A significant surge in search activity for travel to Singapore originating from markets in and out of Asia-Pacific has emerged following discussions around bilateral travel bubbles.
According to recent data from Adara, there has been an increase in search activity for travel to Singapore coming from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan through the last two weeks of March 2021 (March 1-14), compared to the first two weeks of the month (March 15-28).
This increase, as detected across Adara’s data consortiums, coincides with public announcements of plans to restore travel between these countries and Singapore.
The most significant travel search increase was detected from Australia, which was the first country to announce talks on a potential bilateral travel bubble with Singapore (around March 15). In the two weeks following the news, travel searches from Australia to Singapore saw a 34 per cent increase in market share, compared to the volume of all searches to Singapore across the same period.
Across March 15-28, travel searches and bookings from Australia to Singapore also increased, compared to the previous window (March 1-14).
Number of searches from Australia to Singapore increased by 32.4 per cent. In comparison, total number of global searches to Singapore decreased by 2.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, the number of bookings from Australia to Singapore increased by 2.9 per cent, while total number of global bookings to Singapore increased by 2.3 per cent.
Adara data also revealed a notable shift in travel searches and bookings from Singapore to Australia from March 15-28, compared to March 1-14.
Number of searches from Singapore to Australia increased by 28.3 per cent. In comparison, total number of global searches to Australia decreased by 8.1 per cent.
Meanwhile, number of bookings from Singapore to Australia increased by 9.2 per cent. On the other hand, total number of global bookings to Australia decreased by 7.2 per cent.
Across other countries that have also initiated discussions around travel bubble arrangements with Singapore, increases in travel searches have likewise been detected for the same window of time. For example, travel searches from Malaysia and Indonesia to Singapore both experienced a 19 per cent increase in market share, while that of Taiwan to Singapore saw a 14 per cent increase.
Beyond countries that have ongoing discussions around bilateral travel arrangements, Denmark and the UAE have also seen an increase in market share of global travel searches to Singapore at 26 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively.
The positive growth in travel searches originating from these source markets to Singapore is a preliminary indicator of pent-up demand for international travel. As arrangements solidify and more announcements materialise in the coming weeks and months, there remains more potential for intra-regional travel to gradually rebound, as pent-up travel demand accumulated across much of 2020 and the start of 2021 is released in waves.
Princess Cruises has scheduled Diamond Princess for a Japan summer season running from July to October 2021, with 24 departures out from Yokohama. Itineraries range from five to 19 nights, with some featuring multiple destinations such as Japan and South Korea, or Japan, Vladivostok and Korsakov.
A Japanese hot tub onboard the Diamond Princess
Come summer 2022, Diamond Princess will sail out of Yokohama and Kobe on diverse itineraries spanning from the southern tropical islands of Okinawa to the northernmost island of Hokkaido. There will be 35 departures on offer, from May through September featuring 31 destinations and four countries – Japan, South Korea, Russia and Taiwan.
Both summer sailings will present numerous opportunities for passengers to experience local festivals, such as Kyoto Gion Festival, Osaka Tenjin Festival, Tokushima Awa Dance Festival and Kumano Fireworks Festival, in addition to visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Highlights: Watch out for the MedallionClass Experience coming onboard Diamond Princess’s 2021 and 2022 summer sailings. A number of new features that leverage touchless technologies promise to significantly enhance and personalise the guest experience, as well as support new health protocols. This will include touchless embarkation and disembarkation, highly personalised services, contactless payment, and friends and family locator, among others. Princess MedallionClass ships also offer speedy Wi-Fi at sea, utilising VSAT technology that supports movie streaming and live TV.
Diamond Princess will complement her itineraries out of Japan with onboard Japanese experiences, such as authentic Japanese meals at Kai Sushi, soaks in a traditional Izumi bath that is said to be the largest Japanese bath at sea, and folk shows for entertainment.
