Happy 57th Birthday Singapore!
TTG Asia, with its editorial headquarters in Singapore, will take a break for the public holiday on Tuesday, August 9, in recognition of the country’s 57th National Day.
TTG Asia’s online news bulletin will resume on Wednesday, August 10.
Happy National Day in advance to all Singaporean readers!
Rediscover paradise at Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Reopening to visitors on October 15 is Mu Ko Lanta National Park, a 134km² tropical wonderland that protects 16 islands in the Ko Lanta group on the coastlines of Krabi in southern Thailand, with lush jungles and abundance of marine life.
Pimalai Resort & Spa works with local authorities to protect and preserve the area, which is closed yearly for six months to allow its delicate ecology to be refreshed and replenished. To celebrate the park’s reopening, the resort is offering its guests the choice of two excursions.
The Koh Haa Snorkelling & Sunset adventure transports travellers to Koh Haa, aka Five Islands, where limestone islets enclosing an aquamarine lagoon, coral reef and white beach awaits – perfect for an afternoon of swimming and snorkelling. On the boat ride back, guests can enjoy canapés and cool drinks while watching the sun sets over the Andaman Sea.
The Fabulous Koh Rok tour is a scenic one-hour boat trip to Koh Rok, a pair of islands boasting powder-soft sandy beaches and warm, crystal clear waters. Following an hour of swimming and snorkelling, guests will be treated to an onboard lunch before embarking on a sightseeing cruise around Koh Rok.
Rates start from 6,652 baht (US$185) per night and include daily breakfast and a roundtrip Krabi Airport transfer for two. Book in advance to enjoy up to 30 per cent discount.
For more information, visit Pimalai Resort & Spa.
Singapore’s Dynasty Travel redefines specialisation in luxury market
Dynasty Travel, following its acquisition by Japan-based Travel Curators earlier this year, will move away from mass market tours with cookie-cutter itineraries and serve mass affluent travellers instead.
In an exclusive interview with TTG Asia, Teo Tianyi, founder of Travel Curators, said his ambition was to turn Dynasty Travel into the “Asian equivalent of Scott Dunn or Abercrombie & Kent”, with specialisation in small group tours.
Teo elaborated: “There is an opportunity for us to provide such luxury travel services to Asian clients, as (American and European travellers’ needs and preferences) differ from us Asians. The mass affluent and luxury segments (here) are underserved.”
When asked to differentiate between luxury and mass affluent traveller segments, Teo said the first often request bespoke services, fly first class or by private jet, and is generally made up of CEOs and high-net-worth individuals.
On the other hand, mass affluent travellers are those with substantial savings, fly premium economy or business class, and do not mind spending a little more on a special experience. They also are happy to travel with like-minded strangers.
Teo’s plan is to develop more intimate tours that boast unique experiences and take a maximum of 16 people, such as the company’s 19-day chartered expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands in November 2023.
Calling the ship charter a “sizeable investment”, Teo said: “Anyone can book a cruise with any operator sailing to Antarctica, but on this chartered ship we (have the flexibility) to bring on board our own entertainment, or even Michelin-star sushi chefs.”
With Dynasty Travel’s new business focus, the agency will skip the upcoming NATAS Travel Fair, recognised as Singapore’s main travel event for consumer outbound bookings.
There are also plans to further digitise Dynasty Travel’s processes, which will contribute to sustainability. For example, rather than printing out brochures, itineraries can be sent to clients through an app and be easily updated.
For Teo, a Singaporean who lives and works in both Japan and Singapore and whose professional specialisation lies in private equity and investment, Dynasty Travel is his first travel agency investment. He acquired the agency in full during the pandemic when Delta infections were rampant.
“I had people questioning my intentions and thought I was crazy to buy. I felt it was a worthy investment because it’s a brand name that Singaporeans are familiar with, and is worth preserving,” he recalled.
“But there was a need to make it more contemporary, to ensure it remains relevant to older Singaporeans as well as attract younger ones. That is why we went through a rebranding exercise, introduced a new and updated logo, and removed Chinese characters on the logo to appeal to non-Chinese,” he continued.
