TUI BLUE looks to build strong APAC pipeline

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May 17, 2022

TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts has revealed plans to develop 70 to 90 hotels in Asia-Pacific, soon after establishing its new development team in Hong Kong.

The hotel subsidiary of TUI Group has an overall ambition to grow to more than 300 hotels worldwide, enabling it to become the leading leisure hotel brand. It currently has 97 hotels in 20 countries, and has its eyes on expansion opportunities across South-east Asia, China, Africa and the Middle East.

TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts plans to grow to more than 300 hotels worldwide

Speaking to TTG Asia, Artur Gerber, managing director, TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts, said that to drive the growth roadmap for the region, the Asia development team across Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand – and soon in Vietnam and Indonesia – will reach out to local partners and amplify the advantages of TUI BLUE’s new management and franchise model for collaboration.

Gerber said: “We have a lot of operational expertise, and on the other side we are also a hotel owner with a lot of assets ourselves.”

TUI Blue’s partners are assured of the parent group’s support in terms of sales and hotel occupancy, he added.

Germany headquartered TUI Group posseses the sales power of 27 million customers per year.

To push demand to its global properties, Gerber believes that the brand’s unique selling points are critical. The novel Tui BLUE concept includes BLUE Guides, competent local contacts to assist guests; BLUEf!t, a fitness and relaxation programme; and BLUE App, a state-of-the-art digital service assistant to allow guests to customise their holidays.

As testimony that the new team is on the right track, new project leads have been on the rise, according to Gerber.

The team in Asia has also successfully inked management contracts for the first few TUI BLUE hotels in China near the Hainan region, as well as in the city of Taicang, 45 minutes away from Shanghai.

Malaysian budget hoteliers intensify pleas for government action against threats

By S Puvaneswary

May 17, 2022

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The Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) called on the government to temporarily suspend the enforcement of the new minimum wage of RM1,500.00 (US$341) enforced since May 1, until survival challenges faced by budget hotel players are resolved.

National deputy president, Sri Ganesh Michiel, said the association had been repeatedly requesting the government to resolve the threats facing the industry since 2017, but pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Sri Ganesh: resolving these threats will help budget hotels survive and improve on their services and offerings

Speaking at a press conference on May 12, Sri Ganesh said short-term residential accommodation is unregulated and flourishing nationwide.

He said: “This is a major threat towards budget hotels nationwide as they are doing business illegally with lower operating costs and they do not need to pay government tax or even have any licensing. Are the policy makers involved in having this illegal business which makes them reluctant to act?”

MyBHA called on the government to immediately enforce the guidelines on short-term residential accommodation, and also proposed that the electricity tariff that budget hotels pay be changed from commercial tariff to industrial tariff, which has a lower rate. It is also proposed that the government could set a special tariff to assist tourism and hotel industry entrepreneurs.

MyBHA also urged the government to immediately enact an act to regulate all types of OTAs.

Sri Ganesh explained: “OTAs set high commissions and this has caused the hotel industry to suffer losses or low income. They have to follow the selling prices and promotions that have been set by the OTAs for the sake of survival.

“In this post pandemic period, budget hoteliers in Malaysia are now even more dependent on OTAs for survival as bookings come mainly through OTAs. Furthermore, the service tax on digital services has placed a burden on hotel operators where OTAs have imposed the tax on hotel operators.”

In his opinion, resolving these threats will help budget hotels survive and improve on their services and offerings, allowing them to compete regionally.

He said: “We are not against the decision to look after the welfare of our employees but it must be implemented with a win-win mechanism for all parties – this was not the case at all.

“If the government does not assist us, we will have no choice but to increase our rates by as much as 60 to 70 per cent, thus making Malaysia less competitive than our neighbours, Thailand and Indonesia.”

TAT, Thai AirAsia join forces for new Thailand tourism campaign

By TTG Asia

May 17, 2022

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai AirAsia are putting power behind the Amazing New Chapter: Rediscover Thailand Get ready to go to Thailand campaign, which is aimed at millennials and young couples from Singapore.

Singapore is a key visitor source market for Thailand, and the new campaign is among the various joint marketing activities the TAT Singapore Office is working on.

TAT and Thai AirAsia collaborate on the new Thailand tourism campaign

The campaign utilises Thai AirAsia’s Singapore-Don Mueang and Singapore-Phuket routes for travel in May to July 2022. Millennials and young couples are expected to take up over 3,000 seats on these routes during that period.

