IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Adeline Phua as director, development for the South-east Asia and Korea region.
In this newly-created role, Phua will be supporting the strategic growth of IHG brands in South-east Asia, focusing on its luxury and lifestyle portfolio, and establishing a China desk to facilitate cross border investments and cooperation for the region.
Phua brings 16 years of global experience in hospitality strategy, planning, development, ideation and concept creation, feasibility, valuation, investment and asset management across China, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.
Based in China for the last 13 years, she joins IHG from an Asia practice of a Swiss cross border real estate investment and hospitality advisory firm based in Shanghai where she was founder and partner. Prior to that, she was senior director at Starwood’s Greater China development team and partner at HVS in Asia Pacific, first based in Singapore and then moving to Shanghai in 2009 to establish their China practice.
India has reimposed Covid-19 restrictions for international travellers arriving from “at-risk” nations including Singapore from Wednesday (December 1), due to concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant.
According to the health ministry, the countries categorised as “at-risk” are the European countries including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.
India among several countries to reimpose travel restrictions following the Omicron variant outbreak
Under the latest guidelines, travellers arriving from these countries are required to submit a self-declaration form and their travel history for the previous 14 days, as well as a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to departure, on the Air Suvidha portal before their journey.
Travellers from “at-risk” countries will also need to take a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival at the airport, and will have to wait for the result.
Those who test negative will have to undergo home quarantine for seven days and then self-monitor for another seven days, in addition to a test on the eighth day of arrival.
All positive samples will be sent for genome sequencing at designated INSACOG labs to identify the variant, and passengers will be admitted into isolation facilities.
Meliá Chiang Mai is offering a 50 per cent discount on accommodation from when the urban hotel opens its doors in February next year.
Under that special opening promotion, room rates start at 2,500 baht (US$75) nett per night for a lead-in Meliá Room. The offer is available to book from now until December 31, 2021 for stays from February until December 31, 2022. Bookings on melia.com also come with a 20 per cent discount on food and drinks.
Meliá’s YHI Spa features seven treatment rooms
Towering over the Ping River in the heart of Chiang Mai, Meliá Chiang Mai comprises a 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building and is home to 260 rooms and suites.
Hotel facilities include signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar, a 360-degree rooftop bar, a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, poolside bar, alongside a ballroom and four additional meeting spaces.
Thailand has allowed fully vaccinated travellers from 63 low-risk countries to enter the kingdom without quarantine since November 1.
YouTrip, a South-east Asian multi-currency neobank, has raised US$30 million in its latest Series A round, driven by returning investors from major Asian family offices and prominent financial technology investors.
With this, the company has now raised over US$60 million funding in total since launch.
The latest funding bagged by YouTrip will be used for its venture into the B2B payments space
The new capital will supercharge the company’s technological capabilities to bolster its suite of payment products, in particular, entering the adjacent B2B payments space, as well as accelerating its entrance into the wider South-east Asia.
To date, YouTrip has processed over US$800 million card spend globally, with almost 20 million transactions and over 1.5 million app downloads.
YouTrip’s transaction volume has also rebounded to pre-Covid levels, driven by strong traction in cross-border e-commerce transactions and progressive return of travel spending, said the company in a press release.
It added that with the opening of more vaccinated travel lanes in Singapore, transaction volume is forecast to accelerate rapidly, especially given upcoming holiday seasons and revenge travel.
To advance its growth, YouTrip has set its sights on the B2B payments ecosystem with an upcoming corporate credit card, YouBiz, catering to businesses with a global footprint. The product offers higher spending limits while transacting at the best exchange rates in more than 150 currencies.
Arthur Mak, YouTrip’s co-founder, said: “We’re very excited about the B2B payments opportunity. It is a segment with a deep market, as companies increasingly operate in a distributed and borderless manner and we expect their cross-border payment needs to go up.
“By incorporating our company’s core strengths of offering the best exchange rates and an extremely easy-to-use interface into YouBiz, we help businesses save time and cost, so that they can focus their energy and efforts in finding growth.”
Registration for interest in the product’s beta launch has received more than 1,000 sign-ups to date, according to YouTrip.
YouBiz will be rolled out in Singapore in 1Q2022, with plans to bring it to five other South-east Asia countries in the next twelve months.
Airbnb has launched the Discover the Travel Revolution initiative which provides Singaporeans with a limited-time offer of S$50 (US$37) off any Airbnb stay listed by its partners via airbnb.com/travelrevo.