With Dynasty Travel’s pre-existing business events department still active, Teo maintains interest in working with companies “that can invest more in their incentives or management retreats” to develop memorable experiences, as opposed to fighting for contracts with the cheapest quotation.
“I want to educate all of our clients by making sure they take away something beyond having a good time, and gain knowledge, insights, and perspectives that can broaden their horizons (while travelling),” he remarked.
For example, clients can visit a melon farm in Japan to learn why the farmer started the trade, what methods are used to perfect cultivation, and taste some of the pricey melons that Japan is known for. Teo said such travel experiences are engaging and meaningful, and support artisans in Japan that do not have successors.
Phuket takes next step towards Expo 2028 bid
Nine enquiry mission members from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos, landed in Thailand last week to evaluate the Phuket’s candidacy to host Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand.
The mission is a critical step in the selection process of a host city.
Should Phuket be selected, the island would be the first city in South-east Asia to host the high profile global event. The theme, Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity, has been proposed, and the event would be held from March 20 to June 17, 2028 on a 22.56-hectare site on Mai Khao Beach.
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has projected a minimum of seven million expo visitors and a revenue of 50 billion baht (US$1.4 billion) for Thailand. The event is also recognised as an opportunity to raise the quality of life for residents of the province by accelerating infrastructural development for transport, healthcare, and tourism.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of TCEB, stated that BIE’s key priority is in post-expo area development. As such, TCEB is highlighting that the facilities built for Expo 2028 Phuket will be re-developed into the World Medical and Wellness Center with provisions for public-private partnerships in healthcare and wellness, education, and sustainable living.
“The Expo will benefit not only the city of Phuket but also other provinces on the Andaman coast and Thailand. The Expo is expected to generate 110,000 jobs, increase Thailand’s gross domestic product by 39.357 billion baht, and raise tax revenues by 9.512 billion baht. The Thai government is projecting a return-on-investment of 900 per cent,” he said in a press statement.
“Most importantly, Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand will spotlight Thailand and Phuket as a world-class destination and promote health and wellness tourism. We have started to prepare for our second country presentation in November when we hope to convince BIE of Phuket’s global appeal,” he added.
Visiting Monaco: Through three countries, one compelling itinerary
Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Monaco works brilliantly as a base destination for travellers in Asia looking to pack three countries into one European itinerary.
There is no better way to explore the exciting French Riviera or Cote d’Azur – the southeastern coast of France dotted with some of the world’s most celebrated beaches and destinations, including Nice, Cannes and Saint Tropez – from the world’s second smallest country.
Monaco is only a little less than 40 minutes away by ground transport to Italy. A helicopter ride will only require seven minutes to Nice.
From Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport, visitors can reach Monaco within 35 minutes by ground transport too.
Benoit Badufle, regional director for the Promotion Bureau of the Principality of Monaco in Asia, told TTG Asia: “It is normal that many first time visitors travelling from Asia to Monaco will seek to optimise their trip by discovering tourist attractions that are easily accessible, and those abound in that amazing region of Southern Europe graced by an excellent climate, and tucked between the blue Mediterranean sea and the Alps mountain chain.”
Monaco’s highlights
To kickstart the three-country journey, travellers can begin with Monaco’s attractions.
Whether it is a romantic retreat, family getaway, wellness escape or gastronomical sojourn, the Principality dazzles with its dynamic mix of exhilarating offerings from glamorous shopping destinations; cool cultural events; exquisite spa and wellness spaces; Michelin-starred restaurants; chic beach clubs to glitzy casinos.
Tourists can stay at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo or Le Meridien Beach Plaza hotel for stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea or at the summer highlight, the Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel.
Those who want to arrive in style can hop on a helicopter and check into the grand and luxurious Prince Rainier III Suite or Princess Grace Suite at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
While there, dine at three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse and visit one of the exclusive hidden gems of Monaco, the underground wine cellars, which are rarely open to the public except during special events.
