IHG brings InterContinental brand to Bali
An existing 120-key beachfront resort in Bali will be converted into an InterContinental branded property, under a partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and PT Pancaran Kreasi Adiprima.
Formerly known as Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali, the all-suite and villa resort InterContinental Bali Sanur Resort will relaunch with a fresh identity.
Located on Sanur Beach, the resort boasts 26 villas, each with a private pool, as well as 94 suites. It is located next to Holiday Inn Bali Sanur which opened in August 2021.
IHG currently operates 25 hotels in Indonesia across a range of brands, with twelve hotels in the pipeline.
Luxury travel in the post-pandemic world
While quarantine and ongoing restrictions dictated that travel looked very different in 2021, wanderlust is at an all-time high. A recent survey of our Singapore guest database, of 4,000 people, on travel aspirations for 2022 revealed that many are desperate to travel, with more than 80 per cent keen to take a minimum of two international trips this year.
In addition, with companies and employees adopting work-from-home for the past two years, more people are able to work remotely and in turn have become comfortable with the idea of serving stay-home notice/mandatory quarantines upon their return, driving the demand for travel and allowing for a wider range of destination options and longer travel periods.
Managing your travel risks
Travel is expected to remain relatively volatile as new variants continue to emerge globally. This is fuelling consumer appetite for bespoke tailor-made travel, especially for the middle and higher income segments, as they move away from DIY-ing their own trips.
Travel operators can add value by helping travellers to navigate this fast-evolving world of travel seamlessly, by settling the necessary admin and managing their travel risks.
A flexible approach to travel is key for guests to book with confidence. Additionally, offering 24/7 support is impactful in making guests feel assured to know that they are in safe and experienced hands, with a team ready to react quickly should the need arise.
We have seen an increase of new guests approaching us to deliver their first holiday after two years. And we expect this trend to continue as travel continues to evolve.
Strengthening focus on meaningful travel
With everyone having different risk appetites and reasons to venture out in such a time, we foresee a renewed focus on meaningful travel. According to the guest survey, reuniting with family/loved ones is one of the top three reasons for guests to travel and we’ve noticed an increasing number of guests looking to combine leisure travel with such trips, allowing them to spend more time together while on holiday.
From emerging travel preferences, we are forecasting these three key trends for travel in 2022:
• Ed-venture: From cooking to painting, the inactivity during the pandemic has encouraged many to take up a new hobby. Dubbed “ed-venture,” this new trend of booking trips based on new interests is taking travel by storm, particularly families looking to combine education and holidays for the youngest members of the family – especially conservation trips.
• Tick off the bucket list: Guests are doubling down and planning extended trips in 2022 due to postponed trips. Based on the survey, travellers seem to want to scratch their explorer itch, after staying home for a prolonged period during the pandemic. Some 29 per cent of respondents are looking forward to ticking off their extensive bucket lists in 2022 that includes epic polar expedition cruises in Antarctica and exploring the ancient Incan ruins in Peru.
• Celebratory holidays – reconnecting with loved ones: Families can once again look ahead and plan epic trips to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and big anniversaries that were missed in 2021. Private yacht charters, self-drive itineraries, and exclusive-use properties will work well for multi-generational families.
As we ease into 2022, the clouds of the pandemic linger with the rise of Omicron delaying further re-openings globally. However, it’s encouraging to see a strong desire to push forward for a recovery. I look forward to the opportunities that 2022 will bring, allowing travellers to reconnect with the rest of the world again; a chance for them to reacquaint themselves with familiar haunts and to make special memories discovering new places.
Hyatt to open China’s first Hello Kitty hotel in Hainan
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has unveiled plans to open China’s first Hello Kitty Hotel in Sanya, Hainan.
Slated to open by 2025, the hotel will form part of the 21ha Sanya Hello Kitty Resort, the first Hello Kitty theme park in Hainan Province. It will be developed by Hong Kong-based Keyestone Group and added to the JdV by Hyatt brand.
The hotel will feature 221 rooms and villas adorned with Hello Kitty designs and other Sanrio characters, alongside amenities including three restaurants and bar, a ballroom, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre.
The property will offer an immersive experience connected to and reflective of the theme park, with interactive experiences and story-telling elements. It will also showcase seasonal events, activities and menus to mark key festivals throughout the year.
Google poses ongoing threat to OTAs: GlobalData
The pandemic’s impact on OTAs has amplified their existing concerns around the growing presence of Google in the market, and how the tech giant’s control could impact competitivity and, therefore, consumer choice.
