Dream Cruises brings the world to Singapore cruisers
Singapore cruises fans will be able to tour the world without having to depart Singapore’s waters when Dream Cruises kicks off its Markets of the World series of thematic activities on World Dream on September 19.
The series invites guests to discover authentic flavours and a variety of cultures from across the globe.
To start, Dream Market at Sea will run from September 19 to November 6, evoking the spirit of lively festival markets in destinations such as Spain, Germany, France, Western Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and more.
Alongside irresistible food, challenging game booths will bring back childhood memories. Guests can play to win prizes.
The Western Australia Adventures experience sets in with 10 Balcony Staterooms re-created on World Dream to inspire guests to experience the land Down Under. Quinton the Quokka will make special appearance throughout the cruise while interactive pop-up photo booths onboard takes the journey to Western Australia further.
Guests can also participate in the Western Australia Trivia Wall to score an exclusive hamper and stand a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Western Australia through a photo contest.
Australian gastronomic indulgences will be available on October 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27 and 29 sailings, thanks to the Indulge in Lobster Fever food festival.
On September 19 and 22 sailings, World Dream will celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with traditional festive activities such as riddle games and lantern crafting. Free moon cake tastings will also be offered.
Later, Oktoberfest at Sea takes over on September 26, October 1, 3 and 10. Expect a feast of German beers, crispy pork knuckles, Nurnberger sausages and pretzels, alongside complimentary cooking workshops, Bavarian Folk dances and best-dressed contests.
Rounding up the Markets of the World series is Spooky Halloween on October 31. World Dream guests can dress up and go trick-or-treating, join an Into the Night dance class and participate in the Spooky Halloween Awards. Halloween-themed F&B will be served up at various outlets.
New hotels: V Villas Phuket – MGallery, Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala, Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City, and more
V Villas Phuket – MGallery, Thailand
Inspired by the lush nature found on the southern tip of Phuket island and promising unparalleled privacy and bespoke indulgence, the new V Villas Phuket – MGallery comprises 19 pool villas, each with expansive wooden decks that allow for a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor living, as well as three distinct dining spaces, V Villas Spa, a state-of-art gym, and an infinity pool.
One-, three- and four-bedroom configurations are available, welcoming single travellers, families and couples.
Its location on the verdant Ao Yon hillside grants guests memorable ocean views. Natural materials, bespoke design and locally inspired art pieces can be admired throughout the resort.
The resort’s holistic wellness offerings include personalised wellness programmes and in-villa yoga classes.
Three outstanding wedding venues, including the YON|Ocean House, AKOYA|Star Lounge, Hilltop Cliff and Owner’s Villa, are offered. Each provide romantic luxury wedding experiences with Andaman ocean views. The resort’s wedding specialists can assist in all arrangements from the pre-wedding party to the ceremony.
Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala, India
India’s scenic hills of Lonavala welcomes the opening of Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala, a property that spans over 14,100m2 and dangles sweeping views of the majestic Sahyadri range as well as one of the largest venues for meetings and large weddings.
The 103-key resort enjoys convenient air, rail and road connectivity from Mumbai and Pune, and is a 15-minute drive from both Lonavala and Khandala railway stations. Guests can easily access tourist attractions such as Bushi Dam, Narayani Dham Temple, Lonavala Lake and the celebrity wax museum.
Designed by well-known Indian architect, Kamal S Malik, the resort has been envisioned as the perfect amalgamation of sustainable design and local art and culture. It features areas such an open atrium, designed to reduce the need for air-conditioning. The resort’s entrance lobby has a grand cylindrical space which recreates the effect of the echoes of Shivaji’s forts, giving the sense of a conservatory surrounded by hills.
Radisson Resort & Spa Lonavala is also home to the country’s largest Gabion wall which is approximately 21 m in length and is a visual spectacle for guests.
Facilities at the resort include three restaurants, The Spa at Radisson, a 24-hour fitness centre, an interactive kids’ play area, and an outdoor swimming pool that is designed to resemble a Kund – traditional water reservoir.
Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City, the UAE
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened the doors to its latest property in the UAE – the 225-suite Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City.
The upper-upscale extended-stay hotel is designed for multi-night business and leisure travellers looking to break from the travel norm while on the road, be it for days or even months at a time.
It is located on Dubai’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Road at the heart of the city’s technology, media, and creative free zone, and has a plethora of leisure destinations close by.
Guests have a choice of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites. All units feature spacious and comfortable living, working, and dining spaces and a fully equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line home appliances including a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Many of the apartments feature their own balcony where guests can enjoy spectacular views of the cityscape and the Arabian Gulf. Several interconnecting units offer greater flexibility for families or small groups traveling together.
On property are a restaurant, a 24/7 convenience store, an infinity pool, a concept spa, and a poolside bar and lounge.
The hotel hosts The Social, the brand’s signature event, three times a week, creating an informal gathering for guests to relax and enjoy complimentary bites and drinks while engaging with other guests staying at the hotel.
BreakFree Wirrina Cove, Australia
The new 87-room BreakFree Wirrina Cove resort, nestled in the heart of beautiful Wirrina Cove, South Australia, welcomes both business and leisure travellers.
Surrounded by national parks, with photogenic beaches, waterfalls and kangaroos, the resort is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, having one of the most sweeping and spectacular panoramic views of Gulf St Vincent.
The resort sits 70km drive south of Adelaide, and offers an 18-hole golf course, conference and function facilities, high speed Internet, bar and cafe facilities, a pool and gym, and onsite car parking.
Japan expands state of emergency as infections surge on
Japan’s state of emergency will cover eight more prefectures from August 27 until September 12, a decision that has been made in consideration of rapidly spreading Covid-19 infections.
The country’s prime minister Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference on August 25 that the number of new infections are at a record high, especially in the Aichi area.
The prefectures of Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gifu, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Okayama and Hiroshima will join 13 others that are currently under the state of emergency.
This latest move will affect over 75 per cent of the population, as Japan continues to host the Paralympics.
Furthermore, 12 other prefectures – Ishikawa, Fukushima, Kumamoto, Toyama, Yamanashi, Kagawa, Ehime, Kagoshima, Kochi, Saga, Nagasaki and Miyazaki – will have quasi-emergency measures enforced.
According to NHK World, officials plan to urge restaurants and bars to stop serving alcohol and impose stricter procedures such as limiting capacity at shopping malls and events. However, the extent of these measures is unlike the strict lockdowns imposed in other countries.
An infection tally published by Kyodo News states a total of 1,344,448 positive cases as of 20.00, August 24, 2021 (Japan time), with Tokyo recording the highest number of cases, followed by Osaka and Kanagawa.
Covid-19 slashes Indonesia’s tourism budget by 41%
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) will be putting destination marketing campaigns on hold after its annual budget was slashed by 41.3 per cent to 2.02 trillion rupiah (US$140 million) from 4.9 trillion rupiah, as the government redirects funding to fight Covid-19.
The budget cut will affect some international marketing programmes, as well as the income of Visit Indonesia Tourism Officers (VITOs), the country’s overseas tourism marketing representatives.
Speaking at the parliamentary hearing on Tuesday (August 24), Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, said the budget cut had resulted in the postponement of a number of promotional activities.
Sandiaga said: “(This) includes in-person meetings and road shows as well as domestic and international business trips.”
Nia Niscaya, deputy minister for marketing, said that while MoTEC would continue to attend virtual events such as ITB Asia, it would put on hold joint promotions with overseas business partners and familiarisation trips.
The government also announced on July 20 that the service fees for 19 VITOs in 14 countries will be terminated at the end of September. In response, 19 VITOs worldwide wrote a collective Letter of Support to the tourism minister, saying that they would continue their services free of charge until the end of the year.