For an authentic taste of Monaco, head to the Condamine Market to discover regional and local products, and mingle with the locals while savouring barbajuans, socca and fougasse.
Indulge in invigorating massages and ancestral beauty rituals at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and get pampered with seawater-based treatments at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo too.
Tourists can also snag great buys at well-known shopping belts such as the One Monte-Carlo and the Metropole Shopping Center housing 80 boutiques.
For more unforgettable experiences, they can also watch a performance at the historical Opera de Monte-Carlo; tour the old town, Monaco-Ville; visit the well-loved Oceanographic Museum, the Cathedral and the Prince’s Palace; and try their luck at the majestic Casino de Monte-Carlo, built in 1863.
France’s appeal
From Monaco, travellers can journey to other coastal cities along the Mediterranean – easily accessible by train, bus, or within a one-hour drive.
After arriving in Nice, the fifth-largest French city well-known for its unique art and culture on the riviera, visitors looking to lap up all the lux and glamour can venture towards iconic beach towns nearby such as Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Beaulieu-sur-Mer or to artsy Cannes in the opposite direction.
Travellers keen to up their quotient on the sightseeing ante can trek through scenic villages like Antibes, Eze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Vence and Grasse instead.
Resort town, Antibes, overlooks luxury yachts moored at the Port Vauban marina. The medieval city of Eze sits atop a hill crop with a Mediterranean Sea vantage point.
One of the most colourful and charming seaside towns in South France is Villefranche-sur-Mer, which citadelle and old city date from the 17th century, while Vence is a laidback, charming off-the-tourist-radar town. Its small neighbour, Saint Paul de Vence, is an artistic hotspot on the French Riviera, complete with contemporary art museums and galleries.
Curious travellers can go on a perfumery tour in Grasse, the world’s mecca of the perfume industry. Closer to Monaco, they can personalise their own bottled scent at Fragonard and Gallimard perfumeries branches in Eze-sur-Mer.
All these locations are easily accessible from Monaco, making day-trips a very convenient option.
For those who want to follow the road made famous by Grace Kelly and Cary Grant in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, as they picnic while admiring the view over Monaco, they can access it from the village of La Turbie, France – here they can admire the 2,000-year-old tower, Trophy of Augustus, which once marked one of the frontiers of the Roman Empire.
Located nearby La Turbie is the Monte-Carlo Golf Club. Managed by the Monte-Carlo SBM group, the golf course sits 900 metres above sea level, boasting vantage views over the Mediterranean Sea, and the Alps in the background.
Italy’s attractions
Within an hour of a scenic drive along the coast, travellers can also easily head east to border cities – Ventimiglia, Bordighera, and San Remo in Italy – from Monaco too.
Walk around Ventimiglia wet market to appreciate the seasonal produce, Italian cheese, cold cuts and wide selection of aquatic offerings.
Drop by lovely Bordighera – stop at the giant ficus-trees-adorned parking space flanking the old village and check out this authentic gem with its original post office on the Church’s square.
While there, make a beeline for one of the several trattorie – well-loved by locals – serving scrumptious fare and explore Villa Garnier, historic home of architect Charles Garnier of Paris Opera House fame.
San Remo, is an old resort city, well-known as a tourist destination on the Italian Riviera for 150 years.
A host city of cultural events and a shopping hotspot, San Remo is one hour’s drive away from Monaco. Shopaholics can also stretch their dollars at its outlet store, The Mall, selling discounted past collections of Italian designers.
Badufle shared: “Experiential tourism, a type that we endeavour to promote in Monaco, is all about that. It is not about ticking boxes – it is about enriching oneself, discovering other cultures, being charmed by the ways of the locals, and taking away some of it back home.”