Agent support: Travel agents continue to be critical trade partners for Princess Cruises, and the cruise line has been feeding them with latest news and industry developments throughout the pandemic, so that they can better advise their customers. Training is maintained online via the Princess Academy, while regular contact is made with travel advisors in order to understand their challenges and have relevant support crafted when the market recovers.
Support for planning, sales development and marketing are also provided.
The Balcony Cabin onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth
Cunard
Cruisers can look forward to two sailings to Asia in 2022.
Queen Mary 2 will offer a seven-night itinerary from Singapore to Hong Kong from February 11 to 18, with two ports of call in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Chan May.
The Queen Elizabeth will sail on an eight-night voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong from March 24 to April 1, taking in stops for shore excursions in Chan May and Hanoi.
Highlights: Cunard’s cruise ships are reputed from their British elegance and service standards are sterling.
As the cruise line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2 holds numerous charms. She boasts her own onboard micro-brewery and what is said to be the world’s finest wine cellar at sea – one that houses a unique collection of 486 fine wines and a stunning collection of ports, dating back to 1840.
Equally stunning, but for different reasons, is Illuminations, the ship’s planetarium. The planetarium dome takes guests on an epic voyage across the solar system and once retracted, becomes a luxury 3D cinema or classical music venue.
Bookworms will marvel at Queen Mary 2’s library, which contains about 10,000 books in various languages.
Outstanding experiences onboard the Queen Elizabeth include a large conservatory inspired by the famous hothouses of Kew Gardens, afternoon tea at the Queen’s Room and a game of croquet – all for a quintessential British holiday.
Agent support: Communication and training is a continuous process that is taken seriously at the Cunard, and efforts to plan and develop future co-funded marketing activities with travel agent partners have not ceased despite the pandemic.
Quantum of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
This year, Royal Caribbean International operates two- to four-night cruise-to-nowhere Ocean Getaways onboard the Quantum of the Seas. These are exclusive to Singapore residents, and are available through October 2021.
Highlights:Quantum of the Seas boasts unique onboard products for entertainment. RipCord by iFLY, which offers a skydiving experience at sea, is iconic, and so is the North Star observation capsule that offers a 360-degree view from more than 91m above sea level.
Endless fun onboard continues at SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea and home to bumper cars, a roller-skating rink, a rock climbing wall and more.
Over at the Bionic Bar, drinks are made by robotic bartenders.
Performances are transformed in the Two70 multimedia theatre, where cutting-edge technology turns two-storey high windows into beautiful scenes, while aerialists and robots bring the space to life.
Dining experiences never gets old on the ship, thanks to 18 restaurant concepts.
Agent support: Believing that it is only a matter of time that other destinations will resume safe cruising, Royal Caribbean International continues to engage travel partners on a regular basis. Industry trends as well as information on updated health and safety protocols and cruise experience for guests are frequently shared.
The cruise line continues to invite many travel trade partners on Ocean Getaways to have them experience safe cruising.
For now, Royal Caribbean International is encouraging travel planners to focus on the individual incentive travel segment, as that will likely bounce back before large group travel, as well as new-to-cruise consumers.
World Dream calls at Singapore
Dream Cruises
World Dream offers a series of two- and three-Night Super Seacation itineraries out of Singapore from now until June 27, 2021.
Meanwhile, Explorer Dream continues with her round-island sailings in Taiwan, from March 7 until October 1, 2021. Options include the four-night Penghu-Kinmen-Matsu Island cruise; the four-night Penghu-Kinmen-Hualien cruise; and a combination of two-night cruises to Hualien, Penghu, Kinmen or Matsu Island.
World Dream’s cruise experience is made more enticing with special themes that are built on traditional and pop culture from South Korea and Thailand as well as gastronomy.
Onboard Explorer Dream, a taste of cultures and activities from around the world is dished out. This allows cruisers to ‘visit’ iconic destinations, such as Hawaii and the Nordic region, on a single excursion.
Highlights: Muslim and vegetarian guests will enjoy peace of mind when travelling onboard World Dream, which has been certified by both the United World Halal Development (UNWHD) and the Global Vegetarian Certification Services. The UNWHD certification encompasses not only cuisine but the overall Halal lifestyle onboard the ship.