According to GlobalData, the OTA market value decreased by a gruesome 60.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in 2020.
Ralph Hollister, travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, said: “Google’s growing presence in online travel will be ominous for OTAs that have no choice but to rely on the search engine for web traffic.
“Regulators are starting to control Google’s practices, but the company has to be treated differently due to its position as a dominant search engine, as well as the fact that it is not offering directly competing services. Low competition can lead to rising prices, so it is vital for all travellers that the right balance is achieved.”
Laura Petrone, thematic analyst at GlobalData, added: “Google certainly has a huge responsibility when it comes to competitivity. Google has a monopoly over internet searches, and it has been accused many times of violating competition law to preserve this monopoly.
“Digital platforms like Google can use data generated knowledge from one market and taking advantage of their scale, they can expand their services to new markets. However, they need to be careful: in doing so they end up attracting even more regulatory scrutiny, as they are viewed as data monopolies in whichever sector they move into.”
GlobalData notes that from 2015 to 2019, the OTA market was seeing growth of 9.4 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching US$480.3 billion. This rapid growth rate and future growth potential intensified Google’s focus on online travel, it said.
By 2019, the OTA market was already blaming weakened visibility in Google search results for poor third quarter earnings. Expedia Group’s net income fell by 22 per cent YoY in 3Q2019, which it partially blamed on changes to Google’s algorithm, resulting in lost visibility.
Hollister continued: “Google really ramped up its activity in online travel prior to the pandemic. When looking at 2019 alone, Google launched its Travel Hub, added flight check-in and hotel booking abilities to Google Assistant, attached lodging listings to its Maps function, created a search site for hotel availability by destination, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) even launched its own ride-hailing app.
“Google clearly has both the business model and capital needed to better weather an event like Covid-19: by 2020, Alphabet’s revenue was over 15 times the amount of Booking’s and Expedia’s combined.
“Struggling OTAs will rely more and more heavily on Google search traffic as they look to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Google will have to be mindful not to expand or act too aggressively in the short-term, or it will face more frequent anti-competitive claims, lawsuits, and fines.”
Jayson Heron-Smith takes on dual role at The Langham Hospitality Group
Langham Hotels and Resorts has appointed Jayson Heron-Smith to wear the dual roles of director of sales & marketing, The Langham, Sydney and director of sales Australia, global sales office at Langham Hospitality Group.
Heron-Smith brings over 25 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to his new role; from starting out in F&B to working as an event manager and then through the ranks of sales and marketing to his current position today.
The Australian started with The Langham Hospitality Group across the pond in Auckland in November 2019 as director of sales and marketing at The Langham’s sister property, Cordis.
Before working for The Langham Hotels and Resorts, Heron-Smith worked for companies including Hyatt, Crown Melbourne, Hilton and The Star Sydney.
First person: What it’s like travelling to France under VTL scheme
As the Boeing 787 taxied down Changi Airport’s runway and the plane’s engines rumbled to life, a surreal feeling washed over me. This was my first overseas trip in 21 months, made possible thanks to a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) established between my hometown Singapore and France.
But getting to this point wasn’t easy; there was a degree of nervousness and hesitancy leading up to my three-week trip to France in December. In late November, South Africa shared their discovery of the Omicron strain, prompting knee-jerk reactions from countries that quickly shut their borders, resulting in many cancelled hotel bookings and flights.
Days before our departure, France announced that incoming vaccinated travellers from Singapore would now be required to present a negative antigen rapid test (ART) result, but will still get to skip quarantine.
Despite the uncertainties, my travel companion, H, and I decided to take the plunge. So we scrambled to find a clinic to get a last-minute ART appointment (three out of the four I checked were fully booked), as well as make several last-minute transport bookings in France.
Finally, the big day arrived. At the airport, checking in took about 20 minutes longer than usual, because in addition to our passports, staff also asked to see our vaccination certificates, sworn statements required by the French authorities, and ART results. The transit terminal, once a bustling place, was depressingly deserted with many shops shuttered.
On board our Air France plane, apart from a mask mandate, the flight experience was similar to pre-pandemic times. H and I were lucky to each snag a row of three economy class seats, so we could enjoy our own “lie-flat seats” à la business class. Our return flight however, was packed to the gills. I suspect it was because there were only three VTL Air France flights a week, and many were using Singapore as a transit point to fly onward to Australia.
