The resumption of international scheduled flights to India in March has helped to nurture a return in inbound business, inspiring business confidence among some Indian destination players.
Prateek Hira, president & CEO, Tornos India, said the inbound season beginning in October is looking very positive, with two large groups from the UK confirmed for November.
Wellness experiences in India are attracting a younger segment of travellers now
Inbound specialists say wellness products are in demand, and early trends are pointing to keener interest from younger travellers.
Abhilash K Ramesh, executive director, Kairali Ayurvedic Group, said travellers from German-speaking markets, North America and Japan are showing up for wellness experiences.
“Traditionally, the average age of our clients from European markets was 45 years, but this year we are seeing demand from those in their 30s,” shared Ramesh.
While there were expectations that India’s inbound recovery would be driven by short-haul markets, stakeholders are relieved to see that traditional longhaul source markets like Europe and the US were still biting.
Hira said it is now time for the tourism ministry and state tourism boards to “aggressively market India internationally”, and “send a strong message that we are ready to welcome international tourists”.
While confidence is up, recovery will take time. Arun Anand, managing director, Midtown Travels, expects inbound performance to only match pre-pandemic numbers in 2023 at the earliest.
Silversea Cruises is well-positioned to capitalise on the new travel trends and changing consumer preferences emerging from the pandemic, Adam Radwanski, managing director, Asia-Pacific told TTG Asia.
An appreciation for slow travel and more immersive experiences, as well as a propensity to splurge on more luxurious offerings – a result of accumulated wealth from the lack of prior travel opportunities – meant greater business opportunity for the ultra-luxury expedition cruise line.
Silversea commits to bringing in more capacity and the latest ships to Asia in the future
That appetite has resulted in a longer average cruise trip duration post-pandemic – from 16 days before to 18 days now, shared Radwanski. Guests are also keen to book more expensive selections.
Lured by great potential in Asia, Radwanski said the cruise line would roll out plans to grow Silversea’s presence, capture demand, and ride on the explosive growth in the region.
Despite the current challenging climate, he is very clear that slashing prices is not part of his strategy. Strong differentiation ensures the jewel in the crown of the Royal Caribbean Group remains ahead of the curve.
For one, Silversea is the world leader in expedition cruising, which is a hit with travellers in Asia. These breathtaking sea adventures see guests exploring aspirational bucket list-worthy destinations such as Antarctica, Arctic and Galapagos.
The ultra-luxury brand also has in place novel onboard ecosystems which are not easily replicated by competitors, Radwanki opined.
Take Silversea’s groundbreaking S.A.L.T. culinary programme for instance – it enables travellers to dive deep into culinary cultures.
He explained: “It creates a smooth experience starting from the cooking classes onboard, through to the restaurants and bars which have their menus and drinks changing daily depending on the destinations and ports; enrichment lectures in our theatres about the history of food in different countries and then to shore excursions to local markets.”
Always mindful of the unique needs of its business partners in different countries, as well as customers’ evolving preferences, Radwanski is also looking to localise content and review communication methods to find the most effective way to connect with them meaningfully.
He visits and speaks with trade partners in Asia to get a good grasp of ground sentiments and regulatory updates first-hand. Silversea conducts regular surveys to stay relevant to luxury travellers’ needs and uses findings to guide the cruise line’s business approach.
Radwanski said Asia sailings would resume as early as September this year, and at least three ships are planned for deployment in the region next year.
China and Japan remain strategic markets for Silversea, while its core target segment remains the baby boomers with high spending power. However, Radwanski is seeing strong potential in multi-generational groups, with families travelling together and couples in groups on the rise across the region.
Radwanki added: “Our commitment to Asia will not change, we will continue to invest in this market and as we grow, we will bring in more capacity and the latest ships in the future. We will also enhance the products in Asia, like finding interesting itineraries and ports, and growing Singapore as a base for cruising.”
While career advisors typically urge a clear distinction between work and personal life, C Raaj Ganesh, CEO of Penangs.com, has found advantage in bringing both together – much to the delight of children and teenagers with special needs in his community.
Raaj uses his expertise in event management, and his network of contacts, to organise sporting events in Penang for young ones with special needs. He does this on top of running a full-time business centred on destination weddings in Penang, an online platform connecting travellers to verified tourist guides, and customised tours for travellers.
Penangs.com’s C Raaj Ganesh leverages his event management expertise to create non-profit sporting events for people with special needs
Growing up with an elder sister with Down Syndrome, he understands the importance of human interaction to improve the social skills and general well-being of those with special needs. At the same time, these interactions help others to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
According to Raaj, his sporting events earn support from the local council in Penang. The council would sponsor the venue for activities, while Raaj would take care of the transportation and refreshments for the players.
