TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 11th February 2026
Page 597

Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach unveils senior leadership team

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Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach in Thailand has announced the executive management team ahead of its grand opening in 4Q2022.

Back row from left: Thanate Likhittumrongkawin, Alexis Movio, Ranjeet Rajebhosale, Vincenzo Gatti, Kriengkrai Chongkhanpond; front row from left: Anna Rhee, Dollarpapat Sookmuang, Sunny Yu

Leading the team is Ranjeet Rajebhosale as general manager, who has amassed 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He was previously general manager of Hyatt Regency Liberation Square Chongqing, China.

Anna Rhee is executive assistant manager – rooms, and has been with Hyatt for more than 23 years. Her most recent position was with Hyatt Regency Nha Trang in Vietnam where she served on the pre-opening team.

New director of sales & marketing Sunny Yu joins the team after over a decade with IHG where she held roles in loyalty marketing, global sales effectiveness and commercial marketing. In addition, she is in her fifth year serving as president of the Thailand Chapter of Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.

Overseeing the hotel’s restaurants, bars and lounges is director of food & beverage Alexis Movio. A dynamic F&B professional, he has worked in some of Asia’s most luxurious hotels and resorts.

Vincenzo Gatti is the resort’s executive chef. Gatti has worked in the top kitchens of Europe and Asia for two decades, as well as in Asia. He has extensive experience of Hyatt and its brands, having worked at Park Hyatt Guangzhou, Grand Hyatt Seoul and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in the past six years.

Thanate Likhittumrongkawin joins the team as director of finance. He has worked with brands including JW Marriott and W Hotels before joining Hyatt Regency Phuket.

Dollarpapat Sookmuang is the director of human resources, and joins Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach from Park Hyatt Maldives, while Kriengkrai Chongkhanpond, director of engineering, most recently worked on the launch of Hyatt Regency Koh Samui.

Hallyu amusement park K- Wonderland opens in the metaverse

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The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has unveiled K-Wonderland, a Hallyu-theme park metaverse, on the global metaverse platform ZEPETO on October 14.

K-Wonderland consists of spaces – K-Wonder Castle, K-Wonder Hall, K-Pop Stage, and K-Drama Studio – for Hallyu experiences and creations enjoyed on the metaverse platform and will offer a variety of opportunities to experience the Hallyu culture using the latest digital technology to people all over the world.

K-Wonderland is a Hallyu-theme park metaverse that generates a creative environment for global Hallyu fans

Users will first encounter K-Wonder Castle where they can take rides and take snapshots together with sculptures and architecture. K-Wonder Hall offers information on events, a guide on how to enjoy K-Wonderland, Hallyu-related events, as well as exhibitions related to Hallyu stars, and games. K-Pop Stage features actual music broadcast stages, practice rooms, and waiting rooms, while K-Drama Studio recreates famous scenes from six popular Hallyu dramas to induce users to play various roles in dramas.

K-Wonderland generates a creative environment where users can make secondary creations on their own using personal avatars, rather than simply experiencing the metaverse space, allowing Hallyu fans around the world to be more familiar with Korean culture.

Through the shooting features provided by ZEPETO, users can record photos or video content of exploring and enjoying K-Wonderland and can make their own music videos and dramas using various spaces of K-Wonderland.

KOFICE president Jung Kilhwa said: “We expect that this K-Wonderland in combination with digital technologies will be an attempt to dominate a new content market in advance and expand Hallyu content for future generations.”

Qatar wins Asian Cup bid

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Qatar has been selected as host of the next AFC Asian Cup in a new bid that opened after original hosts China relinquished its rights earlier this year due to the country’s zero-Covid policy.

Other countries that made a pitch for the second bid included South Korea and Indonesia.

Qatar grows its sports events calendar; Doha pictured

To avoid Qatar’s summer heat, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup would likely be shifted from mid-2023 to early 2024.

The Gulf nation previously hosted the Asian Cup in 1988 and 2011.

