Philippines scrapping of Covid pre-departure tests met with cheer

May 31, 2022

Tourism stakeholders in the Philippines have lauded the removal of pre-departure RT-PCR Covid test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to the Philippines, believing it will help hasten the recovery of the tourism sector.

Cyndy Tan Jarabata, CEO and president of Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group, the “new ‘no test’ travel rule is a great move for the Philippines as the ease of travel will benefit tourism and associated businesses”.

Tourism stakeholders are relieved with the removal of Covid pre-departure tests

She said: “More inbound international flights are expecting to resume, including new routes to connect to more islands – just in time for the summer season from key markets like Japan and Korea, and longhaul from Europe and the US.”

Rajah Travel chairperson and president, Aileen Clemente, was also in favour of the scrapping of the pre-departure test, but she pointed out that necessary health measures needed to be followed, to ensure a balance in both uptick in arrivals and safe travel.

Also exempted from the pre-departure RT-PCR requirements are travellers aged 12 to 17 who have received primary Covid-19 vaccines, and those below 12 years old travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

Meanwhile, travel insurance for arriving passengers are also no longer required, but is still highly encouraged.

Clemente reiterated the health and safe travel point, and stated that “insurance should be highly encouraged”.

Although she also favoured the scrapping of tests, Amiable Intertours’ president Bernadette de Leon prefers an optional travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage and hospitalisation.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism’s (Dot) outgoing tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat stated “the public’s health and safety will remain the DoT’s top priority” even as visiting the Philippines becomes more convenient for tourists.

Per DoT, a total of 517,516 foreign tourists visited the Philippines from February 10 to May 25, 2022, where 104,589 were from the US, 28,474 from South Korea, and 24,337 from Canada. Others on the list are from Australia, the UK and Japan with tourist arrivals at 23,286, 20,846, and 13,373 respectively.

Updated entry rules for Thailand get mixed reactions

By Alastair Newport

May 31, 2022

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Thailand will retire the on-arrival quarantine requirement for all travellers today (June 1) and simplify procedures related to the Thailand Pass.

With the change, foreign travellers will need to provide three sets of documents to complete the Thailand Pass procedure – Covid-19 vaccination certificates or test results; a minimum of US$10,000 equivalent of travel insurance that covers medical expenses related to Covid-19; and a copy of a valid passport.

The Thailand Pass is an additional step for travellers entering the country

A Thailand Pass QR code will be auto-generated immediately after registration, which airlines will need prior to issuing boarding passes to travellers.

For Thai returnees, the Thailand Pass application will only function as a pre-arrival registration system.

The general mood in Thailand’s travel and tourism industry is one of relief.

Jon Owen, CEO of Go City, said the latest easing of measures signals Thailand’s “shift towards pre-pandemic travel and normality”.

Jackson Ferguson, vice president of global commerce at S Hotels & Resorts, told TTG Asia that despite May and June being traditionally low-season months, there has been a “significant increase” in last-minute bookings. The encouraging business performance joins a spike in bookings for 3Q2022 and 4Q2022.

However, industry players are impatient to see the back of the Thailand Pass soon.

Ferguson said: “The Thailand Pass is an additional step for travellers to enter the country, and that puts us at a disadvantage to other countries who have no entry regulations.”

Claude Sauter, general manager of The Slate Phuket, agrees. He sees no merit to the updated Thailand Pass regulations, although the removal of quarantine is “good news”.

As Thai returnees account for only 20 per cent of arrivals and carry the same risks of spreading the disease on entry as international travellers, industry players question the relevance of the Thailand Pass as a pandemic control.

Genting Dream docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore

By TTG Asia

May 31, 2022

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Genting Dream, the flagship of Resorts World Cruises, has made landfall at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS), ahead of its first commercial sailing on June 15.

Genting Dream will be the first resort cruise ship to homeport in Singapore, and is the first out of a planned fleet known as Resorts Cruising on High Seas.