His first project was in 2017, when he organised a nine-day event that involved Australian children and teenagers with special needs and their caregivers, the National Autism Society in Penang, and a government-funded secondary school in Penang for teenagers with special needs. The youngsters had fun interacting over activities such as bowling, cricket and sepak takraw. He also arranged a tour of Penang for the group of 46 attendees from Australia.
His work on such sporting events is driven by passion, and has no plans to turn them into a business. He told TTG Asia that he only hoped the events would provide “invaluable opportunities for interaction” between the Malaysian participants and their Australian peers.
Raaj is expanding the number of these special sporting events in Penang, with a walk and badminton game coming up this year
With the Malaysian borders now opened to the world, Raaj has received interest from two non-profit organisations in Australia keen on bringing children with special needs to Penang next year for sports interaction with their Malaysian counterparts.
For now, Raaj is busy planning for the ASEAN Autism Awareness Walk on July 3. This is a two-kilometre walk that starts and ends at Youth Park Penang. The event welcomes everyone, not just those with autism.
Raaj hopes the event will generate greater empathy for those with disabilities, and provide good networking opportunities for people with special needs, their caregivers and the general population.
He has plans later this year for a badminton event in Penang, which will be open to those with special needs.
Operations at Changi Airport Terminal 2 (T2) will resume on May 29 as the air hub readies for an increase in passenger traffic in the months ahead.
Closed for upgrading works since May 2020, T2’s phased reopening will augment Changi Airport’s capacity. When completed by 2024, the expansion works will raise the terminal’s capacity by five million to 28 million passenger movements per year.
Changi Airport Terminal 2 will progressively reopen from May 29 and bring on improved infrastructure to support greater passenger movements
The expanded facility will sport a larger Arrival Immigration Hall with more automated immigration lanes and special assistance lanes; and a longer baggage collection belt to accommodate a larger volume of bags.
In this first phase of T2’s progressive reopening, key touch points such as arrival immigration, baggage claim belts and contact gates at the southern wing of the terminal will be ready for flight operations. T2 will host mainly peak-hour arrival flights of airlines operating in Terminal 3 (T3). A small number of T3 departure flights may use boarding gates at T2 although passengers on these flights will continue to check in and clear departure immigration at T3.
Updated information for arriving flights will be provided on the Changi Airport website and the iChangi app at least two hours before the flight’s arrival time.
Tan Lye Teck, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president of Airport Management, said the “strong pickup in travel demand” has necessitated the progressive reopening of T2 ahead of the June travel peak.
“The start of flight operations at T2 will provide more capacity to support our airline partners, who are also gearing up to serve more passengers in the months ahead. T2 will reopen in phases over the next two years to support Changi’s recovery as a regional air hub,” he added.
Tripadvisor’s latest Seasonal Travel Index has found that rising costs are not putting a stop to Singaporeans travelling this summer, as 84% plan to have a holiday despite nearly three-quarters having major concerns about inflation.
The study uses a combination of search and sentiment data to reveal what is on the minds of Singaporean travellers ahead of the busy summer travel season and where they plan to go.
Singaporeans are trimming down non-essential spending, such as dining out and clothing purchases, in order to fund their travel this year
While inflation is a significant concern for the majority of Singaporeans, with 77% reporting that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the rising costs of goods and services, travel remains a top priority. A staggering 84% of Singaporean respondents plan to travel this year – 39% more than last summer.
In fact, they are more than willing to make other sacrifices to ensure that they can afford it. Dining out (64%) and clothing purchases (62%) are top for the chop as Singaporeans make cuts to non-essential spending in order to fund their travel this year.
Despite tight finances, 76% of Singaporean respondents say that they are planning to spend at least the same or more on travel this summer. 42% say that they are planning to take shorter trips and 39% will book trips closer to home. Singaporeans opting for an overseas trip stands at 58%.
According to Tripadvisor site data, which analysed searches made by Singaporean travellers for travel over the mid-year school holiday months, London ranked number one on the destination list, with Paris at second place, then followed by Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Melbourne.
Tripadvisor’s Travel Index shows that even though 72% of Singaporeans think sustainable travel is more important than it was pre-pandemic, 45% have not yet spent more on sustainable travel. Despite 57% of Singaporean travellers worrying about their carbon footprint when planning their travels, 45% said they have done absolutely nothing to offset it.
A whopping 93% state that they practice some sustainable habits while travelling, including eating and shopping locally at destinations, and travelling closer to home. While they have not yet done it, 65% of Singaporeans travellers say they are open to spending more to travel sustainably in the future.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) will restart international flights from Cebu, beginning with twice weekly services to South Korea (Incheon) from July 3, 2022.
