Asia’s progressive resumption of travel has resulted in intensifying demand for private air charters, with many requests and bookings coming from leisure travellers and family groups in recent weeks, observes Stefan Wood, executive director of Air 7 Asia.
In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions, Wood discusses how demand sources are changing, factors driving up preference for private air charters, and what the return of more scheduled flights means for private jet business.
Dusit International has appointed Nichlas Maratos as vice president – commercial, where he will be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing global commercial strategies and initiatives.
Maratos brings more than 20 years of experience working in senior sales and marketing positions for global hospitality companies such as Starwood Hotels and Resorts (and subsequently Marriott), and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
Prior to joining Dusit, he was executive vice president – sales for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Before that, he served as vice president – sales, distribution & marketing for Asia-Pacific (Ex. China) for Marriott International, following a long career with Starwood.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa in the Maldives, operated by local operator Lily Hotels, has promoted Christophe Adam from resident manager to general manager.
With 27 years of hospitality experience, he brings a wealth of experience to Hideaway.
This French native has worked for LUX Resorts & Hotels in roles such as resident manager and regional director of sales and marketing before joining Lily Hotels.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is celebrating the reopening of Vietnam to international travellers with the launch of a new Welcome Back package.
With choices of a standard room, executive room, suite or pool villa, the Welcome Back package also includes return airport transfers and US$200 of daily spending credit. Abundant F&B options are available at the hotel, such as Vietnamese restaurant, Citron; Maison 1888 by three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire; beachside dining at Barefoot; and the Long Bar.
For relaxation, guests can indulge in soothing therapies at The Lagoon Spa.
The Welcome Back package is priced from US$537 nett per night for two adults, and is available for stays between April 28 and September 30, 2022. A minimum two-night stay is required.
Indonesia has made further changes to her entry policies, this time by removing arrival quarantine throughout the country and allowing more nationalities to access the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facilities.
According to the Indonesia Covid-19 Task Force, travellers can skip quarantine by being fully vaccinated or by taking a booster jab 14 days before arrival, with their certificates verified by the country’s official Covid-19 digital contact tracing app, PeduliLindungi. They will also need to fill in an electronic health alert card (e-HAC).
Upon arrival, travellers have to show proof of a negative PCR test result obtained no more than 48 hours prior to departure to Bali, and take another test upon arrival. Travellers need to stay and wait for their test result in their accommodation before they are allowed to head out for any activities.
Travellers who have only taken the first dose of vaccine may still enter Indonesia but will need to undergo five days (120 hours) of quarantine and take a second PCR test on their fourth day of stay.
The Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Law and Human Rights has also increased the number of countries that can access the VoA to 42, from 23. The facility is currently available for entry via Bali airport and seaport.
The additional countries eligible for VoA are South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, India, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Seychelles, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, and Tunisia.
The requirements remain the same.
With two billion holidaymakers aged 25 to 34 in 2021, the second largest segment of travellers, data and analytics company GlobalData says travel and tourism companies need to target millennials and Gen Z with offerings away from busy summer periods that create value for money and authentic experiences.
GlobalData notes that a significant contributing factor as to why there are so many holidaymakers in that age range is their ability to travel during off-peak periods. Many young millennial and Gen Z travellers have no children or major responsibilities in terms of occupational and financial obligations.
Ralph Hollister, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, said: “With prices for flights and accommodation being their cheapest in times of low demand, many young travellers in Europe, for example, will often holiday internationally in March or November. If low-cost carriers (LCCs) and budget accommodation providers are offering rock bottom prices, they may even travel more than once in off-peak periods during the same year.”
Off-peak trips can also offer higher levels of authenticity and personalisation. According to GlobalData’s 1Q2021 consumer survey, 27% of Gen Z and 26% of millennials stated that they are ‘always’ influenced by how well a product or service is tailored to their needs and personality. These were the two highest percentages when compared to the remaining age cohorts that responded to this question.
Hollister added: “During peak tourism months in established destinations, visitor numbers will often outweigh the number of local residents, and all aspects of tourism infrastructure will be overcrowded. In off-peak months, travellers are more likely to have meaningful interactions with locals, and experience cultural and natural attractions in a more intimate fashion due to less crowding. This allows for a better overall experience and a more positive perception of a destination.
“As destinations and travel companies continue to recover from the pandemic, younger travellers that can more easily travel in off-peak months should be targeted with low cost and authentic experiences. This will reduce the impact of seasonality and boost revenue.”
Taal volcano near Manila has erupted again with a powerful explosion on March 26, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and evacuate hundreds of residents from high-risk villages.
The initial eruption in Batangas province set off a steam-driven blast that was followed by smaller emissions and volcanic earthquakes, reported the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The institute has established a third level alarm for Taal’s latest eruption, in a five-step warning system. This indicates the potential for a “magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions”.
As a precaution, all surrounding activities have been banned, nearby communities have been warned to brace for possible ashfalls, and aircraft have been instructed to stay clear of the volcano due to the danger of possible “ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions” and other super-hot volcanic emissions.
