New hotels: Duxton Reserve Singapore, Citadines Berawa Beach Bali, and more
Duxton Reserve Singapore, Singapore
Autograph Collection Hotels has debuted in Singapore with the opening of Duxton Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection. Owned by The Garcha Group, the boutique hotel is situated in the island’s city centre of Tanjong Pagar, and the heart of Chinatown. Keeping in line with Autograph Collection’s emphasis on ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘sense of place’, Duxton Reserve Singapore was created within eight sustainably restored 19th-century shophouses. Designed by British interior designer, Anouska Hempel, the hotel boasts 49 guestrooms and suites. The culinary highlight of the hotel is the modern Chinese restaurant, Yellow Pot, helmed by chef Sebastian Goh. Anouska’s, a glamourous bar, is an ode to Bond girl turned designer Hempel, serving up the actress’ favourite drinks from around the world spanning the disco era of the 70s and 80s.
Citadines Berawa Beach Bali, Indonesia
Ascott has opened Citadines Berawa Beach Bali in the heart of Canggu, a destination on the south coast of Bali, Indonesia. The 224-unit serviced residence is a stone’s throw away from Berawa Beach and is surrounded by a plethora of cafes, restaurants, retail and recreational options. It is also a 30-minute drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a 20-minute drive to Seminyak, a landmark tourist destination with high-end shops, bars, and restaurants.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai; China
An urban oasis amid the bustle of Xujiahui, Shanghai’s downtown business district, Radisson Collection Hotel, Xing Guo Shanghai is the brand’s inaugural property in China and its first hotel in an Asia-Pacific gateway city. The 16-story hotel features 185 rooms and suites, ranging from 30 to 54m2, each boasting air purification systems and smart room sensors, and even robots that deliver fresh fruit juice straight to the door! Guests have a choice of four restaurants and bars, including a Chinese restaurant that focuses on Cantonese cuisine and Shanghainese specialties, and a chic lounge for handcrafted cocktails and fine wines. Events can be hosted at a choice of eight venues, including a ballroom and pavilion, and the fitness centre features state-of-the-art equipment.
SAii Laguna Phuket and SAii Phi Phi Island Village, Thailand
SAii, the upper-upscale lifestyle brand from S Hotels and Resorts, has opened its first two resorts in Thailand: SAii Laguna Phuket and SAii Phi Phi Island Village, both nestled on the shores of the country’s southern islands.
SAii Laguna Phuket is a waterfront resort that has undergone an extensive renovation including the creation of an events hall, a seafront restaurant, and an enhanced beachfront bar. The property is nestled on the shore at Bangtao Beach, as part of Laguna Phuket, the integrated resort at Bangtao Bay.
Situated on a 800m beachfront, SAii Phi Phi Island Village has completed a series of improvements to its accommodation and amenities. The open-plan lobby, freeform pool, natural spa and sea-facing restaurants have all been upgraded, and the Hillside Pool Villas have been refreshed and remodelled, with the addition of a two-bedroom option – the resort’s top room category. The resort is further dedicated to preserving the environment through its interactive Marine Discovery Centre.
Both SAii Laguna Phuket and SAii Phi Phi Island Village have introduced a series of wellness and F&B concepts. Mr Tomyam focuses on Thai-inspired dishes with live kitchens and alfresco seating; while Miss Olive Oyl is a Mediterranean-style seafood grill and bar. Lèn Be Well promises a personalised approach to wellbeing through five core pillars: Romance, Relax, Culture, Adventure and Family. Through these signatures, each SAii resort also offers a deep connection with its destination and environment.
Unlimited travel pass mooted to boost Thai domestic tourism
Thailand’s government is considering offering a subsidy for an unlimited travel pass for advanced air ticket purchases in order to boost domestic tourism and throw a lifeline to the battered aviation sector.