A copy of the letter seen by TTG Asia stated: “VITOs have been the Ministry’s extended marketing arm and advocates in foreign land… (since 2005). Ending the programme now will not only mean losing the competitive edge against your competing destinations, (but) it is also akin to losing sight of your competitors’ movements and intelligence…, market trends (and) the pulse within the industry…”
Calling it “a shame” to end the VITO programme during this “crucial moment”, the VITOs volunteered to continue working without remuneration for the period of October till December and proposed that their service fees be reinstated in January 2022 with new budget allocation.
In the meantime, MoTCE will continue promoting its Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability certification programme, marketing tourism villages and the tourism stimulus programme for vaccinated travellers, as well as training talents in the tourism and creative economy sector.
Qantas unveils vaccine incentive campaign
The Qantas Group has launched a reward campaign dangling free flights, accommodation and fuel to Australians who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, in a bid to help boost the country’s immunisation rates.
From now until year-end, fully vaccinated Australian-based Frequent Flyers aged 18 and over can claim their reward through the Qantas App by choosing one of three options: 1,000 Qantas points, 15 status credits (which help Frequent Flyers move up between Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers), and A$20 (US$14.50) flight discount for Qantas or Jetstar.
Members will then be automatically entered into a mega prize draw to win a year’s worth of flights, accommodation and fuel. Ten mega prizes will be up for grabs with a winner selected from each state and territory and two mega prize winners as part of a national TV campaign.
Winners of ten mega prizes will receive a year’s worth of flights to take off to more than 60 destinations around Australia, with free accommodation across 345 Accor properties. They will also be able to top up their cars with free fuel from any of bp’s 1,400 service stations across the country.
Additionally, winners can take off to any Qantas and Jetstar international destination when borders reopen.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the vaccine rollout is critical for protecting public health and key to breaking the cycle of lockdowns.
“Getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it. As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community,” he said.
“This is one of the biggest giveaways we’ve ever done. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry and our own Qantas Group team members means we have a clear vested interest in the success of the vaccine rollout.
“Our crews can’t wait to get back to reuniting family and friends, taking people on holiday and putting some energy back into the whole tourism industry. For us, getting the vaccine rate up to 70 and 80 per cent means thousands of people can go back to work.
“With the federal government’s vaccine programme ramping up across the country, now is the ideal time to say thank you to Australians for stepping up and protecting themselves and others.”
IHG to debut new luxury and lifestyle brand Vignette Collection in Thailand and Australia
IHG Hotels & Resorts has introduced a new luxury and lifestyle brand, Vignette Collection, with hotels in Australia and Thailand the first to join the collection.
Vignette Collection is the sixth addition to IHG’s brand portfolio in the past four years, taking it to 17 in total across nearly 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries.
IHG’s Vignette Collection will give owners of independent hotels the opportunity to retain their distinctive identity, while benefitting from the group’s global scale, luxury and lifestyle expertise, and IHG Rewards loyalty programme.
Among the first hotels to join IHG’s Vignette Collection will be Hotel X, a five-star hotel in the centre of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, Australia.
Thailand’s Pattaya Aquatique hotel will also join the collection, through a collaboration with Thai real estate group Asset World Corporation.
Properties under Vignette Collection will seek to provide one-of-a-kind stays in urban and resort locations. The group expects Vignette Collection to attract more than 100 properties globally over the next decade.
Gold Coast tourism lures locals with digital campaign
Destination Gold Coast has rolled out a new digital campaign to showcase the Gold Coast attractions, tours and experiences to Brisbanites, targeting commuters in the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
The geo-targeted adverts feature social media placements and 42 digital billboards across high-traffic areas and roads throughout Brisbane.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the marketing activity is aimed at enticing Queenslanders back to the Gold Coast as restrictions in Queensland continue to ease.
“Gold Coast’s status as a safe and spacious family destination is a priceless attribute that continues to attract Queenslanders and is instrumental for our recovery in both the short and long-term,” she said.
“We’ve seen Gold Coast operators and businesses giving it their all during what has been an exceptionally challenging 18 months for tourism, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back once again after an estimated A$550 million (US$398 million) was wiped from our economy in the last two months.
