Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS) has appointed Steven Chua as its chief executive officer.
Chua has amassed 30 years of experience and expertise in the hospitality and tourism industry. His forte in grooming and developing talents for the industry was evident during his time at Temasek Polytechnic and SHATEC.
In his tenure at Sentosa Development Corporation, he led in the development of Tourism Academy @ Sentosa to upgrade visitor experience on the resort. He was previously president & CEO of SHATEC, and established SHATEC Institutes Macau.
Starting from February 13, travellers will no longer need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival in Singapore. Those not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will also not be required to show proof of a negative pre-departure test.
This follows the city-state’s announcement on lifting all remaining border measures that were put in place during the pandemic.
Singapore will lift all Covid-19 border measures for incoming travellers from February 13
In addition, the Ministry of Health (MOH) stated on February 9 that short-term visitors who are not fully vaccinated will no longer need to buy travel insurance that covers Covid-19 medical treatment here.
However, MOH said that these restrictions may be reactivated if new severe variants appear, or if there are signs of strain in Singapore’s healthcare capacity.
Currently, travellers may enter Singapore without testing or quarantine, with those aged 13 and above showing proof of having received the minimum dosage of Covid-19 vaccines at least two weeks before arrival in the country. Those who do not meet these requirements will have to undergo pre-departure testing before they can enter Singapore.
The authorities will continue to screen travellers for other infectious diseases of concern, such as yellow fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome and Ebola.
All travellers entering Singapore via air or sea, and short-term visitors entering via land checkpoints, will be required to submit a health declaration using the SG Arrival Card platform, which will remain a permanent feature.
With international tourism on the rebound, Amadeus has identified four new traveller profiles – named Traveler Tribes – that are likely to emerge and develop in the next 10 years.
Amadeus’ global research study Travel Tribes 2033 derived these profiles by taking a psychographic approach and examining the future forces of change transforming travel, alongside emerging traveller traits, behaviours and preferences, to understand what travellers will want in the future.
Amadeus profiles future traveller segments by looking at the forces forging them
These four Traveler Tribes are:
Excited experientialists
This group has a ‘try it and see’ approach to life and travel. 44 per cent are without children and have a mid- to high-income job with flexible working options, which enables them to readily explore the world. They have a you-only-live-once (YOLO) approach and are more likely to act on instinct, making them 2033s ‘anti-planners’, favouring less predictable and more exciting accommodation experiences. They are also open to technology that helps them ‘speed up’ certain aspects of their journey, with many expecting to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the airport environment.
Memory makers
This group takes a more simplified approach to travel – to make memories and visit places. 44 per cent are aged 42 and above, and are habitual in their travel behaviours. The future can be a daunting prospect for them. They put people first and place less value on technology and sustainability, reassured by existing methods. However, despite their scepticism about technology, they are excited about virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) preview tours with the majority expected to use VR tours before purchasing a trip.
Travel tech-fluencers
This group includes today’s young business travellers with a forward-looking perspective on life. 48% of the group are under the age of 32 and their perspective is symbolised by how much technology they own. However, there is a discord when it comes to what excites and concerns them around the future of technology and travel. While many aim to travel sustainably, it seems they are more conscious about sustainability options around their method of travel, rather than where they will be staying.
Pioneering pathfinders
Individuals in this group live a fast-paced life, always looking for their next adventure. Their life is in full swing with 82 per cent between the ages of 23 and 41. They like to plan but are not afraid of risk and are open to new experiences. This group is more willing than others to let sustainability influence their decisions. They will also be very comfortable using all forms of alternative payment methods in 2033, whether via cryptocurrency or within a VR environment.
While these classifications provide a general overview, it is nearly impossible to pigeon-hole a traveller into one tribe, as there will always be a spectrum which a traveller would tend to fall into at any point in time.
Frédéric Barou, senior vice president, customer success management, explained during the media briefing: “Unlike other industries, our consumers are very unique. Travellers have multiple personalities when they travel, depending on whether they travel with family, on their own, and even on a business trip. Every time, the needs, expectation, and level of friction is very different. This same consumer will evolve and change throughout the journey and their lifetime.”
He added that there is also a “massive emotional side” of travel, where decisions to travel are also made based on feelings, with influence drawn from peer-to-peer reviews of a destination, and through social media.
In total, 10,345 travellers from 15 countries – Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, and the US – were surveyed. These travellers have travelled internationally once in the last year, and are likely to travel internationally over the next three years. In-depth interviews with 22 experts both from the travel industry and outside the industry were also conducted.
Karun Budhraja, senior vice president, marketing – Asia Pacific, said: “Many Asia-Pacific countries were included because this is a growth region, a superpower economy. (But Covid slowed things down), as we were the first in and last out (of the pandemic).”