Agent support: Parent company Genting Cruise Lines has been working closely with travel agent partners across the region, especially in key markets like Taiwan and Singapore where safe cruising has resumed since July and November 2020 respectively. Regular updates and training on the new norms of cruising are provided.
Star Cruises’ Star Pisces will kick off Malaysia sailings from May 13
Star Cruises
Star Pisces will become the first ship to resume sailing in Malaysia, departing from Penang starting May 13, at the start of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holidays.
It will offer a two-night Langkawi Escape and a series of one-night Straits of Malacca cruises.
Cruisers on the Langkawi Escape will get 10 hours of port time to explore the resort island, while those choosing the Straits of Malacca Cruise will be able to see all types of marine vessels in the Straits of Malacca, the busiest straits in the world.
Highlights:Star Pisces is packed with entertainment, dining and shopping options. There are six restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a running track, and the Galaxy of the Stars entertainment centre.
Agent support: Parent company Genting Cruise Lines has been working closely with travel agent partners across the region. Regular updates and training on the new norms of cruising are provided.
Costa Firenze’s Ristorante dei Medici
Costa Cruises
Costa Firenze will make her maiden call in South-east Asia in 4Q2021, with 13 departures from November 20 to January 8, 2022.
On offer are three-night roundtrips out of Singapore to Malaysia and four-night roundtrips from Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand. There will also be three-night roundtrips from Laem Chabang in Thailand to Cambodia’s Sihanoukville or Thailand’s Koh Samui, and four-night roundtrips from Laem Chabang to Vietnam’s Phu My.
Thematic itineraries are planned to coincide with Christmas and New Year festivities in 2022.
Cruisers looking for variety should keep an eye out for the Tropical Paradise Cruise, with four departures planned out of Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand; and the Amazing Strait Cruise from Singapore on December 11 and December 25, 2021 to Melaka and Klang, both in Malaysia.
Highlights: Costa ships take pride in their authentic Italian atmosphere. There are six themed zones, taking guests from the Renaissance period to modern day Florence, and its high fashion and elegance. In fact, the ship’s name is dedicated to the beautiful city of Florence and the interior design is inspired by it.
Costa Firenze is great for families, with plenty of activities – including a water park, exploration park and a Rope Garden – to keep everyone entertained. Come evening, catch stunning shows or take to the dance floor.
Agent support: Costa Asia has maintained a line of communications with travel agent partners, feeding them information on the resumption of cruise schedules, itinerary planning and safety protocols. Online training courses have also remained throughout the pandemic.
As Covid-19 infections continue to surge in metro Manila and nearby provinces, more hotels are needed to be converted into temporary treatment facilities, but existing quarantine hotels are not even enough to accommodate more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to the country.
Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) president, Arthur Lopez, said in an interview with ABS CBN’s Teleradyo yesterday (April 7) that their 78 quarantine hotels, 44 of which are in metro Manila, are “all fully booked”, with no rooms left to be repurposed as temporary treatment facilities.
Quarantine hotels in metro Manila struggle to accommodate more Covid-19 patients amid virus surge
Lopez added that “we have been scrounging around for other hotels” as more OFWs are returning to the Philippines and have to quarantine per existing regulations.
Apart from the 78 quarantine hotels owned by PHOA members, there are thousands more that are allowed to operate as quarantine hotels.
There are also 24 additional hotels with 2,442 rooms that have been converted into isolation facilities for Covid-19 positive patients. They are in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Davao Region and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).
Metro Manila and neighbouring Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan are currently under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) – the strictest form of lockdown – due to the alarming increase in daily Covid-19 infections.
The Department of Tourism classifies hotels and other accommodations under three categories: Regular hotels for staycation; isolation hotels for Covid-19 positive patients; as well as quarantine hotels for returning OFWs, foreign nationals allowed to enter the country, health workers near their place of work, and those unable to quarantine in their homes.
