Radisson Hotel Group expands APAC footprint
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has initiated its APAC Expansion Plan to drive 400 per cent growth across the Asia-Pacific region by 2025. The plan will see RHG target multi-brand expansion from over 400 properties across the region, to over 2,000 hotels and resorts by 2025.
The latest phase of RHG’s five-year transformation strategy, the plan will focus on five strategic growth markets – India, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand – and builds on existing initiatives to harness the vast potential of China with parent company Jin Jiang International and its subsidiaries.
RHG will leverage existing relationships and seek new strategic partnerships in India, while establishing new dedicated Business Units in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, and Sydney.
With a portfolio of nine distinct brands, including a new brand extension, Radisson Individuals Retreats for the Indian market, RHG also has rights across Asia-Pacific to develop and manage the 7 Days and Metropolo brands.
In Australasia and select markets in South-east Asia, RHG has retained exclusive license rights to develop and manage the Golden Tulip brand from Louvre Hotels Group and additional (non-exclusive) rights to the Kyriad and Campanile brands.
With new or revitalised brands in the portfolio ranging from economy to luxury, RHG will customise its development strategy to partner with owners and investors in every market segment and location.
Katerina Giannouka, president, Asia-Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group said: “Our plans for the APAC region represent one of the most important milestones in our company’s history. Focusing on Asia-Pacific’s most dynamic destinations and introducing multiple new brand options will present outstanding opportunities for expansion.”
IHG adds properties in Penang and Japan
InterContinental Penang Resort, Malaysia and voco Osaka Central, Japan are the latest additions to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ expanding pipeline.
InterContinental Penang Resort will be the second InterContinental hotel in Malaysia, in partnership with THR Hotel (Penang), a subsidiary of Tradewinds Corporation.
The collaboration will transform the former Penang Mutiara Beach Resort at Teluk Bahang into InterContinental Penang Resort. This is slated to open in 2025.
A 30-minute drive from central Georgetown, InterContinental Penang Resort will feature 355 rooms and suites, and a private enclave of six villas for an immersive stay among nature. A holistic wellness village will house 10 treatment villas, a yoga studio, and a relaxation pavilion.
Teluk Bahang Fishing Village, Penang National Park and the Penang Tropical Spice Garden will be the hotel’s immediate neighbours, and guests will get to enjoy views of the Malacca Straits. Facilities include three swimming pools, five restaurants and bars, meeting and event venues.
Over in Japan, IHG has signed a management agreement with NTT Urban Development Corporation to launch voco Osaka Central in 2023.
As IHG’s sixth hotel in Osaka, voco Osaka Central will feature 191 rooms and is located a few minutes’ walk away from Yodoyabashi, Honmachi and Higobashi stations. Facilities include a restaurant, café, fitness gym and meeting rooms.
Voco Osaka Central will take on sustainable initiatives such as the use of biodegradable coffee cups, energy-saving aerated shower heads, and bulk bathroom amenities.
Discova leads as first DMC to offer airport lounge
Destination specialist Discova will open its first lounge in Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Indonesia on July 1, becoming the only DMC to offer such a facility.
An agreement with the airport will allow Discova to operate the lounge until 2027, with potential to extend after.
Peter Christiansen, regional manager for Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos, said: “Ever since Discova opened in Bali seven years ago, we have wanted to improve the way in which visitors here are welcomed, to immediately immerse them in the warm and friendly atmosphere that has made the island so famous and loved. We want to make it memorable right from the get-go, and offer a completely smooth and stress-free arrival experience.”
Upon arrival, guests can enjoy a drink and chilled towel at the lounge. The driver or guide will meet and escort them to the private parking area and drive them to their accommodation.
Discova is also working with Cross Hotels & Resorts to allow guests to complete hotel check-ins at the lounge itself.
Grand Hyatt Jakarta appoints new hotel manager
Grand Hyatt Jakarta has welcomed Anumodit Chaturvedi as new hotel manager.