When asked what will most likely shape the travel industry in the immediate future, Barou pointed to the increasing usage of biometrics to reduce friction, simplification of payments, and AI being present in the basic search activity and future trip planning.
This is the third in Amadeus’ Traveler Tribes research initiative. The first and second reports were launched in 2007 and 2015 respectively.
On the need for such a study, Budhraja commented: “Today’s traveller is moving from one place to another very quickly. For providers like airlines, travel agencies, or hoteliers, understanding their travellers is extremely important.”
Singapore-based co-living company Hmlet has made its foray in the short-term stay market, having opened its first hotel, the Owen House, on February 1.
Located steps from the Farrer Park MRT and a stone’s throw from Little India, the 106-key Owen House features nine room categories, where select rooms boast kitchenettes. Conceptualised as a reflection of New World Amusement Park – a popular nightlife spot in the 1930s – rooms start from the 18m² Deluxe Queens and go up to the 52m² Two-Bedroom Deluxe and Suite.
Makarachvili: catering to the new generation of travellers and renters who are seeking authentic connections and interactions
Facilities on-site include a boardroom good for up to eight people, two communal lounges – The Pembroke and The Plaza – on levels four and six, as well as Sunlight and Moonshine, a lobby-cum-speakeasy bar. There is also a current empty space good for a café or restaurant, but talks are still ongoing with potential partners.
Giselle Makarachvili, CEO of Hmlet, told TTG Asia that opening Owen House was a “natural progression” for the co-living brand, given its “track record” in already running short-term stay accommodations.
“We do not see a separation between the hotel business and co-living. Owen House happens to be a hotel that provides the co-living experience and programming. There is a room type that fits every guest depending on their needs, length of stay and purpose of travel – from transient tourists staying a night to individuals relocating to Singapore,” she opined.
When asked about whether the communal living trend might ever wane, Makarachvili stated the communal living experience has “never been more relevant” in a post-lockdown world.
She shared: “We all realise that the human connection is something that cannot be migrated fully online. This will be continued to be expressed in various types of accommodation real estate, be it residential, serviced apartments or hotels, essentially catering to the new generation of travellers and renters who are seeking authentic connections and interactions, instead of just a room to sleep in.”
As such, her future plans for Hmlet include expansion across different markets in Asia-Pacific across all of its product lines.
Hmlet currently operates three product lines – one for short-term accommodation, Hmlet Boutique; and two for residential living, Hmlet Homes and Hmlet Nest. Both Owen House by Hmlet and Hmlet Cantonment are part of Hmlet’s Boutique Collection even though they have a slightly different product offering.
Makarachvili added: “Our focus will be on gateway cities where rising home prices and income stagnation makes rental housing the only viable option. In such cities, we will also expand our boutique product line as it gives a larger flexibility to travellers across different target audiences.”
Conrad Hotels and Resorts is expanding its portfolio in China with the signing of three new properties in the country’s major cities – Xi’an, Chengdu and Nanjing.
This follows the opening of Asia’s largest Conrad hotel in Shanghai last year, and the upcoming openings of Conrad Shenzhen and Conrad Chongqing this year.
Conrad Xi’an is scheduled to open in 2025 (Photo: Hilton)
Slated to open in 2025, Conrad Xi’an will be located in a 230m-tall skyscraper in the city’s dynamic high-tech zone, steps away from underground rail stations and other transportation facilities. It will include a fitness centre and F&B offerings.
Conrad Chengdu will be located in the heart of the commercial district, overlooking the Jinjiang river. When open in 2025, the hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, rooftop bar and more.
Scheduled to open in 2027, Conrad Nanjing will be housed on the upper floors of a 300m-tall tower in the central business district along the Yangtze river. It will boast expansive suites with private sky terraces, a spa and fitness centre, and a glass-bottomed pool.
“By bringing the brand to the major metropolises of Xi’an, Chengdu and Nanjing, we are focused on our strategy to align our expansion with regional developments in China, to contribute to these destinations, and deliver benefits to our owners and guests alike,” said Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development, Asia-Pacific, Hilton.
Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president, Luxury, Asia-Pacific, Hilton, added that the signing of the three Conrad hotels signals the brand’s optimism for “the future of luxury hospitality in China”.
Luxury travel company &Beyond will launch its first lodge in Asia, with &Beyond Punakha River Lodge scheduled to open in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan in September this year.
Situated on the banks of the Mo Chu River in the Punakha Valley, the lodge will feature six tented suites, a two-bedroom villa with a private pool, and a one-bedroom villa with a plunge pool/hot tub, depending on the season.
