Current president of Sabre Corporation, Kurt Ekert, Sabre, will take on the role of CEO from April 27.
He will replace Sean Menke, currently chair of the board and CEO, who will transition to be solely Sabre’s executive chair of the board. Menke joined Sabre in 2015 serving as president of its largest business division, before being promoted to CEO in late 2016.
Ekert joined Sabre in January 2022 as president and oversees all aspects of the company’s business and technology operations.
Momentus Hotel Alexandra, Singapore
Momentus Hotel Alexandra is a 442-key property situated near Singapore’s city area and in proximity to the comforts of the heartlands.
The hotel features reflect its commitment to sustainability, such as in-room smart digital thermostats, recycling bins in every guest room, the elimination of single-use plastics, and a rooftop hydroponic corner for cultivating ingredients for use at the restaurant and bar.
On-site facilities include F&B outlets, an infinity pool, lounge, and event venues.
Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand
Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin is a beachside retreat situated in the town which was once the summer retreat of the Thai royal family.
Nestled directly along Cha-am Beach, the resort offers 243 rooms and suites as well as dining options, outdoor pool with water slide, water sports activity hub, fitness centre, spa, skate park, kids club, and direct beachfront access. Function spaces are also available.
The property is close to Hua Hin’s top cultural attractions, including historic royal palaces, golden temples, colonial-style architecture and lively night markets.
Vinpearl Landmark 81 – Autograph Collection, Vietnam
Vinpearl Landmark 81 – Autograph Collection is located from the 47th to 71st floors of the Landmark 81 tower on the west bank of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh district.
The 223-room hotel within Vietnam’s tallest skyscraper featurs restaurants, spa, salon, fitness centre, infinity pool and event spaces.
Landmark 81 also houses an upmarket lifestyle mall, ice skating rink, cinema, kids’ play centre and multiple dining venues.
NH Collection Dubai The Palm, the UAE
NH Collection Dubai The Palm is positioned in a new development on the Palm Jumeirah with direct access to West Palm Beach. Just 30 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, the hotel also provides easy access to Dubai’s many attractions and fine cuisine.
The hotel features 226 rooms and suites in addition to 306 studios and apartments across 11 room categories – it also houses five restaurants, two bars, an infinity pool, beach club, kids club, and event venues.
Designed to minimise environmental impact, the hotel has its own water plant and solar panels, as well as other initiatives such as an onsite apiary, a hydroponic farm and a community market.
Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) will commence sustainable tourism activations on Singapore’s Southern Islands, with a collection of five low-impact accommodation units on Lazarus Island being the first of a series of initiatives to come.
Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island – the first short-term stay accommodation available on the island – will be operated by Big Tiny, said to be the first Singaporean company to integrate the concept of “tiny houses” with ecotourism.
Measuring between 14m2 and 15.8m2, these units are both compact and functional, and designed to reduce holidaymakers’ carbon footprint through reliance on solar energy as the main source of power and the use of energy-efficient electrical appliances; deployment of high-tech food waste recycling systems in partnership with local start-up Westcom Solutions; and the use of sustainable composite building materials produced from recycled plastic and wood fibre, which can be repurposed into composite cladding for the construction of new “tiny houses” at the end of their lifespan.
Biodegradable shampoo and body wash will be provided complimentary to guests.
Guests of Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island will have access to almost 128 hectares of natural landscape to explore on the connected islands of Seringat, Lazarus, St John’s and Kias.
The accommodation unit will launch in April this year, and will be joined by other infrastructure and activities in phases around June. Upcoming developments include a convenience store, overnight glamping experiences, and non-motorised water activities.
Existing amenities on the islands include bicycle rentals and the Glasshouse, an air-conditioned multipurpose space.
Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of SDC, said: “For the first time, we are extending the Sentosa getaway for guests through short-term stays on Lazarus Island where they can discover a new experience in the idyllic Southern Islands. Aligned with SDC’s sustainability goals, these unique accommodation units have utilised innovative, sustainable solutions and technologies to allow guests to lower their carbon footprint.”
The Southern Islands is accessible from the Sentosa Jetty@Cove via a 15-minute boat ride.
Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific is expanding its route network with three new operations from Mactan Cebu International Airport, starting this month.
Starting March 26, Cebu Pacific will fly from Cebu to Naga in the province of Camarines Sur, the Philippines four times weekly, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. It is the only carrier to operate flights directly between the two destinations.
The airline will also resume daily flights from Cebu to Hong Kong beginning March 26.
From May 1, Cebu Pacific will restart services to Narita, Japan seven times weekly.
With three additional routes, the airline will have direct flights to 23 domestic and four international destinations from Cebu.
It is set to restore 100 per cent of its pre-Covid network and capacity in March 2023. It now flies to 34 domestic destinations and will reinstate all its 25 international destinations in 1Q2023.
Resorts World Cruises has designed a thematic cruise on Genting Dream that features a variety of special performances, creative workshops, wellness activities and getaways with healthy dietary options.
Titled Good Vibes Festival at Sea, this event will complement two- and three-night sailings onboard Genting Dream from March 12 to April 30, 2023.
Vacationers can embark Genting Dream from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang) enjoy the festivities.
Activity highlights include Pound Fitness workout, which combines a full-body exercise with drums; beatbox and rapping workshops hosted by renowned Beatz Inc Music; and Açaí dishes created by The Açaí Collective.