The proposal comes amid a slow redemption rate on airfare in the past seven months for the ongoing We Travel Together stimulus campaign.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn quoted in a Bangkok Post report, there are 1.3 million airline seats left out of two million available seats – a weak performance when compared with the six million hotel room nights that were used.
In a meeting TAT held with airlines to discuss new strategies for the campaign to boost travel demand, an unlimited pass implemented under the same budget was one of several ideas being proposed.
Under the plan, the government will offer 2,000 baht (US$66) subsidy for unlimited passes or buffet tickets bought from local airlines. Buyers are afforded flexibility to make advanced purchases without setting a fixed travel date. They will also be inclined to fly more to maximise utility.
Hong Kong travel veteran Sef Lam passes on
Director of Hong Kong-based Via Vai Travel, Sef Lam, has succumbed to cancer on February 11 after a long battle. She was 72.
Lam established her company in 1985, specialising in retailing tickets, hotel stays and tour packages to expatriates in Hong Kong as well as cultural trips to various parts of the world.
Heartfelt messages poured in from her industry colleagues and friends.
Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) chairman, Ronald Wu, said: “Sef has been a staunch and devoted supporter of HATA since joining the association in 1989, as well as a regular participant of HATA events and activities. We are very appreciative of her constructive guidance and suggestions on a regular basis to the Executive Committee for the betterment of the association and the industry at large. Sef will be sorely missed.”
Hertz Hong Kong manager, Jo Law, said Lam would be remembered for her mentorship, kindness and fairness.
Via Vai Travel manager Florence Chan told TTG Asia that Lam was a boss who took care of colleagues. She recalled that Lam had sent her to attend World Travel Market in London despite being new to the company. “She said the trip would be a big help to my career,” shared Chan.
Rosa Ocampo, TTG Asia Philippine correspondent, also shared fond memories of Lam, collected during her work in Hong Kong in the early 1990s. “Sef was every reporter’s dream. Frank and forthright, she always replied emails quickly wherever in the world she was. (She was) my saviour in meeting deadlines. The reporter-source relationship deepened into friendship. Sef invited me to travel with her to Nepal and Bhutan. She showed me the lesser-known areas of Hong Kong. She and her family were my only visitors in the three years of my stay in Peru. I joined her family reunion in Surigao.
Ocampo continued: “Sef was the consummate travel consultant who enjoyed discovering the world and its inhabitants and sharing her joy with others. Unknown to many, she was also a philanthropist, having donated and loaned treasured works of art to museums, funded students’ education and training, donated to cause-oriented groups and charities, the consummate giver as much as the consummate friend.”
Lam is survived by her husband, two sons and daughters in-law, and a granddaughter.
Extended job support will allow hotels to focus on growth, recovery
Hoteliers in Singapore have heaved a sigh of relief at the government’s commitment to continue providing Job Support Scheme (JSS) assistance to the beleaguered tourism industry this year, saying that the monetary support for salaries and training will allow the hotel industry to direct their attention to recovery strategies.
Kwee Wei-Lin, president of the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), noted that the “government’s expeditious support through a series of budget provisions in 2020 (had allowed member hotels) to protect hotel jobs and keep our members afloat despite the global crisis”.
SHA represents 160 member hotels across the city-state, which altogether employs an essential workforce of 40,000 colleagues.
“With sustained border closures, global tourism remains depressed for the immediate future. SHA is appreciative that the government recognises the sustained threat to our hard-hit industry. The extension of JSS, SGUnited Jobs & Skills Package and Wage Credit Scheme will help to mitigate job losses while members concentrate on ensuring the survival of Singapore’s hotel industry and prepare for the return of international travellers when borders finally reopen,” said Kwee.
She expressed that although Singapore “has set the gold standard for managing the pandemic”, the future of tourism remains uncertain as international travel restrictions remain and key source markets continue to struggle with Covid-19 containment.
“Without international tourism, Singapore’s hotels remain in critical condition since local demand for staycations will not be sufficient to alleviate financial challenges in the months ahead,” she said.
