Reservations are now open. Contact reserve.ppsin@panpacific.com.
Grand Copthorne Waterfront lights up the Singapore river
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has partnered with Very Small Exhibition, an experimental art collective, to install special light art – as part of the Very Momentary Exhibition Series.
Titled River of Life, this light installation will run nightly from now until February 14, and can be seen from the river from 20.00 to 06.00. Led by local artist Lee Wei Lieh, this is Very Small Exhibition’s first such installation created in collaboration with a hotel.
There will also be an outdoor pop-up venue by the river, which will serve a special snack menu.
Macau records double-digit arrivals growth over Golden Week
The seven-day Spring Festival Golden Week from January 31 to February 6 has brought Macau 113,600 inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 25.4 per cent.
Mainland Chinese tourists made up the bulk of arrivals, up 29 per cent year-on-year.
Hotel occupancy rate rose 15.2 per cent for the festive period to stand at 63.8 per cent.
According to the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Chinese New Year travel peak season benefited from easing entry measures at the Zhuhai-Macao port that came just in time for the extended holidays, as well as a hive of festive events for the public.
Quarantine measures at the Zhuhai-Macao port were earlier tightened for a period in view of growing Covid infections in the neighbouring areas.
The destination rang in the Year of the Tiger with a parade and fireworks displays on February 3, with a second float parade scheduled for February 12. The 14 decorated floats will also be on display at the seafront next to the Macao Science Center from February 4 to 11, and at Tap Seac Square from February 13 to 20, accessible for free.
A second fireworks show was conducted on February 7, and a third will come on February 15.
Speaking at the parade’s opening ceremony on February 3, secretary for economy and finance, Lei Wai Nong, said the safe execution of the event was especially meaningful to Macau in her branding campaign as a safe and quality destination.
Tourism Australia pumps US$2.8 million into campaign aimed at Singapore travellers
With Australian borders set to reopen to all vaccinated visa holders from February 21, 2022, the NTO has turned its marketing focus towards Singapore residents – one of the destination’s largest inbound markets pre-pandemic, with a A$4 million (US$2.8 million) Yours to Explore campaign.
The campaign will be rolled out both online and offline, and complemented with other marketing activities to promote tours, self-drive packages and other offers in partnership with distribution partners such as Chan Brothers, UOB Travel and Klook.
“We also continue to work closely with Singapore Airlines and Qantas to recommence (more services) into Australia in the coming months,” Brent Anderson, regional general manager of South & South-east Asia, Tourism Australia, told TTG Asia.
This large investment is necessary because Australia has “long been the most popular international destination for Singaporean tourists, with more than 80 per cent repeat visitation”, Anderson noted.
Australia has implemented robust Covid-19 management measures, ranging from Covid-safe applications in each state to smaller-group size operations. Tourism Australia’s tourism website, Australia.com, also provides travellers up-to-date information on the latest border status, as well as checklists and tools to help them plan a safe trip.
Anderson said that as flexibility is one of the top priorities to get Singaporean travellers moving again, Tourism Australia has worked with its distribution partners – such as tour providers, attraction companies and travel agencies – to put in place flexible booking terms and conditions in case of Covid-19.
During the two-year hiatus, Anderson said the Australian government provided A$50 million to nine tourism regions heavily reliant on international tourism, such as the Gold Coast and Whitsundays region in Queensland, and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
The downtime has given rise to a suite of positive-impact tourism experiences. They include Lady Musgrave HQ, a new, zero-carbon underwater accommodation in the Great Barrier Reef; and a Conservation Connection experience that connects visitors to Kangaroo Island with naturalists and researchers.
“Singaporeans can also experience new multi-day hiking trails, high-adrenaline activities like the Burrawa Climb by BridgeClimb Sydney; and sleep in tiny solar-powered homes at Mount Majura Vineyard near Canberra. Those with children can even visit the Pooseum in Tasmania, a unique science museum dedicated solely to animal droppings!” he elaborated.
Besides new tourism experiences, this year’s calendar of events include the Dark Mofo festival at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art, which runs from June 15-22 to feature large-scale light installations and a winter feast; as well as the indigenous Parrtjima festival in Northern Territory from April 8-17, which showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures via live music and film screenings, dot painting and traditional craft workshops.