When we touched down in Paris after a 12-hour flight, the immigration officer waved us through after a cursory check of our passports, but didn’t ask for our sworn statements, vaccination proofs, or ART results.
To an extent, this felt like a sense of normalcy had returned, but there is no denying the world has changed. The majority of French people wore masks both indoors and outdoors, and the TousAntiCovid app was keenly checked at all tourist attractions and restaurants. Numerous white tents were also erected outside pharmacies, where ARTs could be conveniently done for €25 (US$38) a pop.
The thinner than usual crowds at tourist attractions were also another sign of the times, but it was a pleasant silver lining as it made for a safer, more relishable experience. We spent nearly three glorious weeks basking in France’s majestic scenery, from the landmark Eiffel Tower and sandy beaches of Nice, to the towering Calanques of Marseille and snow-capped mountain ranges of Chamonix.
Many times, when I stood still to soak in the scenery, I felt absolutely refreshed, recharged and alive to be hitting the road again after an extended travel drought of two years.
There were a couple more protocols that H and I had to adhere to upon our return to Singapore, including taking a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the airport, followed by six days of self-administered ARTs where we had to upload the results onto a government website. We also had to refrain from dining out and going to the gym, and avoid meeting large groups of people.
Also, travelling during the Covid era meant additional costs incurred. These include travel insurance with a steeper price tag – I purchased mine from Sompo Insurance Singapore for S$236 – as it came with Covid coverage which would come in handy in case of border closures, flight delays, and cancelled activities; as well as a grand total of eight ART tests and one PCR test which added up to about S$250.
It is worth noting that France is one of the VTL destinations that allow travellers to take the ART, a more affordable option compared to PCR testing which is required by other VTL destinations like Malaysia and South Korea.
Despite these minor inconveniences and extra costs, the rewards that come with travelling abroad again to disconnect and mentally recharge are extremely worth it. While some might deem it irresponsible to travel during a pandemic, I believe that safe holiday travel is achievable as long as one observes proper protocols and exercise prudence everywhere they go.
Travel and tourism is an economic lifeline for millions, generating 10 per cent of employment around the world, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. In 2020, a staggering 62 million jobs were lost globally, and WTTC data shows a rise of a meagre 0.7 per cent in 2021. While domestic travel has been a saving grace for the sector, it is not enough to achieve a full economic recovery.
Our presence in France, then, must have been more than welcome by hospitality and tourism operators, all of whom greeted us warmly wherever we went.
It is my hope that readers will keep an open mind about travelling in post-pandemic times, as it can serve as a positive force to help rebuild millions of livelihoods across the globe.
NCL to welcome new ship Norwegian Viva to fleet
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled Norwegian Viva, the second of six Prima Class vessels, scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage in 2023.
Norwegian Viva will begin sailing Mediterranean itineraries in June 2023, homeporting in key Southern European port cities including Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece.
She will then sail the Southern Caribbean for her 2023-2024 northern hemisphere winter season, offering getaways from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Just like its sister ship Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Marghera, Italy. The ship will be 294m long, 42,500 gross tons and able to accommodate up to 3,219 guests.
Besides offering the largest variety of suite categories available at sea, the vessel will also boast a redefined The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s ship-within-a-ship concept. The Haven’s public areas and 107 suites will feature a sundeck, infinity pool, and an outdoor spa with a sauna and cold room.
Onboard experiences will include the freefall drop dry slides, The Rush and The Drop; and three-level racetrack, Viva Speedway.
Norwegian Viva will also feature Ocean Boulevard, the 4,087m² outdoor walkway which wraps around the entire ship; Indulge Food Hall featuring 11 varieties of eateries; The Concourse boasting an outdoor sculpture garden; as well as pool decks and infinity-style pools at Infinity Beach and Oceanwalk, showcasing glass bridges above water.
Hong Kong to ban transit passengers from high-risk countries
Hong Kong’s international airport is set to ban transit by passengers from designated high-risk countries to keep Omicron out, according to a Bloomberg News report which cited people familiar with the matter.
The report quoted the people as saying that airport officials recently briefed carriers about the plan, which is set to start on Saturday (January 15) and run through February 14, with the end date subject to review.
This comes as Hong Kong battles a relatively small number of Omicron cases, which has led authorities to impose a semi-lockdown in keeping with its zero-tolerance Covid-19 strategy.
Hong Kong has designated around 150 countries and territories as high-risk, including the eight nations that have specific route flight bans in place due to Covid-19 cases on board. Those eight are Australia, Canada, France, India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Britain and the US.