Chaturvedi has been with the Hyatt family for over 15 years and joins Grand Hyatt Jakarta after his time at Grand Hyatt Singapore and Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Air New Zealand ups flight frequency, launches new campaign
In anticipation of growing travel demand stemming from the removal of pre-departure Covid-19 testing requirements and the full resumption of international travel to New Zealand on 31 July, Air New Zealand will step up frequency of its direct Singapore-Auckland route from thrice weekly to daily, starting 4 July.
It has also launched a new two-minute campaign film, That indescribable feeling, which follows the story of a young couple preparing to fly to New Zealand after the border reopens. It captures the universal relief after the travel drought, and the new world of known unknowns that come with borders reopening.
As part of the campaign, content creators are also brought on board to share their unique take on the campaign tagline through a video reel and contest giveaway.
IHG, SHG beef up partnership for portfolio expansion in Vietnam
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has deepened its decade-long relationship with Sun Hospitality Group (SHG), a member of Sun Group, to develop four hotels across two destinations in Vietnam, which will result in 2,709 rooms to meet the rising demand from domestic and international guests.
IHG’s Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort and voco brands will take centrestage in the expansion of Ba Na Hills – Vietnam’s leading highlands entertainment complex – while the Holiday Inn Resort brand will debut in Quang Ninh Province, within Yoko Park – the first large-scale hot spring resort in the country.
A MoU has also been signed by both to bring Vignette Collection onsen-wellness resorts and products across Vietnam, in collaboration with world-renowned spa and wellness consultant, Raison d’Etre.
The 178-villa Sun Onsen Village, Vignette Collection and 194-villa Quang Hanh Onsen Village, Vignette Collection, located adjacent to the popular Yoko Onsen, are the first two projects under cooperation.
The alliance announcement coincides with two major milestones – the 15th anniversary of Sun Group and the 10th anniversary of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
As part of the agreement, IHG and SHG intend to work together on learning and development, quality assurance, joint creation of new lines of products and services, as well as corporate social responsibility efforts in Vietnam.
Singapore-Desaru ferry connection to commence July 7
Passenger ferry services between Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Malaysia’s Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will commence on July 7, with operations set to scale up progressively in response to demand.
For the initial months, Batam Fast will operate one round trip from Thursday to Sunday, with a 330-pax ferry. The journey is approximately 90 minutes per sector. Ferry tickets and service schedules will be made available online at desarucoast.com and batamfast.com from June 30.
Roslina Arbak, managing director and CEO, Desaru Development Holdings One, said the new service “will make Desaru Coast even more accessible to international travellers”.
“This is a game-changer for the destination. It will enable us to unlock new market opportunities in all travel segments and at the same time, position Desaru Coast as an attractive hospitality investment to draw like-minded investors for our next phase of growth.”
Paul R Gannaway, CEO of Batam Fast, said Desaru Coast and the south-eastern Johor region are popular tourist destinations, and the new ferry service “will give holidaymakers a rewarding experience”.
Desaru Coast will celebrate the launch with special packages that include return ferry tickets, hotel stays and golf, as well as day-tripper deals.
New hotels: The Westin Yokohama, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, and more
The Westin Yokohama, Japan
Opened on June 13, the 373-key hotel in Yokohama’s new central business district, Minato Mirai, offers guests access to popular sightseeing spots for a good mix of business and leisure.
Designed by leading architecture and design firm G.A. Design of London, The Westin Yokohama draws inspiration from the concept of biophilia, and incorporates elements that reflect Yokohama’s history as a port city and its local culture.
The lobby on the 23rd floor offers stunning views towards Mount Fuji and features a soaring indoor garden with lighting to convey the Japanese philosophy of “shinrin yoku”, also known as forest bathing.
The Westin’s six pillars of well-being – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well – are brought into the hotel’s guest experience, such as through Heavenly Bath rain showers in guestrooms.
Other facilities include five F&B outlets, a dedicated wellness floor, as well as indoor and outdoor event spaces.
Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, Indonesia
The adults-only Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is Banyan Tree Group’s newest brand and property.