When asked about Western Australia’s holdout as the only closed-border state even as the country readies to welcome back tourists, Anderson stated: “Western Australia’s updated Safe Transition Plan was based on the latest health advice, and as we eagerly await full border opening in the near future, Tourism Western Australia continues to plan and look forward to offering a safe and vibrant place for Singaporean visitors when they return.”
Anderson expressed optimism in tourism revival in 2022. “We know that travellers are looking to splurge a little more, immerse themselves in more bespoke and unique experiences, find offerings that consider wellness, and explore and better understand Indigenous culture – these are all areas in which Australia has a competitive edge,” he said.
Sri Lanka tourism players urge haste in global destination campaign launch
Sri Lanka’s tourism players are urging the tourism authority to fast-track a global promotional campaign that will position the country as a much sought after destination, so as to fulfill the tourism ministry’s ambition to welcome 1.2 million tourists this year.
A global campaign to promote Sri Lanka has eluded the country for many years, and just as the authority was close to finalising one, the pandemic hit in early 2020. The destination has so far managed only one-off campaigns.
“We need an urgent promotional campaign to promote Sri Lanka as an all-round destination. We also need to convince foreign tour operators that Sri Lanka is a safe destination,” said Devindre Senaratne, managing director at JourneyScapes and a former president of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators.
Senaratne added that incentives to motivate foreign tour operators to market Sri Lanka are also necessary, as the same is offered by other competing destinations.
Sri Lanka is hoping to attract 1.2 million tourists this year, against a low 194,495 in 2021 and 507,704 in 2020 – both years hit by travel restrictions due to the pandemic. The destination welcomed 2.3 million arrivals in 2018.
The 2022 tourism target was mired in confusion. Initially, the state-run Sri Lanka Tourism said the target was half the 2018 figure, but that was replaced by the tourism minister declaring a goal of 2.3 million tourists. The target was eventually retained at 1.2 million.
“The 1.2 million target is a reasonable one. However, the government and the private sector-driven industry should speak with one voice and project one target. There shouldn’t be any confusion,” remarked Trevor Rajaratnam, an industry veteran and former president of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka.
Hiran Cooray, chairman of Jetwing Symphony Hotels, believes the government is firm in its focus on getting tourism back on track.
“We are one of the most relaxed countries in Asia – just like the Maldives, in terms of entry rules vis-à-vis the pandemic. We are also relatively well managed with Covid-19 guidelines,” he said, adding that given these scenarios people from Europe would want to travel and look at Sri Lanka favourably.
“2022 should be considered a Year of Recovery for tourism in Sri Lanka,” he opined.
Sanath Ukwatte, former president of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, said that while Sri Lanka’s traditional source markets – India and China – have not performed to expectations due to pandemic constraints, an improvement can be expected once restrictions are relaxed.
Last year, Sri Lanka’s top five source markets were India, Russia, the UK, Germany and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery may be hampered by shortages in food, cooking gas and other essentials owing to a foreign exchange crisis. However, Rajaratnam said Sri Lanka would overcome the foreign exchange crisis once tourism thrives and more dollars flow into the country.
Banyan Tree Krabi appoints new GM
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has announced that Nigel Fisher, has been appointed general manager of its Banyan Tree Krabi, which opened in October 2020.
The Australian national possesses some 37 years’ experience in luxury hotel management across Asia and Australia.
After graduating from Switzerland’s École hôtelière de Lausanne in 1985, Fisher returned to Australia to join Hyatt International Hotels, where he would spend the next 15 years. In the 2000s, he was resident manager at the Four Seasons Sydney and at the Great Barrier Reef’s Hayman Island.
He then took on the role of general manager at leading hotels in Malaysia and the Philippines before moving to Banyan Tree in 2015. From his first post at Banyan Tree Huangshan in China, he stepped up as area general manager for Lijiang and Ringha. Fisher then oversaw the opening of the Angsana Penang, before being lured across the border to Thailand.
Voco Orchard Singapore
Location
Voco Orchard Singapore has taken up residence in a 51-year-old heritage building along the bustling Orchard Road shopping belt, one that was vacated by Hilton Singapore. There is no shortage of activities in the area – shopping at Ion Orchard or Scotts Square, catching a movie at Shaw Theatres Lido just across the road, or indulging in a much-needed massage at Natureland nearby.
