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Asia/Singapore Friday, 19th December 2025
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Create unique and hyper-personalised experiences for today’s digital globetrotters

By TTG Asia
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Post-lockdown, travel players are leveraging renewed demand to deliver novel experiences to customers
Post-lockdown, travel players are leveraging renewed demand to deliver novel experiences to customers

Brought to you by Digital Travel APAC 2022

Personalisation has been a major buzzword in the hospitality and travel industry for a while now. With the pandemic putting a halt on the travel industry for the past two years, it is an opportune time to rethink and re-strategise how we can use personalisation tools to improve the way we provide travel offerings now that Covid-related travel restrictions are easing.

As the demand for travel blazes back, tourism operators are scrambling to leverage it to create new opportunities and deliver the novel travel experiences customers have been seeking and longing for.

Released as a yearly tradition, the Digital Travel APAC 2022 Innovation Brief uncovers topics and trends that will move the needle in the travel industry – such as rethinking customer loyalty, creating effective data strategies, hyper-personalisation and executing successful social media campaigns.

Gathering hours of research and case studies from top regional and international brands like TUI, Skyscanner, Hootsuite, The Oberoi Group, the report deconstructs key areas of concern of travel industry leaders to provide insights on:

  • Customer Loyalty: How Can the Travel Industry Retain Business in an Increasingly Fickle Environment?
  • Data Strategy: How to Get the Most Out of Digital Information in the Post-Pandemic World
  • Social Media Marketing: Leveraging Social Platforms to Connect with a New Generation of Traveller
  • The Future is Now: Hyper-Personalised Customer Experience

Download the comprehensive report here.

The themes in the report will also be explored in detail at the upcoming in-person Digital Travel Summit APAC 2022 (August 23 – 25, 2022), which will see about 300 travel leaders across all major verticals gather at the Equarius Hotel, Sentosa, Singapore.

Readers of TTG Asia, media partner for the event this year, can enjoy 20 per cent off prevailing ticket rates* by quoting “TTG20” upon checkout here.

*only applicable to non-solution providers/companies

Work in Paradise at these Digital Nomad-Ready Philippine Islands

By TTG
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Working remotely? Why not work in paradise? Take your pick from these digital nomad-ready Philippine islands for a truly attainable work-life balance.

Brought to you by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

You don’t have to be confined in an office to do your job. This is one of the biggest takeaways from the pandemic’s disruption to daily lives. The downside, however, is being cooped up for hours on end at your home office and seeing the same view day in and out.

Now that travel restrictions are easing up with health and safety protocols well put-in-place, you can do your hustle anywhere, literally. Why settle for a high definition virtual call background when you can just sit by any of the Philippines’ world-famous beaches while you attend a meeting? Here are some of the country’s top workation destinations with a tropical climate, charming and friendly locals, and worthy-deals to get the most out of your budget!

BORACAY

Feel the finest white sand with the lapping of the beach waves by the shore of the world-famous Boracay Island. It mostly catered to travelers seeking a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city but is now rebranding itself to a sustainable destination where long-term visitors can thrive. Many accommodations offer monthly rental packages allowing you to concentrate on work and play without breaking the bank.

CEBU

Cebu is the Philippines’ Queen City of the South owing to its strategic and economic importance. It enjoys natural advantage in location, sitting in the middle of Luzon and Mindanao, and has become a center of trade. It also boasts of centuries-old traditions, natural landscapes, and colorful underwater scenes. With many established co-working spaces, Cebu is a great choice for those who want to take advantage of both urban life and easy access to adventure destinations.

LA UNION

Experience La Union’s charming surftown vibe as you work remotely,at one of the country’s very popular workation destinations due to its proximity to Manila. It offers many work-from-the-beach packages with your pick from cozy bahay kubo to contemporary-styled accommodations at affordable rates. Digital nomads can go for a quick swim and surf during work breaks or just simply feel the La Union breeze at any time of the day.

SIARGAO

How would you like to work at the surfing capital of the Philippines? Siargao is sought-after for its world-class waves, hidden lagoons, and turquoise tide pools even during the height of the pandemic. There’s a variety of accommodation options, from affordable to luxurious, and an array of digital nomad-friendly locations, from beachfront villas to roadside cafes. Enjoy fresh island cuisine and converse with friendly locals after your work shift.