Under the ECQ, even the 15 luxury hotels in the metro classified as staycation hotels are not allowed to accept guests.
The Philippine College of Physicians has formally requested the government to convert several hotels into temporary hospital facilities as 14 out of 21 hospitals in metro Manila are almost full and many patients had to be turned away. The group said it is ready to help the government convert hotels into medical facilities for mild cases such as the elderly with comorbidities.
Lopez disclosed that he met up with senator and Philippine Red Cross chief Richard Gordon and his group who was asking hotels to donate bedsheets, toiletries and other items to be used in isolation facilities that are being set up in the University of the Philippines Dormitory, La Salle University in Pasay and Ateneo High School.
New research by Booking.com reveals growing optimism among Singaporean travellers about returning to travel, in the wake of vaccine rollouts and ongoing discussions on potential air travel bubbles.
The survey found that seven in 10 (71%) Singaporean travellers feel more hopeful about travelling in 2021 as the country ramps up its vaccination programme. The same amount (70%) state that not being able to travel extensively in 2020 has made them yearn for travel even more in 2021.
Global vaccination rollout fuels hope of a travel rebound
Results from the survey is part of a larger global study, where Booking.com polled more than 28,000 travellers across 28 countries and territories, including Singapore, to uncover what travellers feel most hopeful about as it becomes safe to travel again, and what support they believe the travel industry needs to get back on its feet.
The trust in vaccines runs deep, with slightly over half (63%) of Singaporean travellers stating that they won’t travel internationally until they have been vaccinated, which rises to 69% among those 55+ years old. Meanwhile, a greater number (67%) of Singaporean travellers say they will only travel to countries that have implemented vaccination programmes. But there is still some hesitation, with almost half (52%) remaining sceptical as to whether a vaccine will truly help make travel safer.
Showing the extent of pent-up travel demand, almost two thirds (65%) of Singaporean travellers say they would rather go on a vacation in 2021 than find true love, while over half (59%) say they would prioritise travelling over success at work, preferring to go on vacation than get promoted.
Six in 10 (62%) Singaporean travellers have used the increased time at home to plan future travel, while slightly over half (54%) have banked more vacation days, so are excited about the potential of taking longer vacations in 2021. When dreaming about their next vacation, 51% of Singaporean travellers feel confident that they will be able to hit the beach by summer 2021, with 18% saying a relaxing beach or spa trip will be the first type of trip they favour when it’s safe to travel again. Only 9% will book a city break and just 5% say an active break is a priority.
Following the impact that Covid-19 has had on the travel industry, 96% of Singaporean travellers think the industry needs to be supported to get back on its feet. Nearly three quarters (74%) believe that government financial stimuli are now needed to help travel’s recovery, and over two thirds (69%) worry that the industry won’t survive unless it is supported with government grants.
In terms of more practical regulations, 75% state that wider access to pre-travel Covid-19 testing is needed, and 73% say that governments should collaborate with travel associations and providers to set more consistent standards.
While 70% of Booking.com’s accommodation partners surveyed are cautiously optimistic about the future of their business, they share travellers’ mindset that the industry needs support, as the majority of them would like to see governments do more in the future to support the travel industry during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Three key areas that need to be addressed, according to properties of all types and sizes, are more consistent international standards when it comes to travel advice and rules, speeding up of vaccine rollout programmes, and wider access to pre-travel Covid-19 testing.
Accommodation providers are not the only ones willing to roll up their sleeves, with 60% of Singaporean travellers willing to accept only being able to travel if they could prove they have been vaccinated. Meanwhile 71% would accept having to wear a face mask when travelling, with 61% going as far as supporting a ‘no mask no travel’ ban (unless exempt). Two thirds (68%) would be willing to only travel in small groups of two to six people.
To support the travel industry more directly, 25% of Singaporean travellers plan to use travel credits or vouchers from cancelled trips, instead of requesting a refund, and 22% will buy vouchers for family and friends for them to use when it’s safe to travel again. Meanwhile, 28% plan to choose less frequented destinations, while 27% want to book independent accommodations or accommodations in or near their hometown to support local businesses (32%).
Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans to grow its brand footprint in India by more than 70 per cent by 2023, with six new hotels set to open this year across the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place brands.
With 24 executed managed and franchised agreements, Hyatt will add more than 3,600 keys to its existing portfolio of 32 Hyatt-branded hotels across eight brands in the country.
Hyatt Regency Dehradun among 24 new Hyatt-branded properties to open across India through 2023
In 2021, Hyatt plans to primarily expand its Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place brands. The Hyatt Regency brand will enter two new markets with Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansoravar, and Hyatt Regency Trivandrum. The Hyatt Place brand will enter four new markets with Hyatt Place Bodh Gaya, Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar, Hyatt Place Vadodara, and Hyatt Place Bharuch.
Other Hyatt-branded hotels in India that are expected to open through 2023 include: Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, Grand Hyatt Jaipur, Hyatt Regency Dehradun, Hyatt Regency Ghaziabad, Hyatt Regency Udaipur Sisarma, Hyatt Regency Kochi Malayattoor Resort, Hyatt Regency Goa Baga, Hyatt Regency Kasauli, Hyatt Regency Surat, and Hyatt Regency Jaipur.
Under the Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Place brands, upcoming hotels are: Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh, Hyatt Centric Lonavala, Hyatt Centric Electronic City Bangalore, Hyatt Place Vijayawada, Hyatt Place Dehradun Rajpur Road, Hyatt Place Kolhapur Shiroli, Hyatt Place Tirupati, and Hyatt Place Visakhapatnam Madhurawada.
Capella Hanoi, Vietnam
Capella Hanoi has opened its doors in the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. Nestled in the Old Quarter, just steps from the iconic Hanoi Opera House, the Bill Bensley-designed hotel features 47 themed rooms and suites, ranging from 35m2 to 194m2. Crowning the hotel, four Opera Suites open out onto alfresco terraces overlooking the tree-lined avenues below. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Backstage, offers vegan dishes and northern Vietnamese-inspired specialties. Diva’s Lounge, meanwhile, serves up bohemian cocktails and Opera Punches, accompanied by Diva’s Bar bites. Guests can unwind at Auriga Spa featuring couples’ treatment suites, saunas, steam baths, a fitness centre and La Grotta, an indoor pool that resembles a haven for opera singers to rest their voices.
Quincy Hotel Melbourne, Australia
TFE Hotels has unveiled Australia’s inaugural Quincy-branded property, with the opening of Quincy Hotel Melbourne on Flinders Lane. The 241-room property – complete with lively laneways and rooftop bars – boasts spatial design, playful interiors, tactile artwork, and a focus on ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ foodie adventures. Think hawker-inspired grazing at SingSong eatery, flowing through the Lobby to outdoor laneway dining; rooftop bites and cocktails at The Q on Level 28 (shared by a lap pool); and Salted Egg, a satellite restaurant, complete with a bespoke bar and communal areas.
Wink Hotel Saigon Centre, Vietnam
Wink Hotels, Vietnam’s new hospitality brand, has debuted its first hotel and flagship Wink Hotel Saigon Centre. The property is the first in a pipeline of 20 hotels to be opened in Vietnam within the next five years. Centrally located in Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant Da Kao ward within District One, the hotel features 237 rooms. Wink Hotels brings Vietnamese street food culture to the comfort of a hotel environment with signature Wink Carts for easy, quick breakfasts and lunches; while the team of Wink Guides give guests the best intel on the neighbourhood and the city.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, Australia
Situated on the corner of Little Queen Street and Bourke Street, the 244-room Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Hilton. Luci restaurant, accessible via the hotel’s Bourke Street entrance, serves contemporary Australian cuisine. The restaurant is accompanied by The Douglas Club, a lounge bar offering cocktails, cognacs, a wine and champagne selection, and snacks. Other amenities include a 24-hour gym, as well as seven meeting and event spaces, ranging from 24m2 to 143m2. A large open-air balcony on level five offers city skyline views and a large wall mural by Kitt Bennett.