Rooms
My King Bed Suite affords a spacious living room – great for social catch-ups (with safe distancing and until 22.00) – and a separate bedroom with a bathroom complete with a bathtub.
As a conversion property, the suite is a strange – but not jarring – juxtaposition of old and new. The bathroom features dated marble fittings, a steam function for the shower (a first for me!) and round knobs on doors, alongside plush yellow armchairs, polished wooden cabinets and gold light fixtures.
Having stayed in a range of properties, I am always appreciative when there is a USB charging port or wireless charger at my bedside. I’m glad to report voco Orchard Singapore had both. The king-sized bed was comfortably firm, and contributed to the best eight-hour sleep I had in weeks.
I have no complaints about the high-speed Wi-Fi, large desk and comfortable Herman Miller chair that made my time at work pass quickly, and I think that business travellers will feel very much at home here.
In line with its green ethos, a number of sustainable touches have also been incorporated into the rooms, including bamboo toothbrushes, high-quality linens crafted from recycled materials, and eco-friendly friendly Apotheke shampoo and soap in refillable dispensers.
F&B
There are four F&B options at the hotel: the one-Michelin-star Iggy’s, D9 Cakery, the Opus Bar & Grill, and il Cielo on the rooftop. All are open except for il Cielo, which is currently undergoing a menu revamp from its previous Japanese-Italian inspired plates to a full-fledged Italian menu.
Dinner was taken at the Opus Bar & Grill, where the crispy crab cake – lump crabmeat, mango wasabi mayo, grapefruit salad – started my meal on a promising note.
For my main, I chose the 250g 150-day grain fed Angus tenderloin, and I was delighted with the perfect medium-rare state it was delivered in. Every slice was juicy, and sported charred edges with a cherry-red centre.
Opus Bar & Grill is big on sides, with over 10 varieties ranging from spiced salted egg yolk fries to smoked risotto. I opted for the over-the-top fries (foie gras fat, black truffle puree, parmesan), which was a great carb option. The creamed spinach was, unfortunately, too watery and fell flat.
Opus Bar & Grill offers breakfast service. However, due to Covid-19 limitations, I opted for an in-room breakfast instead. My order – a piping hot and hearty breakfast plate filled with hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage – was delivered in 20 minutes.
Facilities
The hotel offers a well-equipped 24-hour gym, and over 1,850m2 of meeting and social event spaces. There is a small pool on the rooftop and seating lounges, a holdover from Hilton Singapore.
Club guests should take advantage of the Club Lounge on Level 22. From 17.30 to 19.30, they have the opportunity to sample one of the newly-created voco Orchard Singapore cocktails, which tap into the history of Orchard Road and tie into the property’s Stay Interesting philosophy.
Service
Most of the staff have been held over by the previous management, which is a good sign as these individuals are familiar with the property’s ins and outs. Checking in was swift, and all staff members I encountered were polite and top-notch. The F&B manager at Opus was also receptive to my feedback, and we traded steakhouse recommendations in Singapore.
During my one-night stay, I requested to borrow a multi-plug extension from housekeeping so that I could play my Nintendo Switch on the 55-inch TV, and it was promptly delivered to my room without much fuss.
Verdict
Voco Orchard is a boon for business travellers who want to be within easy reach of both the CBD and the shopping road belt, while staycationers will be glad to find the charming property a quiet respite from hectic city life.
This may be IHG’s newest kid on the block, but it sure knows how to deliver on the brand’s hospitality from the heart.
Number of rooms 423
Rate From S$230++
Contact details
Tel: +65 6737 2233
Email: sinor.resvn@ihg.com
Website: www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/us/en/singapore/sinor/hoteldetail
TTG brings on second edition of The Great ASEAN Travel Fest
In support of South-east Asian travel and tourism recovery, TTG Asia Media will host a six-month long B2B exhibition showcase from June to November this year.
Presented as The Great ASEAN Travel Fest Plus 2022, the event will feature interactive booths with 3D booth imaging and sales enablement capabilities, unlimited Walk-in Meets throughout 180 days, and monthly engagement activities to bring buyers and sellers together.
A highlight of the online event is the two Open Houses, once in June and the other in November, where there will be themed streaming to highlight specific destinations as well as travel and hospitality brands.
Buyers will earn incentives and training certificates from their participation, while sellers will benefit from wider exposure beyond the travel trade industry.