DAVAO

Davao City is known for its bustling economic activities and the third most important urban center in Southeastern Philippines. Consider this place as one of your base and you get to benefit in various ways: very affordable place to live in, boasts a tranquil lifestyle, with a reputation as one of the safest areas in the country, less traffic, and surrounded by nature, from mountains to the sea. It is also home to Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, get a bag (or two!) of Civet coffee, and have a taste of the popular Durian fruit. Set aside a day or so to do your rest and relaxation in Samal Island.

Your upcoming workation guaranteed safe, fun, convenient, and cost-efficient especially when you choose to book a trip to the Philippines! Download the philippines.travel app now for the latest travel updates.

Laurent Boisdron helms as VP & GM of Lanson Place Mall of Asia

By TTG Asia
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Lanson Place Personal Hotels and Residences (Lanson Place) has appointed Laurent Boisdron as vice president & general manager of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila, the Philippines.

Prior to joining Lanson Place, Boisdron spearheaded the pre-opening and opening teams of Sable Navy Pier, Curio Collection by Hilton as general manager in Chicago, Illinois.

His work has also won numerous awards during his 29 years of hotel management experience around the world.

In his new role, he will assemble and lead the team to introduce the Lanson Place brand to the community.

 

Take a dive with SAii Phi Phi Island Village’s marine conservation experiences

By TTG Asia
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SAii Phi Phi Island Village brings guests closer to nature with the Gold Palm Dive Centre and Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) – creating immersive, eco-sensitive diving experiences that allow guests to explore the underwater world and have a positive impact on the planet.

Guests can witness first-hand how the resort’s resident marine biologist works to replenish the area’s rich and diverse ecosystems, and visit the MDC to learn about its initiatives like coral propagation, breeding and release programmes for clownfish and bamboo sharks.

SAii Phi Phi Island Village’s guests can join diving experiences to see newly-grown coral and underwater life

They can then take a dive into the waters of Hat Nappharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to observe nursery habitats for small fish, see newly-grown coral, and maybe even spot blacktip reef sharks, leopard sharks, green turtles, hawksbill turtles and even whale sharks further offshore.

The Gold Palm Dive Centre, which is also part of the UN’s Green Fins sustainability programme, will brief small, low-impact groups on marine conservation to ensure that they act responsibly before heading out to the water.

There is also a Bubble Makers package for kids aged eight to 10.

Prices start from 3,200 baht (US$88).

For more information, visit SAii Phi Phi Island Village.

Trip.com Group pushes ahead with green tourism goals

By TTG Asia
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Trip.com Group will embark on its long-term goal to build green tourism, covering three key areas: working with partners to launch over 10,000 low-carbon travel products; promoting sustainable travel concepts and engaging 100 million travellers in low-carbon practices; and, aiming to further reduce carbon emissions across its own operations.

Trip.com’s survey of customers revealed that travelling sustainably is essential to most respondents. As such, the group continues to build upon its content marketing strategy to provide awareness of more sustainable options.

Trip.com Group will embark on its long-term goal to build green tourism and provide awareness of more sustainable options

It recently partnered CHOOOSE, a company dedicated to offsetting the CO2 emissions for flights by supporting impactful climate solutions worldwide, allowing customers from over 35 different Trip.com sites to purchase this carbon offsetting option across almost all flight inventory.

Over in China, the group’s sub-brand Ctrip has been working with suppliers to offer a variety of eco-friendly travel products, such as zero waste camping and eco hiking. It also advocates travel with alternative fuel vehicles through its car rental business, and has seen related orders grow at an annual rate of approximately 140 per cent, while reducing carbon emissions by about 10,000 tons in 2022.

Trip.com Group’s corporate travel arm, Trip.Biz has recently conducted a campaign to promote Green Hotels and Green Flights in China.

In a first in China, Ctrip and National Geographic collaborated on a variety show focusing on ecological awareness and eco-friendly travel. It featured environmental experts and travel professionals along with special guests to explore sustainable lifestyles while discovering the beauty of China’s cities and countryside.

Green commitment continues at the group’s Shanghai headquarters, where several environmental initiatives are in place, such as the deployment of energy management system and renewable heating system.

The group also established its ESG Committee and joined the UN Global Compact in 2021.

Jane Sun, Trip.com Group CEO, said: “We have always adhered to the vision of ‘pursuing the perfect trip for a better world’ and will work with our users and partners to further reduce carbon emissions in a more holistic and systematic manner. We still have a long way to go and much more to do.”

