Amadeus has teamed up with DiDi Enterprise Solutions, the travel management subsidiary of DiDi Global, to support the travel technology innovation it needs to expand its travel management operations across China.
DiDi Enterprise Solutions’ customers can now shop and book hospitality content via the Amadeus Travel Platform, giving them extensive access to real-time rates and the content they need to serve their customers. Accommodation choices includes five-star hotels, bed and breakfasts, as well as managed apartments.
The partnership will help meet the travel needs of Chinese corporate business travellers
With a variety of different business models and payment options available, this partnership will help meet the travel needs of Chinese corporate business travellers looking to resume travel to reconnect with their customers by providing them with more options and services for their travel journeys.
“China is one of the world’s fastest growing business travel market and it presents growth opportunities for our business,” said Javier Laforgue, executive vice president, travel unit & managing director, Asia-Pacific, Amadeus.
He added that the collaboration will help support DiDi Enterprise Solutions in “bringing its customers extensive and relevant hotel content to create the right travel journeys for business travellers within China”.
Linda Zhang, general manager of enterprise client department, DiDi Enterprise Solutions, added: “(The partnership) allows us to provide our corporate travel customers with more content options and higher value services.”
In addition, DiDi Enterprise Solutions will also be tapping into a wealth of content from 500 airlines to offer its customers flights at competitive prices for a given itinerary via the Flight Offers Search API.
This year marks the second edition of the Wellness Festival Singapore (WFS) which will run for three weeks, up from 10 days last year.
From June 17 to July 9, WFS 2023 will feature more than 180 activities across 10 precincts island-wide, with categories spanning fitness, nutrition, emotional well-being, and lifestyle.
Horse-riding enthusiasts can join the Equine Wellness Programme by the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre
Featuring a diverse range of wellness offerings that cater to various preferences as well as individuals and groups of different ages and abilities, WFS offerings will be conveniently located across the country, close to iconic precincts and public transport, allowing visitors to easily access wellness experiences while exploring Singapore.
Festival highlights include the anchor event The Wellness Experience Space at Marina Bay Sands’ Event Plaza offering six different interactive zones, and a self-care journey with Where Mind and Body Connect, also at Marina Bay Sands
The Zentosa LiveWELL Festival in Sentosa will offer over 250 wellness activities, while Jewel Changi Airport will host free fitness classes, such as Bounce, Zumba and Barre, around the HSBC Rain Vortex. Meanwhile, the National Gallery Singapore will present an expanded line-up of more than 20 unique art-inspired wellness experiences.
Families with young children can participate in Parent-Child Art Journaling by Artcadia Studio, and head over to Kiztopia’s Play and Recharge programme which includes activities such as yoga, Zumba, and cookie painting.
Senior participants can try out programmes such as ENERGIZE, a series of active and wellness programmes on Taiji and dance classes held at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s concourse, or join a floral arrangement workshop with Floral Expressions by National Gallery Singapore. They can also experience Kopi, Teh and Contemporary Art, which brings them on a tour around the Singapore Art Museum.
Other fun activities to look out for include Beats Performance Therapy workouts for fitness and music enthusiasts; Animal Yoga at Mandai River Wonders; Cacao Ceremony + Sound Journey for holistic healing; tea-pairing sessions Wellness Tea Bar and Teakle Your Fancy; the Equine Wellness Programme by the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre; and a variety of nature walking tours.
The festival is organised by the Singapore Tourism Board , in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, Health Promotion Board, National Arts Council, Sentosa Development Corporation, and Sport Singapore.
For the most updated listing and details of WFS programming, visit the WFS website.
Marriott International has signed an agreement with real estate group Hiap Hoe to bring the Aloft Hotels brand to Singapore.
Following a strategic conversion, the signing of the 785-key Aloft Singapore Novena is expected to open in 3Q2023 and will be the largest Aloft hotel in the world.
