Contiki, a tour company aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds, has rolled out Social Travel trips to enable travellers to forge stronger bonds together over shared travel preferences.
According to Celest Quek, director of marketing & communications, The Travel Corporation, Social Travel by Contiki itineraries would appeal especially to new solo travellers, as “itineraries are designed to create group dynamics fast so travellers do not feel alone for very long”.
“They are grouped with like-minded travellers who are also looking to make new friends and memories,” said Quek.
However, she stressed that Social Travel also welcomes “couples, and friends travelling together”, as the itineraries are “designed for those who prefer heightened enjoyment over dealing with the trivial stresses that can occur when traveling in a conventional way”.
To identify their travel styles, customers can approach an accredited travel agent for a full explanation of available itineraries or use Contiki’s online trip finder quiz to match them to their dream trip.
When asked how the young generation in Asia-Pacific has responded to Social Travel by Contiki, given that Asians are generally more reserved by nature, Quek stated that it has been “very positive”.
“The global pandemic has not just restricted young people’s ability to travel, but it has also closed them off to the kind of social connections that are essential for personal growth. There is a bottled-up desire for authentic human connections all over the world, even for reserved individuals,” Quek opined.
Quek remains confident in the future of travel, especially for the gen-Z and millennial segments.
She said: “More countries in the region are gradually opening up, with the likes of Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam reviving the tourism sector either with a full reopening to fully-vaccinated travellers or via bilateral engagements with other countries.
“With this rosy travel outlook, we expect to see more Asia-Pacific travellers revelling in new experiences, and making friends and good memories along the way.”
Melbourne property developer, Beulah, has appointed Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to manage the hotel within its new STH BNK By Beulah development.
Four Seasons Hotel Melbourne will crown the western tower with 210 rooms, with guests arriving through the Sky Lobby on the 63rd floor. The hotel will also offer a world-class integrated health and wellness experience, a sprawling rooftop restaurant and bar, and multiple event spaces.
Hotel guests can also access myriad experiences across STH BNK By Beulah, such as art and culture programmes, coworking facilities, the STH BNK Market Hall, and more.
On track to become Australia’s tallest tower, STH BNK By Beulah is also set to become the tallest vertical garden in the world. The vertical garden will reach a total of 5.5km.
Envisioned as a vertical mini-metropolis, the development will comprise four distinct collections of private residences, public and green spaces, a rooftop sky garden, a 3,000-seat auditorium, commercial offices, and more.
Adelene Teh, Beulah executive director, said: “As STH BNK By Beulah continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the luxury, lifestyle and sustainability spaces, Four Seasons is aligned perfectly to our ethos and vision, offering unparalleled experiences, a bold commitment to innovation, and fantastic sustainability initiatives across its hotels and resorts.”
Bart Carnahan, president, global business development and portfolio management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, said the project would “set a new standard for luxury in Melbourne”.
Construction is expected to begin late 2022 and will take approximately five years to complete.