Echoing voices of appreciation from hoteliers, Mike Williamson, general manager, Conrad Centennial Singapore, said the government’s support over the past year has been instrumental in pulling the industry through the “challenging period”.
“It is through this foresight that we will be in a better position for recovery in the near future,” he remarked.
Roy Liang, regional general manager, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam with Oakwood, opined that the extended JSS will help businesses retain their workforce without needing excessive measures to keep the business afloat and allow companies to divert resources to operations.
“The wage support will help to boost employees’ morale in these challenging times,” Liang added.
Eric Piatti, general manager of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, told TTG Asia: “With the six-month extension of the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS), it will not only allow us to continue providing our employees with job security, but also sustain a certain service level and help maintain our readiness for the recovery.”
Hoteliers appear to be heeding the government’s call for affected industry sectors to emerge stronger from the crisis through restructuring.
Choe Peng Sum, CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PHHG), said the company will maintain its focus on workforce transformation by rethinking traditional roles and structure – an exercise that commenced last year. Job redesign and clustering arrangements, supported by training, reskilling and upskilling of workforce.
“We will also focus on digital and technology innovation to expand our capabilities in e-commerce and online offerings. We have already introduced online food order and delivery last year for our 18 (F&B) outlets in Singapore, which has become a stable revenue source. This year, we will launch an e-shop to cater to the increasing demand for online purchases. Beyond this, we will advance our capabilities in hybrid meetings and events to provide strong viable options and solutions for corporate clients and wedding guests,” Choe detailed in an interview.
The Singapore-headquartered PPHG has also digitalised customer touch points at three of its properties here in 2020. Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Pan Pacific Singapore and Parkroyal on Beach Road now sport a digital concierge. The same will be introduced to PPHG’s five remaining hotels and serviced suites in Singapore this year.
“Additionally, we will be growing our technology capabilities to incorporate keyless check-ins and other contactless solutions for our guests,” he added.
Kwee shared that SHA members’ growth and recovery strategy will focus on generating incremental revenue streams and growing domestic demand for hotels in other ways.
“For example, to increase the capacity for weddings and work-related events when it is safe to do so, along with more social events such as birthday celebrations, all with adherence to safe management measures, to stimulate business for hotels. Grants for job redesign and upskilling of the hotel workforce will facilitate our industry’s transformation for the post-pandemic era,” she said.
Extension of travel ban in Malaysia kills hope of tourism revival
Malaysia has extended the movement control order (MCO) for states with a high number of Covid-19 cases, namely, Selangor, Johor and Penang, as well as the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, until March 4.
This is the third extension of the MCO, which was supposed to end on February 19.
The 10km radius travel limit nationwide will be lifted from February 19. However, inter-district and interstate travel are still banned – a move which “will hamper any chance of survival for the tourism industry,” said Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO, Yap Lip Seng.
“The government must take immediate action to address the issue, and to listen to the stakeholders on the ground that had suffered for almost a year now, with no end in sight,” he added.
“Having lost all international business while borders are still closed, the tourism and hotel industry depend solely on domestic tourism and as long as interstate travel is still not allowed, it does not have even the slightest chance of survival.
“The industry will be forced to cut more jobs and even consider closures. The government must implement immediate measures specifically for the tourism and hotel industry.”
Yap Sook Ling, managing director of Asian Overland Tours & Travel, called on the government to provide targeted assistance for the industry, including increasing wage subsidies to RM1,200 (US$297) monthly per employee earning below RM4,000 monthly, and extending it beyond March.
Malaysia on Tuesday reported 2,720 new Covid-19 cases and eight deaths, totalling 269,165 infections and 983 deaths so far.
Bohol fires up marketing blitz to lure domestic tourists
Bohol, which edged its way to the Philippines’ top three leisure destinations since reopening in mid-December, has launched a massive tourism campaign on Wednesday to jumpstart domestic arrivals.
It alternates with Palawan for the second and third places, after tourists’ top favourite Boracay.