Aloft Singapore Novena will be the largest Aloft hotel in the world when it opens later this year
The hotel will comprise two towers and is located in Zhongshan Park, a mixed-use development situated along the Balestier Heritage Trail. The area is renowned for its rich heritage and is surrounded by famous local eateries and linked to the integrated dynamic healthcare precinct, Healthcity Novena.
The range of facilities available on the property will feature F&B outlets, an outdoor pool, gym and event spaces.
Teo Ho Beng, CEO, Hiap Hoe, commented: “Aloft Singapore Novena (will) provide an urban-inspired gathering place that embodies the Aloft brand’s unique personality and energy, tailored for individuals who value boldness, style and connectivity.”
“With the site’s proximity to the city’s Central Business District as well as to local attractions and green spaces, the location is strategically placed to enable us to attract both business and leisure guests,” said Gautam Bhandari, market vice president for Singapore and Maldives, Marriott International.
From July 1, Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers will be able to enjoy free unlimited Wi-Fi access in all cabin classes, including passengers in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.
This will allow passengers to stay connected with loved ones, work online, or keep up to date with the latest news or their social media feeds while travelling in the sky.
Singapore Airlines customers will enjoy free unlimited Wi-Fi access in all cabin classes from July 1
The enhanced Wi-Fi offering will be available across the entire aircraft fleet – except for seven Boeing 737-800 NGs that are not Wi-Fi enabled – and almost the entire global SIA route network.
To enjoy this service, customers must enter their KrisFlyer membership details at the point of booking through the Manage Booking online option, or when checking in.
Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is offering two summer season packages for couples and families looking to unwind in the West Bay.
The Sheraton Side by Side package is priced from 3.4 million dong (US$144) per night and includes accommodation, daily breakfast buffet, daily hotel credit of 800,000 dong, daily one-hour free flow on selected beverages, and two-way airport transfer.
Sheraton Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort offers two summer packages for couples and families
The Vin Wonders or Vin Safari package is perfect for adventurers and adrenaline junkies, and comprises accommodation, daily breakfast, a choice of ticket to Vin Wonders or Vinpearl Safari, complimentary shuttle service to Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders Phu Quoc, and either early check-in or late check-out.
Both packages are valid for stays till November 30.
Muslim travellers looking to visit Muslim heritage sites and hidden gems as well as experience the culture and lifestyle of local Muslims are seeing renewed interest post-lockdown.
This observation was shared by panellists speaking in a forum titled, The Future of Muslim Travel: Are Destinations Engaging Enough on the second day of the Halal in Travel Global Summit.
Muslim travellers are keen to learn about Islamic culture in other countries
Riyanto Sofyan, chairman, Sofyan Corporation in Indonesia, shared that community-based tourism products in Indonesia, such as homestays, have become increasingly popular with longhaul Muslim travellers, particularly those from the US and the UK, who wish to experience the Islamic way of life in Indonesian villages.
He noted that social media and digital marketing have helped to convey such experiences to longhaul markets. Previously, these experiences were traditionally more popular among Muslim travellers from Singapore and Malaysia.
Lee Jian Xuan, area director, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei at Singapore Tourism Board, said Muslim travellers from Malaysia and Brunei are keen to learn about Malay history and heritage in Singapore, which is easily accessible by visiting Kampong Glam and the Malay Heritage Centre, as well as the Peranakan Museum on Armenian Street.
Abdul Maalik Tailor, CEO of Halal Tourism Britain, which specialises in halal travel and Muslim heritage of Britain, shared that Muslim visitors to the UK show interest in learning more about Muslim culture and visiting Muslim heritage sites outside of London. He added that some Muslim visitors would combine visiting the UK and France into one trip, with the focus on trips to Muslim heritage sites.
Despite the renewed interest, the panellists agree that the basics of Muslim travel, such as prayer facilities and the ease of access to halal and Muslim-friendly food, are still paramount in attracting the Muslim traveller.
