Top International Holding (TIH), a Singapore-based, global minerals and resources company, has become the first in Singapore to join the Air France-KLM Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme.
By joining the programme, TIH commits to the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2022 and 2023, reducing their company footprint from business travel and supporting its sustainability objectives by lowering CO2 emissions.
Air France-KLM’s Roland Coppens and Top International Holding’s Victor Tan
By working together, companies can bring sustainable aviation closer and stimulate SAF demand and usage.
Roland Coppens, general manager, Air France-KLM South East Asia & Oceania, said this “marks the start of greater awareness among companies in Singapore to collaborate with us to make SAF available around the globe”.
Air France-KLM offers a customised programme depending on the sustainability ambitions of the company. Based on anticipated travel, the company’s contribution will be used to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel within the agreed calendar years.
Cathay Pacific’s 1 Ticket, 1 Tree initiative will see trees planted in various mangrove forests across South-east Asia as part of its sustainability efforts.
Every ticket sold via its website from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, from November 1 to 30 this year, will result in one tree being planted.
Cathay Pacific’s initiative will plant a mangrove tree for every ticket purchased
Launched last year in Thailand, 1 Ticket, 1 Tree is accompanied by the debut of a similar initiative, Join For Trees, earlier this year in Indonesia and the Philippines, where the airline committed to plant a tree for every new member sign-up.
With both programmes, Cathay Pacific has planted more than 1,000 trees in the mangrove forests of Thailand, Indonesia and soon the Philippines.
Dominic Perret, regional general manager, Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific, said: “1 Ticket, 1 Tree is in line with our broader sustainability efforts, which include contributing purposefully to the communities we serve.
“We embarked on this tree-planting effort because many of our communities in South-east Asia depend on mangroves for food, protection and income. As always, we strive to make a meaningful impact, both in service and sustainability.”
With 1 Ticket, 1 Tree covering more countries this year, Cathay Pacific hopes to plant significantly more trees this year than last.
South Korean travel tech start-up, Globaleur, has raised US$2.5 million in their pre-series A round on September 29. Its Singapore office was also recently set up as part of their expansion plans for South-east Asia.
Founded in 2017 by David Lee and Grace Wang, Globaleur was designed to leverage AI solutions and solve the issue of the fragmented travel industry by connecting the end-to-end travel experience.
Globaleur leverages AI solutions to personalise traveller experience
Globaleur addresses bridging the gap in the travel experience through three key components: pre-flight, in-flight, and in-destination.
Its AI Personalization Engine maps out user preferences across the board – from destinations and flights, interactions with in-flight entertainment systems in the air, and preferences for activities on the ground – presenting users with a complete overview of their trip for a hyper-personalised traveller experience.
This has attracted renowned venture capital firms such as SeaX Ventures, Knet Investment Partners, Big Basin Capital, and Primer Sazze based in San Francisco and Seoul.
In addition, the Korea Tourism Startup Center (KTSC) has been working with Globaleur before their pre-series A round to lay the groundwork for expansion in Singapore, leading to talks between Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Globaleur.
Jang Min Jun, deputy director of Korea Tourism Organization Singapore, who is in charge of KTSC said: “Globaleur’s solutions have the potential to improve Singapore’s travel digital infrastructure. KTSC is connecting them with key stakeholders in the industry, and we are excited to be part of their global growth.”
Globaleur has gained a lot of momentum in the market and is receiving heavy interest from global full-service carrier airlines, government-operated tourism boards, airports, hotel chains, and some of the largest commercial banks in the Asia-Pacific region. Its growth has skyrocketed along with the market recovery and expects to grow their annual recurring revenue by six times with more than five million in monthly active users.
Lee said: “Singapore plays a huge role in our business strategy heading into 2023. KTSC has been a big part of that push, helping us fast-track the discussion with CAG by putting us in touch with the relevant business contacts in Singapore and saving us months in our sales cycle.
“We foresee our collaboration with Singapore’s travel industry serving as a regional benchmark in the near future.”
Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa, Bahrain
A new resort in the Middle East, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa is situated on the beaches of Bahrain’s West Coast, offering a secluded oasis away from the city.
