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Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 7th April 2026
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First flight from Hong Kong arrives in Phuket under Sandbox scheme

By TTG Asia
0

The Thai resort island of Phuket has welcomed its first direct flight from Hong Kong under the Sandbox programme, with 134 passengers arriving at Phuket International Airport via Cathay Pacific flight CX771 on Tuesday (August 10).

The passengers landed to a dramatic water cannon greeting and warm welcome from the Airports of Thailand staff and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officials.

Cathay Pacific weekly service adds another source market for foreign arrivals to Phuket; Kata Beach in Phuket pictured

The weekly Cathay Pacific service which operates every Tuesday added Hong Kong to a number of points in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East from where major airlines have been flying direct to Phuket since the Phuket Sandbox programme began. This includes Thai Airways International from Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Paris, London, and Zurich; Singapore Airlines from Singapore; Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi; Emirates from Dubai; Qatar Airways from Doha; and EL AL Israel Airlines from Tel Aviv.

Under the Phuket Sandbox programme, which signalled the beginning of Thailand’s tourism revitalisation with Phuket as the pilot destination, fully vaccinated foreign tourists can visit without the need to quarantine. However, tourists must stay at hotels certified with SHA Plus certification, which indicates that the hotel meets the Covid-19 safety standards, and also that at least 70 per cent of its workforce has been fully vaccinated.

From July 1 to August 10, the Phuket Sandbox has seen a total of 19,166 international arrivals. The first month of the programme recorded more than 14,055 arrivals, generating over 829 million baht (US$24.8 million) in revenue for the local economy.

TAT expects 100,000 foreign tourists will visit Phuket in 3Q2021 (July-September) and inject some 8.9 billion baht of revenue into the local economy.

New Anantara resort to land on Dubai’s World Islands

By TTG Asia
0

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will be expanding its Middle East portfolio with the launch of a new resort on Dubai’s World Islands.

Slated to open in 4Q2021, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is in the final stages of development in the World Islands archipelago, located in the Arabian Gulf, approximately 4km off the coast of Dubai in the UAE.

Villas at Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort will have direct access to the beach

Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is owned by luxury real estate and hospitality developer Seven Tides. The new resort is the first hotel in the South American continent of the World Islands development. The island will be completely dedicated to the resort, with guests able to access by boat in just 15 minutes from the jetty at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.

The property will feature 70 keys comprised of suites, beach and pool villas. Villas will have a private pool, an outdoor dining area and direct access to the beach. In-room spa treatments, a gym and a kid’s club will also be part of the new resort’s amenities.

Dining options will include a Mediterranean al fresco restaurant and Arabic-Indian specialty dining. In addition, freshly caught seafood will be prepared by an in-house team of chefs. A bar lounge will offer panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, including landmarks Burj Khalifa and Burj al Arab.

Agoda pilots Vaxxed To Go campaign in Malaysia

By TTG Asia
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In support of Malaysia’s nationwide immunisation drive, Agoda has launched the Vaxxed To Go campaign incentivising travellers who are fully vaccinated with special travel deals and benefits.

Through this campaign, Agoda hopes to galvanise other travel and hospitality stakeholders to come together and play a part in helping the country return to normalcy.

Agoda shores up support for Malaysia’s national vaccination effort with pilot campaign

The Vaxxed To Go campaign follows the implementation of Malaysia’s National Recovery Plan, which places vaccination as one of the three key threshold indicators to determine the gradual reopening of economic and social activities.

Malaysia currently boasts one of the fastest vaccination rates in the world with its National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. As of July 31, around 64 per cent of the country’s eligible population have registered for their vaccine shots.

With Agoda’s Vaxxed To Go initiative, accommodation providers on the platform will be able to get behind the national vaccination effort and benefit from bookings from vaccinated travellers.

Participating properties will benefit from increased visibility and exposure from Agoda’s marketing efforts for the campaign, which will span across a range of channels including social media, banner promotions, and pop-ups. Consumers will also be able to easily browse through Vaxxed to Go packages on dedicated landing pages.

“After months of lockdown and movement restrictions, many Malaysians are no doubt looking forward to travelling again as it becomes safe to do so,” said Cleland Robertson, country director, Malaysia and Brunei, Agoda.