The ban, however, will not apply to diplomats, government officials, athletes and staff participating in the Winter Olympics, which open on February 4 in Beijing.
New hotels: Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong, Oakwood Premier Melbourne, and more
Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong, Thailand
Banyan Tree Group has unveiled its latest concept, Homm, with Phuket serving as the brand’s first-ever location. Sitting on the southern end of Patong Bay, the 71-key beachfront property has 39 rooms that boast sea-facing private balconies or terraces, or ground-floor plunge pools. There are two outdoor pools on-site, and culinary offerings include quick bites and grab n’ go snacks, like HOMM’s signature breakfast buns from Seagulls on Southbeach, or all-day dining at Rice Bowl, best known for authentic Thai cuisine.
Oakwood Premier Melbourne, Australia
A debut for the Oakwood Premier brand in Australasia, this new-build soars 140 metres and 40 storeys with views of the CBD and the Yarra River, South Melbourne, Albert Park and Port Phillip Bay.
There are a total of 132 hotel rooms and 260 serviced apartments with fully-equipped kitchens for both extended and short-stay guests. In addition to the all-day dining restaurant Fifth, other amenities include a Sky Bar, fitness centre, three meeting rooms, two multipurpose event venues, co-working space, games centre fitted with modern entertainment for those looking to play snooker or video games.
Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen, China
The hotel is located on the upper floors of a new 79-storey building in Futian business district. Each of the 178 luxurious rooms and suites – among the largest in the city – provide vistas of the cityscape, greenery of Lotus Hill Park, Bijia Mountain Park and Shenzhen Bay. The Mandarin Club, located on the 78th floor, provides a private lounge experience. Amenities include eight F&B options, The Mandarin Club lounge, a fitness centre, and indoor swimming pool.
Event planners will be able to organise functions at The Cube, an independent meeting space offering 1,500m2 of event space. They also have the option of booking The Gallery on the 77th floor, which is the highest banquet space in the city.
OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka, Japan
This newly-opened property under Hoshino Resorts is located in Akasaka, less than a five-minute walk from the Akasaka-Mitsuke Station and Akasaka-Station on the Tokyo Metro Lines. There are 140 rooms across several categories, and guests exploring the city will be able to avail the Go-Kinjo Map, an original map of the Akasaka neighbourhood with recommendations by staff members.
Although the property does not have a restaurant, OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka has collaborated with nearby restaurants such as Ueshima Coffee Shop to provide a scrambled egg sandwich with sea bream to guests in the morning, and the Yona Yona Beer Works Akasaka for a free welcome beer and special small bites.
Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key hotel to soon debut in Thailand’s mountainous north, has embraced the farm-to-table social movement by establishing a farm to harvest produce for its restaurants, bars and spa.
The hotel, due to open on April 8 on Charoen Prathet Road in the heart of Chiang Mai, has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 80ha gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District overseen by chef-turned-sustainable farmer James Noble and his wife May.
Noble, a Briton who has run Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, will work with local farmers to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs for the hotel on its own 0.8ha farm on the broader ORI9IN property.
In addition to local seasonal produce, the farm will also grow various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialised ingredients that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
The partnership is a central plank of Meliá Chiang Mai’s 360° Cuisine programme, under which the hotel aims to work closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production to make communities and the overall food system more resilient.
The 360° Cuisine programme not only gives guests peace of mind about where their food comes from but encourages them to visit the hotel’s farm to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and healthier eating.
The hotel’s menus will highlight appetisers, main courses and desserts that feature ingredients from the farm. Ingredients from the farm will also be in various beverages at the hotel’s bars and Meliá’s signature YHI Spa.
“In addition to pursuing ‘farm to plate’ by sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel, our partnership with ORI9IN also comprises ‘plate to farm’ where we separate our food waste and bring it back to the farm as compost, thus minimising waste as part of a truly 360-degree concept,” said Meliá Chiang Mai’s general manager Edward E. Snoeks.
The hotel will offer guests day trips to the farm that include a picnic lunch and a chance to learn more “about the journey their food and these products have made, as well as who has been a part of that journey”, said Noble.
“People often don’t know where food comes from, so we show them, albeit underscored by our passion for locally grown, sustainable ingredients,” he added. “This is also tourism that leaves no footprint on the land; we’re trying to show people that you can have a day out without harming what you came to see in the first place.”