reach and help drive visitors to Singapore’s wildlife parks.
The collaboration will see Go City deliver global marketing activities to promote Singapore, specifically the US and the UK. Mandai Wildlife Group will also work with Go City on an Application Programming Interface (API) that aims to enhance the overall experience and ensure the park visits are seamless for travellers.
The multi-year partnership will leverage Go City’s global reach to help drive visitors to Singapore’s wildlife parks
With plans to expand in Asia-Pacific, Go City currently has products in over 30 countries around the world as well as products in Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and Sydney.
Baidi Li, senior vice president of commercial (APAC), Go City, shared: “Go City is betting big on the Asia-Pacific region, with team expansion, new product launches, and long-term partnerships with major players in the region, like Mandai.”
Mandai Wildlife Group operates wildlife parks including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders and the upcoming Bird Paradise, set to open in 2Q2023. The group is also driving a rejuvenation project at Mandai Wildlife Reserve that will integrate five wildlife parks with nature-based experiences, green public spaces and an eco-friendly resort.
“Since the return of travel to Singapore in 2022, we have seen an overall positive recovery from markets like the US, the UK, and Australia. Go City has been a key partner in helping us drive visitors from these markets to our parks,” said Jean Choi, chief of sales & marketing, Mandai Wildlife Group.
Global aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has partnered with Thailand-based tour operator, Tour Lad Fah to promote tourism in Thailand as part of its plan to optimise growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chapman Freeborn, which is part of Avia Solutions Group, will provide charter solutions for Tour Lad Fah by sourcing appropriate aircraft to support the tour operator’s surge in demand for travel post-lockdown.
From left: Chapman Freeborn’s Andy Hudson and Tour Lad Fah’s Arthit Thepchai
Headquartered in Bangkok, Tour Lad Fah was established in 2018 and has operations in Georgia, Japan, South Korea, India and Turkey.
Paul Tsang, vice president passenger solutions – Asia Pacific, Chapman Freeborn, said: “Our passenger charter department is relatively new to the Asia-Pacific region, and this partnership is a major boost for our presence.
“We are delighted to assist Tour Lad Fah, but also to show our prospective clients, not just in Thailand but across the whole region, that we are able to find them the ideal solution when they need us,” added Tsang.
Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong has launched a first-of-its-kind dog hotel boarding service, which will allow furkids to staycation in style and comfort even while their ‘pawrents’ are away.
Pet parents can enjoy peace of mind while their dogs board in a guestroom on the property’s dog-friendly floor, cared for by experienced Dog Ambassador staff members.
Dogs and owners can dine together at The Farmhouse with the new Doggy Dim Sum Cart
Dog guests will enjoy daily relax-and-exercise sessions at the Upper Farm Doggy Playground outdoor terrace, and be monitored by the Dog Ambassador team via an in-room web camera.
The Hyatt Centric Dog Hotel Service includes accommodation, daily 30-minute session at Upper Farm Doggy Playground, two meals (food provided by dog parents) and water bowl refills, and an in-room web camera for hotel teams to monitor the dogs.
Available from March 16, the dog hotel boarding service is priced from HK$800 (US$101.90) per night for one dog (less than 30kg, except for guide dogs). Dogs from the same family are allowed to share the same room, with a maximum of four dogs, at additional cost.
In addition, the hotel has also introduced a Doggy Dim Sum Cart on The Farmhouse’s outdoor Garden Terrace, with dog parking hooks installed so pet parents can easily enjoy their meal.
Guests who book the Dog Hotel Service will enjoy 35 per cent off the breakfast buffet and 30 per cent off the lunch and dinner buffets.
I started the New Year with a short trip to Sri Lanka, at the behest of Chamintha Jayasinghe, co-founder of Ayu in the Wild experience curator and friend, who charmed me over with stories of her projects that support local community and environmental causes through her earnings as well as the steely persistance of her peers in the travel and tourism industry to revive international arrivals in their own ways amid widespread misconception of the country’s tourism readiness.
Chamintha showed me some of her favourite places to dine, socialise and recharge in Colombo, Galle, Tangalle, Weligama and Hambantota. Everywhere I went was as peaceful and inviting as equivalents in Bangkok, Penang and Singapore, yet at the same time so different in sights, sounds and flavours that they left me making mental notes to return with the family for a long and proper vacation soon.
What a gem! But also, what a hidden gem. Sharing my experience with friends and industry colleagues, I realised that not many know that Sri Lanka can provide a great holiday for gourmands, nature lovers, adventurers, romantics and more. The versatility of the destination also means it is possible for one to have a wildlife adventure, cool highlands retreat, beachfront sojourn and heritage deep-dive all in a single trip.
My time in Sri Lanka got me thinking about the value of destination marketing, especially to correct misconceptions, instil travel confidence and inspire exploration. We saw how destination marketing played out throughout the pandemic and the progressive return of travel freedom. Savvy NTOs continued with marketing to keep the travel dream alive, and when restrictions eased messaging fired up to spur people into action.