Qatar Airways operated the world’s first fully Covid-19 vaccinated flight on Tuesday (April 6), carrying only vaccinated crew and passengers on board, with passengers also serviced by fully vaccinated staff at check-in.
QR6421 departed Hamad International Airport at 11.00 local time, and returned to Doha at 14.00.
Qatar Airways becomes first airline to operate a flight carrying only vaccinated crew and passengers on board
The special service implemented a raft of safety and hygiene measures, including the world’s first “Zero-Touch” in-flight entertainment, enabling passengers to access movies and shows on their personal devices.
Operated by the airline’s sustainable aircraft, Airbus A350-1000, the flight was fully carbon offset, in line with the carrier’s environmental responsibilities.
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said in a press release: “(This) special flight demonstrates the next stage in the recovery of international travel is not far away. We are thankful for the support we have received from our government and local health authorities to vaccinate our staff, with over 1,000 vaccinations being administered per day.”
Earlier this year, Qatar Airways became the first global airline to achieve the Skytrax 5-Star Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating. This came on the back of its hub, Hamad International Airport, becoming the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating.
The airline was also the first in the Middle East to trial the IATA Travel Pass Digital Passport mobile app. IATA Travel Pass provides travellers with information on Covid-19 health regulations at their destination country, and allows them to share their Covid-19 test results with airlines to verify their eligibility for travel, while complying with global data privacy regulations.
At least three new tourism products will hit the market this year and the next, as Singapore continues to push out fresh attractions in preparation for international travel recovery.
Among those scheduled to launch this year is the Museum of Ice Cream, a popular US-based attraction that will have its first international outpost here in Singapore, revealed Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive Keith Tan on April 7 at the Tourism Industry Conference.
Museum of Ice Cream among three tourist attractions that will open in Singapore
Imaginative, multi-sensory installations are expected at the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore. While the attraction will only open in 2H2021, registration for early ticket access is now open.
A new thrill ride – Slingshot – will also debut later this year at Clarke Quay. This is said to be the tallest ride of its kind in Asia, with the capability to catapult riders almost 70m into the air at high speed.
Come 2022, Sentosa will welcome the SkyHelix, Singapore’s first open-air panoramic attraction to offer scenic views of the resort island and Southern Waterfront.
Singapore’s accommodation inventory will also continue to expand this year, with four upcoming openings – the 169-unit Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore, the 168-unit Orchard Hills Residences Singapore MGallery, the 240-key lyf Farrer Park Singapore, and the lyf One-North.
These join the ongoing expansion work at Singapore’s two integrated resorts, noted Tan.
Tan said these new products are “meant to help us get ready for recovery” and emphasised that Singapore is not in “hibernation mode”.
In addition to new draws, work is also underway to update existing attractions and tourism precincts. A new event space is set to emerge on the Orchard Road shopping belt in 2022, and a tender will soon be launched by STB, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Singapore Land Authority for a new attraction concept at a vacant site in the same prime district.
While Tan said STB does not get to choose the type of attractions that are keen to open in Singapore, the organisation does take into consideration the bid attraction’s ability to strengthen the overall attractiveness of Singapore, complement the existing suite of attractions, and introduce a new angle to the destination.
To further strengthen the lifestyle appeal of the Orchard Road district, STB is working with the Orchard Road Business Association to scale up the programming of the annual Christmas on a Great Street and Orchard Road Black Friday events later this year.
Tan described these projects as “a welcome breath of fresh air among the Covid-19 negativity in the past year”.
Following Thailand’s move to reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign travellers since April 1, things in the kingdom are moving along, including the first batch of visitors availing themselves of the shorter quarantine scheme, vaccinations for tourism industry workers, and the government’s approval of a roadmap for reopening.