“Malaysians have always had a healthy appetite for travel, so promoting the concept of ‘Vaxxed To Go’ – exclusive deals for vaccinated travellers – which offer exclusive great value deals, Agoda hopes to encourage more Malaysians to feel safe and confident to travel again, and to get their Covid-19 shots.”

He added: “Aside from safeguarding public health, increased inoculation rates will be crucial in kickstarting the recovery of the nation’s economy as a whole and particularly that of the travel and hospitality sector. Agoda also hopes to inspire other industry players to play their part in helping Malaysia achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.”

With Vaxxed To Go, hotel partners will be able to offer discounted rates to fully vaccinated travellers when domestic travels are allowed, alongside value-added perks such as room upgrades and F&B discounts. Properties may also list special packages for on-site experiences, from resort activities to spa and wellness deals.

Vaxxed To Go is an extension of the Agoda Special Offers offering, which was launched in May in several other markets. With Malaysia as its pilot market for the campaign, Agoda said that it aims to roll out Vaxxed To Go in more markets in the months to come.

ASEANTA partners with Fusionex in launch of virtual platform to amplify business opportunities

By S Puvaneswary
0

The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) has signed an agreement with Malaysia-based analytics and big data company Fusionex to develop ASEANTA Travel Exchange (ATEX), a comprehensive virtual exhibition and engagement platform, to help facilitate an inclusive business environment and provide greater access to new markets.

By leveraging ATEX to pivot from physical to virtual during this pandemic, ASEANTA will be able to seamlessly improve accessibility, connection and engagement while removing the restrictions of time and space through virtual exhibitions, webinars, digital marketing campaigns, and more.

Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga, president of ASEANTA, said that the collaboration between ASEANTA and Fusionex will help “take tourism in the region to new levels and to firmly establish (South-east Asia) as one of the most viable and attractive tourism destinations in the world”.

Powered by Fusionex technologies, the platform is expected to go live in 4Q2021, offering a suite of innovative solutions to empower ASEANTA in organising virtual events while driving meaningful and measurable online interactions.

The platform offers an intelligent B2B matchmaking feature that connects local enterprises with global businesses, thereby expanding market reach.
Travel and tourism players can also leverage the platform’s global distribution system to conduct secure and uninterrupted business transactions.

In addition, the platform enables businesses to showcase their offerings via virtual booths, facilitate pitching sessions through livestreaming, provide real-time reporting capabilities as well as performance monitoring and measurement features. It will also allow enterprises to capitalise on AI-powered digital marketing tools to tailor personalised campaigns.

ATEX enables ASEANTA to not only create engaging online events but also generate vital business prospects and develop networking opportunities in a data-driven way.

Nigel Wong, secretary-general at ASEANTA, shared that the association will leverage the platform to organise virtual talks and seminars for its members, with attendees being able to interact with speakers. As well, there will be static travel-related content curated by ASEANTA in a variety of formats.

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2022 and its B2B Travex will be hosted by the Cambodian government in Sihanoukville from January 16-22.

Thong Rathasak, chairman of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations and director general for tourism development and international cooperation at Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, shared that the ATF 2022 might take on a hybrid format, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Wong shared that the ATEX would complement the B2B travel exchange component by providing industry players with an extended opportunity to continue leveraging the awareness generated about the ASEAN member countries through the ATF and other similar regional events online.

New Zealand eyes reopening borders to vaccinated travellers early 2022

By TTG Asia
0

New Zealand plans to allow quarantine-free entry to vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries from early 2022, as part of a phased reopening of its borders that have been shut since last March due to the pandemic.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday (August 12) that the government will adopt a new individual risk-based approach for quarantine-free travel from the first quarter of 2022.

Vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries may be allowed to enter New Zealand quarantine-free from 1Q2022; a girl wearing a mask strolling in front of Auckland CBD pictured 

Vaccinated travellers from low-risk countries can enter the country quarantine-free. Those travelling from medium-risk countries will have to undertake self-isolation or a shorter stay at a quarantine hotel, while those coming from high-risk countries will have to serve a 14-day quarantine.

“We’re simply not in a position to a fully reopen just yet. When we move, we will be careful and deliberate, because we want to move with confidence and with as much certainty as possible,” Ardern said in a speech detailing plans to reconnect New Zealand with the world.