For those who are set on sightseeing
- Stay at boutique hotel, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
- Head to the Condamine Market to discover local produce
- Shop at One Monte-Carlo and the Metropole Shopping Center
- Tour Monaco-Ville; Oceanographic Museum, the Cathedral and the Prince’s Palace
- Visit French Riviera – explore coastal villages, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze and Nice
- Head to border cities Ventimiglia, Bordighera and San Remo in Italy
- Visit Ventimiglia wet market and drop by Bordighera Park
- At San Remo, rent a bike and go for ride along the coast on the 26-km cycle path through the Liguria region
For those who want to live the high life
- Hop on a helicopter and check into Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo
- Dine at three-Michelin-starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse and visit the underground wine cellars
- Visit Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort for massages and beauty rituals
- Attend a show at Opera de Monte-Carlo and try your luck at Casino de Monte-Carlo
- Explore French Riviera – focus on Antibes, Cannes and Saint Paul de Vence
- Go on a perfumery tour in Grasse
- Visit San Remo, Italy for its music festival and annual road cycling race
A new perspective
With the removal of Covid-19 red tapes, the Indonesian travel industry is going full swing to entice international travellers back to the country with new and attractive products.
A number of hotels and tour operators have developed personalised and localised experiences for smaller groups, and have chosen to scale up Indonesia’s biggest assets of nature, cultural and heritage values in new and innovative ways.
Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay has taken a unique culinary approach to mixology by highlighting arak, Balinese rice wine, at its newly-opened Telu, an aromatic herb and cocktail garden. The standalone venue showcases Bali’s age-old traditions and natural resources.
Telu’s open-air design features 100 per cent repurposed and upcycled materials, and an Arak Cellar. Guests learn about the traditional uses and medicinal benefits of arak, and forage with head bartender Sufian Mahmoud in the garden to pick their favourite spices and herbs before getting behind the stove with him.
“It’s a journey back in time that unlocks another layer of Balinese culture, as well as a vision of the future through the lens of sustainable bartending,” said Nicolas Senes, food and beverage director at the hotel.
At Adiwana Resort Jembawan, Ubud, the Herb Library offers the contemporary healthy dining that features plant-based ingredients and responsibly-sourced fish and chicken.
Made Adiguna Kusuma, CEO of Jeevawasa, the holding company of Adiwana Hotels & Resorts, hopes that the plant-based concept will inspire both health-conscious guests as well as gourmands to appreciate rich and flavourful recipes that the Herb Library has to offer.
Alila Villas Uluwatu’s Journeys by Alila takes guests to nearby islands for a deeper destination experience. The four-hour Fly Me to Nusa Penida and Sky Ride to Nusa Lembongan present birds’ eye views of the natural attractions around the islands while the Sail me to Nusa Penida is a one-day luxury cruise inclusive of a butler, barbecue lunch, and activities like snorkelling, paddling or fishing.
Weddings in Bali are also given a creative spin, and this is one that satisfies sustainability needs. The Apurva Kempinski Bali has joined forces with like-minded suppliers to offer a Sustainable Wedding Package, which sees the use of recycled paper, wooden chairs and potted plants in venue decoration, as well as locally handmade crafts for wedding favours.
Creative stays extend beyond leisure island Bali. In big city Jakarta, The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel has curated a number of heritage, arts and sports programmes for guests. The Menteng Historic Tour, for instance, takes history buffs around the prestigious Menteng neighbourhood on foot. This used to be the residential area for upper-class Indo-Dutch in the early 1920s.
Butlers – known as guardians at The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel – also lead guided visits to galleries and art exhibitions.
Over in Surabaya, Aneka Kartika Tours and Travel Services has introduced Tour the Kampung, a four-hour walking tour where travellers stroll down small lanes and meet the locals residing in villages within the city. Travellers will experience the Arab quarter and explore a housing complex tucked behind a 150-year-old Confucian temple.
“Every spot has its own unique characteristics with ample opportunities to meet and chat with friendly locals and children to discover real hospitality,” said Adjie Wahjono, operations manager of Aneka Kartika Tours and Travel Services.
Guests can also choose to indulge in a culinary experience that features famous local dishes such as rawon beef black soup, sate kelopo coconut beef satay, and bebek goreng deep fried duck with sambal sauce. Guides will craft the route and dining spots according to the choice and dietary requirements of guests.
