Walking tours are one of the best ways to explore a country in a new light. Walk Japan features fully-guided trails for travellers who enjoy strolling through streets, forest trails and foot paths to discover lesser-known parts of Japan.
The seven-day, six-night Tokaido Trail starts in Tokyo and finishes in Yuya Onsen. The tour follows the most interesting and enjoyable parts of the ancient highway at an easy walking pace at distances of between 10km and 14km each day. Trek through towns and along paths seemingly forgotten since the days when it was the major transport artery through Japan, chance upon relics and gain insights into travel and daily life in old Japan.
Gain insights into travel and daily life in old Japan with Walk Japan’s Tokaido Trail walking tour
With a maximum group size of eight, accommodation will be provided at Japanese inns and hotels, along with luggage transfers, entrance fees, and transport for some days of the tour. Daily breakfast and dinner are included, as well as three lunches.
The next available tour is from November 22 to 28, and is priced at 384,000 yen (US$2,910) per pax.
John Parker has been appointed general manager of Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club.
He has 15 years of hospitality experience and was recently at Mari Beach Club in Bali where he served as pre-opening general manager.
Parker will focus on positioning Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club as Koh Samui’s leading lifestyle resort, as well as elevating SEEN Beach Club Samui’s visibility, both regionally and internationally.
Alexis Rodriguez has been appointed general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place.
Rodriguez brings with him 18 years of experience in luxury hotels, and in his new role, he will lead his team to ensure the embodiment of The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards.
Previously the general manager of JW Marriott Zhengzhou, he is also able to communicate in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Galician, among others.
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has reinstated its physical travel trade engagements in India after a gap of three years from the onset of the pandemic.
The tourism board organised its two-city roadshow covering New Delhi and Mumbai last week, offering destination updates to Indian travel agents. HKTB also participated at South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) between February 9 and 11 in Greater Noida in which 18 suppliers from Hong Kong were present.
Kumar: we don’t see demand softening from the Indian market
“We have shared insights into various tourism-centric developments that took place in Hong Kong in the last three years through our physical trade engagements in India. Travel agents and MICE planners were also educated about the new experiences and other tourism opportunities for them to sell in Hong Kong,” Puneet Kumar, director, South Asia & Middle East, HKTB told TTG Asia during the New Delhi leg of the roadshow.
While the two-city roadshow was focused on the MICE market, the NTO’s participation at SATTE was aimed at a larger trade outreach. HKTB has also planned a mega fam trip for Indian travel agents that will be organised in the first half of the year.
Hong Kong has an exciting line-up of new tourism products like 11 Skies pegged as its largest hub for retail, dining and entertainment and SkyTrack – positioned as the worlds’ largest indoor and outdoor go-karting track.
Kumar shared: “Our focus will be on promoting art and culture, culinary tourism, wellness and the great outdoors of Hong Kong in the Indian market besides new experiences. (For) outdoors, we will be promoting hiking, water sports activities, island hopping and nature-based sightseeing. Not many people know that 70 per cent of Hong Kong’s land mass is green. We are blessed with natural landscapes and scenery that would attract Indians to explore the green side of Hong Kong.”
The Hong Kong SAR Government had previously announced the lifting of all mandatory PCR test requirements for inbound travellers upon arrival in Hong Kong, as well as the lifting of Vaccine Pass, which had allowed access to specified premises, and other measures.
At present, Cathay Pacific is operating 30 per cent of its pre-pandemic capacity in the Indian market with its seven flights from New Delhi, six flights from Mumbai and three flights from Bengaluru. The carrier is expected to operate 75 per cent of its air capacity in the Indian market by the end of this year.
“We don’t see demand softening from the Indian market, hence, air connectivity is important. Indian carriers, Vistara and IndiGo, are expected to soon resume flights to Hong Kong. This will provide a major boost to our growth plans in the Indian market,” said Kumar.
Tourism stakeholders in Japan are bullish on doing business in the Philippines as Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr, during his official visit to Japan, assured them of the Philippine government’s continued support for the sector.
He reiterated that tourism is vital for economic resurgence, saying the Department of Tourism (DoT) “will exhaust all our efforts to revive this extremely important industry”, and also urged airline partners present to restore their pre-pandemic routes and explore new routes to link both countries.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr (centre) during his official visit to Japan where he met with tourism stakeholders
The meeting also aimed to promote the viability and openness of the Philippines for tourism investments.
Sharing plans and programmes on the country’s developments during the meeting, tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted that Japan has “an interest in certain tourism product offerings including diving, health and wellness, and learning English as a second language”.
