TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 30th December 2025
Page 573

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka names GM

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Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shigeki Nakagawa as the opening general manager for Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, which will open in July 2023.

He brings with him over 20 years of hospitality experience, having first started his career in 1999 as assistant F&B manager at Hilton Osaka. He then move to St Regis Osaka as director of F&B in 2010, before taking his first general manager assignment at Moxy Osaka.

Before joining Centara, he was executive assistant manager at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kobe.

The Countdown Is On: Norwegian Jewel Returns to Asia in October 2023

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Source: Norwegian Cruise Line

Brought to you by Norwegian Cruise Line

Uncover the Jewels of Asia with NCL

As travel rebounds, it’s clear that Asian travellers’ preferences are changing. A 2022 survey by Skyscanner revealed that travellers are increasing their travel budgets, and a further 48% of those bigger spenders are seeking extended getaways.

When Norwegian Jewel sets sail in Asian waters, she will offer longer, more immersive itineraries to suit these changes in travel preferences. Her extensive Asia deployment includes a diverse range of 14 sailings, embarking from destinations such as Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; Bali (Benoa), Indonesia; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul (Incheon), South Korea and Singapore.

Ranging from 11 to 14-days in length, many of these brand-new itineraries feature very few or no sea days at all, meaning that travellers will have the time to truly immerse themselves in each destination’s diverse culture, vibrant food scene and local attractions.

Immersive Experience On-Shore

As a smaller ship with a capacity for 2,376 guests, Norwegian Jewel is specifically designed to access smaller ports, bringing travellers to places otherwise not accessible by larger ships and ensuring clients return home with memories to last a lifetime.

On-shore, guests can visit temples in Thailand, picturesque rice paddies in Vietnam or beautiful beaches in Bali, as well as enjoy nature’s wonders in four brand-new ports of call for NCL; Boracay, Puerto Princesa and Salomague in the Philippines and Hualien in Taiwan.

An extensive range of NCL shore excursions will introduce travellers to Asia’s wonders, including immersive experiences like ‘Aboriginal Homelands’ in Hualien, Taiwan, where guests interact with the Amis aboriginal people and learn about their culture, and have a chance to discover traditional tribal life in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia during the ‘Tribal Cultures’ shore excursion.

For those who wish to travel deeper, NCL’s new Go Local series is designed to offer an authentic insight into local life by opening homes, businesses and cultural centres. For example, ‘Taipei Through the Eyes of a Local’ allows travellers to join a local for a bicycle ride along the river, a meal in a lively cook shop and a chance to browse the local market for fresh produce.

A Whole New World of Entertainment

Back onboard Norwegian Jewel, travellers are not only treated to the comforts of their stunning stateroom, but they will also find themselves spoilt for choice with the variety of exciting activities, entertainment and dining offered.

The vessel has an impressive range of modern facilities and activities on offer, like a sports court for friendly games of basketball or tennis; Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite complete with Thalasso Therapy Pool, steam room and sauna; as well as showstopping entertainment such as Rock You Tonight, a full-scale production featuring iconic tracks from Queen, Journey and The Who.

The ship is also home to 15 dining options, including fine French elegance at Le Bistro, mouth-watering steaks at NCL’s signature steakhouse, Cagney’s and entertaining Teppanyaki for sizzling Asian dishes cooked right at the table.

And with 15 bars and lounges, guests will love seeking out their favourite spot to enjoy a cocktail at sunset, then dance the night away at Bliss Ultra Lounge – one for the night owls.

Served by a ship crew of 1,069 staff, guests can leave their troubles on land and enjoy the amenities of a fuss-free voyage, visiting multiple destinations while unpacking just once and allowing someone else to take care of all the cooking and cleaning.

For more information about NCL’s award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call Hong Kong on +852 800 901 951 and Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.

Radisson Hotel Group launches new loyalty programme

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Family fun at Centara hotels

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Centara Hotels & Resorts are offering special stay rates for more bonding fun with the family at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya and Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya is the number one family hotel in Thailand with its immersive Lost World featuring lagoon pools, lazy rivers, waterfalls and slides. Kids and adults can fly through the air on the SkyRider or try out the elevated obstacle course SkyTrail. There is also a three-level playground, indoor soft-play area, art and craft activities, children’s cinema – kids can even excavate dinosaur bones in an archaeology pit.

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya offers fun activities for the whole family

With a choice of rooms and suites, including the Family Suites with bunk beds, rates for the coming festive season start from just 95 euros (US$92) per night.

Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai is nestled on the shores of the Deira Islands, overlooking the Arabian Gulf. It boasts a water park with lagoon pools, waterslides, a lazy river, cliff jumping rock, water play area and rope climbing course.

With three age-specific kids’ clubs, outdoor playground and Candy Spa, kids will be kept well entertained so the adults can relax at the spa.

Accommodation choices range from Superior, Family and Mirage Rooms to Junior and Two-Bedroom Suites. Rates for the year-end holidays start from just 208 euros per night.

For more information, visit Centara Hotels & Resorts.

TTG Asia breaks for Deepavali

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TTG Asia will be taking a break on Monday, October 24, for the Deepavali/Diwali holiday.

The online news bulletin will resume on Tuesday, October 25.

Here’s wishing all our Hindu readers a happy Festival of Lights!

COMO’s Chan Bee Hong named Mentor of the Year

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ACI HR Solutions has named Chan Bee Hong, vice president finance at COMO Hotels and Resorts recipient of its 2022 Mentor of the Year, an annual award that recognises individuals in the travel and tourism industry who lead the way in mentorship.

