TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 30th December 2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | JAL steps up sustainable aviation efforts
TTG Asia | Productivity in tourism economy takes centre stage at 11th GTEF
TTG Asia | Hilton appoints Marco Neukom to lead dual Bali hotels
Page 507

Koho Surf rides the wave to expansion in South-east Asia

By Marissa Carruthers
0

Koho Surf, a Thailand-based water sports activity provider, has quickly positioned itself as a leader in its field and is drastically expanding operations just six months after launching.

Falling under the umbrella of Destination Group, Koho Surf started life on Phuket’s Kata Beach in August last year. Since then, it has opened in five other Thai destinations, with its latest venture slated to open in Khao Lak this April.

Koho Surf continues to expand across South-east Asia and beyond

Koho Surf has also spread its wings to Indonesia, opening in Gili Trawangan, with another centre set to open in Bali’s Kuta beach in April, and further locations like Sri Lanka by August.

Being under Destination Group, Koho Surf has been able “to open at their properties and offer a package of experiences that include water activities and accommodation of all types – from backpackers to independent travellers and families”, shared general manager Iza Pająkowska.

As well as surfing, the operator offers snorkelling, diving, stand-up paddle boarding and sea safaris, and has crafted camps and activities geared towards families. It also plans to incorporate yoga into its agenda in the near future.

“We’re very close to nature and sell experiences to open-minded people who want to travel and explore responsibly,” Pająkowska said, adding the company works closely with locals and advocates responsible water adventures and the importance of keeping the beach and sea clean.

In addition to South-east Asia, Koho Surf is exploring expanding into Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil, with Destination Group currently researching suitable locations and properties to open.

Chroma Hospitality unveils new campaign

By Rachel AJ Lee
0

Filipino-owned Chroma Hospitality – comprising three brands Crimson Hotels & Resorts, Quest Hotels, and Timberland Highlands Resorts – has launched a new campaign entitled The Time is Now to encourage travellers, both leisure and for business events, to visit the
Philippines.

The campaign dishes out travel perks for bookings made during the campaign period, which runs for a year.

Bocanegra: working with local wholesalers and TUI, and to appoint a GSA in Europe

Chroma Hospitality’s vice president sales and marketing, Carmela H Bocanegra, told TTG Asia that in line with the campaign, the group will reopen Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebu, after a pandemic-induced closure. It will greet guests with redesigned facilities and a new Japanese restaurant. The property’s event facilities will also be revamped later this year.

Prior to the pandemic, the resort welcomed 30 per cent domestic guests, and 70 per cent from South Korea, China and Russia. This year, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan will focus on western European markets such as France and Germany.

“Aside from roadshows, we are working with local wholesalers and TUI, and are trying to appoint a GSA here in Europe,” said Bocanegra.

Further on in 4Q2024, Chroma will open its first property under its new brand, Grafik – the 256-key Grafik Baguio in Camp John Hay. The sustainability-focused hotel will feature three F&B outlets, a spa, and meeting facilities.

Fusion Hotel Group launches new properties in Vietnam

By TTG Asia
0

Fusion Hotel Group (Fusion) is expanding its portfolio with three new Vietnam properties set to open this year – Fusion Resort & Villas Danang, Fusion Suites Hanoi and HIIVE Binh Duong.

Having started with a single property in Vietnam in 2008, Fusion has since expanded its current footprint to 16 hotels throughout Vietnam and Thailand.

Fusion Resort & Villas Danang will open later this year

HIIVE Binh Duong is a 172-key hotel centrally located in a leading Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park and within the greater Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area. It will house meeting facilities and co-working spaces, golf simulator, fitness centre, and sports bar.

Beachfront resort Fusion Resort & Villas Danang will offer 242 rooms, including 85 private villas, as well as dining, entertainment, and wellness facilities where guests will get to enjoy a daily complimentary treatment.

Early in 2024, Fusion will debut in Vietnam’s capital with 238-key Fusion Suites Hanoi, which features a full spa facility and Japanese-style onsen, along with the brand’s signature restaurant. Part of a mixed-use development and high-end shopping mall, the hotel is located near tourist attractions, including the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace.

Aside from Vietnam, Fusion’s CEO Peter Meyer said the group is looking to further expand in Thailand as well as in South-east Asia.

Singapore’s Mandarin Oriental closes for transformation

By TTG Asia
0

After 35 years of operations, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has temporarily closed its doors on March 7 to undergo a six-month transformation. It will re-open later in September.

