Princess Cruises’ flight booking programme now available in South-east Asia

August 31, 2022

Princess Cruises has expanded its EZair flight booking programme for guests from South-east Asia, mainly Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brunei.

This easy-to-use tool provides customised suggestions based on when and where passengers are sailing, low prices with flexible air fares. Guests who have to travel longhaul to board their cruise will benefit from using EZair as a one-stop vacation planner.

The programme was previously only available to guests in North America and Europe.

Farriek Tawfik, director, South-east Asia, Princess Cruises, said: “Princess Cruises’ EZair elevates the pre-cruising experience by making it easy and convenient to book the flight component for guests in South-east Asia who will be travelling overseas to cruise.

“The EZair programme will better serve guests in this region with access to competitive airfares compatible with their cruise.”

Available flights can be reviewed in real-time, and the desired air schedule and carrier can be chosen at the time of booking. Flights can only be booked with a confirmed cruise reservation (including deposit), however, flights can be searched when checking cruise availability.

Flights are available to book from four days before the cruise to 300 days before the end of the vacation. Guests can customise their flights at the time of booking, without paying any additional customisation fee. Flights can be booked through the cruise line’s website or with travel advisors, who can easily access EZair to check flights for guests.

Guests who book air travel through Princess Cruises will also be automatically enrolled in the Princess Late Arrival Protection programme.

If there is an airline delay or service disruption causing guests to miss their embarkation, or a missed return flight due to a delay by the cruise, Princess will work with the airlines to find a reasonable alternative to provide flights for guests at no additional air cost.

Royal Caribbean Group to implement high-speed Internet onboard fleetwide

By TTG Asia

August 31, 2022

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Royal Caribbean Group will be the first in the cruise industry to adopt SpaceX’s Starlink, an innovative broadband Internet service providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew fleetwide.

Starlink will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands.

The Starlink technology will be deployed across the fleet and is expected to be completed by 1Q2023

After receiving positive feedback from guests and crew for its trial onboard Freedom of the Seas, deployment of the Starlink technology across the fleet will begin immediately and is slated to be completed by 1Q2023.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said: “This technology will provide game-changing Internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike.

“It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls.”

Faster and more reliable Internet will also make it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends – no matter where they are in the world.

“Our work with SpaceX is another example of how Royal Caribbean Group continues to lead the cruise industry in innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technology,” he added.

Chill in high style at Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya’s new rooftop bar

By TTG Asia

August 31, 2022

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Rum Jungle, the newest bar at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, has officially opened.

Overlooking Pattaya beach, guests can socialise while indulging in BBQ delights, cocktails, and Latin American vibrations.

The new Rum Jungle bar overlooks Pattaya beach

To celebrate its opening, there are complimentary snacks and the buy-one-get-one-free promotion for any drink.

Rum Jungle is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 16.00 to 22.00. Reservations are required.

Email cmbr@chr.co.th.

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park on final lap to closure

By TTG Asia

August 31, 2022

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Jurong Bird Park, long an iconic attraction in Singapore, will shut its doors after 52 years in operations on January 3, 2023.

The avian wildlife park will then begin a new journey as Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve in the northern section of Singapore.

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park on final lap to closure

On its final lap of operations, Jurong Bird Park is inviting visitors to embark on A Flight to Remember from September 3, with a line-up of activities celebrating the park’s heritage. Visitors can join a self-guided Heritage Trail of Jurong Bird Park and make pit-stops at a series of heritage displays that illustrate key milestones.

Operating from 1992 to 2012, the park’s old Panorail was a monorail system which offered guests panoramic views as it traversed the park. To mark this iconic piece of the park’s history, the old Panorail Station has reopened to the public, complete with a recreation of the Panorail for nostalgic photo opportunities.

Visitors can also contribute their favourite memories of Jurong Bird Park to a ‘living’ Memory Wall at the Penguin Coast and watch their memories pop up on screen in real-time.

Limited-edition merchandise, such as Jurong Bird Park-themed terrariums and medallions, will be on sale.

Daisy Ling, the park’s vice president, who started working with the attraction in 1982 as an education officer, said: “I have seen Jurong Bird Park through many transformations in my 40-year-history here, from new amphitheatres to aviaries, but this will be the most significant yet. There are still many of us who joined the organisation in its early days and have been here over the decades.

“While we commemorate our fondest memories here in Jurong, we also look forward to new beginnings with the Bird Paradise in Mandai Wildlife Reserve and to be a part of another transformative phase of Singapore’s bird park. We hope the local community can join us in the coming months to make this a worthy closing chapter for the park before we turn the page.”

Jurong Bird Park will release new programming over the next few months, including the launch of a Nostalgic Signature Tour in November. Bookings for the tour will open on October 19.

Also launching in November is a nostalgic dining experience with traditional pushcarts selling local hawker fare and carnival activities to raise the festive spirit.

Blue Tree Phuket set to host multi-sport race this month

By TTG Asia

August 31, 2022

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Blue Tree Phuket will launch the inaugural Blue Tree Aquathlon on September 24 – a multi-sport race comprising run and swim elements.