AirAsia, Skyports to explore air taxi vertiport development in Malaysia

By TTG Asia
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Skyports Infrastructure, an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure developer, and AirAsia’s Advanced Air Mobility have signed a Letter of Intent to explore the development of air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia.

The partnership is an important next step in establishing a fully operational vertiport network in the country.

Skyports and AirAsia will collaborate to explore the development of air taxi infrastructure in Malaysia

AirAsia has been actively involved in the operationalisation of AAM in Malaysia. In the past year alone, the company announced future plans to lease 100 Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon, launched its drone training programme, and most recently, extended drone-related training to the high-technology related sectors.

Leveraging the strengths of both parties, the partnership will draw on AirAsia’s aviation expertise and experience, as well as its on-ground market knowledge and networks. Complementing this, Skyports Infrastructure brings to the table its global portfolio of designing and building take-off and landing infrastructure for eVTOL passenger aircraft.

Skyports Infrastructure’s work is also instrumental in advancing regulatory development across markets, through close collaboration with local regulatory bodies and standards setting organisations.

Initial assessments will prioritise Kuala Lumpur. The one-year partnership will focus on joint feasibility studies for the integration of air taxi vertiport infrastructure, the identification of potential vertiport sites, and the development of operational requirements and frameworks to ultimately implement a vertiport network in Malaysia.

AirAsia Aviation Group’s chief safety officer and head of advanced air mobility, Ling Liong Tien said in a press release jointly issued by Skyports and Capital A: “Following the announcement of our venture into the urban air taxi service earlier this year, we have been working around the clock to explore its feasibility in Malaysia. This partnership with Skyports will accelerate the review of the infrastructure including vertical take-off and landing platforms in the country as well as strengthen our potential as a zero-emissions ultra-short-haul air travel provider in South-east Asia.

“AirAsia has revolutionised commercial air travel for the past two decades and we look forward to working with Skyports which will put us ahead of the curve and shape the future of autonomous aviation in the region.”

Yun-Yuan Tay, head of Asia Pacific, Skyports added: “This partnership highlights the steady progress of AAM development and interest in Malaysia and the wider (Asia-Pacific) region. With innovative and forward-looking partners like AirAsia, we will be able to take concrete steps towards the realisation of a safe, efficient and fully-integrated air taxi network which brings real benefits to the people and communities it serves.”

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore celebrates the Merlion’s Golden Jubilee

By TTG Asia
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To commemorate the milestone anniversary of the iconic Merlion on September 15 this year, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is rolling out a month-long celebration beginning September 1.

The Merlion’s Golden Jubilee Experience is happening on September 9-10 and comprises a one-night suite accommodation for a family of four, Merlion-themed welcome cookies and pralines, one complimentary extra bed, late check-out, and Straits Club access and privileges.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Merlion at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Guests will also receive a Lion’s Pride Merlion Art Bundle set, and get to indulge in an afternoon tea for four onboard a bumboat that will ply Singapore River and Marina Bay.

In addition, there will be a light-up of the hotel façade every evening, a birthday cake-cutting event, and a selection of Merlion merchandise at The Fullerton Shop.

Priced from S$1,180 (US$854) per suite per night, bookings are open from now to August 31.

For reservations, email tfs.reservations@fullertonhotels.com.

Further East 2022 draws strong interest

By TTG Asia
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Further East’s third edition in Bali has sold out almost all its supplier spaces, while a majority of buyers have confirmed their attendance at the event.

Organised by This is Beyond, Further East will take place from November 7 to 10, and is predicted to set a new record in terms of attendance as the reopening of travel sees global interest in Asia-Pacific reach new heights.

Further East 2022 is predicted to set a new record in terms of attendance

This edition will also mark the show’s expansion to include new luxury exhibitors encompassing the entire region – many of which are well-attuned to wellness and sustainability.

More international buyers are expected to join this November; the current buyer attendance from Asia-Pacific stands at 24 per cent compared to 29 per cent from North America (Canada included) and 35 per cent from Europe. Up to 450 Asia-Pacific focused global buyers and suppliers in the region will also partake in this event.

Joining the elite list will be 20 exclusive international media, featuring senior editors and travel experts, with official partners including Alila Seminyak, Desa Potato Head, W Bali – Seminyak and The Legian Seminyak, Bali.