New tourist attractions and activities, as well as tourism-related facilities and offers have been created to promote the Singapore-Don Mueang route. TAT Singapore Office is also organising a media fam trip to Thailand from May 12 to 15.

Tanes Petsuwan, TAT deputy governor for international marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said: “With various factors supporting the return of tourism to Thailand, among them the relaxing of entry requirements to the kingdom, easing of travel restrictions in source markets worldwide and resumption of commercial flights, this is a great opportunity to stimulate travellers’ decision-making. This latest marketing campaign is expected to have a positive effect on the Thai tourism industry in the second half of this year.”

Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia, affirms the airline’s support for Thailand’s tourism industry, and revealed plans to add a Singapore-Chiang Mai route.

Thai AirAsia currently operates a daily flight on the Singapore-Don Mueang route, and two weekly flights (Tuesday and Saturday) on the Singapore-Phuket route.

For 2022, TAT expects Thailand to welcome 10 million foreign tourist arrivals, generating 625.8 billion baht (US$18 billion) in tourism revenue. Arrivals from short-haul markets are expected to include 1.1 million arrivals from South-east Asia, 200,000 arrivals from Australia, and 450,000 arrivals from South Asia (India) – with travels starting from April 2022 onwards.

Thailand recorded more than 85,000 foreign tourists from May 1 to 6, 2022, with arrivals from Singapore ranking third after India and Malaysia, ahead of the UK and the US.

Explore natural splendours at SO Sofitel Hua Hin

By TTG Asia

May 17, 2022

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Enjoy a two nights’ stay at SO Sofitel Hua Hin along with activities around the destination’s natural appeals. Head to Khao Nang Phanturat for a morning hike or enjoy the sunset, and witness the moment when over two million bats leave Nayang Bat Cave.

The SO Explorer Room Package includes accommodation and breakfast for two, along with a choice of either the Khao Nang Phanturat or Nayang Bat Cave trips. Package rates start from 5,000 baht (US$151) per room per night.

Witness over two million bats leave Nayang Bat Cave

Reservations are required with three days’ notice, for stays until December 31, 2022.

For more information, visit SO Sofitel Hua Hin.

Best Western takes extended stay brand to Australasia

By TTG Asia

May 16, 2022

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BWH Hotel Group (BWH) has launched its Executive Residency by Best Western extended stay brand in Australasia in collaboration with ARBT Property Group (ARBT).

Set to open in 4Q2022, Executive Residency Woolloongabba will be positioned just two kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and within walking distance to the famous Gabba Cricket Grounds.

Executive Residency Woolloongabba will open later this year

It features 51 apartments with two-, three- and four-bedroom options, all with amenities such as a kitchenette with appliances, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and expansive living areas. Guests will also get to utilise a lap pool and 24-hour gym.

Along with ARBT, a Brisbane-based technology company specialising in modular hotel manufacturing, BWH plans to open new-build hotels across Australia and New Zealand over the next few years. ARBT’s advanced manufacturing technologies and speed to market for new-build properties will allow for rapid expansion of the BWH portfolio across the region.

The partners will open the second Aiden by Best Western in 1Q2023.

Singapore boutique hotels clear the storm with innovative decisions

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May 16, 2022

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Bold business changes and partnerships have been instrumental in the survival of Singapore’s boutique hotels throughout the travel crisis, allowing them to ride out the storm and be ready to welcome again international travellers now.

According to Hotel Mono and The Warehouse Hotel, their decisive pivot to rely on commercial long-term tenancy had helped to keep business going when international travel was cut off.

Boutique hotels crafted novel staycation offerings and played up their unique prepositions

Glenn Quah, general manager of the 46-key Hotel Mono told TTG Asia that the hotel relied heavily on commercial long-term tenancy with companies that needed to house many of their key personnel who were unable to cross borders for the first year of the pandemic.

The Warehouse Hotel also sought out long-stay corporate businesses with its regular clients to stay afloat, according to general manager, Tarun Kalra.

Like many businesses, the biggest challenge for Hotel Mono came from the manpower front. Few staff were keen to work on the frontline as they would have to come in contact with many guests.

Quah added: “A positive case (infection) among the staff would have crippled the front desk. At the same time, many of our foreign staff had not seen their families for long periods of time and were starting to feel really homesick.”

In response, hotel ensured that safety measures were in place and constantly monitored the mental and emotional well-being of its staff.

