IHG sees strong growth for voco
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) is seeing an upward momentum in growth for its emerging brand, voco hotels, with 10 new openings in 2022 and another 34 in the pipeline.
The brand now has a global total of 41 hotels, the most recent addition being the signing of a management agreement with Atharva Hotel Superfluities India for voco Gurugram Golf Course Extension Road – the second voco hotel in India.
voco Gurugram Golf Course Extension Road hotel offers 204 keys along with an all-day-dining restaurant, lobby lounge, bar, pool, gym and event venues. It is a few minutes’ drive from corporate and recreational hub Cyber City, and stands in close proximity to the city’s established IT Special Economic Zones.
Commenting on this signing, Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG, said it is “testimony to IHG’s commitment to grow footprint in India and introduce global brands with strong synergies for guests in the right locations”.
TAT, AirAsia launch campaign to spur travel to Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai AirAsia have initiated a new campaign, Menu of New Experiences… Unforgettable Secondary Cities, that seeks to draw travellers deeper into the country through the lure of experiences and cuisine.
Running from January 23 to March 31, 2023, the campaign will spotlight secondary tourist cities, particularly those that the airline serves – Chiang Rai, Nan, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Ranong, Chumphon, Narathiwat, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Roi Et, Nakhon Panom, Sakon Nakhon, Buriram and Loei.
The campaign is expected to stimulate tourism and disperse revenue to secondary cities.
Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of AirAsia Thailand, said the airline offers the most expansive domestic network in the country, including direct flights to secondary cities.
After visiting secondary cities, travellers can continue onwards to surrounding provinces for an even more diverse experience. Attractive combinations include Nakhon Panom-Sakon Nakhon and Chumphon-Ranong, where travellers can arrive in one and depart from the other. Day excursions could be had in Chiang Rai-Phayao, Udon Thani-Bueng Kan, Roi Et-Yasothon and Trang-Phatthalung.
“We want everyone to have new experiences in secondary cities, which may not be as well-known but are definitely unique and worth discovering. Each is waiting to welcome visitors looking for a different journey, added Santisuk.
Hotel industry overlooked by Malaysia ministry’s work to ease foreign worker hire
Hotel associations in Malaysia are disappointed that the hotel industry has been excluded as a critical sector for employment of foreign workers in the Human Resources Ministry’s plans to ease foreign worker recruitment processes.
The ministry is planning to make it easier and faster for companies in five critical sectors and sub-sectors – manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture and services (restaurants only) – to hire foreign workers. Employers in these approved industries will be able to submit applications for hiring foreign workers through the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) platform under the FWe Approval Module.
A joint press statement by the three hotel associations in Malaysia, namely Malaysian Association of Hotels, Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners and Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association, pointed out that prior to the pandemic, the hotel sector had always been consistently ranked as the top three tourism receipt contributors every year and is among the top five for total employment in the larger tourism industry.
Representatives said: “Our sector was one of the worst hit during the pandemic, as businesses were unable to operate due to the declined patronage and strict pandemic standard operating procedures of the time; displacing many employees from the hospitality industry which then were snapped up by other industries.
“The hotel sector has found it difficult to replenish our workforce as hotel jobs are perceived as 3D – dirty, dangerous and difficult work – which has long been considered unappealing by locals.
“We also have a problem recruiting new talents as the younger generation… prefers gig economy jobs and tend not to prefer working long hours despite overtime pay.
“Previously-employed hotel staff that were displaced due to the pandemic also are not keen on rejoining, as they have built their careers in other sectors during the lapsed period.
“Locals do not tend to stay long on hotel jobs and their high turnover rate adversely affect hotel operations, as it means we cannot maintain a consistent standard of service for our patrons.”
Representatives stressed that without adequate manpower, the hospitality industry will not be able to provide adequate services to patrons and that will lead to declining standards and ultimately, undermine the government’s efforts to make Malaysia the destination of choice for tourism.
When contacted, Shaharuddin M Saaid, executive director, Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners, said the associations would write officially to the Human Resources Ministry for a meeting so they can plead their case that the hospitality industry should be included as a critical sector and be allowed to hire foreign workers.
Van Gogh’s work comes alive at Resorts World Sentosa
Kicking off on March 1 at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore is the award-winning 360-degree digital immersive art experience, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.