A minimum booking spend of S$150 is required, and each user can redeem the coupon code only once.
New initiative will allow Singaporeans to rediscover home, as well as boost local tourism
The initiative aims to encourage Singaporeans to embark on local workations and staycations, as well as to help Singapore’s tourism sector capitalise on the digital nomad trend.
Participating partners include Far East Organisation, Ascott Group, Hmlet and ST Signature. Guests can select from a range of hotels and serviced apartments listed on Airbnb, including Ascott Orchard Singapore, Hmlet Cantonment, lyf Funan Singapore, Parkroyal Serviced Suites, KeSa House, Wanderlust Hotel, and ST Residences Novena.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb general manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “The world is undergoing a revolution in how we live and work, and this increasing desire among travellers for flexible travel has created exciting new opportunities for Singapore’s tourism sector.
“As a global destination for professionals and business travellers, Singapore is uniquely positioned for both short and longer-term stays, especially for digital nomads looking to anchor themselves in an exciting destination for months at a time. This new initiative will not only encourage Singaporeans to explore their own backyard in creative new ways, but also help the city hone its offering to digital nomads from around the world.”
The Travel Corporation (TTC) has seen a sharp increase in interest for travel to vaccinated travel lane (VTL) destinations from 2021 until next year, with a 204 per cent increase in enquiries, and a 30 per cent successful conversion rate to confirmed bookings.
Nicholas Lim, Asia CEO of TTC, said: “The gradual expansion of the VTL scheme brings a renewed sense of hope to the beleaguered travel and tourism industry. In the recent weeks, some of these destinations have experienced a rise in the number of cases or have abruptly gone into lockdowns, but what our figures demonstrate is that Singapore travellers are very much willing to travel again.”
Amid uncertainty, TTC sees more Singaporeans booking in advance even as far as September 2022
Among hundreds of available itineraries, travellers from Singapore are increasingly interested in Trafalgar’s Spanish Wonder (Madrid and Barcelona), German Christmas Markets and Swiss Delight itineraries, leaning towards seven to 10-day trip durations.
TTC has also witnessed an increase in uptake for 2022 travels, particularly during spring (April and May) and autumn (September).
Travellers are also hopeful to travel in non-VTL destinations, with 2022 bookings to Portugal, Turkey and Scandinavian countries.
The desire to travel also cuts across all ages. TTC reported that guests come from a variety of backgrounds, from couples below 60s to small groups such as families with children who are looking into June and December trips, and friends who want to travel together in Central Europe.
Older couples are also looking into the Uniworld River Cruises itineraries, while couples and friends aged between 40s to 60s are booking on coach brands.
Dream Cruises has opened sailings aboard its World Dream ship to non-residents in Singapore and international travellers for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, in accordance with the latest guidelines by the local authorities.
This development follows the launch of vaccinated travel lanes by the city-state, allowing quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated travellers from selected countries.
Dream Cruises opens World Dream cruise bookings to international travellers in addition to Singapore residents
In a statement, Dream Cruises called the move “a new milestone” for the cruise line “that will help to fuel the recovery of the cruise industry in Singapore and regionally”.
All embarking guests will need to be fully vaccinated and undergo a pre-boarding antigen rapid test at the cruise terminal and present a negative test result for Covid-19.
“World Dream has carried over 200,000 guests since cruising resumed in Singapore on November 6, 2020 and celebrated its first anniversary earlier this month,” said Michael Goh, president of Dream Cruises.
“With cruise bookings now open to non-residents in Singapore and international travellers, it is indeed fantastic news, as we have been working hard towards this goal with the demonstration of safe cruises over the past year.”
“Our progression to the next phase of cruising is timely and we are highly optimistic that demand will continue to rise with the contribution of the fly-cruise segment.“
Stability in pandemic controls through most parts of 2021 has allowed Macao to shine as a tourist destination, with numerous fresh activities and events keeping visitors engaged and enthralled all year round.
Furthermore, without having to put prolonged brakes on travel and tourism within the destination, Macao has the benefit of experience to perfect the art of welcoming and caring for her visitors in the safest possible ways.
A fulfilling year in review
The year 2021 has seen Macao kicking off a series of “tourism+” initiatives that sought to raise the competitiveness of the destination’s tourism industry and facilitate collaboration between tourism, business events and other emerging industries such as e-commerce and creative sectors. For travellers, these “tourism+” initiatives have translated to enhanced experiences.