The Warehouse Hotel, on the other hand, found having to adapt to the frequent changes in safe management regulations tough. To counter that, the 37-key boutique heritage hotel made sure to exercise flexibility towards its guests who have booked their staycation and weddings.

As the battle for business shifted to local residents, boutique hotels crafted novel staycation offerings and played up their unique prepositions.

It was challenging for Hotel G Singapore, which positions itself as a boutique hotel, to remain top of mind for new and existing guests alike, according to general manager Michelle Lee.

She explained: “To maintain brand awareness and compete for a piece of the staycation pie, we collaborated with local partners and our F&B outlets to create innovative staycation packages. That has allowed us to navigate through these unprecedented times.”

Enter workcation package, Hustle & Grind, which allows a day-use of one of its rooms from 07.00 to 19.00 complete with all the necessities and modern comforts such as high speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs with mirroring function, and F&B perks including French wine and set lunches.

In August 2021, to celebrate Singapore’s 56th National Day, Hotel G Singapore collaborated with local brands to create its Slay, Stay & Play staycation. The package included an upgraded night’s stay, an F&B component, and complimentary goodies from homegrown names.

The Warehouse Hotel, which prides itself on its design-centric and local heritage and culture, partnered with In Good Company, a local clothing label, to design a custom robe that guests could buy and enjoy a discount voucher for use at In Good Company. The hotel’s staycation packages comprised F&B vouchers as well as locally curated gifts like paperweights, hip flasks and specially-designed playing cards that guests may use during their stay.

As Singapore started to ease social restrictions in 2021, allowing private groups of five to congregate, Hotel Mono moved into family getaways. The property is one of the few in Singapore with family rooms that can accommodate up to five guests at a time.

The Warehouse Hotel went after couples in love, dangling packages that were built for intimate weddings and solemnisations for 20 guests – in line with Covid regulations then on celebratory events. Kalra recalled that the packages were a hit with many couples that were looking to tie the knot in 2020 and 2021. The hotel collaborated with local floral design studio, Floral Kokoro, to offer customised floral arrangements along with curated lunch and dinner set menus from Po restaurant.

To overcome dine-in restrictions, The Warehouse Hotel’s Po restaurant and Lobby Bar worked with partners such as Grab, Oddle and Chope to make its menu and locally-inspired bottled cocktails available island-wide. Bundle sets containing signature dishes and guests’ favourites were priced appropriately to encourage online orders, while a contactless curbside pick-up was also offered as an option.

As international travel picks up along with heightened competition, boutique hotel players emphasised the importance of committing to high cleanliness standards, adapting to evolving situation and guests’ needs, as well as staying true to their distinctive personalities and amplifying that differentiation to customers.

Marriott International expands positive travel opportunities for guests

By Prudence Lui

May 16, 2022

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Marriott International has expanded its Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, from just 15 pilot hotels to nearly 100 hotels and resorts now across more than 50 destinations across Asia-Pacific, providing even more opportunities for travellers to turn their vacations into meaningful travel that connects with local communities and the environment.

According to Bart Buiring, chief sales and marketing officer, APAC, Marriott International, the programme expansion was driven by positive response from hotels and guests.

Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme offers meaningful experiences that connect guests with local communities and the environment

“Apart from this, the pandemic has shifted the way people travel – to have a positive impact on countries and to blend working trips with leisure,” he added.

According to the 2022 American Express Travel Global Survey, people are now more intentional about where they spend their money, and impact travel is resonating across all demographics.

Buiring said Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme stands out from other similar programmes with the “truly grassroots efforts by our hotels”.

“We asked them to structure their activities on three key pillars – environmental protection, community engagement and marine conservation – and branding all experiences through a loyalty programme in a creative and curative manner,” he said.

Targeting the leisure travel market – families looking for a more meaningful travel experience – and corporate travellers, the foundation of the programme is synonymous with people wanting to reconnect with each other; it also helps connect member guests with local experts and NGOs at the destinations they visit, while promoting and deepening cultural understanding. These experiences are available for non-members as well.

The programme has the support of travel planners, agents and meeting planners, shared Buiring.

At present, Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme offers meaningful experiences in many destinations – Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, India, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives. Guests can choose to plant mangrove seeds in the forests of Langkawi to restore the wetlands, joining a temple preservation in India to mitigate the destructive effects of sandstorms on its façade, and more.

Fun for the family

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May 16, 2022

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Fun in the Australian sun
Escape to the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa in Australia with the JW Family Holiday Package, which includes two night’s accommodation, daily breakfast for two adults and two children (12 years and under) and a choice of complimentary activities.

