TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Thursday, 30th April 2026
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Page 819

YouTrip sets up innovation lab in Singapore, looks to double local workforce by 2022

By TTG Asia
0

YouTrip, Singapore’s first multi-currency mobile wallet, will be establishing an innovation lab in the country to fast-track its technology capabilities and product development to capture the rise of the multi-currency payments landscape.

In this next phase of its business growth, YouTrip will be doubling its local workforce with over 50 new hires in Singapore across engineering and product development by 2022. The new positions will add on to YouTrip’s current headcount of close to 100 across all its locations.

YouTrip set to hire over 50 new roles locally in the next year for its newly established innovation lab

YouTrip’s expanded workforce in the innovation lab will be crucial in driving the development of a new suite of multi-currency products and features to serve the changing needs of its users.

This includes YouTrip Business, a new multi-currency corporate credit card aimed at helping companies save money and time on cross-border payments. Compared to the consumer product, this new business card promises higher spending limits while transacting at the best exchange rates in more than 150 currencies, with credit terms offered to selected business account users.

YouTrip Business also enables companies to issue multi-currency cards to employees, and streamlines all expenses in one platform.

YouTrip will also be investing in a brand refresh to elevate consumers’ multi-currency spending. This brand rehaul will reflect the fintech startup’s transformation from a travel wallet to a broader digital payments app that drives its mission of simplifying multi-currency spending.

Beyond debuting a new brand identity, the YouTrip app will also be redesigned with new features such as a virtual card, an interactive exchange rates dashboard, YouTrip exclusive deals, and the ability to hold more popular currencies in their wallet – all aimed at delivering seamless payments in foreign currency.

Both products are in its development stage and scheduled to be launched in early 2022.

Caecilia Chu, co-founder and CEO, YouTrip, said: “Despite the travel standstill, we’ve continued to register a significant growth in overseas online spending, further underscoring the importance of cross-border payments for consumers and businesses. With this shift in spending, our advancement in innovation to offer a wider suite of multi-currency is timely, and drives our goal of elevating the cross-border payment experience for our users in Singapore and the region.”

Aligned with Singapore’s efforts to nurture future cohorts of fintech talents, YouTrip is also launching a Software Engineering Graduate Programme. This two-year training initiative will provide entry-level engineers with the core knowledge, mentorship and job rotations to master domain and technical expertise valuable for today’s fintech landscape.

IHG embraces flexible working to tackle hospitality labour shortage

By TTG Asia
0

IHG Hotels & Resorts has introduced a suite of new benefits including flexible work arrangements to its employees in Australia, as it looks to attract and retain skilled workers amid the talent shortage impacting the hospitality industry due to Covid-19.

Branded as IHG myBenefits, the platform includes hallmarks such as flexible work arrangements, as well as paid parental and partner leave, birthday leave, and the ability to use personal leave for proactive wellness. IHG is also moving domestic violence leave entitlements from an unpaid to paid leave arrangement, and making available sabbatical leave for its employees to pursue personal or passion projects.

Harwood: IHG’s myBenefits programme designed to give employees “a fuller sense of belonging and comfort”

Additionally, IHG employees will have access to the IHG myPerks platform which carries discounts and cashbacks at more than 400 retailers and service providers. The online platform also contains a Wellbeing Hub, which is designed to support staff physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Leanne Harwood, IHG’s managing director Japan, Australasia and Pacific, said: “People who work in hospitality know that it’s a fantastic place to grow a rewarding career, but we recognise that, now more than ever, we have to do everything we can to make the most compelling proposition for people to join or stay in our industry.

“Part of that is making sure we are offering our employees the most attractive benefits and working conditions. Offering our colleagues flexible working agreements is something we are truly passionate about and it’s a policy that we are proud to be rolling out. Each colleague’s situation will be different, based on their role and personal circumstances, so we’re committed to working with them to find the best way to bring some more flexibility into their lives.“

Harwood added that as IHG gears up for another record year of hotel openings in the region, “we need to get people back to being excited about working in hospitality and we need to do more to attract people to a career in the accommodation sector“.

“By providing a compelling suite of benefits, perks and flexible working arrangements, we hope it will attract jobseekers to our industries and most importantly, retain the wonderful talent we already have in our business.”