“We are immensely proud to be able to work with the most original, most iconic and most forward-thinking in the travel business through Further East,” said Serge Dive, founder of This is Beyond. “For months, we’ve pushed ourselves to provide industry and thought leaders with meetings, ideas and inspirational tools that will inspire all to explore the potential of travel and towards a united, more sustainable future.”

The event will include up to 42 pre-scheduled appointments for various business objectives, invitations to official lunches and evening parties with fellow thought leaders, as well as express workshops for transformative business insights between meetings.

2022 will also see the launch of Open House by the House of Beyond; the event replacing the well-attended AWAKEN, Further East’s distinct and immersive ‘un’-conference.

SIA Group posts strong 1Q profits on back of surging passenger demand

By TTG Asia
0

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has reported a first-quarter operating profit of S$556 million (US$402.9 million), as travel demand rose sharply after Singapore fully reopened her borders to vaccinated travellers in April this year.

This is the group’s second-highest quarterly profit in its history, and a S$623 million improvement from the S$67 million loss in the previous quarter.

SIA and Scoot carried 5.1 million passengers during the quarter, up 158.2 per cent from the previous quarter

On a year-on-year basis, this was better by S$830 million from the previous year’s operating loss of S$274 million.

SIA and Scoot carried 5.1 million passengers during the quarter, up 158.2 per cent from the previous quarter and fourteen-fold higher than a year before.

Passenger traffic and load factors were robust across all cabin classes and travel segments, as well as all regions except East Asia where border restrictions remain in certain markets.

SIA’s quarterly revenue per available seat-kilometre was 10.2 cents, a record for the full-service airline.

Passenger flown revenue rose S$1,456 million (+119.3 per cent) quarter-on-quarter to S$2,676 million on the back of a 126.7 per cent growth in traffic.

Passenger load factor rose 34.1 percentage points to 79.0 per cent, the highest since the onset of the pandemic, as the traffic growth outpaced the capacity expansion of 28.9 per cent.

In a press statement, the group said travel demand is expected to remain robust in the near-term as it heads into the year-end holiday travel period, with forward sales staying buoyant for the next three months up to October 2022.

However, inflationary pressures including elevated fuel prices remain a concern, while rising interest rate and slowing economic growth around the world, including the group’s key markets, pose risks to travel recovery.

Maldives industry fights higher tourism tax

By Feizal Samath
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Kayak in the Maldives

Raising the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST) to 16 per cent from 12 per cent effective next year would significantly impact Maldives’ tourism performance, particularly at a time when destination competition is intensifying post-lockdown, said industry stakeholders.

Abdulla Ghiyas, president of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), said the government’s decision to raise taxes “is not a wise move”, stating that businesses would be “severely affected” as Maldives is already “a pricey destination and airfares are also increasing”.

Tourism tax will increase further, putting the Maldives at risk of losing out to competing beach destinations that have reopened their borders

His views were echoed by Mohamed Khaleel, CEO of Pulse Resorts and CEO of Manta Air, who noted that the government has not done a proper evaluation of the situation.

Khaleel told TTG Asia: “We had good tourism growth but that was when other destinations were closed due to the pandemic. Now the world is opening (up), including our competitors like Mauritius, Seychelles and Zanzibar, which have beaches as beautiful as the Maldives.”

On July 5, finance minister Ibrahim Ameer not only announced the increase in T-GST, but also the general goods and services tax (GST) – which covers the domestic sector – from six per cent to eight per cent in 2023. The T-GST covers all goods and services provided by the tourism sector, including resort supplies, travel agency services, and domestic air transport for tourists.

The T-GST was first introduced at 3.5 per cent from October till December 2011. It was adjusted to six per cent in January 2012, eight per cent a year later, and then 12 per cent in November 2014.

The tourism industry has repeatedly raised concerns over the tax increment, saying it makes the destination costlier.

In a separate statement, MATATO said this may not be the optimal time to implement tax increments, and that the full implications should be taken into consideration, including its impact on the nation’s primary revenue generating sector: tourism.

Tourism accounts for 74 per cent of the gross national income and should be properly accounted for. As all the competing beach destinations have opened their borders, it is important to stay competitive, it said.

“Any price increases will magnify the existing negative impact of fuel increases on operations, air travel, and, most of all, demand for the Maldives’ products,” MATATO noted.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Hilton teams up with Explora Journeys to expand loyalty programme to luxury ocean voyages
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
TTG Asia | Diamond Princess begins Singapore homeporting season