Thailand airports step up Covid checks on Hong Kong, Singapore arrivals

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Airports in Thailand are conducting random Covid-19 tests on passengers with respiratory symptoms from Hong Kong and Singapore, in light of both countries’ Omicron’s new XBB subvariant cases.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) stated that 29 people who arrived in Hong Kong on October 14 were tested positive for the XBB strain, of which 24 were detected on arrival and five others tested positive on their second day in Hong Kong, reported Bangkok Post.

Inbound passengers from Singapore and Hong Kong will be subject to random Covid tests at Thailand airports

DDC also said there was no local transmission yet of this subvariant in Thailand.

Thailand has stepped up surveillance at Suvarnabhumi airport and all other airports to conduct random testing on all arrivals from Singapore, Hong Kong and countries with XBB outbreaks and show respiratory symptoms.

Singapore’s Glow Festival 2023 returns to showcase wellness concepts

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Marina Bay Sands will be home to Asia’s leading urban wellness haven with the return of Glow Festival from February 4-12 next year. The festival aims to cater to the well-being needs of participants through its comprehensive programme.

The inaugural event in 2019 drew a crowd of 15,000 active participants to Sentosa.

Glow Festival returns to Singapore and will be held at Marina Bay Sands from February 4-12, 2023

Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS), Glow Festival 2023 will feature unique workshops designed and conducted by wellness experts, in-person and digital experiences, and a line-up of international celebrity fitness instructors.

Ong Ling Lee, executive director, sports and wellness, STB said: “We are proud to support homegrown wellness events such as the Glow Festival 2023, which showcase the wide range of innovative wellness offerings in Singapore, while making them accessible to both locals and visitors.

“Such events add vibrancy to Singapore’s calendar of events and support our ambition to become a leading urban wellness destination that prioritises holistic well-being”

Highlights of Glow Festival comprises curated workshops and wellness classes hosted by celebrity instructors, food items at selected MBS restaurants, and a dazzling closing party at MARQUEE Singapore.

The multi-sensory studio space by Kingsmen spans the size of four tennis courts and highlights humankind’s connection with nature – each session will be an immersive experience of sounds, smells, and sights of the natural world.

In addition, participants can use The Glow App from January 1 to February 12, 2023 to complete gamified fitness challenges island-wide. Titled LightEarn, the app experience is designed to amplify the connection between exercise and mental health, where runners, walkers, cyclists, and hikers can stand a chance to win up to S$25,000 (US$17,516) in cash prizes and more.

The Glow App will also be fundraising for Community Chest in support of its 40th anniversary in 2023. All of the funds raised will be channelled through Community Chest to the Samaritans of Singapore to support its essential work in mental health.

Martin Capstick, chief executive of Exceed Sports & Entertainment and founder of Glow Festival said: “Mental, physical, and emotional well-being are at the core of Glow Festival 2023’s messaging. We want to inspire festivalgoers to adopt new practices to live happier and healthier lives and present them with a truly unique opportunity to unwind.

“We also believe in the strong connection between improved mental well-being through exercise and the simple act of giving. To that end, we’re very proud to be supporting Community Chest and the hugely important work of the Samaritans of Singapore.”

International Surfing Cup returns to Siargao Island

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Siargao Island in the Philippines has begun its tourism recovery journey with the opening of the 26th Siargao International Surfing Cup on October 15.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) secretary Christina Garcia Frasco stressed that tourism development in Siargao is a priority, and will “flourish in partnership with the national government”.

Unveiling of the Jaime Rusillon Surf Tower in honour of former mayor Jaime Rusillon

She added that the DoT identified infrastructure and gateway access as critical solutions to key destinations such as Siargao, stating that “the national government is here to help Siargao recover, is here to help Siargao rise to the primary position that it deserves in the world”.

A tourism-first island, Siargao welcomed 14,404 tourists, with the bulk coming from domestic tourists, at 12,870 and 1,534 foreign guests for the first semester of the year, according to the Provincial Tourism Office.

Side activities at the World Surf League-sanctioned competition include surfing masterclasses, yoga, salsa, arts and cultural show, a bazaar, beachside bonfire, sound sessions, beach clean-up drive, and a free concert.

Frasco also presented a one-million peso (US$16,951) check to the Municipality of General Luna as a manifestation of the support of the national government to the international surfing competition.