The initiatives include discounts of up to 70 per cent offered by 20 hotels, resorts and tour operators under the Balik sa Bohol (Return to Bohol) online sale, which will be held from February 21 to March 14.
Vouchers have a minimum validity of one year but sellers are flexible with extension of the validity via the website, traveloco.ph/balikbohol.
Bluewater Resorts vice president sales and marketing, Margie Munsayac, said that “Bohol is really foremost a leisure destination” but they also “encourage small and intimate MICE and social events” which can “secure better perks than the Return to Bohol online sale depending on the season, number of persons, size of the events” which are subjected to capacity limits based on safe distancing measures.
Munsayac also said that part of the marketing tack for Bohol are “new developments to ensure that the products, destination and protocols are in place so travellers can feel confident about making Bohol as their primary destination once they decide to travel”.
New developments include a soon-to-launch ad campaign targeted at families instead of just individual divers to debunk the misconception that diving is exclusively for privileged adults, said Panglao mayor Leonila Montero.
Set to debut too are new countryside tourism circuits anchored not just on sun and sand, but also nature, agri-tourism, historical and heritage sites, given that Bohol has a plethora of architectural heritage houses and the most number of heritage churches in the Philippines, said Bohol Provincial Tourism Council chair Lucas Nunag.
To celebrate the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines this year, Bohol governor Arthur Yap said that festivities will include a tour of national heritage churches and other historical sites with accompanying cultural performances. “We’re also thinking of featuring markets along the way for local delicacies, local crafts and products,” he added.
Yap said that out of the 14 national heritage churches damaged by the earthquake several years ago, only four remain unrepaired but they’re all scheduled for repair.
Both the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board are already lending support to Bohol by heavily marketing and promoting it in the travel trade and social media as a multi-faceted destination offering not just white sand and marine activities, but also art, music, nature, eco-tourism, and a long history dating back to the Spanish.
Currently, only Panglao and Anda are open to tourists. “But we are just waiting for the other towns to open. We don’t want to force all towns to open unless they are ready,” said Yap.
Apart from investing in its own Covid-19 test laboratories, Yap also said that Bohol has relaxed travel restrictions and harmonised them with the national government rules and protocols. The province is already accepting saliva tests in place of the Covid-19 PCR swab tests and quarantine is not required, among other things.
Yap said that tourists are required to produce a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel, and confirmed booking at a Department of Tourism (DoT)-accredited hotel. Tourists must also register through the Bohol Tourist Registration portal via tourism.bohol.gov.ph, and for those going on tour, a confirmed tour booking through a DoT-accredited tour operator must be presented.
Maldives eyes tourism growth with packed 2021 events calendar
The Maldives, unfazed by the Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the travel industry, is planning to promote the destination aggressively at overseas trade exhibitions and roadshows through the year.
Initially, the NTO is preparing to participate at trade events and roadshows in Russia and India next month, said Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) managing director Thoyyib Mohamed.
The MITT trade show in Moscow, a B2B and B2C event, will take place from March 16-18; coinciding with roadshows in Moscow, Kazakhstan, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Meanwhile, India’s South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange will be held on March 22 along with a roadshow.
There are no quarantine requirements for incoming travellers in both Russia and India, apart from having to furnish a negative Covid-19 PCR report on arrival – the same rule applied for arrivals in the Maldives, said Mohamed.
Since reopening its borders on July 15, 2020 after a four-month pandemic closure, the Maldives has seen a steady climb in tourist arrivals which peaked in December, with the island recording more than 96,000 arrivals – a 170 per cent increase – during the month.
Tourist arrivals this year from January to February 12 totalled 129,507, as compared to 233,974 in the same 2020 period; while arrivals for the shortened 2020 year was 555,494, as compared to 1.7 million in 2019. This year’s tourist arrival target is set at 1.2 million.
