Vietnam’s second oldest pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, has been assigned as a national tourist attraction and restoration plans have been ordered for the eighth century site.
Located north-west of Hanoi, the pagoda site also houses a collection of ancient Vietnamese Buddhist sculptures. Of the 64 statues, 18 Arhats date back nearly 300 years.
Tay Phuong Pagoda in north-west of Hanoi, Vietnam, will be developed as a national tourist attraction
In a Viet Nam News report, Can Viet Hung, deputy director of Thach That District Cultural Information and Sports Centre, said the city’s Department of Culture and Sports will work with the locality to propose a restoration plan to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The project will attract an estimated budget of VND150 billion (US$6.4 million), and comprise repairs to the pagoda and conservation of its ancient features. Once approved, work is expected to begin next year.
Minor Hotels will bring its first Avani hotel to the Australian market with Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, set to open in 2025.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will sit on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Avenue, minutes away from the Mooloolaba beach foreshore. The 180-room hotel will offer four restaurants, bar, spa, rooftop pool, kids’ club, and meeting rooms.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will open in 2025
Dillip Rajakarier, group CEO of Minor International and chief executive officer of Minor Hotels, expressed delight at being able to introduce the first Avani hotel to the Australian market.
“We have been keen to add an Avani hotel into our Australian portfolio for some time and have been scouting for a first-class location. We feel confident this property ticks all the boxes for travellers seeking the upscale, contemporary experience offered by our international Avani Hotels & Resorts, and we expect it will be extremely well-received within the Australian market.”
Ayurveda specialists in India are expecting a busier season for medical tourism as Sri Lanka, a major competitor in the field, struggles with tourism disruption on the back of an unprecedented unrest.
Abhilash K Ramesh, executive director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group, said: “What’s happening in Sri Lanka is unfortunate. We expect international tourists who were earlier considering Sri Lanka for ayurvedic treatments will now turn to India as an alternative.”
India anticipates a growth of inbound international tourists seeking ayurvedic treatments
The destination switch will likely result in “good demand from key markets like Europe”, said Abhilash, who hopes that business would return to pre-pandemic levels by the start of October.
Onkar Singh, vice president – hospitality & wellness operations, Fazlani Natures Nest, told TTG Asia: “We expect a good number of confirmed bookings from international markets including Europe and North America. We are engaging tour operators in the key international source markets to promote our packages. We are also utilising digital and social media platforms to engage with potential clients.”
India’s ayurveda tourism sector recently received a boost when Indian prime minister Narendra Modi revealed the government’s plan to introduce a new Ayush visa for foreigners planning to visit for traditional treatments like ayurveda.
Kamana Pereira, head of wellness programme, Namami Health Retreat, said: “More and more people from all around the world are turning to healing therapies such as ayurveda and yoga to lead healthier and fitter lives. We anticipate an exponential growth of ayurveda tourism in Kerala.
“Thirty per cent of the Rs45,000 crore (US$5.62 billion) tourism revenue in the state comes from the ayurveda sector and the recently announced Ayush visas will give legitimacy to Kerala’s ayurvedic legacy,” added Kamana.
Ramesh commented that once the Ayush visa category is introduced, it will give a better insight into the exact number of international tourists visiting India for traditional treatments and the potential vested in the segment.
China will host the 2022 Asian Games in 2023, organisers said on July 19, after postponing the event in Hangzhou because of Covid-19.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8 next year, stating the new dates were chosen to avoid “conflict with other major international sporting events”.
The 2022 Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, 2023; Hangzhou city pictured
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has renewed its multi-year content agreement with Amadeus, and will work with the latter to modernise its retailing capabilities to include richer and more tailored offers.
Said Keiji Omae, vice president, global marketing, ANA: “We have always enjoyed a successful working relationship with Amadeus and are happy to continue with Amadeus as a long-term partner. Together, we are working to futureproof and digitally transform the way we deliver customised travel experiences to ever discerning travellers.”
ANA will work with Amadeus to modernise its retailing capabilities to include more tailored offers
Kai Gerrit Jacobsen, senior vice president, airlines, North Asia & Pacific, Amadeus, said: “ANA’s full range of international flight options will continue to bolster our offerings in Asia-Pacific and will also benefit the airline as it looks to take advantage of our global reach, scalability and cross-channel retailing options.”
Amadeus connected agents will enjoy access to all ANA’s international flights including fares, seat maps and ancillary services such as meals and lounge access through the Amadeus Travel Platform, allowing the airline to provide even better and more personalised experiences for its customers.
Accor and Singapore’s Fragrance Group will open Novotel Devonport in Tasmania’s northwest in 4Q2022. This will be the fifth hotel in Australia under their collaboration.
The 187-room hotel overlooking the Mersey River will feature a restaurant and bar, 24-hour room service and fitness centre, and a meeting room for up to 20 delegates. It is located nearby the Spirit of Tasmania terminal and with direct access to the paranaple convention centre.