Set in an off-the-beaten-track, untouched part of northern Ubud, the resort adopts a “no walls, no doors” concept. There are 16 balés (villas), and all are designed to blend spacious indoor-outdoor living areas with 180-degree panoramic views and sounds of nature through a bold taste of ‘The Naked Experience’ where only a thin veil separates guests from nature.
At the resort’s heart are the Open Kitchen and Living Room, both open dining and lounge spaces created to evoke a sense of community. Here, guests are invited to learn how the resort reinvents the basics of food and drink through its unique zero-waste farm-to-table concept, local sourcing philosophy and heritage techniques. The menu concept, 70 per cent of which is plant-based, is sourced locally within a one-hour drive from the property.
The resort’s Toja Spa adopts well-being traditions from Buahan village and its surrounding areas, offering an “open” garden experience.
A calendar of daily, weekly, and monthly events are offered to give guests a richer experience of the destination and surroundings.
Parklane Bohol Resort and Spa, the Philippines
Parklane Bohol Resort and Spa beckons travellers with a private beach cove, breathtaking views of the sea, sky and gardens, and well-appointed rooms.
Opened in May, the beachfront resort has eight rooms in each of its 11 two-storey villas. Each room has a balcony.
Facilities include three swimming pools, a restaurant, and spaces for corporate functions, team building activities and destination weddings.
Fueling travel recovery and revenue with loyalty
Over the past two years, even as the pandemic created intense challenges for the travel industry, loyalty programmes have proven to be a steady beacon of commercial strength and opportunity for their parent companies.
Despite not having the same opportunity to engage in the typical sense, it was clear that there was still strong interest among both loyalty programmes and their members to maintain their relationships with one another. And now, as travellers return to the skies and roads across Asia, there is a unique opportunity for these brands to capitalise on this trend and further realise the potential of their loyalty programmes through ancillary revenue opportunities.
Here are three key insights to help travel brands fuel innovation and travel recovery and beyond by leveraging their loyalty programmes:
The pandemic didn’t slow appetite for loyalty programmes
Once considered cost centres, loyalty programmes are now lauded as profit powerhouses. Loyalty programmes have steadily gained prominence in the last decade, but most notably over the past two years. After generating significant revenue – especially during a time of low travel demand – travel rewards programmes have established a newfound reputation within both their parent companies and the travel industry at large as drivers of revenue.
Furthermore, in spite of travel restrictions, travel brands maintained strong engagement between their loyalty programmes and their members during the pandemic. Now, there is a real opportunity in Asia to accelerate engagement further to gain an edge in the recovery. The millions of loyalty programmes members are the first to fill seats, and they’ll be the most frequent travelers in the future, too.
The increasing commercial importance of loyalty programmes to their parent companies since the pandemic has unlocked additional resources and accelerated the pace of innovation. And I expect this is a trend that will continue well beyond the travel recovery.
Loyalty currency retailing unlocks immediate revenue opportunities
With the emerging travel recovery in Asia, travel brands have a unique opportunity to bring their loyalty programmes to new heights. Loyalty currency retailing – selling points/miles to programmes members –represents an untapped market and opportunity to stimulate ancillary revenue for the airline industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
While mileage sales and promotions are a fixture in North American markets – and contributed heavily to the region’s rebound – there is a growing demand for mileage retailing across Asia. For airlines that leverage currency retailing today, we’ve found Asia-Pacific members are not only buying more points/miles, but also buying more often than members in the rest of the world. This is a positive sign that the market demand is there and all travel brands need to do is tap into their own potential.
Members who buy loyalty currency become more valuable
The bottom line will always exist, but the true value in loyalty programmes and their retailing opportunities lies in their name: cultivating real and authentic loyalty. Immediate ancillary revenue is great, but building member relationships and programmes satisfaction are what will drive long-term growth, revenue, and retention. One strategy for cultivating this authentic loyalty is through points/miles retailing.
Across our extensive global network of loyalty partners, we’ve found members who buy miles have higher lifetime value. After one mileage purchase, a member will spend 31 per cent more across their programmes in the subsequent 12 months. To stay competitive in travel recovery, finding those touchpoints and opportunities to foster programmes engagement will make all the difference for a travel brand and their key consumers.