However, many of these savvy NTOs have big marketing guns. They ride on the star power of celebrities like Charlie Puth (Singapore), Rose Byrne (Australia), Lee Jae Wook (South Korea) and Roger Federer (Switzerland), splurge on visually-stunning exposures on global media platforms, and invest in numerous travel influencers.
Destinations that are most desperate for the return of tourism but have lost marketing budget or tourism leadership due to their own set of challenges, are finding it hard to make themselves heard in the din of intense destination marketing today. Unless travellers actively seek out the unusual or have a social circle of first-movers, most will likely go for destinations that are most visible or talked about.
As travel returns, we will see who will emerge as winners in this marketing fight.
People around the world are feeling overwhelmingly more optimistic about travelling in 2023 compared to 2022 and, despite some current instability felt globally, nearly three quarters (73%) report that travelling will always be worth it.
The mood is shifting from one of hopeful uncertainty to bold adaptability. Nothing will be off limits, and everything is on the menu as everyone seeks to find the right balance in a world of contradictions.
If 2022 was about the triumphant return of travel, 2023 will be about creatively reimagining it amid the chaos
At a time of general upheaval, where war, increased societal polarisation, rising inflation and urgent concerns about climate change are all continuing to radically change the world, people are finding themselves in a multi-directional tug-of-war, working to reconcile what is important to them with the demands of everyday life. The 2023 travel predictions reflect this sentiment, revealing that the needs of travellers are moving in a lot of different directions to adapt to changing times.
Saving to splurge
With the background of global economic uncertainty, travellers in Asia-Pacific will continue to prioritise travel in 2023, but will be more mindful of how to make the most of their travel budget and what takes precedence.
People will still place carefree getaways at the top of their agenda, with half (50%) of travellers saying that investing in a vacation remains a top priority for them. But being budget conscious is key, with nearly seven in 10 (70%) travellers continuing to spotlight travel while seeking more bang for their buck.
As such, 2023 will see financially-savvy itinerary curation at its finest, with people planning travel budgets more tightly by taking advantage of deals, hacks and smartly-timed travel (63%) and prioritising value for money with discounts and loyalty programmes (64%).
Nearly two-thirds (58%) will look to save money by considering off-season destinations or longer routes on the journey, while the majority (66%) will be planning travel more in advance in the hope of securing a better deal. About two-thirds (64%) believe the best use of their budget is to opt for one or two longer vacations instead of several short breaks. Within this context, many Asia-Pacific travellers are also surprisingly prepared to dial up their spending – and even splurge – on the components of their trip that mean the most to them.
More than half (53%) admit that they plan to be more indulgent in their spending habits while on vacation to make up for the lack of travel during the last couple of years, while 50% plan to spend lavishly to ensure they maximise their trip, and every experience is worth it.
Glamourising the good ol’ days
Amid global instability and the desire for escapism, people intend to carve out travel experiences that hark back to simpler times, with nostalgic getaways (90%) that provide the thrill of reliving the glory days on top of the wishlist in 2023.
There’s a desire – even for millennials and Gen-Zs who never lived it – to disappear into the romanticism of a pre-digital era, with nearly a quarter (21%) of travellers chasing experiences that evoke (faux) emotive memories of days gone past, such as visiting landmarks or attractions featured in iconic retro films or opting for a bus as a primary mode of transport to live the group spirit of school trips.
Asia-Pacific travellers are no longer forfeiting play in favour of rest and relaxation, increasingly seeking the adrenaline rush of theme parks (60%) and drawing on the imagination with activities such as escape rooms, scavenger hunts and building fortresses with giant building blocks.
With millennials now the parents of young kids, there will be an increase in destinations previously popular in the 80s and 90s such as Budva in Montenegro, a glam alternative to St Tropez for celebs in the 80s or Bolzano in Italy, popular for its retro Christmas markets – both destinations which feature on the list of 2023 trending destinations. Millennial travellers will be first to book emerging era-themed accommodations that transport them back to a time they hold close to their hearts and will likely be doing so with family by their side (54%), with multi-generational trips on top of the travel agenda in 2023.
Preppers in paradise
Half (50%) of Asia-Pacific travellers want their travelling experiences to have a more back-to-basics feel, and are looking for ‘off-grid’ style vacations to escape from reality (57%), and switch off and experience life with only the bare necessities (50%). Travellers are also keen to use travel in 2023 as an opportunity to learn survival skills (64%) including how to source clean water (56%), light a fire from scratch (45%), forage for food in the wild (44%) and even prep for an apocalypse (46%).
Expect to see more eco-friendly, earthly stays springing up to accommodate burnt-out city dwellers searching for simplicity, as well as accommodations offering guidance for guests on how to be more self-sufficient, e.g., sourcing and preparing their own meals during their stay. An increase in wilderness survival schools where travellers will learn essential skills needed to live through a cataclysmic event is also predicted to pop up around the world.