Macao Light Festival’s Travellers from Mars will put a galactic spin on the event’s light-up displays
From Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 to the 68th Macau Grand Prix, the Asian destination has been a lively hub of impressive festivals, with extensive activities around the main event to entertain residents and visitors alike.
This month’s highlight is the popular Macao Light Festival, which returns this year with the theme, Travellers from Mars. From December 4, 2021 to January 2, 2022, landmarks in areas such as Taipa, Nam Van District and Praia do Manduco District will tell the tale of how our Martian friends discover tourism, culture, science, leisure, gastronomy, environmental protection and more through projection mapping and light installations.
Visual treats continue with Light up Macao Drone Gala, where some 300 drones take to the evening sky above Nam Van Lake every weekend to put on visually stunning performances led by talented teams from mainland China.
Internet celebrities in the mainland are invited to experience and promote businesses under the Distinctive Shops Programme
Demonstrating the value of tourism as a vehicle to leave a positive legacy on the destination’s community, Macao’s Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Department launched the Distinctive Shops Programme in 2021 to uplift local small- and medium-sized restaurants, eateries and retailers.
Conducted in collaboration with district-based business associations, the Distinctive Shops Programme handpicks outstanding enterprises and provides them with various forms of assistance to enable them to sharpen their business acumen and raise their competitiveness, which ultimately give domestic and foreign customers an extraordinary destination experience.
Macao’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders have also maintained their spirit of innovation, rolling out fresh attractions to satiate wanderlust amid the pandemic. Some of the new products that have hit the marketplace include Barra Pier and the scenic Barra-Coloane Ferry Route; the upgraded Macao Grand Prix Museum; the Lisboeta Macau integrated resort, which is opening progressively and now offers unique attractions such as GoAirborne Macau and Zipcity Macau; and Grand Lisboa Palace Resort.
The way forward For travel agents and planners, Macao is a destination partner that continues to inspire confidence and forward-thinking ideas. Besides working more closely with the travel trade on tourism recovery projects and strategic development in 2022 for expanding tourism source markets, supporting the development of key tourism sectors and strengthening regional cooperation with Hengqin and the Greater Bay Area.
Travel agents and planners will also benefit from destination promotion support offered through the ever-growing star appeal of Macao tourism mascot, MAK MAK, as well as regular MAK MAK themed events – all of which can be woven into the creation of their own tourism activities.
In addition, new tourism products and services can be listed on MGTO’s new Macao Full of Fun – Smart Trip Planner to keep travellers well informed.
Macao will welcome the Year of the Tiger with public events throughout February 2022
As the Year of the Tiger approaches, travel agents and planners will discover even more exciting events in February to weave into their new Macao itineraries. Lunar New Year celebrations will include parades, a fireworks extravaganza, performances led by local and mainland Chinese troupes, and fancy float exhibitions.
Macao will not only shine on the leisure front, as the destination’s 2022 business events calendar will feature high profile gatherings such as the 10th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo and the Global Tourism Economy Forum.
With numerous countries having opened their borders to vaccinated travellers, there’s no better time than now to plan your long-awaited getaway. How about a road trip with friends, a romantic holiday with your partner, or that once-a-year family vacation where the entire extended family will all get together?
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Here are 10 destinations in Asia Pacific to consider:
This lakeside retreat in Ho Chi Minh City offers 342 lavish rooms, where its bathroom fixtures are clad in swanky 24-karat-gold. The use of 24-karat-gold has also extended to the rooftop infinity pool, while other recreational facilities include a gym, 24/7 casino, and spa. The dazzling property on the shores of Giang Vo Lake also offers four F&B options, and is a short stroll from the vibrant Old Quarter and its charming colonial architecture.
Nestled in Cam Ranh Peninsula and steps from Long Beach, the property lines the 17th and 18th holes of a Greg Norman-designed golf course which overlooks Bai Dai Beach. There are a total of 327 guestrooms, ranging from the Deluxe Room up to the luxurious four-bedroom villa with a private pool. There are also five F&B options, including Vietnamese restaurant Xue, and whiskey room Quba.
The first internationally-branded hotel in Phuket’s Nai Harn area, the contemporary resort-style property screams vacation. There are 353 rooms and suites available, 77 of which offer direct access to one of the property’s large swimmable lagoon. Other recreational amenities include a swim-up bar, kids club, spa, and fitness centre. Nai Harn beach is also a short stroll away.