Some vaccinated travellers will be able to participate in a pilot from October through December this year, wherein they can travel and self-isolate at home.

New Zealand has been widely lauded as a success story in combating the coronavirus – the South Pacific nation of five million people has recorded just 2,500 cases and 26 deaths since the pandemic began. But the government has come under increasing pressure to reopen borders as businesses and the public sector struggle with worker shortages.

New hotels: Raffles Udaipur, Mercure Ambassador Jeju, and more

By TTG Asia
0

Raffles Udaipur, India
Raffles Udaipur, India’s first Raffles hotel, has opened in the city of Udaipur and region of Rajasthan. Perched on a 18.5ha private island set in the middle of the Udai Sagar lake, the property boasts panoramic views of the surrounding hills, lake and a 400-year-old temple. Guests can get to the resort via a 20-minute drive from the airport, followed by a boat ride.

The hotel is home to 101 rooms, suites and signature suites; with each boasting lake views, private gardens, balconies, and plunge pools. F&B options include Sawai Kitchen, an Indian speciality restaurant; farm-to-table concept Harvest, set to open in October; and Raffles Patisserie offering breads, French desserts, pastries, and more. Culinary enthusiasts can also enjoy a co-cooking experience at Rasoi, the cookery school.

There are also two bars, including the Long Bar which serves the signature Udaipur Sling – the Singapore classic remade with fresh produce from the island and home-made syrups. Leisure amenities include a spa, fitness centre, and swimming pool. The Grand Ballroom of 836m2, including pre-function area, multiple outdoor gathering areas and an on-site temple, stands ready to host special events and celebrations.

Mercure Ambassador Jeju, South Korea
Mercure Ambassador Jeju has opened as the first Accor Ambassador property in Jeju Island and marks the eighth city of Accor Ambassador’s expansion across the country. Surrounded by Gotjawal, Jeju’s unique forest created on a lava region, Mercure Ambassador Jeju overlooks the Hallasan and Sanbangsan mountain views and features a 18-hole golf course. The resort offers 71 guestrooms, an all-day-dining restaurant, meeting space, fitness centre, outdoor driving ranges, and an infinity swimming pool along with a pool bar and cabanas.

Hyatt Regency Guangzhou Zengcheng, China
Centrally located in the Zengcheng National Economic and Technological Development Zone of east Guangzhou, the Hyatt Regency Guangzhou Zengcheng offers 408 guestrooms, including 21 suites; in addition to 96 serviced apartments. All guestrooms offer smart technology, including a 65-inch LED TV with international satellite channels and JBL Bluetooth stereo speaker, while all serviced apartments are equipped with a kitchenette and washer-dryer.

F&B venues include the signature Chinese restaurant Xiang Yue; and the Market Café offering breakfast and dinner, plus an all-day a la carte menu. For a family dining experience, the hotel features two private dining rooms and a children’s play area. Meanwhile, The Lounge serves social afternoon teas and a selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails from the central bar.

The hotel offers 2,929m2 of event space, including the 850m2 Regency Ballroom featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light, and a foyer suitable for large exhibitions. There are also eight multifunction rooms, and a 451m2 outdoor event garden. Leisure facilities include an indoor heated pool, a children’s pool and playground, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Crystalbrook Vincent, Australia
Crystalbrook Collection has unveiled Crystalbrook Vincent in the heart of Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves, following the group’s acquisition of the property. Set beneath the iconic Story Bridge, Crystalbrook Vincent, formerly known as The Fantauzzo, is Crystalbrook Collection’s seventh property to open in three years. The hotel will retain its partnership with namesake Vincent Fantauzzo, with more than 500 pieces of the acclaimed Australian painter’s artworks featuring throughout the six-story hotel. Crystalbrook Vincent is home to 166 rooms, Fiume rooftop bar, Polpetta restaurant, a rooftop pool, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

India’s hotel industry on the mend

By TTG Asia
0

After a rapid decline due to a second Covid-19 wave, India’s hotel industry has seen a continued increase in occupancy due to the progressive approach to vaccinations in key markets across the country, according to preliminary data and analysis from STR.