Hiroyuki Takahashi, chairperson of Japan Association of Travel Agents, said that with the potential resumption of tourism international exchange, the Philippines’ many tourism offerings had the potential to attract a large number of Japanese visitors.
“The Philippines (has) a mild climate all year, making it a popular destination for younger people to relax at beach resorts like Cebu and Boracay Island, and for retirees, an extended period of (vacation) time,” said Takahashi, adding that with the many Japanese companies establishing operations in the region would mean further growth as a business travel destination.
Hasebe Kento from Japan Philippine Tourism Council noted that despite the hiatus brought about by the pandemic, the organisation is eager to jumpstart its activities starting this year.
“We hope that we can share the many attractions of the Philippines to a lot of people,” he enthused.
Agoda has expanded its partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to support three additional WWF projects as a continuation of its Eco Deals campaign which launched in 2022.
Following last year’s donation drive in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, Agoda’s support this year will extend to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and India.
Agoda and WWF have identified important habitats for endangered wildlife, such as the elephants at Kuiburi National Park in Thailand
Agoda has donated US$150,000 to raise awareness about responsible tourism, enabling the restoration of marine habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves in South-east Asia, and protecting wildlife affected by floods in Australia.
For 2023’s campaign, Agoda and WWF have identified important habitats for internationally endangered wildlife including Kuiburi National Park in Thailand, YokDon National Park, the second biggest national park in Vietnam and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Starting from March 2, for every Eco Deals booking made at participating properties, Agoda will donate a dollar to WWF’s marine, forest and wildlife conservation programmes in popular tourist destinations, with a minimum commitment of US$160,000 and a donation target of US$250,000. The campaign will run till September 2.
The eight markets participating in the Eco Deals campaign include Singapore, to stop illegal wildlife trade trafficking; strengthening tiger conservation in Malaysia; supporting rangers in the Philippines’ Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park; restore degraded rainforest Thirty Hills in Indonesia; elephant conservation in Thailand; protecting wildlife and habitat in India; protecting elephants from poaching in Vietnam; and supporting rangers in the Eastern Plains Landscape in Cambodia.
Enric Casals, regional vice president of South-east Asia and Oceania, Agoda, said: “We believe that many of today’s travellers share the same desire to protect the world around us, and our expanded Eco Deals programme gives our customers the chance to travel to their favourite destinations with the knowledge that they are also supporting the preservation of local wildlife and environments.”
R. Raghunathan, CEO, WWF-Singapore added: “We are grateful for their support of the several conservation programmes that we will undertake to protect the rich biodiversity in Asia.
“This partnership will enable us to expand our efforts to restore and protect critical habitats, including employing more rangers and setting up camera traps to monitor wildlife populations.”
An affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation has signed a management agreement with Tokyu Land Corporation for Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, slated to open by mid-2024.
Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya will mark the entry of the Hyatt House brand in Tokyo, and will be the second Hyatt House-branded property in Japan.
Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya is scheduled to open by mid-2024
The 126-room hotel will be situated in the Sakuragaoka area, just southwest of the Shibuya station and steps away from the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
Each of the hotel’s guestrooms will offer home-like amenities including a kitchen, washer and dryer, and living room. Facilities include a rooftop garden, indoor swimming pool, lounge, bar, restaurant, fitness room, and communal spaces.
Sam Sakamura, vice president Japan and Micronesia, Hyatt, said: “”Shibuya is known around the world as one of the dynamic facets of Tokyo, and Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya will play a vital role in the major redevelopment around Shibuya Station.”
“Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya will allow international travellers and locals alike to enjoy unique and iconic Shibuya experiences,” added Tatsuaki Tanaka, director & managing officer, Tokyu Land Corporation.
When it comes to luxury living, branded residences take this experience to the next level. Sometimes known as a “hotel and home-in-one”, these are essentially apartment projects associated with well-known brands and are typically targeted at high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).
Such a concept is believed to have originated in the US in the 1920s, with the branded residence environment historically being dominated by luxury hotel brands from the likes of Marriott International, Four Seasons and Accor. In Asia, the first branded residence project dates back to 1988 with the development of Amanpuri in Phuket, an iconic resort in South-east Asia.
However, the branded residences environment is changing – not only is the Asia-Pacific market for such concepts growing, but we are also seeing more luxury consumer brands jumping on the bandwagon.
A bigger slice of the residential pie for luxury consumer brands
Between 2013 and 2019, the global population of HNWIs increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 per cent, while the period between 2019 and 2021 witnessed a 7.1 per cent increase across regions. As the number and wealth of HNWIs continue to increase, consumer brands are also looking to capitalise on this growing market worldwide.