Off-grid in 2023 won’t necessarily mean roughing it though. There is a common perception that this means giving up luxuries (59%), however, there is a strong desire to combine the two with 56% only considering travelling ‘off-grid’ if it can be at a more indulgent stay.
And how unplugged is off-grid really for the traveller of 2023? Close to two-thirds (60%) will have a non-negotiable requirement: phone and internet connection at their destination is essential – so expect this cohort to be weathering the wilderness with 5G.
Virtual voyagers
It used to be space travel that was ambitious and ‘outer worldly’. But now that’s happened, what and where next? With over half (54%) of travellers here reporting that they will be turning to virtual reality next year to inspire their vacation choices, travel will enter the ever-evolving 3D virtual space of the Metaverse in earnest in 2023.
With over a third (47%) of travellers keen to embark on a multi-day VR or AR travel experience, the Metaverse will be more than ‘try before you buy’; it will educate, entertain, and inspire people, opening the door for infinite adventure. Travellers will no longer be limited by physics and can experiment with different travel experiences in a year when Metaverse worlds will begin replicating and reimaging destinations.
Moving beyond 2023, haptic feedback, and the use of touch to communicate with users, will make virtual travel a truly immersive experience, delivering a credible sense of 3D touch, such as the feel of soft grains of sand and the warmth of the sun.
Travellers will become bolder in their real-life trip choices, after being able to visit them in the Metaverse first via their online avatars – especially handy for those who might feel anxious about trying somewhere new, with 56% more likely to travel to destinations that they wouldn’t have previously considered after virtually experiencing them.
While the Metaverse will offer a new way to experience travel in the year ahead, it still won’t stop people from booking a ticket to their next destination, as close to half (49%) believe that a virtual experience is not fulfilling enough to check it off the bucket list.
Delight in the discomfort zone
Whether it’s bottled-up energy, pent-up frustration or a new lease on life, the world is ready to dive into other cultures and new experiences headfirst. Over half (57%) of Asia-Pacific travellers want to experience complete culture shock in 2023 – be it travelling somewhere with completely different cultural experiences and languages (51%) or exploring lesser-known cities with hidden gems that aren’t already on the radar (27%) – such as 2023 trending destination Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah on the Malaysian island of Borneo.
With over three-quarters (80%) looking forward to experiencing ‘out of comfort zone’ travel that pushes them to the limits, there will be an influx of niche experiences encouraging people to push their travel escapades to the extreme. Half (50%) are on the hunt for the world’s most exotic delicacy such as the hottest chilli pepper, while 44% want to use their vacation for extraterrestrial exploration on UFO or alien spotting tours.
Unsurprisingly, this ‘culture shook’ traveller is also partial to throwing caution to the wind, with more than a quarter (29%) wanting to buy a one-way ticket in 2023 and follow their instinct wherever it takes them.
From daily grind to great company escape
A step change from the ‘work from anywhere’ policies that are now almost as commonplace as annual leave, employees are increasingly keen to preserve vacation time for complete escapism. A significant amount (67%) want their trips to be strictly work-free in 2023, and while half of them (53%) are not interested in working while away, they would consider clocking in for a company retreat or trip.
As such, travelling for business will be back on the agenda in 2023. But unlike the business trips before Covid, employees are seeking more opportunities to build team camaraderie in real life – and away from the office – reflecting a growing demand to incorporate work travel with productive play.
In fact, 51% of the Asia-Pacific workforce is looking forward to their employer planning a ‘real life’ work trip to bring people together and just over half (57%) would like to see their employer use the money saved from the shift to remote/hybrid working models spent on corporate travel or retreats.
In response, 2023 will see a rise in destination business retreats where the focus will be on strengthening relationships and corporate recreation rather than work. Employers will gamify the retreat experience and immerse staff in a world where teamwork is the only option. Think ‘survivor’-themed trips at luxury cabins or country farmhouses complete with communal cooking and outdoor adventure activities, or crime-centric escapes where spy school, detective courses or CSI simulations double as a sight-seeing scavenger hunt.
Businesses stand to see benefits, too – close to two-thirds (63%) of workers in in this region believe exploring new places will inspire them to be more productive at work.
Peaceful pilgrimages
Travel is set to take ‘mind, body and soul’ wellness to the next level in 2023 – a fully immersive, no-holds-barred approach to attaining peace and pleasure including less conventional ways to feel bliss.
Seeking to recentre the mind, meditation and mindfulness getaways are ever popular with Asia-Pacific travellers (53%), while more than two in five (49%) aim to find peace at a silent retreat and over half (52%) are keen to go on a health hiatus that focuses on mental health, transformative health or that helps with life milestones such as menopause or pregnancy.