Snorkel hire is free for those who enjoy the cool waters of the Gold Coast. At the hotel’s JW Garden, kids can learn about herbs or take a gardening class. They can also join sushi-making or pizza-making classes.

Fun for the whole family can be found on a Jetski Safari guided tour, or a behind-the-scenes tour of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

Valid for stays till July 10, 2022

www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/oolsp-jw-marriott-gold-coast-resort-and-spa/

Imaginative worlds
Underlining Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts’ focus on the family is the Fam.ily by Shangri-La brand, which promises unforgettable experiences for multi-generational families. Arising from this promise is a collection of custom-designed themed family suites that come with well-equipped family pantries that are stocked with every parenting neccessity.

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore as well as Shangri-La Hotel, Qinhuangdao and Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin in China sport these themed family suites. While some themes occur across the three properties, such as Castle, Space, Treetop, Underwater and Safari, the China properties boast their own unique themes.

At Shangri-La Hotel, Qinhuangdao, families with little ones can live in an underwater fantasy world (Mermaid) or enjoy a beachside getaway in an RV (Beach) – all thanks to creative design.

At Shangri-La Hotel, Harbin, Winter Wonderland and Ice House adventures await, both themed around winter fun.

These themed family suites are available year-round.

www.shangri-la.com/en/landing/family-themed-suites/

Endless fun on the sea
A recreation wonderland, Spectrum of the Seas has much to offer. Signature experiences like FlowRider surf simulator and RipCord by iFly create many opportunities for families to bond. Asia’s first virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure, Sky Pad, is also onboard, along with SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea that offers bumper cars, laser tag, fencing, archery and many more activities. There are plenty of dining choices to ensure happy bellies all around.

After dark, catch a movie at Two70, a multi-dimensional theatre with six agile Roboscreens – during the day, this space boasts 270-degree ocean views.

For multigenerational families crusing together, the two-level Ultimate Family Suite is a real treat. It comes with multiple rooms, a slide, musical piano steps, games table, and a cinema that doubles up as a karaoke stage. This massive space is where loved ones can stay and play all day.

Spectrum of the Seas sails from home port Singapore on cruises to nowhere, and will commence regional sailing to several Asian ports of call from October 2022.

www.royalcaribbean.com.sg/

Natural draws
Children are invited to connect with nature in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The island’s native tranquillity, unspoiled landscapes and pristine coastlines allow visitors to appreciate nature at its best.

The Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay lies secluded on the island’s idyllic north-western coast, where guests have many opportunities to engage in a range of daily recreational pursuits, such as beach games as well as yoga and art classes.

The hotel’s Tribe Kid Club tranforms little ones into wildlife adventurers in a small, nurturing day camp that offers experiential activities for children of all ages. The itinerary includes indoor and outdoor adventure play and a range of creative and enriching activities.

https://phuquoc.crowneplaza.com/resort/

Get bouncy
From now till July 3, 2022, Singapore’s iconic horticultural attraction, Gardens By The Bay, is home to a massive bouncy castle experience.

Jumptopia: Wonder Garden, occupying the Bayfront Pavilion, features eight unique play concepts occupying 799m² of space. Children can look forward to conquering garden-themed bouncy castles, while parents capture photo memories to share with family and friends. Enjoy yummy bites by Kith Café after a good exercise. Choices for souvenirs are aplenty.

Jumptopia: Wonder Garden is open daily, with five sessions at 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00, and 18.00.

www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/jumptopia.html

Buzzing side of the Maldives
The Maldives is not just for romance, as the new Siyam Water World theme park clearly shows. Located within the Siyam World resort, the floating water park offers a thrilling adventure for all ages and activity levels with slides, water trampolines, climbing walls, rafts and more.

Beyond Siyam Water World, accommodation at the resort is fun too. Beach villas come with a personal pool, and some even boast their own water slide that goes right into the ocean.

Guests can enjoy a mini bar that is replenished once daily, a 24-hour sports/snacks bar, four restaurants to choose from, themed F&B events, and more.

Children aged four to 11 can join the Kidz World club and enjoy complimentary wellness activities like the Kids Asana yoga classes, or Zumbini. Teenagers also get their own Not for Kidz adult-free hang-out area.

www.sunsiyam.com/siyam-world/

To infinity and beyond!
Toy Story Hotel is Tokyo Disney Resort’s fifth Disney-themed accommodation and the first moderate-class resort, making it a great choice for families with young children.