The resort comprises 196 rooms and suites, as well as the 11-bedroom Gulf Summer House, located directly at the beach. For dining, guests can indulge at eight signature F&B concepts or choose room service for meals in the privacy of their own room or villa.
Onsite facilities include a spa, indoor pool, gym, tennis courts, kids club, teens club, and cinema.
Laneways By Ovolo
Laneways By Ovolo, Australia
Melbourne welcomes 80’s Memphis nostalgia with Laneways By Ovolo. The boutique designer hotel offers 42 Memphis-inspired rooms for an eclectic inner-city stay.
A key Laneways By Ovolo experience will be the addition of an all-new food and drink offering through a unique tap house experience, Amphlett House.
The 120-seat venue will feature drinks and pub classics, including the curated beverage programme that serves up the classics and a variety on tap including craft beers, wines and a unique selection of handcrafted cocktails using Australian ingredients.
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu is centrally located in the heart of the city’s dining and entertainment district.
The 222-key hotel features guestrooms with balconies, an infinity pool, restaurant and bar, fitness centre, and event venues.
Just a 15-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), the property is steps away from shopping hotspots and the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal, and is in close proximity to Sabah International Convention Centre, a sports complex and a university.
Amaya
Amaya, India
Amaya is a secret getaway in the Himalayas boasting mountain views and surrounded by nature, located just under two hours from Chandigarh airport.
Accommodation comprises a combination of chalets, suites and villas – from one-bedroom chalets to villas that feature a study or artist studio, dining and living spaces, a fully-equipped kitchen and three ensuite bedrooms.
Guests can enjoy farm-grown organic seasonal produce, freshly-baked bread and fermented beverages. For relaxation, there is a Finnish sauna, library and heated pool. Those seeking curated experiences can choose from the heritage walk to the adjacent Darwa village, horticulture tours, riverside picnics, mountain treks, and more.
Village Hotels has a new Discovery Package offering guests the best value-for-money staycation experience.
Guests who book the Discovery Package can now enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe room at Village Hotels, as well as breakfast for two, late check-out, and Village Currency worth S$30 (US$21) to use at over 20 partner establishments.
Village Hotels’ Discovery Package is available at four properties; Village Hotel Katong pictured
Also included in the package is the interactive LocoMole Precinct Trail app for those keen on exploring Singapore’s major attractions around the hotel precinct; and a Village Passport with local recommendations.
Available daily at the hotel lobby is the retro snacks pushcart featuring some of Singapore’s favourite childhood snacks – ice gems, wheel crackers, haw flakes, white rabbit candy and more!
From as low as S$188 nett per room per night, the Discovery Package is available for booking from now till December 30, 2023 for stays till December 30, 2023.
Participating Village Hotels include Albert Court, Bugis, Changi and Katong.
Sri Lanka is setting up a new authority to develop a string of small islands across its shores into tourist resorts, modelled on the success of tourism in neighbouring Maldives.
The move comes amid the struggle by the country to regain its tourism potential after a series of setbacks precipitated by the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic year-long closure of the airport, an acute shortage of foreign currency and an economic crisis triggering protests across the country which thwarted tourists from visiting Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka islands have the potential for tourism; colonial ruins built of coral stones on Delft island pictured
Arrivals have fallen to record lows from the peak in 2018. Arrivals totalled 526,232 in January-September this year compared to 1.7 million in the same 2018 period. The main source markets this year were India, the UK, Australia, Germany and Russia. Sri Lanka is aiming to attract one million arrivals this year.
Urban development minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the government will soon set up the Sri Lanka Islands Development Authority to harness maximum benefits of more than 60 small islands around the country, developing these as tourist destinations. A cabinet paper for this purpose will be submitted to the cabinet of ministers soon.
The country has missed opportunities on a number of occasions due to inappropriate economic policies, continuous political violence including insurgency, North East war, Easter Sunday bomb attacks and, the recent economic upheaval and protests. The present administration has to leapfrog in terms of tourism development to secure much needed foreign exchange for the country, said Ranatunga, a former tourism minister.
Tourism with earnings of US$4 billion in 2018 was a top foreign exchange earner for the country along with remittances from migrant workers and apparel exports.