Accommodation options range from interior staterooms to ocean-view and balcony suites for 3,352 passengers. Additionally, The Palace luxury features a private enclave with its own exclusive restaurant, sundeck, gym, spa and other facilities.

Vacationers can enjoy international performances and blockbuster movies at the Zodiac theatre with 1,000-seat capacity; a theme park at sea with pools and waterslides, ziplines, a rock-climbing wall, bowling alleys, duty-free shopping, spas and other attractions ideal for corporate retreats.

There are also a total of 35 F&B options onboard, comprising inclusive and speciality restaurants, bars, as well as certified Halal and vegetarian dining offerings.

In a press release, Resorts World Cruises stated it will be expanding the Resorts Brand from land experiences to the seas of the world, to position itself as the leading cruise line in the region for Asian-sourced markets.

President of Resorts World Cruises, Michael Goh, said: “We are thrilled to witness the start of Genting Dream as the flagship of Resorts World Cruises, a new luxury and dynamic lifestyle cruise brand, affiliated with over five decades of global experience in both hospitality and cruising.

“We eagerly look forward to welcoming vacationers aboard Genting Dream to experience a ‘Resort Cruising on High Seas’ from Singapore, which is full of excitement, lifestyle choices and memorable experiences.”

Solo, new cruisers and corporate groups on the rise for Regent, Oceania

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May 31, 2022

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Post-lockdown, interest for solo and new-to-brand travellers, as well as corporate incentive charters are on an upward trajectory, according to Steve Odell, senior vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Regent Seven Seas Cruises & Oceania Cruises.

Four out of seven of Oceania’s ships will now feature 14 staterooms, each designed specifically with the solo traveller in mind. The first of these 56 staterooms will debut onboard Regatta this September, followed by rooms onboard the Nautica, Sirena and Insignia.

An uptick in new-to-brand guests at about 76 per cent was also observed across both luxury cruise lines.

Odell told TTG Asia: “This indicates that travellers are trying out cruising for the first time, and that seasoned cruisers are shifting across from the bigger ships to smaller, more luxurious vessels, with the benefit of more space on board.”

Sales were also stellar for both premuim brands, with passengers booking way in advance for some itineraries.

For instance, Seven Seas Explorer – dubbed the most luxurious ship ever built – sold out in its inaugural sailing in Asia. Scheduled to hit Singapore waters this December, it is fully booked for its Asia-Pacific season.

Itineraries for 2023 and 2024 are selling well too. The 140- and 190-day world cruises for both lines were sold out within a few hours.

Oceania’s opening day for its 2024 collection of voyages recently even ranked among the best single-day booking periods in the company’s history. More than 350 voyages went on sale. The cruise line’s 35-day circumnavigation of Australia departing December 2023 proved to be the most in-demand voyage.

All destinations saw strong bookings, but Asia stood out most.

Corporate incentive charters is another market sector that the luxury cruise lines are actively pursuing. Odell said demand for incentive cruises is fuelled by the “inclusive nature of our products, and the fact that the incentive of travel has more appeal than ever before”.

“We have a specialised team within our business who are experts in every facet of this sector,” he added.

MMPRC gets romantic with South Korean travel partners

By TTG Asia

May 31, 2022

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Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has partnered with South Korean travel agencies – Palm Tour and Honeymoon Resort – on a joint campaign titled, Visit Maldives… the Romantic Side of Life.

The three-month-long campaign aims to promote the Maldives as one of the safest and most alluring honeymoon and romantic destinations.

*The Maldives… the Romantic Side of Life campaign highlights* Maldives as the perfect honeymoon and romantic destination

Headquartered in Seoul, Palm Tour is one of the top honeymoon agencies for overseas travel in South Korea. It has over 15 branches nationwide, and offers a wide range of Maldives products with various flight and resort options.

Honeymoon Resort is also one of the biggest honeymoon travel agencies in the country, and has over 10 years of experience with various Maldives honeymoon products and services.