Commenting on her win, Chan told TTG Asia that she has a deep belief in “wanting to help others to make a difference and to be able to inspire them to live a fuller life”.

Chan (left) receives the award from Leon Nonis, general manager Singapore at ACI HR Solutions

She said COMO Hotels & Resorts supports mentorship, which allows her to transform and guide her team towards excellence.

When asked about her mentorship style and how it has helped her mentees, Chan said: “I have been blessed with a number of mentors who have helped me shape and develop various mentorships styles.

“A number of my former mentees have excelled in different areas of their lives and I have been fortunate to work for companies that have allowed me the space to mentor. I am most grateful that we are all on a path that enables each of us to reach our dreams or visions together and impacting those around us.”

Looking ahead, Chan hopes the travel and tourism industry would “provide creative and conducive environments to drive the passion in each and every individual to perform at a higher level”.

“Having platforms from partners like ACI HR Solutions to recognise individuals and their contributions helps too,” said.

She added that “as every moment spent together is precious for anyone’s life, let’s treasure each other, dream big and do things differently as greatness is around the corner”.

The Anam Group announces three senior recruitments

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The Anam Group has appointed Laurent Myter as group general manager to lead and oversee the company’s growing number of properties.

From left: Laurent Myter, Martin Koerner and Ye Chang Sheng

Myter has almost three decades’ experience managing luxury hotels and resorts, and joins the group after working at YTL Hotels for 26 years. He has also been an executive director and the president of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s International Advisory Board of Hoteliers for three years and two years respectively.

Martin Koerner is the group commercial director and returns to the Anam Group after previously working for about four years as the group’s director of sales, marketing and distribution.

Ye Chang Sheng has been promoted to resort manager of the group’s second property, Anam Mui Ne after having worked for the group’s first resort Anam Cam Ranh since its 2017 debut.

Philippines replaces One Health Pass with e-Arrival Card

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The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) has introduced the electronic arrival card on October 21, which provides a more convenient and stress-free experience for Filipino and foreign travellers arriving in the Philippines.

The e-Arrival Card replaces the existing One Health Pass (OHP) entry requirement for travellers as a bid to ease the country’s remaining stringent entry protocols so as to attract more travellers and boost the country’s tourism recovery.

Travellers to the Philippines will now register with the e-Arrival Card instead of One Health Pass; Manila pictured

The decision to remove the OHP was a result of numerous complaints from inbound travellers, as well as a means of benchmarking more convenient arrival protocols in South-east Asia such as Singapore.

Prior to the adoption of the new e-Arrival Card, travellers were required to register for the OHP a few days before their travel, and accomplish the electronic Health Declaration Checklist on the day of departure.

Compared to the previous OHP system, the e-Arrival Card also removes unnecessary information fields, making it easier and faster to complete the traveller registration process. It will also eventually eliminate the need for physical arrival cards.

Upon providing their travel details, personal information, health declaration and vaccination details on the e-Arrival Card, travellers will be issued with a unique QR code which they must then capture a screenshot of the QR code on their mobile device and present it to the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) officers at their destination airport in the Philippines.

In the event that a traveller is unable to complete their e-Arrival Card, the BoQ has staff stationed at the airport to assist in the registration.

Lachlan Hoswell leads Radisson Hotel Group, Australasia

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Radisson Hotel Group has appointed Lachlan Hoswell as managing director, Australasia.

With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Hoswell will be supporting his team and driving the growth of the group’s portfolio across major towns, cities and upcoming destinations across Australia and New Zealand. He will also lead operations and be responsible for all strategic initiatives in the region, working closely with key business partners to strengthen Radisson Hotel Group’s branding in-market.

Prior to joining the group, Hoswell held the position of company director, general counsel and commercial officer of Minor Hotels Australia and New Zealand.

Visa struggles continue for Indonesians

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Indonesian outbound travel companies looking to reap a good year-end harvest since the easing of travel restrictions are hitting visa roadblocks.

While many travel agencies are reporting intense demand for European holidays, some even seeing record-breaking requests and bookings, trip fulfilment has been marred by slow and delayed visa applications.

Trip fulfilment has been marred by slow and delayed visa applications

Edhi Sutadarma, tour director of Golden Rama Tours & Travel, said: “Although countries are open to visitors, not all are open to groups, like Italy and Germany. And those that welcome groups have limited capacity for visa processing. In fact, applications to some countries have been halted until January 2023.”

Agents also complain of changes to visa processing duration, with some being alerted only at the last minute.

Hellen Xu, CEO of Panorama JTB Travel, shared that a group of 28 travellers to Switzerland last week risked missing their flight due to such a change. After applications were submitted, her agency was informed that 21 days were needed for the procedure instead of 14.

“We were unsure if the group could go even on departure day. Our travellers were due to fly out at 18.20 and their passports were only returned to us at 16.00. Luckily, the airline was cooperative and the group was able to fly in the end,” she recalled.

Edhi noted that appointments for biometric clearance were also tricky to secure due to limited slots, making it difficult for his team to schedule visa applications.

Pauline Suharno, president of the Association of the Travel Agencies in Indonesia, said the visa problem has resulted in business losses for travel companies.

“They have to give full refunds to travellers if (the trip cannot be fulfilled). They have to pay cancellation fees to airlines and ground operators,” she said.

In July, TTG Asia reported that losses from cancellation charges and forfeited fees ran as high as US$500,000 for a single travel company.

To minimise losses, some agencies are rerouting their programmes to easier points of entry in Europe, according to Pauline. Others are pooling passengers with agencies holding group visas but have yet to meet minimum traveller numbers for departures.

Indonesian agents are also offering tours to destinations with friendlier visa systems, like Turkey, where visas are not needed.