Commenting on the event, Cheryl Tan, head of TTG Events, said: “This year’s event expands the benefits of a B2B tradeshow beyond just two to three days, by offering six months of unlimited exposure and traffic to destinations and brands.
“The show’s unique formula combines a variety of monthly engagement activities to provide valuable opportunities for buyers to engage with exhibitors through one-on-one meetings, streaming content, brand festival showcases, training videos, mission-to-win interactive games and more throughout the half-year duration. Buyers are also generously rewarded for their time with the show’s incentive scheme.
“As reflected with the Plus extension in the event name, the 2022 edition will also welcome suppliers beyond ASEAN, and looks forward to a diversified representation of destinations and brands.”
The Great ASEAN Travel Fest Plus 2022 is supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
TTG Asia Media’s inaugural The Great ASEAN Travel Fest, launched in May 2021, featured a plethora of hotels and resorts, tour specialists and destination marketers and NTOs, such as Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road; Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia; Panorama Destination; and Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts.
Thai Vietjet to increase Thailand-Vietnam services
Thai Vietjet will step up operations between Thailand and Vietnam starting mid-February.
The airline is currently operating twice-weekly flights between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, but this will be increased to thrice-weekly from February 17, 2022. The eventual aim is to have flights connecting the two cities five times per week.
Thai Vietjet will also be resuming services between Bangkok and Danang from March 27, 2022.
Marina Bay Sands begins US$1 billion transformation, delays expansion for a year
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has begun a major renovation of its existing infrastructure, in addition to its expansion project that is now expected to be completed in 2026, one year after the original projection of 2025.
The US$1 billion reinvestment will span hotel rooms and suites, new F&B offerings and other enhancements to the integrated resort – the biggest upgrade expenditure to be made since the integrated resort’s opening in 2010. Works will be completed in phases over 2022 and 2023, transforming the design and significantly elevating the hospitality experience in the luxury travel segment, which is predicted to lead the tourism recovery.
According to a press statement, the renovation investment demonstrates parent company Las Vegas Sands’ confidence in Singapore and ongoing commitment to the country’s tourism industry.
“We are firmly of the view that Asia will continue to lead as a primary driver of growth in travel, and Singapore will remain a top destination of choice. Our reinvestment as well as our planned multi-billion-dollar expansion that we announced in 2019 represent a further demonstration of our long-term support for Singapore. It reaffirms our confidence in the future and our commitment to offering industry-leading luxury products and hospitality experiences to our guests,” said Robert G Goldstein, Las Vegas Sands’ chairman and CEO.
The renewed features across the property will be joined by new hardware from the expansion project, such as a performance arena, a fourth tower featuring about 1,000 hotel rooms, a sky roof with a swimming pool and a restaurant, as well as new ballrooms, exhibition halls and luxury retailers.
Pan Pacific Singapore will debut its first-ever children-focused offerings on February 18, comprising a children’s play area, two themed family suites, and a host of kids’ programmes.
The hotel’s family-friendly initiatives follow a storyline of eight curious jungle friends lost their way while in search of Marina Bay, an urban jungle with various iconic sights. Young guests are tasked to ‘find’ these jungle friends.
The Urban Jungle Village indoor play area, located on level four of the hotel and overlooking the pool, offers seven activity zones – Jungle Village, Fishing on the Tree, Interactive Games Station, Safari Trail, Forest Library, Explorer Den, and Cave Climber – all of which integrate thinking, learning and playing.
This facility is open to hotel guests only from 10.00 to 18.00 daily.
Pan Pacific Singapore has also created two 79m2 Urban Jungle Suites in partnership with Kiztopia – Singapore’s largest indoor playground located next door in Marina Square mall – on the higher floors of the hotel. The suite features separate sleeping zones for parents in the main bedroom; and for little ones, a jungle-themed room with an inflatable rocking hippo, a teepee and a treehouse bunk bed that sleeps two. Young guests are gifted an Urban Jungle Survival Pack, filled with bath toys and more.
Urban Jungle Suite guests enjoy daily breakfast at Edge restaurant as well as Pacific Club privileges.
The Urban Jungle Adventure Package is priced from at S$820 (US$610) per night for two adults and two children, and includes private access to the Urban Jungle pool cabana with Kiztopia floats and tickets to Kiztopia.