Standing proudly on the waterfront of Jeju Island near the bustling downtown area, this resort affords panoramic ocean views. Make a splash in their indoor or outdoor pools, relax in the hot tub and steam room, or venture out to explore attractions such as the Sangumburi Crater and Hamdeok Seobong Beach.
Be privy to a Singaporean food experience at New Ubin Seafood Zhongshan Park or unwind with a cocktail at Heritage Bar & Lounge when visiting the city-state. Singapore’s first hotel-by-the-park development also features a gym, 30-metre pool, business centre, as well as meeting and banquet facilities.
The 257-key modern hotel stands within easy reach from the trendy Bukit Bintang district – which boasts a theme park and large shopping mall – and a 15-minute drive to top attractions such as the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC. Aside from two F&B venues onsite, other amenities include a gym and meeting space.
Located a 30-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur in the Bandar Baru Klang area stands the Wyndham Acmar Klang. The gateway to Port Klang, facilities here include an outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre, and four F&B venues. Should you need to mix pleasure with some business, meeting amenities include a business centre, and 11 function rooms.
Surrounded by the lush tropical landscapes of Bali’s eastern coast, the hotel stands in close proximity to the black sand beaches of Lepang Beach. This resort has 222 rooms suites and private pool villas that can comfortably sleep two to four guests, perfect for family groups. Here, guests can unwind at the gym, book a massage at the Tirta Spa, or join in a session on the Yoga Deck.
Attached to Yuelai International Convention Center, this property is perfect for bleisure guests. There are 390 rooms within, all of which feature panoramic views of mountains. Amenities include four F&B options, a fitness center, heated indoor swimming pool, yoga room, and day spa. For a friendly game of golf with business associates, the nearby Chongqing International Golf Club sports a challenging, hilly terrain along with restaurants and a gym.
The rebranded hotel is equipped with a total of 278 high-quality and elegant guestrooms and suites. Rooms are decorated with ink and wash style combined with modern design, full of Jiangnan charm and oriental flavour. It is located in Fenhu Lake, an ancient lake with history that can be traced back to 770BC.
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Following in the footsteps of many other countries, Sri Lanka has placed an entry ban on travellers from six African countries with reported Omicron variant infections.
Travellers with a 14-day history of travel to those countries will also be prohibited from entry.
Sri Lanka pledges to maintain health protocols for travellers from non-affected countries
National carrier SriLankan Airlines has affirmed its continued operations to Kenya, which has so far not been affected by the new variant.
Despite the cautious footing, local health officials said they were not changing the guidelines for travellers from other countries. Currently, fully-vaccinated visitors to Sri Lanka need to present a PCR test taken 72 hours before departure, and are not subject to any tests on arrival.
Maintenance of current health guidelines is an assurance for the Sri Lankan tourism community, which has been jittery over possible business recovery disruptions as a result of Omicron.
On November 30, tourism minister Prasanna Ranatunga urged the industry not to panic, and assured them that current proactive measures were adequate to mitigate risk posed by travellers from other parts of the world.
“Europe and the Middle East have promptly banned entries from these six countries. These two regions are popular gateways for passengers or transit passengers to Sri Lanka. Therefore, (along with Sri Lanka’s entry ban on travellers from affected African countries) there is no need to overreact to the situation,” Ranatunga told the Daily Financial Times.
On Monday, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators issued a joint statement urging the authorities to not alter current health protocols, so as to avoid endangering the beleaguered Sri Lankan tourism industry and negatively impacting the national economy.
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Meliá Chiang Mai is offering a 50 per cent discount on accommodation from when the urban hotel opens its doors in February next year.
Under that special opening promotion, room rates start at 2,500 baht (US$75) nett per night for a lead-in Meliá Room. The offer is available to book from now until December 31, 2021 for stays from February until December 31, 2022. Bookings on melia.com also come with a 20 per cent discount on food and drinks.
Towering over the Ping River in the heart of Chiang Mai, Meliá Chiang Mai comprises a 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building and is home to 260 rooms and suites.
Hotel facilities include signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar, a 360-degree rooftop bar, a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, poolside bar, alongside a ballroom and four additional meeting spaces.
Thailand has allowed fully vaccinated travellers from 63 low-risk countries to enter the kingdom without quarantine since November 1.