Both agencies will develop exclusive promotional components online, as well as showcase Maldivian products at fairs, providing latest destination information like visa requirements and guidelines.

Palm Tour and Honeymoon Resort will organise other promotional activities, such as giveaways, to attract attention to the destination from honeymooners and newly-weds.

This campaign is in line with MMPRC’s strategy to maintain the destination presence in the South Korean market.

MMPRC is currently planning familiarisation trips, joint promotions with airlines, and print media advertising campaigns for the South Korean market this year.

Prior to the pandemic, South Korea was the third largest outbound tourism source market in Asia-Pacific in 2019, with 28.7 million international departures. The Maldives welcomed 6,839 travellers from South Korea in 2021. There has been 7,191 tourists from this market to the Maldives as of May 15, 2022.

DayAway makes debut in Australia

By TTG Asia

May 31, 2022

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DayAway, the platform for booking hotels by the day, has signed on Park Hyatt Sydney, The Langham, Sydney, Jackalope Mornington Peninsula, and COMO The Treasury Perth as partners, paving its way into Australia.

Lynne Ireland, the Sydney-based chief commercial officer of DayAway said: “We are thrilled to welcome these superb Australian properties to DayAway, and know the market will embrace the immediacy of booking, the diversity of day experiences and gifting opportunities within our collection in Australia and internationally.”

DayAway has signed on Park Hyatt Sydney, The Langham, Sydney, Jackalope Mornington Peninsula, and COMO The Treasury Perth as partners in Australia

DayAway brings a fresh perspective to traditional ways of experiencing hotels, and provides a B2B2C solution for the global hospitality industry by optimising and monetising their underutilised ancillary spaces. It is powered by innovative SaaS technology and incorporates eye-catching content and design to showcase curated daytime experiences to its engaged audience.

Founder and CEO of DayAway, Martha Waslen, said: “DayAway has strong appeal for guests who may already frequent the hotels as overnight guests and like the idea of a special daytime experience; it’s also attractive for new and next-generation customers.”

For the four new hotel partners, their DayAway Experiences range from dining options for lunch and afternoon tea, spa and facial treatments, wine tasting, and even a daytime room stay package.

DayAway’s expansion to international markets will continue to the UAE, the UK and the US later in 2022.

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts appoints new chief growth officer

By TTG Asia

May 31, 2022

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Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has appointed Amit Mahajan as chief growth officer.

He is responsible for spearheading the business and product development efforts at Cygnett by implementing new growth initiatives, products, and programmes.

With over 23 years of progressive work experience, he takes on his new role after having served as director of development with InterGlobe Hotels.

The Westin Singapore announces new DOSM

By TTG Asia

May 31, 2022

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The Westin Singapore recently welcomed its new director of sales and marketing, Jenny Lim.

In her new role, she will oversee the hotel’s sales and marketing strategies.

Previously director of sales and marketing at Parkroyal on Beach Road, Singapore, Lim brings with her two decades worth of knowledge and expertise in sales and marketing.

Fairmont Singapore, Razer team up for a game-changing experience

By TTG Asia

May 30, 2022

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Gamers can now enjoy the best of gaming innovation and hospitality at the world’s first luxury gaming suites at Fairmont Singapore. The hotel has partnered with Razer for the first-of-its-kind gamer-centric suites that bring next-level fun and immersive gaming.

Three luxury suites have been transformed into gaming havens with a host of lifestyle treats within the surrounds of the hotel.

Gamers can now enjoy the best of gaming innovation and hospitality at Fairmont Singapore’s luxury gaming suites

The Razer Gamer & Streamer Suite comes complete with 5v5 battle stations and blackout shades for up to ten players to pit their skills against one another. Gaming stations include gaming gear like Razer Raptor 27 gaming monitor, Razer Huntsman V2 keyboard, Razer BlackShark V2 headset, and ergonomic Razer Iskur chair.