The hotel’s multi-million-dollar transformation is set to take place across all fronts, including a complete redesign and refitting of the hotel’s interiors, from the grand lobby and the rooms to the F&B venues.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore will undergo transformation and re-open in September this year

During the six-month transformation, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s social media platforms will share content honouring the legacy of the hotel, feature new and long-term employees, regular peeks into the hotel transformation process and the release of early hotel room, dining and spa bookings, all ahead of its re-opening.

Bhutan Airlines joins Amadeus GDS platform, launches in-flight entertainment

By TTG Asia
0

Bhutan Airlines has joined Amadues’ global distribution system (GDS) as well as launched its new in-flight entertainment (IFE) system to provide passengers with a seamless travel experience.

The Amadeus GDS platform, which connects travel agents and online booking platforms to the airline’s inventory, will make it easier for travellers to book flights and access real-time information on flight schedules, availability, and pricing.

Bhutan Airlines has joined Amadeus’ platform to provide its passengers with a seamless travel experience

Initially, tickets will be issued only by 4,000 travel agents in India, such as MakeMy Trip, Yatra, Clear Trip, and Via.com on Amadeus’ platform, Bhutan Airlines will join the IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) for other countries, thereby enabling its flight tickets to be issued globally.

The airline’s new wireless IFE system will be available on all flights, offering a wide selection of regional and international movies, documentaries, TV shows, music, podcast, magazines and games, and live flight tracking – passengers will be able to access the IFE system through their personal devices.

 

Editor’s note: In the original post, Bhutan Airlines was erroneously identified as the national carrier of Bhutan. This has been corrected.

New immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock in Australia

By TTG Asia
0

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia (Voyages) is set to launch Wintjiri Wiru, a fully-immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in May. It will combine ancient Anangu storytelling with light, laser, projection and drone technology.

Wintjiri Wiru (beautiful view out to the horizon in the local Anangu language) will bring to life a chapter of the Mala ancestral story which sits between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru. Voyages has consulted and collaborated closely with the Anangu custodians of this chapter of the Mala story to obtain approval to bring Wintjiri Wiru to life.

Catch Wintjiri Wiru, an immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort

Through choreography and visual artistry, the drones depict aspects of the Mala story accompanied by a narration in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages, and a soundtrack with traditional inma recorded with members of the local Anangu community.

Visitors will be able to view the show on a sustainably-built platform atop a desert dune with panoramic views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta nestled on the horizon.

Two Wintjiri Wiru sound and light shows will run every night from May 11.

The signature experience is a three-hour Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner priced at A$385 (US$253) per pax. Inclusive of return resort transfers, it comprises welcome cocktails and canapés, followed by a gourmet dinner hamper before the show.

Priced at A$190 per pax, After Dark is a shorter, one hour-long experience which includes light refreshments followed by the show.

For more information, visit Ayers Rock Resort.

Cambodia’s sports lure

By Marissa Carruthers
0

Cambodia is pushing sports tourism as part of its Visit Cambodia Year 2023 campaign as it gears up to host the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) for the first time in May.

Prak Vuthy, director of the Ministry of Tourism’s overseas marketing and promotion department, said the games would serve as a catalyst to promote sports tourism nationwide.

Cambodia’s Phnom Penh will host the Southeast Asian Games in May this year

“This year will see Cambodia host the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, which is a big thing for Cambodia,” he remarked.

Both events are expected to attract between 250,000 and 500,000 international tourists.

The SEA Games will take place from May 5 to 17, followed by the ASEAN Para Games 2023 from June 3 to 9.

Prak added that Cambodia annually hosts many sporting events that attract visitors from across the globe, including the Angkor Half Marathon in December and Ultra-Trail Angkor in February, and various international cycling events as well.

He added that Cambodia’s southern coastline is also perfect for water activities, including sailing and yachting, with more sports-driven itineraries being drawn up.

Trip.com Group to boost Japan tourism

By TTG Asia
0

Trip.com Group will be strengthening collaborations with its stakeholders to promote and position Japan as a destination.

Trip.com Group’s chief marketing officer Sun Bo had met up with Koichi Wada, commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency, last Friday to share how the group will further promote tourism to destinations around the world, including Japan.

Trip.com Group will work with Japan Tourism Agency to promote Japan as a destination

He noted that Japan has consistently been ranked among the top five destinations (in terms of bookings and search volumes) since it eased its entry restrictions in 4Q2022.