Thailand plans to lift quarantine rules for inoculated tourists with vaccine passport by January 1, 2022
Shorter quarantines
On Saturday (April 3), the first flight of 130 travellers eligible for the shorter quarantine period of seven days (from 14 days) arrived at Phuket International Airport, via a Thai Airways direct flight from Frankfurt, Germany. Thirteen Germans and three Thais got off the plane in Phuket, while the rest of the travellers flew to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and entered the state quarantine process.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), shorter quarantines for 11 groups of people currently permitted to enter Thailand were approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on the evening of March 31, and details published in a Royal Gazette.
A seven-day quarantine has also been approved for travellers from non-high-risk countries, defined as those free of Covid-19 variants or mutations, who have been fully inoculated with vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or authorised by the Thai Public Health Ministry, at least 14 days prior to departure.
A 10-day quarantine period has been instigated for travellers who do not carry a vaccination certificate but hail from countries free of Covid-19 mutations, while all travellers from 11 countries with SAR-CoV-2 virus mutations and variants as announced by the Ministry of Public Health must still undergo the 14-day quarantine period.
Thailand has approved seven vaccines including Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna.
The actual length of the traveller’s stay at the quarantine hotel is dependent on their landing time in Bangkok, with those who arrive after 18.00 local time being subject to eight, 10 and 15 night stays, respectively.
A supporting website called Entry Thailand which helps travellers assess which quarantine period they are eligible for, and which can be used to browse quarantine stays available throughout Thailand, has been created by the Thai government.
Quarantine hotels have hustled to release shorter quarantine packages in the wake of the approval, including Movenpick BDMS, Thailand’s first alternative state quarantine (ASQ) hotel, which has already rolled out new seven and 10 day quarantine packages.
Vaccinations underway
In July, Phuket is expected to be the first province to waive the quarantine requirement for foreign visitors who have been vaccinated.
One of the criteria for the planned reopening is inoculation of a minimum 70 per cent of the island’s population, or 460,000 individuals, to create herd immunity. Phumkit Raktaengam, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, estimates that 920,000 to 930,000 doses would be needed to achieve this goal.
The province intends to vaccinate up to 100,000 people by the end of April. Increased doses were allocated to Phuket, up from 16,000 doses, for the July 1 reopening plan.
Already, the province has kicked off its vaccination drive. As of April 4, some 20,000 hotel workers have been vaccinated through mass vaccinations at five different centres across the island.
The relaunch will target tourists from 28 countries, with 150,000 tourists expected to arrive between the period of July and September, for an estimated income of 30 billion baht (US$955 million).
Reopening in stages
The TAT also announced that the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by prime minister general Prayut Chan-o-cha, has approved its three-stage roadmap to reopen six major tourist provinces to vaccinated foreign tourists.
Stage one, from April to June, includes vaccinated foreign tourists being allowed to undergo shorter quarantines.
During stage two, from July to September, the Phuket Sandbox programme will make Phuket the first province to waive quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists. They will be limited to travel activities within designated areas in Phuket for seven days, before being allowed to travel elsewhere in Thailand.
In stage three, from October to December, five other major tourist destinations – Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Chonburi (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai – will join Phuket in lifting quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists.
The Thai government has also hinted at the possibility of a fourth stage to be implemented starting January 1, 2022, whereby any foreign tourist who has been vaccinated against Covid-19 and holds a vaccine passport will be able to enter Thailand without having to serve quarantine.
The Singapore Tourism Board has unveiled Tcube, an innovative space at Tourism Court that aims to help tourism stakeholders better their digital capabilities to reimagine visitor experiences and achieve sustainable operations.
On the reason for launching Tcube, or the Tourism Technology Transformation Cube, Ong Huey Hong, executive director industry technology transformation, shared: “We want to grow tourism companies into transformative leaders to compete better. We want to cultivate a community of innovators to chart new courses. And we want to facilitate partnerships between like-minded stakeholders to spur innovation through pilots and experimentation.”
Support will be provided through a three-step framework: learn, test, and build.