The hotel lobby boasts a colourful, toy-filled space with a jigsaw puzzle-inspired floor and a board game-designed ceiling.

Guestrooms are inspired by the look of Andy’s bedroom in the very first Toy Story film, with pyjamas provided for adults and children upon request. The washroom comes with a step stool for little ones, while a crib can be booked during reservations.

Other family-friendly amenities at the hotel include children menus in restaurants and a nursing room.

www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/hotel/dh/family.html

Activities under one roof
Anantara Desaru Coast in Malaysia is perfect for active families, where everyone can spend the day playing beach volleyball, building sandcastles, trying out seasonal water sports, or going on cycling trails around the countryside and along the coast on complimentary bicycles.

For thrill seekers, the Adventure Waterpark boasts rides and slides for all ages and adrenaline levels.

Explore beyond the resort with curated tours, such as the Johor Bahru Old Town Foodie Tour to sample famous baked goods and food; the Belungkor Mangrove Eco Tour; or the Desaru Fruit Farm where there is also a petting zoo.

Parents desiring some personal time can check their little ones into the Layang Layang Kids Club, where pizza-making, cookie-making, T-shirt painting and games await. Older children can chill at the Luncur Ombak Teens Club with video games, movies, pinball machines, table tennis, fubball and more.

www.anantara.com/en/desaru-coast/leisure

Little ones come first
Pan Pacific Singapore has rolled out two themed family suites on the higher floor of the hotel. These suites come with separate sleeping zones for parents in the main bedroom, and a jungle-themed room for their little ones that is furnished with an inflatable rocking hippo, a teepee and a treehouse bunk bed that sleeps two children.

The hotel has also carved out a special indoor play area for resident guests. Urban Jungle Village keeps little ones busy with seven activity zones where they can learn as they play.

For a more experiential stay, guests can add on a picnic set, available from 11.00 to 18.00, and a campfire set from 18.00 to 21.00. The sets come with delicious kid-friendly food and drinks, as well as a plush toy souvenir. These are priced from S$59 (US$43) per child.

www.panpacific.com/ppsin-urban-jungle

Dine with the dinos
The Jurassic World Dominion Dining Adventure is the latest offering at Universal Studios Singapore. It features a four-course meal themed around the diets of dinosaurs from the upcoming Jurassic World Dominion movie, along with special effects and prehistoric meet-and-greets.

The 2.5-hour dining experience combines storytelling and special effects life-size dinosaur appearances. After dinner, get up close with Velociraptor Blue and the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex for a photograph.

The Jurassic World Dominion Dining Adventure is available on select dates in May to August, from 18.30 to 21.00. Prices are at S$248 per adult and S$188 per child, inclusive of a one-day ticket to the park and a Universal Express Unlimited Pass.

www.rwsentosa.com/JurassicWorld

Indonesian players put pressure on government to axe PCR tests

By Kurniawan Ulung

May 13, 2022

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Indonesian tour operators are demanding the removal of pre-departure PCR test requirements to facilitate arrivals recovery and improve the country’s competitiveness against her neighbours.

Jongki Adiyasa, executive director of Ina Leisure Tour and Travel, questioned the government’s requirement for the test when countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia have scrapped it. Most people in Java and Bali have also been fully vaccinated.

Wahjono: the removal of the PCR test could help fully-vaccinated travellers access Indonesia at reduced cost

Adiyasa said clients have complained that PCR tests in other countries were costly and hard to secure as they were no longer mandatory.

Adjie Wahjono, operations manager of Aneka Kartika Tours, urged his government to follow the footsteps of other countries in removing pre-departure PCR test requirements to prevent escalated cost of travel to Indonesia.

He explained: “Filipino travellers, for example, need to spend US$50 for a PCR test to fly to Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia. That money could have been better spent on one- or two-night stays in budget hotels.”

Test prices differ across countries, rising as high as US$72 in Singapore and US$120 in the UK.

Ricky Setiawanto, director of business development of Panorama Destination, is worried that the PCR test barrier will dampen longhaul summer peak travel performance. The pandemic has severely impacted the spending power of the longhaul market, specifically Europe, while airfares have risen significantly. While a flight from Paris to Bali used to cost US$1,000 or less, now it is US$1,500 to US$1,800.

The added cost of a compulsory pre-departure PCR test will cause Indonesia to lose the market to other destinations that have “scrapped all pandemic restrictions”.