Staycation demand in Singapore going strong: Tripadvisor survey

By TTG Asia
0

With international travel largely on hold, staycation demand in Singapore remains unwavering, with 86 per cent of Singaporeans planning to book at least one local trip in the next two months, found a new Tripadvisor study.

According to Tripadvisor’s Seasonal Travel Index for Fall, the vast majority (87 per cent) of travel intent in the Asia-Pacific region remains domestic.

More Singaporean travellers looking for a longer escape from the daily grind: Tripadvisor

A third of Singaporeans (33 per cent) are planning at least two domestic trips this fall and more than one in ten (12 per cent) are planning on taking three or more domestic trips.

This revenge travel mindset is also evident in the spending habits of Singaporeans this fall as around one in three (35 per cent) plan to spend more on their biggest trip than they did on their biggest trip during the same period pre-pandemic in 2019. Gen Z Singaporeans are most likely to spend more, with nearly half (46 per cent) saying that they will do so.

The study also found that while single-night staycations were all the rage at the start of the pandemic, with prolonged lockdowns and work-from-home, a growing number of Singaporeans are seeking longer getaways.

Around one in seven (13 per cent) of Singaporean travellers indicated their plans for a one-night stay, compared with the 59 per cent that are looking for a longer two- to five-day stay.

In the age of Covid-19, cleanliness remains a top priority for travellers. When it comes to hotels, Singaporean travellers are searching most for clean and modern hotels, with family and mid-range hotels proving the most popular hotel types in Singapore.

The study also revealed that Singaporeans are spending S$487 (US$360) on average on their fall trip. When it comes to planning international travel, city trips are top of the list for Singaporeans, with the most popular destinations being New York City, London, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Hyatt brings Park Hyatt brand to Changsha

By TTG Asia
0

Hyatt has collaborated with The Wharf (Holdings) to open a new Park Hyatt hotel in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, marking the luxury brand’s entry into Central China.

Slated to open in 2023, Park Hyatt Changsha will be situated in the heart of the city within the Changsha IFS, a mixed-use development housing a shopping mall, two towers with office space and two luxury hotels.

Park Hyatt Changsha will form part of the premium commercial complex Changsha IFS

Expected to occupy levels 54-63 of Changsha IFS Tower 2, Park Hyatt Changsha will feature 230 guestrooms, culinary and wellness experiences, as well as meeting and event spaces.

The hotel will be located within a 30-minute drive from the high-speed railway and a 40-minute drive from the Changsha International Airport.

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing welcomes new GM

By TTG Asia
0

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Richard Langonne as general manager of Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing.

In his new role, Langonne oversees all operations at the 73-room luxury boutique hotel in the very centre of China’s capital.

He has nearly two decades of experience in the luxury hotel industry, most recently as hotel manager of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, since 2017. In that position, he supervised daily operations and played a leading role in strengthening the positioning of the group’s flagship property.

The Frenchman began his career with Hotel de Crillon in Paris before moving to South-east Asia where he has held a variety of positions in launching and managing hotels across the region, including in Krabi, Bangkok, Macau and Hanoi. Langonne is no stranger to the China market, where he previously held posts in hotels in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Australia looks to reopen its international border by Christmas

By TTG Asia
0

Australia’s tourism minister said that the federal government plans to reopen its international border by Christmas “at the latest”.

Under the national reopening plan, Australians will be allowed to travel overseas again once 80 per cent of the eligible population aged 16 and over have been fully vaccinated.

Australians will soon be able to travel abroad

Local media reported Tehan as having said at a National Press Club of Australia event on Wednesday (September 22) that Australians will be able to “freely travel outside Australia”, with no restrictions on the destination, once that vaccination target in their respective home state is reached. They will also not need to go through hotel quarantine upon their return.

Australia’s border has been closed to all non-citizens and non-residents since March last year.

Tehan also said the government is still in talks with several countries to set up travel bubbles to reduce quarantine time.