From taking guidance from sustainability experts to promoting home-stays and local experiences that benefit natives, more and more NTOs are devising their strategies to focus on responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Speaking at the ongoing PATA Annual Summit & Adventure Mart 2023 in Pokhra, Nepal, Raki Philips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), said the NTO had hired Australia-based EarthCheck to help Ras Al Khaimah create a sustainable and responsible tourism roadmap.
More NTOs are devising their strategies to focus on responsible and sustainable tourism practices
“We are looking to be the first certified sustainable destination in the Middle East by 2025. Thirty per cent of the new infrastructure developments taking place in Ras Al Khaimah have green spaces,” Philips added.
Abdulla Mausoom, tourism minister for the Maldives, also shared that the country intends to adopt a community-based tourism model.
“We recently launched our fifth Tourism Master Plan. Our aim is to make the Maldives the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination. We are making sure that the benefits of the tourism sector reach to the local community and the ecosystem is protected,” Abdulla said.
As part of its responsible tourism strategy, Azerbaijan is aiming to introduce products and experiences that are authentic to the destination. “It’s not about artificially creating and developing tourism products but to utilise the resources Azerbaijan has, be it mud volcanoes or mountains or sea,” said Florian, Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board.
Nepal on the other hand is looking to preserve the culture of ethnic groups and provide job opportunities to local population as part of its responsible tourism approach.
“Apart from sensitising travellers and locals about the fragile geography we have in Nepal, we are focusing on promoting home-stays at places where ethnic groups reside. The idea is to offer livelihood opportunities to the young population who otherwise is migrating to other places and to also encourage them to practice their real culture,” said Dhananjay Regmi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board.
For sustainable tourism efforts to be successful over the long term, Kevin Phun, founder & consultant, Center for Responsible Tourism Singapore, said public-private partnerships are needed.
In a panel discussion held during the Halal in Travel – Global Summit on May 30, Phun pointed to successful examples set by both Singapore and Australia. In Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board works closely with travel agents and private companies to offer sustainable tourism experiences, which are appreciated by travellers. Over in Australia, public and private sector players have joined forces to conserve the Great Barrier Reef.
Fellow panellist, Nisha Abu Bakar, co-founder of World Women Tourism, pointed that out sound efforts in sustainable tourism development will enable destinations to attract tourists who are environmentally conscious as well as curious travellers.
However, Asma Ghazouani, a sustainability consultant at Engie Impact, opined that sustainable tourism fulfilment also requires travellers to play their part. Travellers should be educated on sustainable tourism practices, and destinations could share such information through welcome package booklets. At the same time, destinations should provide sustainable tours and activities to enable travellers to make responsible choices.
She further stressed the importance of accreditation and certification when it comes to sustainable tourism claims, as claims without sound backing “could amount to greenwashing”. – Additional reporting by S Puvaneswary
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) is satisfying the taste buds of diners hankering for Asian fare with a menu expansion at two F&B outlets in Changi Airport Terminal 1’s (T1) level three public area.
PPG has updated the menus of Terrace Chinese Kitchen (TCK) and TGM, with the former offering Hong Kong-style and Chinese favourites while the latter serves popular Japanese and Korean dishes.
Plaza Premium Group now offers Asian Fare at its two F&B outlets at Changi Airport Terminal 1
Diners at TCK can personalise their “noodle cart” order and choose their preferred type of noodle, broth and sides, while the steamed shrimp paste pork belly with salted fish, chilli padi and rice will hit the spot with adventurous foodies.
The TGM menu features Korean staples such as beef bibimbap and a cheesy dak-galbi set to share. Japanese bento sets include salmon butteryaki teishoku, and crunchy deep-fried tonkatsu teishoku.
There are various ongoing discount promotions and a revamped TGM will open in the Terminal 2 transit area in June.
PPG also operates the Plaza Premium Lounge (PPL) in T1’s departure area, with booking blocks of three, five and 10 hours available and are priced at S$55 (US$40), S$97 and S$195 respectively.