It is the show’s debut in South-east Asia.
The show is housed within various individualistic galleries, and invites visitors to step into more than 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings, and paintings conveyed through the use of floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall large scale digital projections.
One of the core highlights of this exhibition is an expansive central projection area where visitors can sit and absorb the wonders of Van Gogh’s masterpieces.
The Singapore edition features two unique segments: a showcase of the traditional Japanese art style of woodblock stamps and prints; and an authentic matcha tea ceremony that visitors can partake in.
Visit the event site for more information.
Spectrum of the Seas puts up two additional Japan sailings
With almost all of its limited 12-night sailings sold out, and demand still strong, Royal Caribbean will add two more sailings between Singapore and Tokyo, Japan on Spectrum of the Seas in 2023.
The new 12-night sailings, departing from Singapore and Tokyo on September 19 and October 1 respectively, can be enjoyed back-to-back, allowing guests to visit up to 10 destinations across three countries over the 24-night adventure. Destinations unique to the new itineraries include Hue/Danang in Vietnam, as well as Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Okinawa and Ishigaki in Japan.
TTG Asia breaks for Lunar New Year
TTG Asia will be taking a break from January 23-24, 2023, for the Lunar New Year holidays. The online news bulletin will resume on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
From all of us at TTG Asia Media, we wish all of our readers a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year!
Accor unveils world’s largest sailing ship
Accor and shipbuilding company Chantiers de l’Atlantique have partnered to launch Orient Express Silenseas – the world’s largest sailing ship with roots in Orient Express’ history – which will set sail in 2026.
Both have signed a letter of intent for two ships.
Orient Express Silenseas will feature 54 suites, including a 1,415m2 Presidential Suite, two swimming pools, two restaurants and a bar. Guests can experience captivating shows in the Amphitheatre-Cabaret, as well as enjoy spa treatments, meditation sessions and stopover explorations.
“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are beginning a new chapter in our history, taking the experience and excellence of luxury travel and transposing it onto the world’s most beautiful seas,” said Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO, Accor.
“Innovation is at the heart of this ultra-modern ship that will revolutionise the maritime world with new technology to meet today’s sustainability challenges.”
Laurent Castaing, managing director, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, shared: “This concept, born in our design offices in 2018, is the quintessence of our savoir-faire in the fields of naval architecture, the construction of sophisticated hulls, as well as the design of luxurious spaces.”
Orient Express Silenseas will be installed with three SolidSail rigs, a revolutionary 1,500m2 unit wind propulsion system, that will contribute significantly to the propulsion of the ship. The hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with an engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) – plans to use green hydrogen once the technology is approved for ocean passenger ships, will mean a new, more environmentally-friendly vision of sea travel.
New hotels: Belmont Hotel Mactan, The Serangoon House and more
Belmont Hotel Mactan, the Philippines
The 550-key Belmont Hotel Mactan features three room categories: Junior Suite, Deluxe Premier (seven rooms are dedicated for guests with special needs), and Superior Deluxe Queen or Twin.
Just 15 minutes away by car from Cebu International Airport, the hotel is located within a lifestyle and business hub, The Mactan Newtown Township by Megaworld, which offers F&B establishments and convenience stores alongside mixed-used condominium towers and office spaces. It is also close to tourist sites like the Mactan Shrine Park.
Onsite facilities comprise a pool, children’s pool, fitness centre, event spaces and three dining outlets.
The Serangoon House, Singapore
The Serangoon House is a lifestyle hotel located in Singapore’s most vibrant ethnic district, Little India, where the best of the local Indian community is shown through spice shops, jewellery stores, trendy cafés and hip watering holes.
Each of the 90 rooms can accommodate up to six guests when required, and features a two-tier canopy bed.
In-house restaurant, GupShup, serves authentic Indian food.
G Hotel Gurney, Malaysia
G Hotel Gurney has reopened after a makeover, with new facilities, lifestyle experiences and dining concepts. Its 312 rooms range from deluxe and executive rooms to G suites.
Guests will enjoy a fuss-free check-in experience as they are guided directly to the lobby at level three through the redesigned concierge area on the ground floor while indulging in complimentary ice-cream.