Michael Ganster helms Niccolo Changsha as GM
Michael Ganster has been appointed general manager of Niccolo Changsha, part of the Hong Kong SAR-based Wharf Hotels.
Ganster will oversee the hotel’s business operations, identify future property development and growth opportunities, as well as develop and curate authentic Changsha experiences.
Previously the general manager of Niccolo Chengdu, Ganster hails from Austria and has over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Marriott, Indonesia ink MoU to further tourism development
Marriott International Inc. in Indonesia has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia to develop the country’s tourism sector and the creative economy.
The MoU covers collaboration on destination and tourism marketing; the institutional field including the development of talent and human resource competencies in the tourism sector; the field of creative economic development; as well as other forms of collaborations beneficial for the tourism and hospitality industry within a period of three years from the signing.
Ramesh Jackson, Indonesia’s area vice president for Marriott International, said the company is committed to supporting Indonesian tourism.
“Collectively we aim to improve the experience for travellers to get closer to the beauty of Indonesia, its natural wonders, its rich history, and its people,” he said.
In a statement, minister of tourism and creative economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, conveyed that this MoU is a concrete step towards a commitment between the public and private sector, in line with president Joko Widodo’s instructions to develop a more inclusive tourism.
“Marriott International, as one of the largest hospitality companies in the world and a major player as one of the top accommodation providers in Indonesia and across the archipelago, is the right partner for this strategic collaboration. I look forward to this fruitful cooperation and see the positive results in the near future,” said Sandiaga.
The collaboration supports Marriott International’s efforts to empower local talents and provide opportunities for students or graduates of six Tourism Polytechnics with practical experiences and training within the company’s hotels and resorts.
New ferry service launches this weekend at Water World Hong Kong
Ocean Park Corporation will commence a new chartered ferry service on August 6, serving visitors to Water World Ocean Park Hong Kong.
The service, available for free to holders of valid Water World and Ocean Park admission tickets, travels between Aberdeen Pier and Ocean Park Tai Shue Wan Pier via Ap Lei Chau Sightseeing Sampan Pier. Four trips are operated per day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Paulo Pong, chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, said the 30-minute ferry trip offers more than just a ride.
“Everyone will immerse in the beauty of the sea and be inspired on the importance of marine conservation as they join us on board for an exciting adventure to or from Water World,” said Pong in a press statement.
He added: “I also look forward to the launch of marine tourism programmes for Hong Kong Island in further strengthening Ocean Park’s conservation and education initiatives outside the Park.”
The three-day hotel quarantine order for all overseas arrivals into Hong Kong will officially start on August 12, announced the city authorities this afternoon.
The decision was supposed to have been made on August 5, but was disrupted by a system glitch, said sources.
The current arrival requirement calls for a seven-day hotel quarantine. From this Friday, people entering Hong Kong will only serve three days in a Designated Hotels for Quarantine (DHQ) property, followed by four days of medical surveillance.
Travellers who get an all-clear health report at the end of their DHQ will be given a yellow code on their LeaveHomeSafe app, permitting them to use public transport services and enter certain public facilities such as malls and their work places. However, they will need to continue to provide a daily negative ART/RAT result throughout their four-day medical surveillance, and refrain from entering high-risk establishments such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues during this period.
A spokesperson of Cathay Pacific welcomed the decision.
“We are asking the government to urgently provide a clear roadmap showing the complete removal of all Covid-related restrictions for aircrew and passengers as soon as it is feasible to protect Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status,” he said.
Other tourism stakeholders are urging the same, saying that Hong Kong’s tourism recovery can only truly begin with quarantine-free arrivals.
Destination China’s general manager and co-founder, Gunther Homerlein, told TTG Asia in an interview: “The first question we get from our customers is when quarantine will be removed. When we say we don’t know, it is the end of the conversation. We will not get any return of business until Hong Kong ends the quarantine requirement, like the rest of the world.”
Freddy Yip, managing director of Goldjoy Travel, agrees that the reduced quarantine is of little help in triggering business rebound.
“My clients cannot tolerate a single day of hotel quarantine,” he said.