Sun shared: “Travellers’ trends and preferences have shifted as a result of the pandemic, and we are ready to work with Japan Tourism Agency and other partners to promote Japan to our travellers through a targeted strategy.”

“There are various attractions in Japanese local areas… every traveller will be able to enjoy not only Japanese cuisine, but also other variety of activities,” said Wada, adding that they look forward to welcoming visitors from China soon.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote various destinations, Trip.com Group hosted its third edition of the Super World Trip at Sanrio Puroland in Tama City, Tokyo, on March 1, with the support of its partner JR Kyushu.

TUI Blue eyes South-east Asia

By Marissa Carruthers
0

South-east Asia is providing TUI Group’s TUI Blue brand with a hotbed of opportunities to grow the global hotel brand, according to its managing director.

As part of TUI Blue’s grand vision to launch more than 300 hotels worldwide, it has set its sights firmly on the region.

TUI Blue hosted a private event on the sidelines of ITB Berlin to engage with investors and current owners

“It’s an important region for us,” said Artur Gerber, CEO and managing director, TUI Blue. “We did a lot of research and it showed very clearly there is space for us in South-east Asia.”

As part of its expansion plans, TUI Blue has set up business development offices in Dubai to focus on Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, with another in Hong Kong for South-east Asia. TUI Blue The Passage is slated to open in Thailand this summer, with another to rise on the Cambodian island of Koh Rong in the coming years.

Gerber said the entry of TUI Blue is supported by the strength of the mother company’s brand, with TUI Group known worldwide.

“A lot of partners already know TUI. For example, in Bali, a lot of hotels receive TUI tour operator guests, which means the industry already knows the brand. We believe we can bring many customers from Europe to the region,” said Gerber.

“We already have sales systems in place across the world, so we have the opportunity to fill the hotels.”

In addition, TUI Blue is expanding into regions where TUI Group is not so well known. Gerber said this also presents opportunities for both TUI and the destinations.

“We can help these regions get more attention from European customers because TUI, as the world’s leading leisure tourism company, can carry out more marketing for these destinations. This is a clear benefit that we see,” he noted.

TUI Blue’s expansion is made possible through international partnerships, investments and franchises. Prior to the pandemic, the group shook up its business model after heavily investing in ships and hotels between 2013 and 2019.

“We’re now looking for partnerships and investors and it’s encouraging that we have signed many agreements in the last few months. There are still many possibilities to find partners around the world and in South-east Asia,” Gerber said.

The Anam spreads its wings in Vietnam

By Karen Yue
0

There is no rest for The Anam team, which has just unveiled its second property in Vietnam’s Mui Ne but is already embarking on the design and plans for yet another ambitious project in Phuc Yen.

Sharing details of the group’s “next big project”, Laurent Myter, group general manager, The Anam, told TTG Asia that a massive and “stunning” beach location in Phu Yen, a two-hour drive north of Cam Ranh, will allow the construction of two resorts.

From left: Koerner and Myter

“One will be The Anam, and the second will be a global luxury brand. We are still looking into partnerships. It could be a St Regis, a Ritz Carlton or a Rosewood – essentially a very high-end product,” said Myter, adding that government permits to build overwater villas there have been secured. Should plans pan out and these overwater villas are built, the new property will be the first in Vietnam to boast such accommodation.

Martin Koerner, group commercial director, said the two resorts will be distinctly different, each with its own value propositions and unique services.

“Both our location and the resorts’ configuration will give us private and exclusive access to the beach, which is an unusual aspect in South-east Asia,” opined Myter.

Besides the Phuc Yen development, the company is also close to finalising a convention centre and lifestyle complex right next to The Anam Cam Ranh. Named Axi Plaza, the beachfront building will pack in 10,000m² of shopping and dining facilities, a conference hall for up to 1,000 pax, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views.

Axi Plaza has confirmed its first business event for this July.

Myter believes that the opening of Axi Plaza and business events coming in will bring greater attention to Cam Ranh.

1...506507508...2,863Page 507 of 2,863

Tried and Tested

What to Buy Now

 
Subscribe To
Advertise With Us
 
Asia-Pacific's Leading Travel Trade Business Resource Since 1974

  • All Rights Reserved

Copyright TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2024-2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | JAL steps up sustainable aviation efforts
TTG Asia | Hilton appoints Marco Neukom to lead dual Bali hotels
TTG Asia | Productivity in tourism economy takes centre stage at 11th GTEF