Hoteliers welcomed the move but said it would depend on what extent the government would prepare the infrastructure and other groundwork.
“There is immense potential for tourism on small islands,” said Hiran Cooray, chairman of Jetwing Symphony hotels and a former chairman of the Tourist Hotels Association. He referred in particular to Delft island off the northern coast which has one of the best beaches in the country.
However, he pointed out that the infrastructure needs to be in place before attracting investors.
The Maldives is one of the biggest success stories in the world where about 200 resorts have been established on its islands under a one-island-one-resort concept.
Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said an agreement has been signed to lease out Uchchamunai Island in the north-west Kalpitiya region to a Swiss investor. This $417.5 million project will be implemented under the Kalpitiya Tourism Development Master Plan of the SLTDA.
Hong Kong’s lengthy travel and tourism disruption has claimed another corporate victim – the 58-year-old Hong Thai Travel, whose parent company Caissa Tosun Development Co. in Shenzhen announced its liquidation on October 28.
Hong Thai Travel’s departure from the industry follows another shocking closure of Morning Star Travel earlier this year.
Hong Kong’s travel and tourism trade are concerned more companies could go bust in the coming months
The decision came to light after all six branches of Hong Thai Travel were suddenly shut down on October 26. A notice issued by Caissa Tosun Development Co. stated that the company is unable to repay its debts due to dwindling profits resulting from the pandemic.
As of June 30, 2022, Hong Thai Travel’s negative asset stood at $68 million yuan (US$9.3 million) while income for the first six months of 2022 was $10 million yuan.
Hong Thai Travel’s closure has triggered alarm among Hong Kong’s travel and tourism trade, who fear that more companies could go bust in the coming months as the government has no clear timelines for Hong Kong’s removal of all Covid-19 restrictions and reopening of China’s borders.
Blue Sky Travel, managing director, Angela Ng, told TTG Asia: “It’s heartbreaking to see Hong Thai Travel go.”
She added that its closure serve as a warning to other agencies in Hong Kong.
“It’s lucky if agents can survive today,” she remarked, adding that Hong Kong’s 0+3 travel measure serves little benefit to motivate arrivals.
The 0+3 arrangement requires inbound travellers to undergo daily medical surveillance for the three days of arrival, which comprises daily RAT/ARTs and a PCR test on the second day, followed by a further five days of self-monitoring with daily RAT/ARTs and PCR tests on the fourth and sixth day.
“Furthermore, with the establishment of TIA, agents have to comply with more formalities and (regulations),” Ng said.
The industry is now watching the development of Connexus Travel, another important industry player that has laid off most of its staff and awaiting a restructure.
In a letter issued to clients in September that TTG Asia got to see, Connexus Travel said the decision “to scale down our operation during these uncertain times” was due to “a host of quarantine and travel restrictions in the last few years” and recovery that is “still beset with difficulties”.
A former employee with Connexus Travel told TTG Asia that a new CEO would take over in December to explore and set a new business direction for the company.
Connexus Travel’s former CEO, Gloria Slethaug, has recently joined Greater Bay Airlines as general manager for marketing & sales.
Connexus Travel was formed in 2017, following Swire Travel’s acquisition by KWG Property Holdings. It later took over another established agency, Jardine Travel, in 2020.
According to Travel Industry Authority, Connexus Travel’s licence will expire after January 31, 2023.
The 2022 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that top concerns by travellers in the post-Covid crisis period are focused on simplification and convenience.
“Travel during Covid-19 was complex, cumbersome and time consuming due to government-imposed travel requirements. Post-pandemic, passengers want improved convenience throughout their trip. Digitalisation and use of biometrics to speed up the travel journey is the key,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president for operations, safety and security.
Passengers are willing to take advantage of technology to improve the convenience of their airport experience
Planning and booking
Passengers want convenience when they plan their travel and when choosing where to depart from.
Proximity to the airport was a main priority when choosing where to fly from (75%) over ticket price (39%). 82% of travellers were satisfied being able to pay with their preferred payment method and having access to planning and booking information in one single place. 18% of passengers said that they offset their carbon emissions, with 36% that did not citing the reason that they were unaware of the option.