The Learn phase will be facilitated by STB’s Tourism Transformation Index, a self-assessment tool with recommendations on relevant programmes to support digital transformation. Stakeholders will be able to gain insights into cross industry trends and applications through leadership conferences and case studies to help them develop new capabilities and implement digital practices for their businesses.
After learning, the Test phase will be facilitated by STB’s Singapore Tourism Accelerator programme, launched in 2019 to help tourism businesses source for innovative solutions to address business challenges. There, stakeholders will be able to bring their ideas to life through experimentation.
There will also be programmes with consultancy services for high-level digital transformation roadmaps, as well as design-thinking workshops to prototype user-centric solutions. Additionally, tourism stakeholders will have the opportunity to engage in innovative projects such as running proof-of-concepts and pilots. These initiatives will help businesses to de-risk while testing new concepts and ideas.
From there, stakeholders will be guided to the final step. The Build phase will be supported by a suite of smart services, including the Tourism Information and Services Hub – a resource platform allowing tourism businesses globally to connect, access and share Singapore tourism information – and the Singapore Tourism Analytics Network which provides actionable insights on visitor data. Tourism stakeholders will also have access to a library of ready-to-use 3D assets, as well as AR standards.
Wong Ming Fai, STB’s chief technology officer, said: “Technology and transformation are no longer nice to have, but imperative to survive and thrive now, and also, in the new post-Covid environment. With Tcube, we brought together existing resources to make it easier for (tourism stakeholders) to access (them), (as well as) provide a physical space for people to meet, be inspired, and to collaborate.”
Capella Hanoi, Vietnam
Capella Hanoi has opened its doors in the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. Nestled in the Old Quarter, just steps from the iconic Hanoi Opera House, the Bill Bensley-designed hotel features 47 themed rooms and suites, ranging from 35m2 to 194m2. Crowning the hotel, four Opera Suites open out onto alfresco terraces overlooking the tree-lined avenues below. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Backstage, offers vegan dishes and northern Vietnamese-inspired specialties. Diva’s Lounge, meanwhile, serves up bohemian cocktails and Opera Punches, accompanied by Diva’s Bar bites. Guests can unwind at Auriga Spa featuring couples’ treatment suites, saunas, steam baths, a fitness centre and La Grotta, an indoor pool that resembles a haven for opera singers to rest their voices.
Quincy Hotel Melbourne, Australia
TFE Hotels has unveiled Australia’s inaugural Quincy-branded property, with the opening of Quincy Hotel Melbourne on Flinders Lane. The 241-room property – complete with lively laneways and rooftop bars – boasts spatial design, playful interiors, tactile artwork, and a focus on ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ foodie adventures. Think hawker-inspired grazing at SingSong eatery, flowing through the Lobby to outdoor laneway dining; rooftop bites and cocktails at The Q on Level 28 (shared by a lap pool); and Salted Egg, a satellite restaurant, complete with a bespoke bar and communal areas.
Wink Hotel Saigon Centre, Vietnam
Wink Hotels, Vietnam’s new hospitality brand, has debuted its first hotel and flagship Wink Hotel Saigon Centre. The property is the first in a pipeline of 20 hotels to be opened in Vietnam within the next five years. Centrally located in Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant Da Kao ward within District One, the hotel features 237 rooms. Wink Hotels brings Vietnamese street food culture to the comfort of a hotel environment with signature Wink Carts for easy, quick breakfasts and lunches; while the team of Wink Guides give guests the best intel on the neighbourhood and the city.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, Australia
Situated on the corner of Little Queen Street and Bourke Street, the 244-room Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Hilton. Luci restaurant, accessible via the hotel’s Bourke Street entrance, serves contemporary Australian cuisine. The restaurant is accompanied by The Douglas Club, a lounge bar offering cocktails, cognacs, a wine and champagne selection, and snacks. Other amenities include a 24-hour gym, as well as seven meeting and event spaces, ranging from 24m2 to 143m2. A large open-air balcony on level five offers city skyline views and a large wall mural by Kitt Bennett.