As airlines navigate travel recovery it may feel like change is the only constant, but there’s a silver lining: uncertainty opens up space for innovation and experimentation. Loyalty programmes in Asia have a unique opportunity right now to create value and revenue by embracing new products and solutions designed to tackle the challenges of today and the ones to come.
Consumers in Asia-Pacific are showing a stronger interest in sustainability while traveling when compared to global averages, finds a study by Expedia Group that analyses data from Japan, India, China, and Australia.
APAC consumers seek sustainable options while travelling
Globally, 90% of travellers want to see sustainable options when booking a trip. This trend was even stronger in the APAC region, with 95% of travellers indicating interest in sustainable travel options, as compared to other surveyed regions, including the Americas at 74% looking for sustainable travel options, and Europe at 69%.
India and China emerge as countries showing the most interest in sustainable travel, with 98% of Indian and 96% of Chinese consumers saying they look for sustainable travel options.
Australia and Japan also show strong interest in sustainable travel, with 72% and 56% respectively saying they look for sustainable travel options.
Increasing importance of sustainable travel in Australia and Japan
Compared to previous trips, Japanese consumers are 280% more likely to stay in accommodations or lodging that are actively lessening environmental impact and 125% more likely to use environmentally friendly transport for their next trip.
For their future travels, Australian consumers are 74% more likely to use providers who declare a commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, on their next trip, 63% of Australians plan to support local communities by buying from local stores and restaurants, rather than chains.
APAC consumers are aware that sustainability comes at a cost, and they are willing to pay more to ensure that their trip is sustainable. Overall, 100% of APAC consumers said they would be willing to pay more for sustainable travel.
APAC consumers are willing to pay 41% more for sustainable travel options, with Indian consumers willing to pay up to 44% more. Those in Japan and Australia are willing to pay 25% or so for sustainable travel.
For 56% of APAC consumers, they are willing to pay more for sustainable food and activities, closely followed by additional transportation and lodging costs.
Sacrificing convenience and comfort for sustainable travel
Compared to the Americas and Europe, 96% of APAC consumers are willing to make sacrifices if it means that they can be a more sustainable traveller.
In giving up convenience and comfort while travelling, 53% of APAC consumers are willing to do so, followed by 50% who are willing to sacrifice time travelling to a destination and accommodation convenience.
Australian and Japanese consumers are more likely to sacrifice the time it takes to travel to a destination than other factors.
Sustainable travel differs by country
Sustainability has become a common term in many spaces, but the meaning of the word can differ from person to person and region to region. Across the APAC region, supporting local economies, supporting local cultures and communities, and lessening environmental impact are considered aspects of sustainable travel, according to about 70% of respondents.
Looking at the country-specific data, different patterns emerge. In Australia, over 75% consumers believe that lessening environmental impact is a part of sustainable travel. Australians were less likely to say that supporting local economies, cultures, and communities were part of sustainable travel. Fewer than 40% of respondents saw visiting lesser-known destinations as a part of sustainable travel.
Supporting local cultures and communities was the most popular response for Indian consumers, with 74% indicating that as sustainable travel. Chinese respondents were split between lessening environmental impact and supporting local economies as the most popular answers.
In Japan, supporting local economies as a part of sustainable travel had the highest percentage of respondents at 50%. Less than 40% of respondents saw supporting local cultures and communities or visiting lesser-known destinations as part of sustainable travel.
Looking for sustainable travel information from various sources
More than 66% of APAC consumers are looking to learn more about travel options with low environmental impact and options that support local cultures and communities. More than half want to see this information from local destinations, tourism, or visitor resource groups. Just under half of respondents want more information about sustainability from accommodation or lodging companies and transportation providers.
Preferred sustainable travel destinations differ by country
Over 50% of Chinese and Indian respondents are looking for sustainable options in major cities, compared to less than one-third looking for travel options in lesser-known towns or resorts.
However, 56% of Japanese consumers and 46% of Australians are looking for sustainable travel options in a lesser-known destination. Only 18% of Japanese respondents are looking for sustainable options in a major city.