Avatar: The Experience will open on October 28 at Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay. This immersive walkthrough event is a collaboration by Cityneon Holdings, Disney Location-Based Experiences, and James Cameron and Jon Landau’s Lightstorm Entertainment inspired by the film, Avatar.
From October 28, 2022 to March 31, 2023, guests will journey through the alien world of Pandora with its bioluminescent environments, engaging with its mystical creatures and flora, and sharing in the captivating culture of its indigenous people, the Na’vi.
Journey through the alien world of Pandora at Avatar: The Experience at Gardens By The Bay
Avatar: The Experience will comprise five different zones. Highlights include a life-size animatronic banshee, a baby banshee puppet for photo opportunities, and a first look at an artistic sculpt representation of the new marine creature, the Ilu, from the upcoming film Avatar: The Way of Water.
Sharjahverse, a new generation of metaverse tourism for the Emirate of Sharjah, has been launched by Multiverse Labs and Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). Using the Multiverse Labs platform, Sharjahverse is said to be the first true metaverse of city scale with economic and social utility.
Sharjahverse, encompassing all of Sharjah at 2,590km2, brings the emirate to a global audience and boosts the tourism economy, as well as creates metaverse jobs for local employees at Sharjah’s iconic sights. It is a photorealistic, physics-accurate metaverse that unlocks commerce, innovation and imagination at scale – adding to realism, the avatars are generated from photographs of actual people.
Sharjahverse is said to be the first true metaverse of city scale with economic and social utility; Buhais Geology Park pictured
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA said: “Transforming the mass market tourism industry towards next-generation, sustainable practices requires a new way of thinking. Virtual tourism in Sharjahverse will provide unprecedented access to almost any location, personalised guest experiences and enhanced entertainment.”
Cliff Szu, CEO, Multiverse Labs said: “Sharjahverse is both the world’s first government-backed metaverse city viewable by the public, and the world’s most realistic metaverse.
“The creation of something on the scale of Sharjahverse just a year ago would have been impossible.”
The latest data from Trip.com reveals an enormous booking spike and high search volumes to Japan as the destination ends travel restrictions.
Bookings to Japan from South Korea increased by a massive 194% on those made in August, followed by a 183% increase in bookings from the UK, 169% in bookings from Spain and 103% in bookings from Germany.
Bookings to Japan has spiked as the destination ends travel restriction
Trip.com has seen consistently high search figures to Japan across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the US since May this year, with marked spikes across key destinations in September 2022.
Singapore saw the most considerable increase in a month-on-month search to Japan in September, with a 520% increase. This is followed by a 463% increase in searches from Thailand, a 365% increase in searches from Australia, and a 359% increase in searches from South Korea. Even the country with the lowest spike, the Philippines, saw a 91% increase in searches.
Trip.com Japan’s general manager Hironori Katsuse said: “The twofold effects of easing entry restrictions and a weaker yen have led to a rapid expansion of inbound tourism to Japan. This is truly a situation of revenge travel.
“With a scheduled increase of international flights from October, Trip.com Japan anticipates a more robust recovery from 4Q2022 to 1Q2023.”
Trip.com held its first Mega Sale in Japan last month, featuring deals on luxury hotels across the country. This led to the featured hotels getting considerable increases in visitor numbers to their websites, with one hotel seeing an 8,270% increase in website views during the sale.
Trip.com data also showed a boom in luxury hotel bookings in Japan, with a 7% increase in five-star hotel bookings between 2H2021 and 1H2022.
From the positive booking and search data, Trip.com is optimistic that the demand for inbound travel will continue to rise and further boost the recovery of the global travel and tourism industry.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts will enter Vietnam with the signing of Waldorf Astoria Hanoi, scheduled to open in 2025.
Owned by BRG Group and managed by Hilton, the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Hanoi is a conversion of the current Hilton Hanoi Opera. It will undergo extensive renovation across each of its 187 rooms and suites.
Waldorf Astoria Hanoi will open in 2025
“Situated in the heart of Hanoi next to the iconic Hanoi Opera House, Waldorf Astoria Hanoi will enhance the country’s luxury travel offerings to capture a rapidly growing segment of discerning travellers,” said Guy Phillips, senior vice president, development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton.