Cebu Pacific returns to international operations, with the first bound for South Korea (Incheon) this July
Scheduled for every Thursday and Sunday, departure from Mactan Cebu International Airport will be at 12.25 and arrival will be at 18.10 at Seoul International Airport; the return flight will leave Seoul at 18.55 and arrive in Cebu at 22.50.
Xander Lao, CEB’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are very happy to restart this flight as we know passengers in the Visayas and Mindanao have been looking forward to travel internationally again, without needing to pass by Manila.”
The airline intends to expand its international network in the coming months, now that it has returned to pre-Covid domestic capacity.
Marshmello, Westlife and Green Day are among the top acts to headline the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 from September 30 to October 2.
Billed as Singapore’s biggest party in three years, the race promises a final line-up that includes more than 75 performances over three days and across eight stages in the Circuit Park, together with roaming performers as well as an array of displays and activities.
More tickets will be released on May 24 and 27
More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Additional walkabout and single-day grandstand tickets to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 will be available for sale in the coming days. The first release of ticket sales in early April sold out
within hours.
Zone 4 and Premier Walkabout tickets will go on sale from May 24, 10.00 (Singapore time). A limited release of single-day grandstand tickets will be available for sale from May 26, 10.00 (Singapore time).
All tickets can be purchased from www.singaporegp.sg.
Enriching activities amid nature that bond the family are available at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa.
Family by JW activities bring the family together at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa
Offered under the Indian resort’s signature Family by JW programme, activities include Kachdi, a Garhwal outdoor evening tea ritual; lawn games; and a signature JW Farms tour featuring an experiential farm-to-table outdoor dining experience.
The hotel’s Implant Nature project also allows guests to give back to the local community by planting saplings together in the Garhwal Hills, led by the hotel’s in-house horticulturist.
Gangwon Province, South Korea (Gangwon) in collaboration with Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) Kuala Lumpur and Singapore offices hosted the Reconnect with Gangwon events on May 13 and May 17 to accelerate the recovery of the travel market.
Gangwon collaborates with KTO’s Kuala Lumpur and Singapore offices to host events to revive tourism
Taking the lead to revitalise local tourism and kickstart post-pandemic marketing, Gangwon teamed up with its 20 partners, Alpensia Resort, monapark Yongpyong Resort and designated travel agents to organise the event, which incorporated seminars, media interviews and business networking sessions to revive the connection with local travel partners and enhance Gangwon’s tourism appeal.
Both online and offline campaigns for Gangwon Safe Travel (G-Safe Travel) were also in full swing to create widespread awareness of the safety measures implemented in Gangwon and introduce selected certified-clean destinations to a global audience.
“As it’s our very first overseas event after the re-opening of international borders, it means a lot to Gangwon to drive post-pandemic marketing and promote the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 too,” said Kim Jong-Woug, director general of tourism, culture and sports bureau, Gangwon Province.
“We will devote our energy into rolling out our marketing plans with the aim of normalising the global travel market.”
G-Safe Travel: Meeting the demand for safe travel & reaching out to global travel market As health and safety issues continue to be of paramount concern among travellers as the world moves towards a Covid endemic state, Gangwon has carried out safety measures to keep destinations clean and safe for international travellers and put in place ‘Gangwon PCR Fast Track’, a support scheme for PCR tests, in partnership with KTO, Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) and Korean National Tuberculosis Association (KNTA).
Gangwon signed agreement with KTO, KTA and KNTA to revitalise inbound tourism
As part of joint marketing with 36 designated travel agents specialised in overseas markets, Gangwon will also keep at developing premium tourism products and reach out to the global travel market through outreach efforts such as familiarisation trips for the travel industry, tourism road shows and joint advertisements.
Keeping the Olympic legacy going: Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games Riding on the resounding success of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games aims to carry on its vision of nurturing a new generation of winter sports athletes.
Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games
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The sporting extravaganza will be held from January 19 to February 1, 2024 in Gangwon
More than 1,900 athletes from 70 countries are expected to participate
The much-anticipated sporting extravaganza will be held from January 19 to February 1, 2024 in Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Jeongseon and Hoengseong in Gangwon.
More than 1,900 athletes from 70 countries are expected to participate in 7 sports, 15 disciplines and over 80 events.
For next year, other international events such as Gangwon Forestry Exhibition 2023 and the 12th World Choir Games Gangneung 2023 are also scheduled to take place in Gangwon to further boost overseas tourist traffic to the province.
Premium tourism offerings focusing on nature, wellness, Hallyu (Korean Wave) & cultural festivals Endowed with breath-taking lush greenery, some of South Korea’s most famous beaches and awe-inspiring mountains, Gangwon is well-placed for outdoor activities such as surfing, trekking, skiing, as well as wellness programmes to satisfy post-lockdown wanderlust.