Novotel Devonport in Tasmania will open in the later quarter of 2022
Accor Pacific’s chief executive officer Sarah Derry said: “The presence of this popular international brand will expose Devonport and the greater northern Tasmania region to a broader market and contribute to the region’s ability to attract major conferences, events and groups.”
Novotel Devonport will be tailored to suit both business and leisure travellers, and will fill the gap as a quality accommodation option – something previously lacking in this city despite being a major gateway for tourism and trade.
Fragrance Group’s chief executive officer James Koh said: “We are excited to further develop our partnership with Accor and deliver Novotel Devonport, which will be an elevated addition to north Tasmania’s tourism offering. The city of Devonport is on the precipice of a significant tourism boom, with additional major infrastructure works underway to further enhance the destination. Novotel Devonport is a celebration of innovative interior design, thoughtful detail and, importantly for this location, will provide a great culinary experience for guests and the local community.”
Korean boy band Treasure along with music celebrities BamBam and Jackson Wang have been confirmed in the lineup for K-pop Masterz in Bangkok, a Korean music extravaganza that is scheduled at Impact Exhibition Hall 5-6 Muang Thong Thani on July 31.
Promoter Pamee249 and Bangkok Connect have confirmed a showcase of light, colour and sound, further cementing Bangkok’s readiness for the return of international high-profile events.
K-pop Masterz in Bangkok will be held on July 31 in Bangkok
Tickets are priced from 3,000 baht (US$81.90), and can be purchased at ThaiTicketMajor.
K-pop Masterz in Bangkok tours on from Manila, where Treasure, BamBam and Jackson Wang have been confirmed as well.
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium has appointed Michiel de Kleer as general manager.
The Dutch national brings with him more than 20 years of hospitality experience, having worked with properties such as Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, and Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. Prior to his latest appointment, Michiel’s most recent role was general manager at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road.
De Kleer joined IHG in September 2013 as executive assistant manager with Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park before moving to Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in the same capacity in February 2016.
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) is bringing back its signature NATAS Holidays 2022 over August 12 to 14 at Singapore Expo Hall 5.
The show, branded as the only premier travel fair in Singapore, will feature more than 40 exhibitors from the travel and tourism ecosystem, including NTOs, travel agencies, hotel companies and cruise specialists.
NATAS Holidays was last held in August 2019 (Photo by NATAS)
While NATAS was not available for comment at press time, exhibitors Chan Brothers Travel and Korea Tourism Organisation told TTG Asia that the return of the travel fair was timely, as Singapore residents are eager to catch up on lost holidays.
“We are thrilled that leisure travel is roaring back with bookings and enquiries rising exponentially,” said Jeremiah Wong, spokesperson for Chan Brothers Travel, which will take up a 252m2 booth at NATAS Holidays 2022.
He added: “2022 is the chapter of our industry’s resurgence and we are positive that 2023 will be the year that tourism records a strong bounce back to pre-pandemic levels as the market stabilises.”
Jamie Chua, marketing manager with Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore Office), said the event would be instrumental in restoring consumers’ confidence in travel, “by demonstrating that the travel industry is ready to rise above the pandemic”.
“We wish to bring back the joy of travel to everyone in Singapore,” Chua added.
To inspire travel and encourage bookings, Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore Office) has planned a series of workshops at its booth and various communications centred on special interest holidays. It will also give away tickets to a special showcase at Victoria Theatre in September for purchases made at the travel fair.
“We would like to encourage our visitors to go deeper into South Korea where they can experience and explore different parts of (of the country) through K-cycling, K-trekking and K-food,” revealed Chua.
The tourism office will, in particular, highlight the region of Jeollanamdo, home to UNWTO 2021 Best Tourism Village and recognised as Land of K-Gourmet. It has partnered with Singapore lifestyle and entertainment magazine, U-Weekly, on a campaign titled UTRAVEL to Korea to showcase the region and offer an October tour that will be led by a mystery personality.
Access to South Korea has vastly improved on the back on several new air links from Singapore, she noted. Air Premia, Jeju Air, Scoot and T-way are among the airlines that have recently launched new services from Singapore, and Chua said more would follow in the coming months.
Chan Brothers Travel is also determined to convert travel intentions into action on the show grounds, and will present its widest selection of dates and confirmed departures, as well as numerous offers and new itinerary launches, including its popular celebrity-led tour series.
Wong hopes “astute travellers” will book and secure their seats at the August show, so as to beat the potential price hikes in the marketplace. He noted that the price of travel continues to be volatile and sensitive to surging airfares due to limited seat inventory.
Chan Brothers Travel expects strong bookings for the second half of the year until March or April 2023, with year-end and spring travel drawing particularly high demand from Singapore residents.
David Castaño has been appointed general manager of Milaidhoo Maldives.
The Spanaird brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked in resorts located in Bhutan, Cook Islands, Tanzania, Chile, and New Zealand.
Castaño’s most recent hospitality experience includes a focus on achieving accolades through meeting high standards of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand globally.
De Kleer joined IHG in September 2013 as executive assistant manager with Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park before moving to Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in the same capacity in February 2016.
Castaño’s most recent hospitality experience includes a focus on achieving accolades through meeting high standards of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand globally.