The hotel will feature four dining concepts – including the brand’s lounge and bar, Peacock Alley, a rooftop lounge and two other restaurants – as well as the Waldorf Astoria spa and over 1,000m² of event spaces. It is near major tourist attractions and within close proximity to Hanoi’s major commercial buildings, and just a 40-minutes’ drive from Noi Bai International Airport.
Nguyen Thi Nga, chairman, BRG Group said: “Through our partnership with Hilton, we are confident Waldorf Astoria Hanoi will play a major part in accelerating Vietnam’s image as one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations for luxury travellers, bolstering the appeal and growth of the country’s luxury tourism sector.”
The new property will join Hilton’s pipeline of nine other hotels and resorts that will open in Vietnam in the coming years.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts (Thailand) has been appointed to provide management services to Zenmaya Oceanfront Phuket, Trademark Collection by Wyndham hotel in Thailand.
The 50-room boutique resort is located at Kalim Beach and overlooks Patong Bay. It features a range of accommodation, meeting spaces, onsite restaurant and bar.
Zenmaya Oceanfront Phuket will be managed by Wyndham Vacation Resorts (Thailand)
Joon Aun Ooi, president, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts said: “The opening of Zenmaya Oceanfront Phuket, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Thailand joins our extensive network of 17 hotels across the country from Bangkok to Phuket and Krabi.
“Looking ahead, we will continue our focus and expand in many exciting cities across the country to serve the increasing demand for high-quality hospitality experiences.”
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched a new Where Next? Japan campaign where guests enjoy a third night free with every two nights booked at a participating hotel in Tokyo, Kyoto or Yokohama.
Guests will also receive 2,500 I Prefer Bonus Points and hotel credits of either 3,000 yen or 5,000 yen to spend on cuisine and wellness treatments.
Get three nights for the price of two with Where Next? Japan; The Prince Park Tower Tokyo pictured
Offering guests the opportunity to explore Japan’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, soak up iconic landscapes, and enjoy authentic local experiences, the 11 participating hotels include The Hotel Higashiyama by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel; The Capitol Hotel Tokyu; Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo; The Prince Park Tower Tokyo; Hotel New Otani Tokyo Executive House Zen; Hotel New Otani The Main; Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba; Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo; Hotel New Grand; The Thousand Kyoto; and Kyoto Tokyu Hotel.
Book by December 31, 2022 for stays through March 31, 2023.
Guests can embrace the wonderful opposites of Paradox Singapore that allow them to enjoy both the accessibility and convenience of a bustling entertainment and culinary central and the serenity of a resort-style oasis, complete with scenic riverfront views.
Less than 30 minutes’ drive from the airport and conveniently located next to the Clarke Quay MRT station, Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay is an urban resort offering travellers ease of commute to tourist hotspots such as Chinatown and Little India, as well as the buzzy, hip entertainment and dining of the vibrant river district of Clarke Quay at its doorstep.
A sophisticated yet playful blend of traditional refinement and modern elegance, coupled with distinctive décor reminiscent of its heritage credentials, the hotel also provides travellers a quiet sanctuary to relax and unwind.
Thoughtful amenities and facilities
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Paradox Singapore is a sophisticated yet playful blend of traditional refinement and modern elegance
Guest rooms feature views of the city’s skyline and riverfront vista
The column-free ballroom is 680m²
The hotel can accommodate events of all sizes
The name of Ellenborough Market Café pays homage to the former popular market and street in the area
Ellenborough Market Café spotlights popular Peranakan, local and international specialities
Enjoy handcrafted cocktails at Crossroads Bar in the lobby
The hotel boasts a 24-hour two-level fitness centre
Relax with the spa’s holistic wellness and beauty offerings
Paradox Singapore is conveniently located next to the Clarke Quay MRT station
At the Spa & Sport, guests can rejuvenate their body and mind, taking in the benefits of its holistic wellness and beauty offerings.
They can relax and sink into pure bliss with its spa treatments which use various essential oils, made to work in tandem with the well-equipped and modern sports training facilities.
Completing its mix with various thoughtful amenities and personalised service, the hotel’s 24-hour two-level fitness centre, free-form pool with water slides and an outdoor jacuzzi will no doubt leave guests feeling refreshed and re-energised.
The 476-key hotel also boasts spacious rooms and stylish suites featuring spectacular views of the city’s distinctive skyline, on top of calming riverfront vista.