&Beyond Punakha River Lodge will open in September 2023
Like all &Beyond’s properties, the lodge draws inspiration from its natural surroundings and combines traditional Bhutanese style with a unique twist, and boasts uninterrupted views of the Himalayas.
Its location offers easy access to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a site that is popular with visitors to Punakha. Other attractions in the area include the Punakha Dzong, and the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.
Punakha River Lodge will also feature an extensive organic vegetable garden and guests will have the opportunity to visit a community farming project nearby as well.
Mark Wheeler, &Beyond managing director Asia, South America & Business Development, said: “Our intention is to build onto our almost two decades of touring expertise in Asia to create a lodge footprint that will help us to continue to grow our conservation-led business model on three continents.
“We plan to look outwards for inspiration, integrating the unique nature of the destination into our service ethos, thus creating a platform for guests to immerse themselves in this exceptional location and allowing the destination to shine.”
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Vietnam Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding – during the Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum on February 9 to strengthen the commercial collaboration between the two airlines.
With a long-standing partnership for over 20 years, both carriers will initially explore opportunities for codeshare arrangements to facilitate better connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore, which could potentially be expanded to other destinations that SIA serves.
From left: Vietnam Airlines’ Le Hong Ha and Singapore Airlines’ Goh Choon Phong at the MoU signing in Singapore (Photo: Singapore Airlines)
They will also explore other areas of commercial cooperation that could offer more value and options to customers.
Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines, commented that both airlines have “well-established networks” that can “strengthen the connectivity between the two countries and to key markets around the world”.
The arrangement will help “support economic growth, and bolster initiatives that facilitate tourism activities”, he added.
Vietnam Airlines’ CEO Le Hong Ha said: “Over many years, Singapore remains one of the most important markets for Vietnam Airlines. We hope to leverage our joint capabilities throughout many commercial fields of our business and therefore provide seamless experience to our valued customers.”
Get ready to set sights on untamed wilderness, majestic glaciers, close-up wildlife and Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, Glacier Bay National Park, and more as Princess Cruises heads to Alaska for the summer of 2024.
The 2024 season marks the 55th anniversary for Princess Cruises sailing in Alaska and seven ships are scheduled to depart from four home ports – San Francisco and Seattle in the US, Vancouver in Canada, and Anchorage (Whittier) in Alaska.
Princess Cruises will head to Alaska for the summer of 2024
With 158 departures on 14 itineraries with 17 destinations, including five glacier viewing experiences on seven ships, the season features 86 visits to Glacier Bay National Park. Land tour options are also available, which includes stays at exclusive Princess Wilderness Lodges.
Royal Princess, Sapphire Princess and Grand Princess will sail the Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary comprising two glacier-viewing experiences on each cruise, while Discovery Princess and Majestic Princess feature seven-day Inside Passage cruises and include More Ashore late-night stays in Juneau.
Crown Princess departs from San Francisco on an 11-day Inside Passage cruise and Ruby Princess sails from Vancouver on seven-day Inside Passage cruises.
Accor has announced changes to its senior operations leadership team to bring increased expertise and focus to Accor’s operations across Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia and Fiji.
Scott Boyes has been appointed senior vice president hotel operations, Pacific North. Having worked in Accor operations for 28 years, he will be responsible for hotels under management agreements in the newly designated Pacific North region, which will include New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Northern Territory.
From left: Scott Boyes, Adrian Williams, Danesh Bamji, and Marcus Hanna
Adrian Williams has been named senior vice president hotel operations, Pacific South, and will be responsible for Accor’s Premium, Midscale and Economy hotels in the newly designated Pacific South region. He has over 30 years of hotel operations and senior leadership experience.
Danesh Bamji is the new vice president franchise, Pacific. He will leverage Accor’s brand, marketing, sales, customer engagement, digital and loyalty strategies as well as the delivery of Accor’s systems, tools and resources.
Marcus Hanna has been appointed vice president operations Pacific, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblem. He has over 18 years of experience with Accor, and his most recent role was as managing director for Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford.
The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), the private sector consultative body assisting the government in developing and implementation of tourism policies, has elected Bob Zozobrado as its president.
He was previously chairman of PATA Philippines Chapter.
From left: Marilou Ampuan, James Montenegro, Bob Zozobrado, Margie Munsayac, and Rolando Canizal
Other elected officers for the two-year TCP term 2023-2024 include executive vice president James Montenegro; vice president for Luzon, Rolando Canizal; vice president for Visayas, Peter Tay; vice president for Mindanao, Marilou Ampuan; treasurer Margie Munsayac; among others.
In his tenure at Sentosa Development Corporation, he led in the development of Tourism Academy @ Sentosa to upgrade visitor experience on the resort. He was previously president & CEO of SHATEC, and established SHATEC Institutes Macau.