Malaysia trade urges cautious approach to reopening of Genting, Melaka, Tioman Island

By S Puvaneswary
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The Malaysian government’s planned October 1 reopening of Melaka, Genting Highlands and Tioman Island to fully vaccinated domestic tourists has been met with cautious optimism by the travel trade who says precautions need to be ramped up ahead of reopening to avoid a further rise in Covid-19 cases.

Despite having undergone three lockdowns during this pandemic, the number of Covid-19 cases in the country remain high, with 15,759 new infections reported on Tuesday (September 21). Meanwhile, the ICU bed usage due to Covid stands at 100 per cent in Perlis and more than 90 per cent in Penang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Johor and Sarawak.

Genting Highlands is set to reopen to domestic tourists on October 1

On Tuesday, minister of tourism, arts and culture, Nancy Shukri, announced that the ministry’s proposal to reopen the three destinations from October 1 is still pending approval from the Special Committee on Covid-19 Pandemic Management. She added that the ministry is fine-tuning the SOPs on reopening tourist destinations on the mainland.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association deputy president, Mint Leong, said it is necessary for the authorities to conduct training on the SOPs for all business stakeholders in the three destinations prior to reopening.

She elaborated: “They should know how to manage the (tourist) flows without causing bottlenecks and what to do in the event a person tests positive for Covid-19.

“The big players in Genting have the manpower and experience in handling big groups of people. They would know how to manage domestic tourists with very tight SOPs in place. But what about the many SMEs in Tioman Island and Melaka – are they ready to reopen?”

She further questioned as to how the government plans to enforce the SOPs in public spaces such as beaches, including checking of body temperature and vaccination status, as well as the handling of positive Covid-19 cases.

Leong suggested instead of opening up the three destinations as a whole, the government should adopt a more cautious approach by pilot test reopening selected areas and first restricting inbound flow to residents in the Klang Valley before expanding to other states.

Yap Sook Ling, managing director, Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, also stressed on the importance of implementing and enforcing clearly-defined SOPs and training all stakeholders on them before reopening.

She said: “The industry cannot afford the uncertainty of suddenly shutting down again and entering into another lockdown. We have to do it correctly this time.”

Yap also emphasised the need for capacity enforcement, as well as reminders for the public to adhere to Covid protocols, which could be done by having visual boards at places of attractions and restaurants.

Stakeholders laud Cambodia’s ASQ hotel scheme

By Marissa Carruthers
0

The launch of Cambodia’s alternative state quarantine (ASQ) hotel scheme is a welcome move following a raft of complaints over varying standards of quarantine options, said tour and hotel operators.

In April 2020, Cambodia introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals. This was only available at registered hotels randomly allocated upon landing at Phnom Penh International Airport, with standards vastly varying.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal is among four accredited ASQ hotels in Cambodia; Executive Suite at Raffles Hotel Le Royal pictured 

Nick Ray, Hanuman Travel product director, said: “For more than a year, it was a lottery and a lot of people don’t like to gamble. It really was a lucky dip, where for some people it went well, and for others, really badly.”

In July, the government introduced an ASQ hotel scheme, with four properties registered to date: Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence, and Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh.

Under the scheme, travellers on a business visa and Cambodians can choose where they stay for the 14-day quarantine period. Prices start from US$1,806 (Sokha) and include a choice of meals from the hotel menu and two PCR tests.

Ray said: “There were a lot of complaints previously about room size and quality, but what was really picked up on and shared across social media was the food standards. With the ASQ scheme, you have guaranteed quality.”

The introduction of the scheme has also proved a welcome boost for hotels that have been left virtually empty since the start of the pandemic.

Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, said Raffles and Sofitel have seen a “positive trend” since the hotels signed up to the scheme in August. He noted it is mainly dignitaries and high-level business executives who check in.

Added Simmons: “We are optimistic that business will improve in Q4 and we would expect loosened arrival restrictions early next year with the reopening of the country.”

Marriott also noted a large number of quarantine bookings from existing and new clients.

While the scheme has been a welcome addition, Sinan Thourn, chairman of B2B Cambodia and PATA Cambodia, said there needs to be more choice added to the luxury hotels currently on the scheme.

He remarked: “You can’t limit the choice. The government should open more options, such as three- and four-star properties, and get the private sector involved, especially DMCs and travel companies, who are qualified to provide these services and recommendations.”