The billboards feature 110 key experiences which have been specially designed to include the driving time from the site location to the Gold Coast, O’Callaghan added.
The four-week billboard campaign will be visible to an estimated one million people each week until September 12.
To support businesses struggling due to interstate Covid lockdowns, Destination Gold Coast has also launched the A$3 million Play Money Rewards programme, funded by the City of Gold Coast. The programme provides Gold Coast residents with 60,000 vouchers worth A$50 each to spend at eligible Gold Coast businesses from September 16.
Gold Coast businesses can now apply to be part of the programme here. Eligibility criteria includes operating tours and attractions (including arts and culture experiences), accommodation, restaurants, and local retail businesses. Applications close 17.00 AEST, August 27.
M Social to open first European outpost in Paris
Millennium Hotels and Resorts is marking M Social’s first outpost in Europe with the opening of M Social Hotel Paris Opera come September 9.
The 163-room hotel is located at 12 Boulevard Haussmann, in the heart of Opéra, and within walking distance to some of the city’s most famous landmarks including the Louvre, the Sacré-Cœur and the Moulin Rouge.
A sum of €5.4 million (US$6.3 million) was spent on refurbishing the former Millennium Paris Opera into more contemporary lodgings. The creative architects at StudioCaid, who are behind the newly renovated areas, have incorporated into the design the artistic styles of the surrounding iconic infrastructures such as the Opera Garnier and the Louvre.
Accommodation choices range from cosy yet spacious Signature rooms that overlook the hotel’s inner courtyard to Grande Sweetie suites that offer separate living areas and views of the Opera Garnier or the Sacré-Cœur.
The M Social brand was launched in Singapore in 2016. M Social Hotel Paris Opera is the fourth location for the brand with other outposts in New York, Singapore and Auckland.
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that M Social Hotel Paris Opera will be opening at the end of this month. The hotel’s opening date has since been pushed back to September 9.
Hotel Okura adds third property to Shanghai portfolio
Hotel Okura Co. will open a two-storied hotel in Sheshan, a scenic forested mountainous area bordering the city of Shanghai, come 2024.
Hotel Okura Shanghai Sheshan will be built on a site of approximately 40,000m². It will offer about 280 guestrooms, each with a standard area of about 50m². The hotel will also feature a variety of restaurants offering Japanese cuisine, all-day dining and Chinese cuisine.
Other facilities include a lobby lounge, a banquet hall and multi-purpose meeting rooms, a fitness facility, and spa with an indoor pool.
Hotel Okura Shanghai Sheshan will be the third Hotel Okura Group property to be inaugurated in Shanghai. The property will be situated about 18km from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has kicked off a global fitness initiative to benefit the essential work of wildlife rangers in conservation hotspots from Thailand to the Philippines and from Cambodia to Tanzania.
The Run, Walk, Crawl for Rangers competition from September 1 to 30 invites fitness enthusiasts to track their steps on their smart device during the month of September and stand a chance to win memorable accommodation stays at Anantara properties worth over US$20,000.
Funds raised by the US$25 participation fee will be equally divided to benefit the work of five wildlife ranger teams – the Wildlife Alliance in Cambodia that provides direct ranger intervention to stop forest destruction; Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines that is a conservation area and a rustic rock garden tucked in the rainforests of Rizal; HoneyGuide that runs community-based conservation initiatives including the Randilen Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania; the Freeland Foundation in Thailand that provides comprehensive training to rangers and protected areas managers; and the rangers at Cardamom Tented Camp Concession.
The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation was set up at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Northern Thailand in 2003, primarily to help Thailand’s street begging elephants and others that could not help themselves. Since then, the Foundation has branched out to lend a helping hand and resources to other conservation projects mainly in South-east Asia and Africa, including the Cardamom Tented Camp Concession in Cambodia where Khmer rangers patrol the pristine land to protect against deforestation and illegal poaching.
Registration is at Thai.fit.