Visit www.rwcruises.com for more information.
Domitys, a leading brand of senior serviced residences founded in France, has expanded to Malaysia with the launch of Domitys Bangsar in the heart of Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, managed by The Ascott and owned by Plenitude.
Domitys’ “invigorating life in the golden age” philosophy aligns with the World Health Organization’s active-ageing model which comprises elements of autonomy, independence, good quality of life, and healthy life expectancy.
As Ascott’s first senior living residence to open in Malaysia, with plans for further expansion in the country, Domitys Bangsar will support the personal needs and wellness requirements of independent and active seniors, making life easier and more comfortable, in a safe and secure environment. Units welcome long-term rentals.
Mondi Mecja, Ascott’s country general manager for Malaysia, shared at a recent media preview of Domitys Bangsar: “Domitys’ residences have been the home of choice for active and independent seniors in Europe. We are excited to introduce this concept of senior living to the Malaysian market, to meet the needs of seniors in this region with well-being being top of mind.”
“Following the launch of Domitys Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, we look forward to expanding in other key locations such as Penang, Sabah, Kuching and Johor.”
Domitys Bangsar is targeting independent seniors who want to live in a safe and secure community. Its target group includes expats looking at the Malaysia My Second Home programme as well as young executives looking for suitable retirement homes for their parents.
The property’s 100 furnished serviced residences comprise studios and one- to three-bedroom units ranging from 55m2 to 158m2. Rooms are designed with senior-friendly features such as bathroom grab bars and shower chairs.
Resort-style facilities enable personal development, enrichment, and positive living – the Clubhouse includes a swimming pool, aqua-gym pool, yoga deck, restaurant, café, library, hair salon and massage services, as well as activity lounge and multimedia rooms.
Residents can develop their interests and passions with over 50 activities and programmes such as yoga, tai chi, aqua therapy, reflexology and karaoke, with classes available for swimming and music. Concierge services are also available.
After successful runs in Europe and the US, the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has finally made its way to South-east Asia with a debut in Singapore.
Held at Resorts World Sentosa, this 360-degree digital immersive art experience harnesses a blend of artwork replicas, digital projections, Virtual Reality (VR), and atmospheric light and sound to take visitors deep into Vincent van Gogh’s world.
Leading into the exhibition venue is an enormous façade of cobalt blue and stunning yellow blooms – an amalgamation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Sunflowers – that hints at the visual fest that is to come.
Passing through hallways of artwork replicas, including the Dutch artist’s many self-portraits (keep your eyes peeled for a surprise), visitors will soon find themselves in multiple galleries that convey stories of his growing up years and family, his move into art, his struggles, his inspirations and his dedication to perfection.
Art aficionados may appreciate the exhibition for its innovative showcase of more than 300 vivid artworks, but this is also an attraction that will engage and enchant even those unfamiliar with the artist and his creations.
There are many fun highlights here, including The Immersive Room, which presents a mesmerising 40-minute digital projection mapping showcase of Van Gogh’s most famous artworks; the Japonisme gallery, which provides insights into Japanese art influences to Van Gogh’s work and where matcha tea demonstrations are offered to visitors; and the A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles VR Experience, where visitors don VR headsets and walk through stunning landscapes that replicate some of his iconic artworks.
Besides the visual awe, there are nuggets of Van Gogh fun facts to take home too, thanks to excellent storytelling.
Verdict
This educational and entertaining experience has the potential to cater to both the Van Gogh fanatic and the layman, as well as people across ages. Little ones will find joy rolling on fields of projected flowers in The Immersive Room and Japonisme gallery. Should visitors determine an attraction’s worth through its ‘Instagrammability’, then Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience would score well.
Rate: S$24 (US$17.80) for adults; S$15 for children
Website: http://www.vangoghexpo.com/singapore
The 15th edition of the the HSBC Women’s World Championship this March will bring on the HSBC Women’s World Championship Fan Village – the first public spectator engagement since 2019.
Held at Sentosa Golf Club from March 2 to 5, tournament welcomes spectators and golf fans to partake in a variety of golf-centric experiences for all ages.
The Fan Village will include Par & Bar, a lounge where spectators can relax and enjoy signature ‘Kultails’, craft beers and artisan coffee; Putt the Skyline, where guests can putt against Singapore’s skyline; a range of local food trucks; and booths hosted by tournament partners Lexus, Ecco, F&N and Puma where experiential activities are made available.
Another highlight is the HSBC Experience centre, which will feature a pop-up store curated by The Art Faculty, a social enterprise that retails art pieces and functional gifts created and designed by individuals on the autism spectrum.
Event and ticketing information can be found at hsbcgolf.com/womens/tickets.
Carina Toh has been named director of sales & marketing at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium.
An experienced hotelier with over a decade of experience in sales and marketing, she has worked in China since 2008 and was most recently director of sales & marketing at W Xi’an.
Travellers from several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and New Zealand, will no longer need to take a PCR test prior to entry to China from today.
Eligible travellers flying directly to China will only need to take an ART 48 hours before boarding.
A positive test result would still hinder entry to China, and travellers are required to declare their negative test results on the China Customs website or through its app.
With the updated procedure, airlines will no longer check a passenger’s negative PCR or ART results.
PCR test results are still required for travellers from other countries like the US, South Korea and Japan.