This year, Russia, India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Romania are the top source markets; while in 2020, India led the way followed by Russia, Italy, the UK and Germany. Meanwhile, China, for years the Maldives’ biggest generating market, was in sixth place largely due to outbound travel restrictions.
Suresh Dissanayake, assistant vice president – sales & marketing, Heritance Aarah, Adaaran Resorts, said arrivals were steadily picking up and they expect a better season than in 2020. “We also hope to take part in some of the overseas exhibitions,” he added.
According to MMPRC’s fairs, roadshows and events calendar for 2021, the NTO will be participating in more than 40 events in the US, China, India, Russia, Italy, the Middle East, Spain, Poland, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, Malaysia, France, Australia, Japan and Brazil.
As of February 13, the Maldives recorded 17,716 Covid-19 cases and 58 related deaths. Unlike most countries, tourism is flourishing in the Maldives during the pandemic period as all the tourist resorts are situated on isolated islands distant from the capital city, Male – also an island – where most of the infections and deaths have occurred.
Travel Spark by TTG heads to Switzerland
A four-part video series that sheds light on Switzerland’s best leisure and business events offerings will debut on February 19, with a fresh episode out every Friday.
The Travel Spark with Switzerland series, hosted by TTG Asia Media group editor Karen Yue, will feature speakers from Switzerland Tourism, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau and Swiss Travel System, who will take the audience through the sought-after destination and inspire travel ideas for when travel is possible again.
The first episode, Travel Spark: Inspiring incentives in Switzerland, will be presented by Dominique Oi, MICE manager for Southeast Asia, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau. Oi will discuss how various sights, experiences and venues in the destination can elevate a corporate incentive programme.
Travel Spark: Weaving around Switzerland, to be released on February 26, will see Melanie Brunner, sales & marketing manager for Southeast Asia, Swiss Travel System, sharing tips on how to make Switzerland’s comprehensive public transport network work for leisure and corporate groups.
This will be followed by Travel Spark: One big Swiss playground on March 5. Presented by Oliver Guggisberg, project manager for South East Asia, Switzerland Tourism, the episode details various fun experiences that can be found across Switzerland.
The series concludes on March 12 with Travel Spark: A taste of true Switzerland, presented by Jennifer Chin, project manager, Leisure & MICE for Southeast Asia, Switzerland Tourism. Chin will discuss Switzerland’s rich history and the resulting opportunities for unique destination experiences.
The Travel Spark with Switzerland series is part of TTG Asia Media’s Travel Spark by TTG programme, which aims to spark off travel and events desire and ideas, and show how trade buyers and their customers can return to travel and events in this new era.
Marriott’s president and CEO Arne Sorenson passes on after battle with pancreatic cancer
Marriott International’s president and CEO, Arne M Sorenson, has passed away unexpectedly on February 15. He has been battling pancreatic cancer since he was diagnosed in May 2019.
Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname.
Recognised as a visionary leader, Sorenson put the company on a strong growth trajectory that included the US$13-billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure, Sorenson was tireless in driving the company’s progress, creating opportunities for associates, growth for owners and franchisees and results for the company’s shareholders.
Known for his leadership on difficult national and global issues, Sorenson steered Marriott to make significant progress on diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and human trafficking awareness.
“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” said J W Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the Board.
“Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth. But the roles he relished the most were as husband, father, brother and friend. On behalf of the Board and Marriott’s hundreds of thousands of associates around the world, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. We share your heartbreak, and we will miss Arne deeply.”
Indonesian hospitality veteran, Iwan Sitompul, has passed away on February 13 in Bali, after a long struggle with an illness. He was 69. As consultant and co-founder of IwanHerman Hotel Consult, Iwan has carved out a name for himself as a prominent hospitality marketer in the country.
A familiar face at major trade shows like ITB Berlin, WTM London and ASEAN Tourism Forum, Iwan has actively engaged with buyers while representing various brands including Plataran Hotels & Resorts, Heritage International Hotel Management and Cocotinos Hotel Sekotong Lombok.