Returning for the eighth year this August, a refreshed speaker line-up from leading regional and international brands will offer insights on travel technology
Returning for the eighth year this August, a refreshed speaker line-up from leading regional and international brands will offer insights on travel technology
The travel industry is rapidly changing with digital technology playing a critical role in shaping its future.
For the travel trade community looking to understand the latest digital trends and innovations, they can attend the upcoming Digital Travel APAC 2023 to network with like-minded senior travel executives and gain valuable insights from accomplished travel leaders.
Returning for the eighth year this August, a refreshed speaker line-up from leading regional and international brands will offer insights on key topics focused on revenue growth and expansion of products and services to provide next-generation travel experiences that can meet evolving customer expectations.
The networking conference for digital leaders from Asia’s top airlines, hotels and OTAs will take place from August 15 to 16, 2023 at the Equarius Hotel Sentosa in Singapore.
Bringing together over 300 travel industry professionals, it will also provide a valuable platform for attendees to connect, learn, and grow their businesses.
Organised by WBR Singapore, an extension of Worldwide Business Research (WBR), an events service focused on running industry-leading conferences and summits worldwide, the meticulously-curated two-day agenda was built on more than 80 research interviews to ensure challenges and opportunities in the travel industry are well addressed.
As a vote of confidence for Digital Travel APAC 2023, leading travel brands from the region such as Singapore Airlines, Tourism Malaysia, Trip.com, BWH Hotel Group, have been participating in past editions.
To plan ahead in order to maximise the conference experience, keen attendees can refer to the Digital Travel APAC Event Brochure for details on the agenda, speaker faculty and networking sessions.
Event highlights
Learn actionable strategies to increase profits from travel leaders and engage in high level peer-to-peer learning.
Participate in an interactive format offering valuable face time with peers to solve common challenges.
Benefit from over 30 hours of discussion groups, industry-specific panel sessions, case study workshops, technology roundtables, as well as networking activities.
Ready to find out more about Digital Travel APAC 2023? Download the event brochure here.
Readers of TTG Asia are entitled to a 20 per cent discount to attend Digital Travel APAC 2023. Simply quote ‘TTG20’ upon checkout here.
*only applicable to non-solution providers/companies
Here’s wishing all our Buddhist readers a happy Vesak Day!
Muslim travellers looking to visit Muslim heritage sites and hidden gems as well as experience the culture and lifestyle of local Muslims are seeing renewed interest post-lockdown.
This observation was shared by panellists speaking in a forum titled, The Future of Muslim Travel: Are Destinations Engaging Enough on the second day of the Halal in Travel Global Summit.
Riyanto Sofyan, chairman, Sofyan Corporation in Indonesia, shared that community-based tourism products in Indonesia, such as homestays, have become increasingly popular with longhaul Muslim travellers, particularly those from the US and the UK, who wish to experience the Islamic way of life in Indonesian villages.
He noted that social media and digital marketing have helped to convey such experiences to longhaul markets. Previously, these experiences were traditionally more popular among Muslim travellers from Singapore and Malaysia.
Lee Jian Xuan, area director, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei at Singapore Tourism Board, said Muslim travellers from Malaysia and Brunei are keen to learn about Malay history and heritage in Singapore, which is easily accessible by visiting Kampong Glam and the Malay Heritage Centre, as well as the Peranakan Museum on Armenian Street.
Abdul Maalik Tailor, CEO of Halal Tourism Britain, which specialises in halal travel and Muslim heritage of Britain, shared that Muslim visitors to the UK show interest in learning more about Muslim culture and visiting Muslim heritage sites outside of London. He added that some Muslim visitors would combine visiting the UK and France into one trip, with the focus on trips to Muslim heritage sites.
Despite the renewed interest, the panellists agree that the basics of Muslim travel, such as prayer facilities and the ease of access to halal and Muslim-friendly food, are still paramount in attracting the Muslim traveller.