Paradox Singapore can also accommodate events of all sizes. A 680-square-metre column-free ballroom and seven meeting rooms can be perfect venues for hosting meetings, weddings and other social events.
To tantalise guests’ tastebuds, the renowned chefs at Ellenborough Market Café will delight with their delicious concoctions featuring popular Peranakan (or Straits Chinese), local and international specialities. The name of the café also pays homage to the former popular market and street in the area.
Set amid a lush landscape and next to the swimming pool, the Blue Potato also serves up tasty western fare. A locally-inspired, handcrafted cocktail is always in order at the lobby’s classy Crossroads Bar for guests keen on a tipple.
Paradox Singapore was conceived following the April 2022 partnership between Canadian-born boutique hospitality brand, Paradox Hotel Group and leading property developer in Malaysia, TA Global to rebrand the former Swissotel Merchant Court.
Keen to experience the duality of Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay?
Even though a number of hotels and resorts in Boracay have raised their rates by 15 to 20 per cent this year to reflect the increase in operational costs, domestic travellers and foreign markets like South Korea and Taiwan remain undeterred and still planned trips to the island.
This transpired at the Philippine Travel Mart organised last week by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa).
Domestic and international travellers still plan trips to Boracay despite the increase in prices
Cecille May Kimpo, director of sales and marketing, Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, said that after drastically dropping their rates during the pandemic, they have already increased their accommodation prices “about three to four times” as fuel prices have surged during the past two to three months.
According to Bamboo Travel and Tours reservations/operations manager, Mark Gil Saba, other factors for the higher hotel rates are the “super high” electricity rates; the need for accommodation suppliers to recoup their losses as they continued to pay rent and maintain their properties during the pandemic; increase in employees’ daily minimum wage from 395 pesos (US$6) to 450 pesos; higher cost of food sourced mostly out of the island; and higher cost of transporting hotel staff, most of whom are from mainland Aklan.
Boracay’s terminal has also increased prices from 100 pesos to 150 pesos on September 23, and the environmental fee for foreigners is now 300 pesos instead of 150 pesos – this remains unchanged for domestic tourists, Saba added.
Kimpo said the rate hike does not deter the domestic market from going to the island – revenge travel and multi-generational holidays to beach destinations continue with Filipinos doubling their stay from two to three days to four to six days.
She estimated 80 per cent of the travellers to Boracay is domestic and mostly from metro Manila.
Looking ahead, Kimpo expects China to pick up in 2Q2023 or 3Q2023, while more booking traction has started for South Korea since last week when on-arrival PCR tests were dropped for Korean travellers returning home. Taiwan bookings are also picking up – starting October 13, PCR tests and quarantine for returning Taiwan residents will no longer be needed.
Saba said domestic travellers prefer Boracay as a beach destination and feel safer as none of the hotels or resorts there have been used to quarantine guests.
Mayette Sagales-Delfin, director of sales, Savoy Hotel Boracay, said the hotel is trying “to level off with the needs and requirements of the market”, with rates depending on the market forces such as seasonality and demand. She added that the hotel has shifted to business events, which is on the rise.
With Hong Kong lifting quarantine measures last month and firing up outbound travel desire, Tourism Australia (TA) has swooped into the market with a series of trade events to reconnect with partners.
Carmen Tam, manager Hong Kong, TA said the team’s recovery plans could finally be put into action, but execution would be in phases and subjected to border quarantine restrictions.
Tourism and Events Queensland presented a film titled A Ticket to Paradise that featured product updates
Tam noted that Australia is perceived as a mid-haul destination among Hong Kong residents, and is a “preferred Western country” in Asia. In the coming years, TA will target Hong Kong families, particularly those with young children and tended to pick destinations like Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Macau for vacations.
“Australia’s nature and wildlife appeal is a strong driver (for Hong Kong travellers),” Tam said, adding that TA is keen to attract high-yield family groups that desire a “safe and clean holiday”.
Aside from partnering with Austrade for the third year to deliver the Festival of Australia campaign last week, TA’s other trade engagements include the Aussie Specialist training, which carried on throughout the lockdown and has trained more than 2,100 travel agents via 40 webinars and activities.
Last week, some 32 different companies including travel agencies, OTAs and airlines took part in an Aussie Specialist Program (ASP) training webinar by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).