For luxury consumer brands, expanding into the residential market is a natural path for a brand to expand and diversify its income stream. Today, luxury branded apartments are no longer just about their location or design – it is the services they offer within these exclusive developments that can make all the difference. Naturally, this offers luxury consumer brands the perfect opportunity to attach an experience to their products and differentiate their design and service experiences from other hospitality brands.
Fashion brands such as Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as car manufacturers Porsche Design and Aston Martin, have already joined the mix. While such consumer branded residences have yet to debut in Asia-Pacific, they’ve since popped up in places like Dubai with the Armani Hotels & Residences and Miami’s Porsche Design Tower.
As more luxury consumer brands join hotel brands in entering the branded residences space, we are also seeing a growing trend towards standalone branded residences – in other words, residences without a hotel located within the same building or nearby. The benefit of this is that brands can collaborate with new partners and real estate developers or investors beyond those within the hospitality sector, allowing for greater product differentiation.
The opportunities for investors and developers
Even in the face of Covid-19, the branded residences sector has remained resilient, especially as the population of HNWIs continues to grow despite the pandemic. In Asia-Pacific alone, the number of HNWIs increased 4.2 per cent from 2020 to 2021, while wealth in the region grew by 5.4 per cent. This suggests strong purchasing power and potential demand for such residential concepts in Asia-Pacific.
The benefits are clear – with branded residences offering association with high profile hotels or luxury consumer brands, as well as enhanced premium services, it allows investors and developers to benefit from solid price premiums compared to unbranded, high-quality residential projects.
Additionally, residential developers and investors can also look for a brand association to further differentiate their product from the competition and increase sales velocity in markets where the supply of quality condominiums can be considered saturated. While residential developers are feeling the pressure of higher interest rates on buyers, many branded residential buyers are cash rich and are less impacted by fluctuation in rates.
Recent activity suggests that the branded residence story in Asia will continue to gain momentum as demand swells. In 2022, the Banyan Tree Grand Residences Phuket came onto the market. This year, the depth of the sector will be bolstered by the opening of Aman Niseko in Japan and in the Vietnam, the Intercontinental Residences Halong Bay and the Ritz-Carlton Residences Hanoi at The Grand.
The shift towards more flexible working arrangements post-lockdown has further supported the proliferation of branded residences in leisure-focused markets – a trend that we expect will continue long after the pandemic ends.
As interest rates and construction costs continue to rise significantly due to global economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic and geo-political tensions, branded residences have driven attractive returns for developers’ and investors’ mixed-use developments due to the premium and upfront sales proceeds from branded residential units.
Looking ahead, we expect branded residences to become an increasingly integral business model globally – especially as more consumer brands come on board and developers and investors lean towards standalone developments due to the financial benefits for all relevant stakeholders.
Take a leisurely day cruise on Halong Bay with Ambassador Cruise, onboard its new vessel featuring restaurants and bars, an outdoor jacuzzi and a glass bridge.
Catering up to 500 passengers, the day-long Ambassador Day Cruise II’s itinerary includes check in at Ambassador’s Check-In Lounge in Halong City at 9.45, before heading out to explore Sung Sot Cave. A buffet lunch is served while the vessel’s route plys a passage by Ho Dong Tien Cave, Trong Cave, Me Cung Cave and Cua Van Floating Village, and anchors off Titov Island. Before heading back to Halong International Cruise Port at 16.30, guests can enjoy an afternoon tea on the vessel’s sundeck.
The day-long Ambassador Day Cruise II includes a buffet lunch and afternoon tea
The ship features spacious sundecks across two floors and boasts 360-degree vistas of Halong Bay and its myriad limestone karsts. Onboard are two restaurants, two bars, an entertainment area for live music, and a large open-air jacuzzi, plus the five-metre glass bridge jutting from the vessel’s bow is a great place for photographs.
In addition, Ambassador Cruise is the only Halong Bay cruise line to include an elevator system for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Priced from US$112 per person, it comprises the day cruise itinerary and programme, round-trip shuttle bus transfer from and to Hanoi, a buffet lunch, onboard insurance, tax and service charges, sightseeing fees and afternoon tea on the sundeck.
Wellness tourism, particularly based on local heritage and tradition, has been one of a major draws for travellers to Bali. Now, this segment is being expanded to include medical and sports specialisation.
Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia minister of tourism and creative economy said: “Indonesia Health Tourism is one of the national focus, developed jointly between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) and the Ministry of Health. This includes medical tourism, wellness tourism, sports (events) tourism and health-science based business events. Bali is one of the destinations with the potential to develop these four elements.”