Travel facilitation
Most travellers are willing to share their immigration information for more convenient processing, with travellers sharing they have been discouraged from travelling to a particular destination because of immigration requirements (37%).
Process complexity was highlighted as the main deterrent by 65% of travellers, 12% cited costs and 8% time.
Where visas are required, 66% of travellers want to obtain a visa online prior to travel, 20% prefer to go to the consulate or embassy, and 14% at the airport.
To speed up the airport arrival process, 83% of travellers said they would share their immigration information – slightly down from the 88% recorded in 2021.
Airport processes
Passengers are willing to take advantage of technology and re-thought processes to improve the convenience of their airport experience and manage their baggage.
44% of travellers identified check-in as their top pick for off-airport processing, with immigration procedures the second most popular (32%), followed by baggage. 93% of passengers showed interest in a special programme for trusted travellers (background checks) to expedite security screening.
For baggage handling, 67% are interested in home pick-up and delivery and 73% in remote check-in options. 80% of passengers said that would be more likely to check a bag if they could monitor it throughout the journey, and 50% said that they have used or would be interested in using an electronic bag tag.
In using biometric identification, 75% of passengers want to use biometric data instead of passports and boarding passes. Over a third have already experienced using biometric identification in their travels, with an 88% satisfaction rate – however, data protection remains a concern for about half of travellers.
“Passengers clearly see technology as key to improving the convenience of airport processes. The technology exists to support this ideal experience, but we need cooperation across the value chain and with governments to make it happen. We need to continuously reassure passengers that the data needed to support such an experience will be safely kept,” said Careen.
The landmark Ambassador Hotel Taipei has closed its doors after over five decades in operation and will undergo a complete redesign to be unveiled as Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei in 2028.
Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei will be located in the trendy Zhongshan district, just a 15-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport and a 40-minute drive from Taoyuan International Airport.
Ambassador Hotel Taipei will undergo a complete redesign and debut as Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei in 2028
The Ambassador Hotel was the first privately owned luxury hotel in Taiwan when it opened in 1964. Previously with 425 guestrooms, six restaurants and 29 banquet rooms, the new hotel will debut with 106 rooms and suites and feature a fitness centre, swimming pool, lounge, spa and versatile events spaces. The expansive property will also encompass 73 luxury private residences housed in an adjacent, 23-story tower.
Daisuke Yoshihara, president, Palace Hotel Co. shared: “It’s fitting that our first luxury project outside of Japan is in collaboration with a brand that trades on its history as an ambassador.”
In fact, it was during the original Palace Hotel’s nearly half-a-century tenure that 284 ambassadors from 124 countries made the journey by horse and carriage from the hotel to the Imperial Palace nearby to present their credentials to the emperor.
Commenting on the collaboration with The Ambassador Hotel Co., he added: “Both properties have played a pivotal role in elevating the hospitality industry in each country. Through this partnership, we will work together to take the Ambassador brand to ambitious new heights, just as we have done with Palace Hotel Tokyo.”
Palace Hotel Tokyo also underwent a transformation over a decade ago, with a three-year rebuild from the ground up followed by a re-opening in 2012. Palace Hotel Co. will draw on this wealth of experience as it begins a similar journey in Taipei.
Accor has signed its first Mercure property in Cambodia in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. Mercure Phnom Penh Beung Keng Kong 1 will boast 200 rooms and is set to open in 2027.
Accor currently has six hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, with a pipeline of four committed projects across Cambodia.
Mercure Phnom Penh Beung Keng Kong 1 will be Accor’s first Mercure property in Cambodia
Mercure Phnom Penh Beung Keng Kong 1 will be located in the city’s Beung Keng Kong district featuring an array of restaurants, bars, shops and international schools.
The hotel will offer a restaurant, bar, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and event spaces. It is in close proximity to the Independence Monument, Central Market, Royal Palace and National Museum.
“We are delighted to sign the first Mercure hotel in Cambodia and look forward to unveiling this fabulous address to our loyal fans,” said Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor, South-east Asia, Japan and South Korea.
“The hotel will also enrich our collection of hotels in Cambodia which today encompasses the Raffles, Sofitel and ibis Styles brands.”