Phoebe Mai, trade marketing manager Southern China and Hong Kong, TEQ, told TTG Asia that training programmes are given creative spins.
Its ASP event last week featured a private screening of A Ticket to Paradise film at a local movie theatre. The film was produced in Queensland and conveyed product updates.
Mai said: “We are taking Hong Kong’s 0+3 measure as our window of opportunity to support our travel trade partners in making a speedy (outbound business) recovery. We are planning to launch the Queensland is Good to Go campaign in the next six months, to attract more visitors and help them better plan their holiday in Queensland.”
Throughout the pandemic, TEQ had continuously engaged its trade partners through hybrid events and training webinars. The most recent one was in June, hosted in partnership with a travel group and elite marathon runners from Hong Kong. It offered staff training on the Gold Coast Marathon and other Queensland travel products.
Currently, the biggest challenge for TA when promoting the destination is flight capacity.
Hong Kong schedules now indicate only 22 per cent of pre-Covid seat capacity in October 2022 – Cathay Pacific’s capacity reached 32 per cent this month, with 10 flights per week into Sydney, seven flights per week into Melbourne, and three flights per week into Brisbane and Perth.
For Qantas, services to Hong Kong will only restart on January 30 next year.
The latest analysis by ForwardKeys shows that flight bookings to Qatar are currently 10 times the volume of pre-pandemic levels. These comprise flights from the 31 countries competing in the football World Cup finals, and from the UAE where many fans are basing themselves during the tournament.
The data is based on issued flight tickets, including day trips, as of September 29, for travel to Qatar between November 14 and December 24. The benchmark is travel in 2019, except for the UAE, where the benchmark is 2016, owing to the Qatar diplomatic crisis, which stopped direct flights between Qatar and the UAE between 2017 and 2021.
The FIFA World Cup will throw a media spotlight on Qatar and help it become a more established destination
In terms of growth, the source market set to perform most strongly during the World Cup period is the UAE; currently, bookings are ahead by 103 times the volume of 2016, followed by Mexico, ahead by 79 times the 2019 volume; Argentina, ahead by 77 times; Spain, ahead by 53 times; and Japan, ahead by 46 times.
The UAE’s strong showing is explained by a shortage of accommodation in Qatar where many are expected to stay in the UAE and fly over for the day, on match days. Currently, day trips account for 4% of all arrivals in Qatar during the World Cup, 85% of which originate in the UAE.
Despite the requirement to present a negative Covid-19 test to enter Qatar, the popularity of the tournament is such that there have been millions of searches online for flights to Qatar in the first nine months of the year. 12% of them are for journeys originating in the UAE, 12% from the US, 7% from Spain, 7% from India, 6% from the UK and 6% from Germany.
The tournament is set to benefit the whole Gulf region, as flight bookings to GCC countries during the competition are currently 16% ahead, and, for the initial stages, 61% ahead. Further analysis reveals that many World Cup visitors are also travelling to other destinations in the region. For example, the number staying at least two nights in Qatar and going on to stay at least two more nights in another GCC country is sixteen times greater than it was before the pandemic in 2019.
Dubai is the biggest beneficiary of this trend by far, capturing 65% of onward visits. The next most popular onward destination is Abu Dhabi, with 14%, followed by Jeddah, 8%, Muscat, 6% and Madinah, 3%. The most important origin market for these “regional tourists” is the US, which is responsible for 26% of them, followed by Canada with 10%, the UK with 9% and, France, Mexico and Spain, each with 5%. For Dubai, the most important component is American, comprising 32%; however, for Abu Dhabi, it is Australian, comprising 11%.
Olivier Ponti, VP Insights, ForwardKeys, said: “As global events go, the FIFA World Cup is one of the most attractive drivers of travel there is, so much so, that other destinations in the Gulf will benefit, not just the host nation, Qatar. In tourism promotion terms, the World Cup will throw a media spotlight on Qatar and help it become a more established destination, and not just a major hub for intercontinental air traffic.
“Normally, just 3% of travel to Doha is destined to stay in the country; and 97% comprises onward connections. However, during the World Cup, almost 27% has Qatar as the ultimate destination. The UAE will also benefit substantially from the tournament because it has much more hotel accommodation than Qatar, and two global hub airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”