The Razer Mercury Suite is fitted with the latest Razer technology, and includes the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense headset and limited-edition Razer Iskur X – Hello Kitty and Friends Edition with Lumbar Cushion chair.

Chill out at the Razer Console Lounge which features the latest Xbox and PlayStation 5 consoles, along with Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controllers, and watch the gameplay unfold on the giant 70-inch TV screen.

Guests can bring their own gaming ware and gear, or loan limited sets of the Razer Blade 15 laptop. Food and drinks can also be ordered and served right to the suites.

Booking is available now till April 2023, from 09.00 to 23.00 daily, with prices starting from S$240 (US$176) for two-hour blocks. Four-hour blocks are available too.

For more information, visit Fairmont Singapore.

DidaTravel expands hotel network amid soaring bookings in SEA

By TTG Asia

May 30, 2022

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Thailand is the top destination booked by DidaTravel’s B2B clients

Brought to you by DidaTravel

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Philippines are the top five destination countries booked by DidaTravel’s B2B clients globally
The company saw a 460 per cent increase in hotel bookings in Southeast Asia from January 1 to April 30, compared to the same period last year – surpassing even 2019 levels
Over the last three years, DidaTravel has extended its hotel portfolio in Southeast Asia by 44 per cent – to reach 28,000 properties

Thailand leads the market growth in Southeast Asia for DidaTravel as the top destination for its B2B clients globally.

As compared to the same period last year, Thailand’s bookings were up 324 per cent from January 1 to April 30 of 2022.

The leading global hotel wholesaler’s buyers include travel agents, tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs), travel management companies (TMCs), airlines, hotels and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) players.

Other top destinations, which comprise Malaysia (+231 per cent YoY), Singapore (+560 per cent YoY), Indonesia (+378 per cent YoY), Philippines (+965 per cent YoY), and Vietnam (+303 per cent YoY), have also seen a sharp increase in hotel bookings compared to the same period last year.

Overall, data from DidaTravel showed that hotel bookings in Southeast Asia have increased by 460 per cent YoY, even overtaking the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 15 per cent.

Top 20 Southeast Asian destinations booked by DidaTravel’s B2B clients

In a strategic move to cater to the rising demand for hotel products in Southeast Asia, DidaTravel has also added local rooms to its inventory.

In the past three years, DidaTravel grew the hotels in Southeast Asia under its portfolio at a double-digit growth to reach 44 per cent – taking the total number of hotels available in the region for clients to 28,000, of which 3,712 hotels are directly contracted.

The robust growth has been driven by the company’s on-going ambitious plan to increase the number of directly contracted hotels globally by end of 2022 to 74,000.

Rikin Wu, DidaTravel founder and CEO said: “DidaTravel has rich local knowledge and a strong contracting presence in Southeast Asia for a long time, so it is very exciting to see growth in the region as demand rebounds.”

He is also optimistic about the prospects of the travel industry this year as border restrictions are easing in more and more countries in Asia – which will see the return of much-needed long-haul travellers who require longer stays and are spending more too.

DidaTravel is headquartered in Shenzhen, China and has over 300 staff in eight offices globally, working with over 23,000 travel buying clients worldwide.

Additionally, the company has a portfolio of over 51,500 competitively sourced direct hotel contracts, as well as 700,000 hotel products provided by about 600 global suppliers, covering more than 200 countries and regions.

To find out how to tap into DidaTravel’s extensive network of travel agencies, tour operators, wholesalers, OTAs, TMCs, airlines and hotels, visit www.didatravel.com.

Philippines scrapping of Covid pre-departure tests met with cheer

Updated entry rules for Thailand get mixed reactions

Genting Dream docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore

Solo, new cruisers and corporate groups on the rise for Regent, Oceania

MMPRC gets romantic with South Korean travel partners

DayAway makes debut in Australia

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts appoints new chief growth officer

The Westin Singapore announces new DOSM

Fairmont Singapore, Razer team up for a game-changing experience

DidaTravel expands hotel network amid soaring bookings in SEA

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