There are also meeting venues and an executive lounge for business travellers on level 15, where guests can enjoy an endless flow of champagne and evening cocktails while admiring the scenic views of Penang.
Conrad Singapore Orchard, Singapore
Conrad Singapore Orchard in the heart of the city has launched with an initial offering of 10 restaurants and bars, as well as 14 event spaces.
Its 440 rooms are presently undergoing extensive refurbishment and will welcome guests in early 2024.
Celebrate 20 years with Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a limited-time sale, which includes a gift of up to US$800 Shipboard Credit per stateroom or suite for voyages across seven ships.
The cruise line is also offering guests reduced 50 per cent deposits until February 28.
Some highlight voyages in Asia-Pacific include:
The Islands To Indochina will set sail on January 28, 2024 from Singapore to Bangkok. The 15-day voyage on Riviera will encompass overnight stays in Saigon and Bangkok, as well as visits to Borneo, Puerto Princesa, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Astounding Australasia onboard the Regatta sails from Singapore to Auckland and will depart November 14, 2024. Featuring overnight stays in Bali, Sydney and Auckland, this 24-day sojourn will also visit Jakarta, Benoa and the tropical rainforest of Cairns, before crossing the Tasman to New Zealand’s North Island.
Bookings for the 20th Anniversary Sale are open from now till March 1.
For more information, visit Oceania Cruises.
More than 60% of Chinese travellers surveyed by Dragon Trail on the eve of China’s reopening expressed interest in traveling outside China in 2023.
While survey results indicate that recovery will pick up gradually throughout the first sixth months of the year, Dragon Trail expects a strong comeback to start from July, along with a bumper eight-day Golden Week holiday for Mid-Autumn Festival and China’s National Day (September 29 to October 6).
Sharing the results of the January 2023 Chinese Traveler Sentiment Report at a joint webinar with travel analysts ForwardKeys just before the start of the Chinese New Year holidays, researchers noted that findings are aligned with booking trends.
China’s decision to ditch its zero-Covid policy has triggered a surge in flight bookings, according to the latest data from ForwardKeys. Intra-regional neighbours in Asia will reap the benefits the most.
“Let’s go”, “waited for too long”, “feels happy”, and “enjoy the freedom” were just some of the overwhelmingly positive sentiments shared by the 60.4% of survey respondents who said they wanted to travel outside of China in 2023.
“This group expressed high expectations about the freedom of cross-border travel this year. Survey respondents said they were excited to relax, as well as to experience the scenery, food, culture, and shopping overseas,” shared Dragon Trail market research analyst Yelinuer Kadeerbieke.
Top China outbound destinations are in South-east Asia
“Forward bookings for Chinese New Year are currently 47% behind pre-pandemic levels but already 30% ahead last year,” said ForwardKeys’ analyst Nan Dai.
South-east Asian destinations are most likely to first benefit from the return of Chinese tourists. “All these destinations have relaxed rules for Chinese travellers. Arrivals from China will not be required to provide test results for Covid-19. Visa waiver to Indonesia, visa-on-arrival to Thailand, Cambodia and the UAE – all make it even easier to travel,” added Dai.
Dragon Trail’s data also points to strong recovery for Asian destinations. Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand topped the list of outbound destinations to which Chinese tourists plan to travel in 2023. Notably, Hong Kong was chosen by 20.7% of survey respondents, with 11.4% choosing Macau and 11.1% planning a trip to Thailand.
Recovery of the Chinese outbound market will pick up this summer
Despite high demand for cross-border trips, the lack of flight capacity and high fares could be the bottleneck for China’s outbound travel recovery in 1Q2023.
“Current scheduled international flight capacity in 1Q2023 is only at 21% of 2019’s level; and owing to approval requirements for traffic rights and airport slots, it will be difficult for airlines to gear back up very quickly. We can expect a more significant increase when airlines schedule for the next summer season starting from March 26,” opined Dai.
Kadeerbieke added: “Our survey results show that while recovery will start gradually in the first six months of 2023, it’s clear that outbound travel will start to pick up in the second half of the year. 42% said they would travel outbound in July and August, with 32% planning an autumn Golden Week getaway outside China.”
The outbound China market is vital in the travel food chain, so the return of the sleeping dragon in time for the Lunar New Year with promises for greater growth over the summer period will be a game changer for the travel sector in 2023.