PPHG furthers global expansion with 13 properties planned by 2024

By TTG Asia
0

Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) plans to launch 13 new properties across 10 key gateway cities including London, Hanoi and Phnom Penh by 2024.

The expansion will see the addition of more than 3,300 rooms to the group’s inventory, bringing its portfolio to 48 properties across 29 cities.

Pan Pacific Orchard will feature four sky gardens and be “Singapore’s first zero-waste hotel” when it opens in 4Q2022

PPHG is a member of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited. The move will see the group establish its presence in key gateway cities, including London, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Dalian, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.

Among the 13 properties to open is the Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur, which will mark the sustainability brand’s first opening beyond Singapore when it debuts in June 2022.

Located in the heart of Bukit Bintang, the Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur will be a beacon of green design, sporting a lush green facade made up of 78 sky planters and roof terraces showcasing 1,207m² of plants and trees. The hotel will also feature a wellness floor, comprising a spa, a gym and fitness studio, as well as a pool.

The Parkroyal Collection Kuala Lumpur complex will also house Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur, catering to long-stay guests. Other new openings in Malaysia in 2022 include the expansion of its Parkroyal resorts portfolio in Langkawi and Malacca. The 301-room Parkroyal Langkawi Resort has a direct beach front, with meeting facilities and a beach club. The 418-room Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort will see a upgrade as well as new builds offering relaxed accommodation choices.

The group will also plant its flag in Indonesia with a cluster of properties in its capital city, Jakarta. Over the next three years, Parkroyal Jakarta, Parkroyal Serviced Suites Jakarta, and Pan Pacific Jakarta will open within the Thamrin Nine, combining commercial spaces, entertainment, and retail offerings within an integrated environment.

Come 4Q2022, PPHG will open Pan Pacific Orchard, touted as “Singapore’s first zero-waste hotel”. The property will feature foliage covering more than 300 per cent of the hotel’s land area, alongside four thematic sky gardens: Forest Terrace, Beach Club, Secret Garden and Cloud Terrace. The 350-room hotel will employ a rainwater harvesting system, a recyclable water system, and a compactor that transforms food waste into nutrient water for the hotel’s sky gardens.

Marking its next move into China for 2022, PPHG will introduce the country’s first Parkroyal hotel in Dalian, a major sub-provincial city in Liaoning Province. Towering at 52 levels, Parkroyal Dalian will be located on Youting Road, which offers connectivity to Xinghai Square, Dalian World Expo Centre and Dalian Xinghai Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The group will also increase its strength in Indochina to a total of nine properties in the region by 2023. It will make an entry into Cambodia’s capital city with Pan Pacific Phnom Penh, and into the famous city of UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat with Parkroyal Siem Reap.

The 212-room Pan Pacific Phnom Penh will be situated in the Norodom Boulevard, while the 130-room Parkroyal Siem Reap will be a 10-minute drive from the gates of Angkor Wat.

In 2022, the group will further expand its serviced suites portfolio within the region. Parkroyal Serviced Suites Hanoi will open in the Westlake area, featuring 126 suites with lake views; while Parkroyal Suites Bangkok will occupy a prime location on Sukhumvit Soi 6, within walking distance of Nana BTS sky train station.

Princess Cruises extends cruise pause in Australia

By TTG Asia
0

Princess Cruises has extended its pause in operations for cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand until January 27, 2022.

Resultantly, the company has cancelled Coral Princess voyages through January 17, as well as Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess seasons through March 2022.

Princess Cruises delay Australian restart “due to the uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region”

“It became apparent we would not be able to deliver planned deployment of Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess in Australia before they were due to start their published northern hemisphere voyages,” said Deanna Austin, Princess Cruises CCO.

“We recognise that guests planning cruises over the popular summer and new year holiday period will be particularly disappointed with the changes, however, we wanted to give guests as much notice as possible so they could plan their holidays with certainty.”

Princess said that it will protect travel agent commission on bookings that were paid in full “in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success”.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Artotel opens design-led hotel in Magelang, Central Java
TTG Asia | Regent Seven Seas Cruises rolls out 2028-29 extended global voyages
TTG Asia | Minor Hotels signs two resort projects in southern Thailand