Athletes are expected to come from all over Thailand to join races between 07.00 and 11.00.

The Blue Tree Aquathlon is a multi-sport race comprising run and swim elements

The event marks the start of Phuket’s “high season of destination sporting events”, said deputy managing director of Blue Tree Phuket, Paolo Randone.

Other international sports events, such as Pho3nix Kids Triathlons and Spartan APAC Championship 2022, are set for November this year.

The host venue is perfect for such multi-sport events, opined Randone.

“We have not only our huge crystal lagoon but also running tracks, fitness trails, a forest park, a pump track, beach area, a skate park, and amazing food and beverage options in a variety of restaurants and food trucks, all within 140 rai (224,000m²) of beautiful tropical landscaped land,” he said in a press statement.

Registration for the Blue Tree Aquathlon closes on September 22.

Tokyo restarts campaign to encourage domestic travel

By Kathryn Wortley

August 30, 2022

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japanese in ryokan — Rural accommodations that the chefs will head to include ryokan inns

Tokyo will resume a travel subsidy campaign in September to support the capital’s tourism industry, which is still feeling the strain amid Japan’s slow tourism rebound.

Named Motto Tokyo (More Tokyo), the campaign was launched in October 2020 to fanfare by the public, prompting the subsidy allocation to run out in days, but has been suspended several times due to spikes in Covid-19 cases. The most recent suspension was at the end of July, but with new coronavirus outbreaks on the decline since August 3, Tokyo residents are being encouraged to travel again.

Many companies have registered to take part in the *Motto Tokyo campaign, including hotels and ryokan inns*

Motto Tokyo’s two goals are “to get society moving again and to keep Covid-19 under control”, as stated by governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, during a news conference.

From September 1, the joint initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) will provide financial support to Tokyo residents for daytrips and overnight stays within the capital provided they have proof of three Covid-19 vaccination shots or a negative PCR test result.

Individuals will receive 5,000 yen (US$36) per night for an accommodation that costs 6,000 yen or more per night, for up to five nights. A day tripper, meanwhile, will receive 2,500 yen per day for an excursion costing 3,000 yen or more.

A website run by TCVB has been set up to advise individuals and groups on booking with the companies registered to take part in the campaign, which include nationwide travel agents H.I.S. Co. and JTB Corporation, as well as major hotels and ryokan inns.

Sales will start at noon on September 1 for travel from September 1–30 and cease when the budget allocated to each operator reaches its limit.

The resumption of Motto Tokyo follows improvement to another domestic travel subsidy campaign called Kenminwari, which was expanded to cover the whole country and extended until the end of August to maximise travel during the summer holiday period.

STB-Silversea partnership to grow regional luxury cruise industry

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August 30, 2022

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Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Silversea Cruises are set to create waves to boost the luxury cruise industry in Singapore and the region with their latest collaboration.

Jeannie Lim, assistant chief executive, policy and planning group, STB, and Adam Radwanski, managing director, APAC Silversea Cruises, announced the three-year partnership at a recent Silversea cocktail event at Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

Silver Endeavour offers seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising

In line with the rapid growth of Asia’s cruise industry, this milestone enables STB to develop and grow the luxury cruise industry in Singapore and regionally, as well as strengthen the region’s attractiveness as a cruising destination and source market.

The collaboration will be supported by STB’s Cruise Development Fund (CDF) as Silversea’s newest offerings, Silver Nova and Silver Dawn and other Silversea ships are slated to homeport at the Singapore Cruise Centre for the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.

CDF supports cruise industry players in activities that will build strong consumer demand for cruises from Singapore.

Additionally, the deployment of Silver Nova in 2024/25 also marks a major milestone in STB’s sustainability roadmap. As the first-ever Liquefied Natural Gas-powered cruise ship to be deployed in Singapore, this will pave the way for more cruise ships to use clean fuels and pursue sustainability.

The city-state aspires to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban destinations, in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. To that end, Singapore is also aiming to become the first country to be certified under the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Destination criteria.

To fortify its position as the leading ultra-luxury expedition cruise line, Silversea has also recently opened general sales for the inaugural season of another new ship, Silver Endeavour.

The expedition vessel will undertake 12 immersive voyages to Antarctica from November 21, 2022, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering.

Silversea also unveiled the ship’s seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO, Silversea Cruises, said: “With state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest ice-class ratings of any expedition cruise ship, and industry-leading Zodiac- and expert-to-guest ratios, our newest ship will offer a uniquely immersive expedition experience to our well-travelled guests.”

Singapore to host Asia’s first-ever HyperDrive Cities Festival

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2022

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Asia’s first hybrid online to offline festival, HyperDrive Cities (HDC) 2022 Festival, will be held September 23 to 25 at *SCAPE in Orchard Road, Singapore, as part of the city state’s Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), a collection of race-themed lifestyle experiences that complements the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022.

Organised by the Legion of Racers, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the festival will combine live simulated racing, entertainment, lifestyle and technology within an urban carnival setting and is set to bring more than 5,000 members of the public to the venue.