Taal last erupted in January 2020, sending ash clouds to Manila and disrupting air travel and tourism in the region.
China’s civil aviation authority determined on March 26 that all 132 people onboard China Eastern Airlines MU5735 that crashed on March 21 have perished.
The aircraft, travelling from Kunming to Guangzhou, met its fatal end near Wuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
While no cause has yet been determined, online tracking data showed the plane rapidly dropped from an altitude of 8,870m to 2,393m in just over a minute.
The aircraft is a Boeing 737-800.
I tried my hand at urban cycling for the first time recently – exploring the Marina Bay area on two wheels for a weekend getaway. My usual biking routes were on trails away from the city area.
Turned out the newly-launched Bikecation experience by Mandarin Oriental, Singapore was a refreshing adventure for Singapore residents who want to rediscover their urban backyard while on their staycation.
Prior to arrival, I booked my slot for the customised bicycle which the hotel has in partnership with SG Bike. Soon after my check-in, I was off on my biking expedition, complete with delicious healthy snacks and drinks, complimentary from the hotel.
For the uninitiated, there are two recommended specially-designed routes to take from the hotel’s centralised location. The City Bike-Venture covers the Esplanade Park, Merlion Park, Waterfront Promenade, Helix Bridge and Youth Olympic Park, while the Garden Bike-Venture allows one to explore the Singapore Flyer, Bay East Garden View, Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay and Tanjong Phu Promenade.
I took the former to enjoy the scenic cityscape, pausing only to make a pit-stop at a roadside café to rest and people-watch.
I also deliberately chose the afternoon-evening slot to be able to chase the sunset as I made my way soaking in the sights of the splendid waterfront on my leisurely escapade.
There is an early morning slot which one can pick to catch the sunrise too.
Location
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, with its prime location at Marina Square, is in close proximity to the financial hub. Numerous luxury boutiques, entertainment venues, and Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre are just minutes away.
Rooms
The calming interiors of my Marina Bay View Room on the 19th floor laid in juxtaposition with the dazzling expanse of Marina Bay Sands and Raffles Place Central Business District area. Be it mid-day or night-time, the view was always stunning.
To recharge after cycling, I relaxed in the large bath and walk-in shower, and indulged in exquisite bath and body care with the hotel’s stock of luxurious Diptyque’s toiletry collection.
F&B
The Bikecation accommodation package includes a daily breakfast for two at Melt Café, where a mouthwatering buffet spread of international and local culinary delights awaits amid contemporary interiors, an uplifting ambience, and wistful background jazz music.
For my first meal of the day, I was greatly tempted by the lavish offerings at the various breakfast stations. I ended up with a hearty breakfast of baked waffles, butter-filled pastries, cheese platter, omelettes, salmon sashimi, as well as servings of century egg congee and roti prata with curry chicken.
What an invigorating way to fuel up and start the day right.
Facilities
For more fitness fun apart from biking, I also explored the luxury hotel’s outdoor swimming pool and fully-equipped fitness centre.
There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a quiet dip and then lounging by the 25m swimming pool in a tranquil and lush outdoor setting, overlooking the bustling city.
The fitness centre caters to all levels of ability and conditioning, and is a gym enthusiast’s dream come true with a full range of equipment including a Kinesis Wall, free weights and stretching area. I even managed to get a personalised body fat analysis from the in-house certified personnel.
Service
The service was warm and welcoming. The hotel concierge were really helpful and assisted me on the adjustment of my bike seat to ensure a smooth ride. They always greeted me by name and were very attentive, even providing me with an umbrella when it was drizzling outside.
Verdict
For those eager to explore their own backyard on a leisurely pace while getting some exercise along the way, the Bikecation is an ideal option which allows one to luxuriate in the creative comforts of an urban getaway while also satisfying their adventure streak with an interesting cycling experience.
Rate: From S$399 (US$293.60) per night in the Ocean View Room with various inclusions
Contact details
Tel: +65 6885 3030
Email: mosin-reservations@mohg.com
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/marina-bay/luxury-hotel/offers/bikecation
Finnair has updated its summer 2022 flights, as the closure of Russian airspace impacts existing Asian traffic.
While 40 weekly flights to various Japan airports will be suspended and the start of Finnair’s new Busan route will be postponed, the airline will add Mumbai to its operations. The latter will be operated three times a week, with tickets to go on sale from April 5.
Finnair continues to operate daily connections to Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore and Tokyo, three weekly flights to Seoul, two weekly flights to Hongkong, and one weekly service to Shanghai.
Travellers will benefit from Finnair’s services across the US and Europe. In the US, the airline launched a new route to Dallas Fort Worth on March 27, with four weekly flights and full connectivity to American Airline’s extensive network in the country. Another new route, Seattle, opens on June 1 with three weekly frequencies.
According to chief commercial officer Ole Orvér, the airline will increase summer services to over 300 daily flights.
“We continue to serve our key Asian destinations despite the longer routings caused by Russian airspace closure, and also have an excellent offering in Europe and North America.”