Trip.com Group joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council

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Trip.com Group is now a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The company will support GSTC’s mission to promote sustainable tourism standards in the travel and tourism sector, allowing it contribute to the important work of the GSTC in promoting the widespread adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles.

Trip.com will support GSTC’s mission to promote sustainable tourism standards in the travel and tourism sector

Trip.com Group had detailed its green tourism goals earlier in July.

“At Trip.com Group, we believe we can only solve big issues by working with our peers from across the industry. This is why we are very excited to become a member of the GSTC, joining their global community to collaborate on sustainable travel initiatives that contribute towards a more sustainable future,” said Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group.

Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC said: “(Trip.com Group’s) power in the marketplace can deliver much in the way of more sustainable forms of tourism being made available to more travellers throughout the world, and we look forward to partnering in those efforts.”

Hilton signs Conrad Singapore Orchard

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Hilton has signed its second Conrad-branded hotel in Singapore with a property that is jointly owned by Pontiac Land Group and Kajima Development.

Conrad Singapore Orchard will replace Regent Singapore, and is set to open in two phases. The hotel’s meeting spaces and its ten restaurants and bars will welcome guests from January 1, 2023, with the property’s full opening scheduled in 1Q2024.

Hilton signs its second Conrad-branded hotel in Singapore, Conrad Singapore Orchard 

Hilton’s other Conrad-branded hotel is Conrad Centennial Singapore.

Guy Phillips, senior vice president, development, Asia and Australasia, Hilton said: “Hilton is focused on delivering best-in-class owner returns, and we are confident of doing so in a market that has demonstrated great resilience in the face of a pandemic and continues to outperform in attracting business and leisure travel.”

Commenting on the two decades of partnership through Conrad Centennial Singapore, David Tsang, CEO, Pontiac Land Group said: “The hotel has always been a hallmark of luxury hospitality and we are confident the hotel’s distinct dining concepts, refreshed design aesthetics and world-class service will be further elevated through the Conrad brand and its globally recognised luxury standards.”

Just a 30-minute drive from Changi International Airport, Conrad Singapore Orchard is located in the heart of the city and ideal for both business and leisure travellers. It will feature 440 rooms, fitness centre, and over 1,600m² of event spaces.

Skyports grows footprint in Asia-Pacific with new Japan office

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Skyports has opened a branch office in Tokyo, Japan – the first in the region outside of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

The move follows a year of significant activity in the country, with Japanese trading conglomerate Kanematsu Corporation joining Skyports’ list of investors in the company’s Series B funding round and taking a seat on its board in March, as well as a growing portfolio of projects in Osaka and Tokyo.

Skyports has opened a branch office in Tokyo and will focus on its ongoing projects in Osaka and Tokyo

Earlier in July, Skyports partnered with AirAsia to explore the development of air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia.

Tay Yun-Yuan, head of Asia-Pacific, Skyports said: “The Asia-Pacific region is an important hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and Japan a leading market within it. With support from our investor Kanematsu Corporation, we have significantly matured our networks and portfolio in the country in the last year with multiple projects in progress.

“The incorporation of our Japanese office was the next logical step in strengthening our operations in the country, enabling us to work closely with the growing ecosystem of AAM players as we approach new milestones in the country.”

Atsushi Okada, Skyports’ Japan country manager, shared: “For Skyports, the focus for the next year is to progress our ongoing projects in Osaka and Tokyo through site assessments and regular engagements with the regulatory authorities as we look towards 2025 for initial deployment.”

Okada will oversee Skyports’ infrastructure and drone services operations in the country, and lead an extensive list of priorities including real estate agreements, local stakeholder engagement, regulatory approvals, airport and airspace planning, operational procedures, and enabling technology.

Centara appoints new executive vice president of human resources

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Centara Hotels & Resorts has named Siriwan Wangthamrong as executive vice president of human resources.

She brings 30 years of experience to Centara, where she will oversee the company’s entire human resources efforts to support more than 6,000 staff members across Asia and the Middle East.

She was most recently director – human resources and administration for G4S Security Services (Thailand), overseeing a total headcount of 20,000 employees.