The first-ever HyperDrive Cities 2022 Festival will feature a regional simulated racing championship

For three days, the HDC will feature a regional simulated racing championship that follows the inaugural E-Cities Championship held in November 2021, along with an electric go-karting experience and a community simulated racing challenge.

The Orchard Road Street Circuit simulated racetrack is produced by the Legion of Racers team.

The festival will also feature the HDC Gameplay Stations, an augmented reality motorsports-themed gameplay where participants complete challenges to earn non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and rare prizes.

Night-time entertainment on September 23 will feature DJ NashD and Singaporean artistes RRILEY and Haneri.

Lim Keong Wee, co-founder of the Legion of Racers, said: “We wanted to create a motorsport festival for everyone, ranging from electric karting for young families to youths and millennials who could watch an entertainment segment at the end of the day that features some of Singapore’s hottest music talents.”

Among the partners confirmed for the festival include McLaren, TYCA, Next Level Racing, Logitech G, Monster Energy, and Tarmac Works. A McLaren 720S sports car will also be on display at the venue during the course of the programme.

Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBē) – Millennial Resorts

By Rosa Ocampo

August 30, 2022

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Location
This seaside resort is within the 15-hectare leisure tourism estate being developed in Calatagan in Batangas, three and a half hours from Manila by car.

Accommodation
Lodging has a unique twist with jazzed up container vans known as Crusoe Cabins and concrete drainage pipes converted into air-conditioned pods called Cocoons.

In our group of eight urbanites, five stayed comfortably in a Crusoe Cabin with two double-deck beds, sofa bed, small dining table, and en-suite bathroom with modern amenities. A wooden veranda spanning the entire length of the cabin with table and seats made of native materials adds to the rustic charm.

The rest opted for colourfully-painted Cocoons – each pod having a queen-sized bed, flat-screen TV, and minibar. Bathrooms are in other pods and also in an upcycled container van. Our millennials love the camping vibe, with humongous outdoor space for hanging out and playgrounds for kids.

CaSoBē

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F&B
We love the novelty of wooden swings as seats at the seaside Swing Bar, the Filipino cuisine at The Sands, and the eclectic menu at the Coffee Shack.

Facilities
The Canopy is the events place for up to 500 pax. Aquaria Water Park has several pools and a high water slide, while The Boardwalk boasts 19 cabanas that can be rented out.

The beach is the vantage point for watching the golden sunrise and multi-hued sunset. It has an area for a bonfire, tree stumps for seats, several wooden swings – even one in the sea. There is also an area for picnics, and for volleyball matches and cycling.

Service
Although it took longer than usual to check-in because of the health and safety protocols, overall service is attentive, from those who drove the golf carts to bring our baggage in and out to those who waited on tables.

Verdict
Here, nature is within one’s grasp with the confluence of sand, sea and sky. The resort is spacious, relaxing and rustic. The entire property is eco-friendly and sustainability-focused, with everything solar-powered, except for air-conditioning. Pets are welcomed too. All in all, it’s worth the trip.

Contact details
Tel: +63 2 8836 5055
Email: reservations@millennial-resorts.com

Hong Kong’s water park makes fun inclusive for all

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2022

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Water World Ocean Park is now a Certified Autism Center (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), recognised for its inclusive, accessible, and sensory-friendly fun for adventurers with autism or other sensory sensitivities.

Just last month, over 200 guests – including autistic individuals and their caregivers – were invited to enjoy Water World as a celebration of this achievement.

Water World Ocean Park’s new certification means adventurers can now experience water excitement in a way that feels secure and predictable

Surrounded by nature and landscape, the park boasts an expansive environment for quality playtime and one-of-a-kind experiences for all adventurers while keeping them socially engaged.

Ivan Wong, chief executive of Ocean Park Corporation, shared that IBCCES was invited to assess the park’s facilities, provide expert recommendations and staff training to make Water World an inclusive space for all families.

He said: “Socialisation is a critical part of growing up for all children, but those on the autistic spectrum often find it an intimidating proposition. At the same time, their caregivers – the parents – also experience stress when they cannot address their children’s socialisation needs.

“We knew that a secure, refreshing yet controlled environment where these families could spend quality time and children could bond with neurodivergent and neurotypical peers was a pressing need in our society.”

With a variety of facilities designed with different levels of stimulation, and a complete set of Sensory Guides provided by IBCCES that rates the level of stimulation to each of the five senses on a scale of 1 to 10, adventurers can now experience water excitement in a way that feels secure and predictable.

The park has also included comprehensive information on the park’s website for visitors to plan and prepare for their trip, with information on what to expect and how to make special enquiries or ask for help from trained staff, noted Bryan Fish, executive director for Water World.

Princess Cruises’ flight booking programme now available in South-east Asia

Royal Caribbean Group to implement high-speed Internet onboard fleetwide

Chill in high style at Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya’s new rooftop bar

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park on final lap to closure

Blue Tree Phuket set to host multi-sport race this month

Tokyo restarts campaign to encourage domestic travel

STB-Silversea partnership to grow regional luxury cruise industry

Singapore to host Asia’s first-ever HyperDrive Cities Festival

Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBē) – Millennial Resorts

Hong Kong’s water park makes fun inclusive for all

Tried and Tested

Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

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