India’s daily occupancy sat in the 20-30 per cent range in early June but improved by the end of the month with several days closer to 35 per cent and an outlier of 50.5 per cent on June 26. In July, the country took another step forward with most days in the 40-60 per cent range and a peak of 63.2 per cent on July 17.

Hotels in heavily populated markets such as Mumbai have seen an occupancy upswing in this latest rebound

“The progressive approach to vaccinations has led to an increase in travellers and hotel demand – leisure demand continues to drive this growth,” said Vidhi Godiawala, STR’s business development manager for Central and South Asia.

“Beyond the noticeable improvement, we have seen a different trend in where the country is regaining occupancy. Whereas India’s first recovery earlier this year was concentrated in leisure destinations, such as Goa, heavily populated markets such as New Delhi and Mumbai have seen improvement in this latest rebound.”

Mumbai’s daily occupancy reached as high as 77.9 per cent on June 26, while New Delhi’s daily occupancy improved to as high as 79.7 per cent on July 17. Those were each market’s highest daily levels in 2021.

Minor Hotels to debut in Bahrain with two new signings

By TTG Asia
0

Minor Hotels will be making its foray into Bahrain with the upcoming debut of its Avani and Tivoli brands.

Scheduled to open in 2024, Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will be part of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront leisure mixed-use masterplan owned by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat.

Minor Hotels’ new-build Avani and Tivoli branded hotels will be part of mixed-use development Bilaj Al Jazayer

The new development will offer resorts, residential villas and apartments, F&B outlets, retail, offices and entertainment.

Bilaj Al Jazayer is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain and encompasses 1.3km² of land with a 3km beachfront. The new Avani and Tivoli hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer on the waterfront.

Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer will offer a selection of guestrooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an Avani Pantry and a pool bar, in addition to an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and meeting space.

Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer’s facilities will include guestrooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and a café, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, plus spa and wellness facilities. In addition, the hotels will share a beach club within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development.

Uzbekistan’s new tourist attraction Silk Road Samarkand preps for 2022 opening

By TTG Asia
0

Silk Road Samarkand, a multifunctional tourist complex housing cultural, recreational, medical and business facilities, is set to open come 1H2022.

The new complex will be home to hotels, public spaces, parks, recreation and sports areas, restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as an international congress hall and sites of cultural interest.

Silk Road Samarkand centers around the affluent waterway of the Samarkand rowing canal

The name of the centre was selected deliberately: the routes of the Great Silk Road passed through the territory of current-day Uzbekistan from the II century BC until the XV century, and ancient Samarkand was one of the most important stops for trade caravans.

Located in the eastern part of the city, Silk Road Samarkand covers an area of about 260ha and comprises various thematic zones. The Business Cluster includes a congress hall and four upscale hotels, while the Southern Cluster includes four boutique hotels, an eco-village, the Eternal City historical and ethnographic complex, as well as some shopping areas.

Resort guests will enjoy green pedestrian zones, open spaces and a well-designed environment. The entrance will be decorated in traditional motifs reminiscent of the majestic arches of Registan. Sports grounds and bike paths, a volcano aqua zone with swimming pools, as well as a variety of cafés and bars will be among the site’s attractions.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street woos staycationers with City Sleepover deal

By TTG Asia
0

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street has launched a City Sleepover package for guests to rediscover the best of Melbourne.

Located on the corner of Little Queen and Bourke Streets, the upscale hotel which sits within the heritage-listed Equity Chambers building provides easy access to the city’s recreational and cultural attractions.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s King Guest Room features a king-size Hilton Serenity Bed 

The City Sleepover staycation offer priced from A$295 (US$216) includes a one-night stay in a King Guest Room, valet parking, daily breakfast for two at Luci restaurant, free Wi-Fi, early check-in and late check-out.

Room amenities include a 55-inch HD Smart TV, a workspace, a mini-refrigerator, coffee amenities by Dukes Coffee, and bathroom amenities by Hunter Lab. Guests can dine on-site at the Luci restaurant helmed by chef Sam Moore; and The Douglas Bar, an opulent bar offering cocktails, cognacs, and a wine and champagne selection.

The package is available for booking from now until August 31, 2021 for stays through December 30, 2021.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | BBTF 2026 to focus on gastronomy and destination readiness
TTG Asia | Frasers Hospitality expands Asia footprint
TTG Asia | Thailand pivots to regional tourism hub