Como Shambhala Estate takes a holistic approach to wellness
Besides Bali, the government has appointed Greater Jakarta and Medan for health-based tourism development. This will potentially generate a business value of US$11 billion and 2.3 million jobs.
Apart from improving Bali’s existing health facilities, including incorporating traditional healing services, the government has carved out a 40-hectare Health-related Special Economic Zone in Sanur.
Sandiaga said: “A number of health facilities will be built there, including a hospital that will partner with well-known international institutions such as the Bio Clinics of John Hopkins University.
“With this, we hope that not only (will) Indonesians (who favour health and wellness treatments overseas) get prime health services here, but international travellers can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy quality health-related services here too,” he said.
The Indonesia Health Tourism programme has been introduced to delegates of the B20 Indonesia Summit 2022 in November 2022, while the International Wellness Tourism Conference & Festival (IWTCF) was held in Solo, Central Java as a side event of the G20 Summit.
Sandiaga said these events pioneered Indonesia’s integrated wellness tourism sector, and MoTCE would organise the second IWTCF in 2023 in Bali.
In the meantime, new wellness resorts are opening in Bali while premium hotels are expanding their programmes.
Como Shambhala Estate, for example, recently launched the Integrated Wellness Programme, which is personalised for the guest with expert consultation, nutritional guidance, daily wellness treatments and access to all group wellness activities.
The Estate’s wellness manager and Ayurvedic consultant, Prasanth Vayanakathu said: “Our Integrated Wellness Programme is designed to address varying health conditions, goals and preferences, and we get increasing number of health seekers under this programme. We are also actively planning to incorporate new wellness strategies into this.”
Como Shambhala Estate is no stranger to guest wellness. It was launched as a well-being destination in 2005, long before wellness tourism become a trend. Its holistic approach to health is renowned.
The Asa Maia offers both local treatments as well as unique wellness experiences
Prasanth said: “Our wellness philosophy aims to assist our guests to have a transformational impact on their well-being by imparting a step-by-step actionable plan during their stay with us and beyond. This allows them to create their own wellness paths and we hand them the tools to suit their health conditions and goals.”
Over the years, the estate has witnessed a growing awareness of sustainable wellness – something that the team constantly incorporates into its practices.
Wellness-focused travellers to Bali can discover new experiences at The Asa Maia wellness retreat, which opened in November 2021 in Uluwatu, and Gdas Bali, which soft-opened in Ubud in October 2022. The latter aims to be fully operational in January 2023.
The Asa Maia is a 10-suite barefoot luxury wellness retreat that promises unique holistic wellness treatments. The property also highlights local arts and culture, such as through its villas that are old wooden Javanese houses called gladak. The spa also offers an array of Indonesian treatments as well as unique experiences through its infrared Himalayan salt sauna and specially-designed hot and cold plunge pools, whose contrast therapy can help quicken muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and improve immune function.
Guests can sign up for SOMA breathwork coaching to clear negative imprints and liberate themselves from their past, releasing trauma and increasing fitness capabilities. The programme can be customised.
Axel Jehangir, general manager of The Asa Maia, said: “Breathwork is for everybody, from bankers to corporate workers; you do not need to be a barefoot walker to do this.”
The wellness retreat was founded by Martha Booke, who had health issues and was inspired to create a space where people could heal and implement live-changing transformation that they could take back home, according to Jehangir.
Over at Gdas Bali, said to be the first health and wellness resort in Ubud that is equipped with modern facilities such as Cryotherapy, LiveO2, colonic hydrotherapy, salt therapy and IV drip treatment, guests can also heal their bodies through traditional rituals.
Rini Sekarani, sales and marketing manager, Gdas Bali said a herb garden is in development to house some 200 species that will be used for healing purposes.
Gdas Bali creates programmes according to individual needs, offering options such as plant-based diet, healthy drinks and spa treatments. Guests can also pick ready-made packages centred on sleep management and emotional healing.
A highlight at this 27-room retreat is hot yoga, conducted in a dedicated space heated with infrared technology to maximise detoxification. The UV-C lights also help to keep the space sterile and safe for guests.
The owner and director, Gary Foster, is an avid yogi who birthed Gdas Bali for his yoga community.
Parker will focus on positioning Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club as Koh Samui’s leading lifestyle resort, as well as elevating SEEN Beach Club Samui’s visibility, both regionally and internationally.
Previously the general manager of JW Marriott Zhengzhou, he is also able to communicate in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Galician, among others.
When it comes to luxury living, branded residences take this experience to the next level. Sometimes known as a “hotel and home-in-one”, these are essentially apartment projects associated with well-known brands and are typically targeted at high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).