Wonders of Gangwon
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Indulge in nature at monapark Yongpyong Resort
The well-loved Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival welcomes more than one million visitors annually
Maengbang Beach is one of the locations where BTS filmed at
More than 500,000 visitors attend the Gangneung Danoje Festival every year
Tourist attraction, Alpensia Resort, features 6 slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners and enthusiasts
Good news for fans of raging global phenomenon, K-pop wave, too – they can now visit the filming locations of popular K-dramas such as ‘Goblin’ and ‘Crash Landing on You’, located in the province.
Currently the world’s biggest boy band, BTS, also filmed music videos for their album and travelogues across Gangwon too. The hotspots were subsequently bookmarked by ARMY – the group’s legions of global fans – to follow in their footsteps.
To top it off, Gangwon has added brand-new tourist attractions to welcome overseas visitors too.
LEGOLAND Korea, the world’s 10th LEGOLAND Park, opened its doors in Chuncheon, capital of Gangwon recently. It is also the first LEGOLAND built on an island, Jungdo, which is expected to make it one of the most scenic LEGOLAND Resorts to date.
Cheorwon Hantangang Columnar Joint Path, a walking path made by installing a bridge between the cliffs, in Cheorwon DMZ site is also another new tourist draw.
The return of well-loved festivals is underway too.
Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival, which used to have more than one million visitors annually, is ready to welcome international visitors from this year.
Designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, more than 500,000 visitors attend the four-week-long Gangneung Danoje Festival every year too.
Festival-goers flock to the various ritual performances and partake in cultural festivities such as making festival fans, brewing the sacred liquor, drawing masks for the Gwanno mask drama, savouring Surichiwi rice crackers and washing their hair in Iris water.
Langham Hospitality Group has appointed Sherona Shng as managing director of The Langham, Hong Kong and regional vice president, operations – Asia.
In addition to her leadership role at The Langham, Hong Kong, the Singapore native will have expanded operational oversight of all Langham and Cordis properties in Hong Kong and Asia, including properties under development.
In addition to her leadership role at The Langham, Hong Kong, the Singapore native will have expanded operational oversight of all Langham and Cordis properties in Hong Kong and Asia, including properties under development.
Silversea Cruises is well-positioned to capitalise on the new travel trends and changing consumer preferences emerging from the pandemic, Adam Radwanski, managing director, Asia-Pacific told TTG Asia.
An appreciation for slow travel and more immersive experiences, as well as a propensity to splurge on more luxurious offerings – a result of accumulated wealth from the lack of prior travel opportunities – meant greater business opportunity for the ultra-luxury expedition cruise line.
That appetite has resulted in a longer average cruise trip duration post-pandemic – from 16 days before to 18 days now, shared Radwanski. Guests are also keen to book more expensive selections.
Lured by great potential in Asia, Radwanski said the cruise line would roll out plans to grow Silversea’s presence, capture demand, and ride on the explosive growth in the region.
Despite the current challenging climate, he is very clear that slashing prices is not part of his strategy. Strong differentiation ensures the jewel in the crown of the Royal Caribbean Group remains ahead of the curve.
For one, Silversea is the world leader in expedition cruising, which is a hit with travellers in Asia. These breathtaking sea adventures see guests exploring aspirational bucket list-worthy destinations such as Antarctica, Arctic and Galapagos.
The ultra-luxury brand also has in place novel onboard ecosystems which are not easily replicated by competitors, Radwanki opined.
Take Silversea’s groundbreaking S.A.L.T. culinary programme for instance – it enables travellers to dive deep into culinary cultures.
He explained: “It creates a smooth experience starting from the cooking classes onboard, through to the restaurants and bars which have their menus and drinks changing daily depending on the destinations and ports; enrichment lectures in our theatres about the history of food in different countries and then to shore excursions to local markets.”
Always mindful of the unique needs of its business partners in different countries, as well as customers’ evolving preferences, Radwanski is also looking to localise content and review communication methods to find the most effective way to connect with them meaningfully.
He visits and speaks with trade partners in Asia to get a good grasp of ground sentiments and regulatory updates first-hand. Silversea conducts regular surveys to stay relevant to luxury travellers’ needs and uses findings to guide the cruise line’s business approach.
Radwanski said Asia sailings would resume as early as September this year, and at least three ships are planned for deployment in the region next year.
China and Japan remain strategic markets for Silversea, while its core target segment remains the baby boomers with high spending power. However, Radwanski is seeing strong potential in multi-generational groups, with families travelling together and couples in groups on the rise across the region.
Radwanki added: “Our commitment to Asia will not change, we will continue to invest in this market and as we grow, we will bring in more capacity and the latest ships in the future. We will also enhance the products in Asia, like finding interesting itineraries and ports, and growing Singapore as a base for cruising.”