Batad, northern Luzon, is home to some of the country's best preserved rice terraces
A plethora of hotels and resorts, tour specialists and destination marketers and NTOs is lined up to present the best of South-east Asia’s tourism offerings at The Great ASEAN Travel Fest, taking place next week.
They include Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road; Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia; Hemisphere Corporation, Malaysia; Hilton Bali Resort, Indonesia; Panorama Destination; and Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts.
Luzon is among the many destinations to be presented at The Great ASEAN Travel Fest; Batad, in Northern Luzon, the Philippines, pictured
According to organisers of the inaugural online event, TTG Asia Media, 33 virtual booths are confirmed to support pre-arranged buyer-seller meetings. Each buyer is entitled to up to 24 scheduled appointments as well as unlimited walk-in meetings.
Besides business meetings, The Great ASEAN Travel Fest presents a range of Mini Themed Roadshows that bring buyers deeper into a unique aspect of a destination as well as Hosted Sessions by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia.
Buyers are encouraged to participate in various elements of the event through rewards, such as hotel stays across various South-east Asian cities.
Cheryl Tan, head of TTG Events, said: “Travel interest in South-east Asia continues to hold strong, and trade buyers from the region and beyond are already starting to build itineraries for tours that will take place as soon as border restrictions are eased. The Great ASEAN Travel Fest will provide an informative platform for programme research as well as valuable opportunities for contracting.”
Festivals, performances and concerts are returning with a vengeance as Singapore relaxes public event restrictions, poising the country as a high-potential destination for entertainment-driven, post-Covid travel.
This follows the successful month-long pilot in September last year, which saw the return of live performances at selected venues for a maximum of 50 spectators. As of April 24, 2021, this number has increased to 750 with pre-event testing and 250 without pre-event testing, and zoning will no longer be required as long as safe management measures are in place.
Singapore will host two arts and culture festivals in May, as allowed capacity for festivals, performances and concerts are expanded; Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay pictured
The country is now ushering in the beginnings of an entertainment renaissance. In May 2021 alone, local residents will be able to participate in two arts and culture festivals. The Singapore HeritageFest 2021, running from May 3 to 30, will explore the nation’s food heritage and healthcare history through more than 100 on-site and online programmes, including virtual and physical tours, talks, documentaries and workshops.
Running concurrently from May 14 to 30 is the Singapore International Festival of Arts, which returns with more than 60 shows by local and international artists. Festival organiser Arts House Limited stated that several shows were sold out immediately, and it is exploring ways to open up more seats in light of the expanded capacity limit, reported The Straits Times.
The rising presence of ticketed public shows has also benefited organisers such as LAMC Productions, which specialised in international concerts in the pre-Covid era. The company now leans on top-billing local shows and celebrity-helmed private events, shared its founder, Lauretta Alabons.
It launched a headline show for local comedian Kumar in March, selling out three shows of 250 pax each, and recently brought on Maye Musk – the mother of Elon Musk – for a private virtual event. LAMC Productions has also opened The Flying V, a metal bar where patrons can enjoy metal and rock music with a selection of beers.
LAMC Productions has moved from international concerts to top-billing local shows and celebrity-helmed private events during the travel freeze
Alabons said: “This is our first time experiencing a long pause in our business on a global scale. We experienced SARS in 2003, but Covid-19 is another animal. We (are doing) what we can to help ensure a more impactful return of the entertainment scene.”
She expressed confidence that while the timeline for international acts to return may be uncertain, Singapore has a strong head-start in leading the region’s entertainment revival.
“We look forward to getting the live shows back on track in 2022. Ideally, the government increases the capacity for live shows to 1,000. The safety measures are great, although we are not able to cover costs with 250-capacity events at the present.
“In 2020, we started a video podcast called ‘Words & Music’ to connect artists to their fans during the Covid-19 downtime. Through its episodes, Singapore has always been mentioned as a destination the artists loved and would love to come back and perform at, which gives the audience more awareness and knowledge about Singapore as a vibrant entertainment hub to visit and explore.”
Bangkok-based See You Again Co travel company has created a vaccine tour package to take private groups and individual travellers to Serbia for a jab against Covid-19, in response to eager expressions of interest from its regular customers.
With rates starting from 100,000 baht (US$3,203) per traveller, the two-week package includes airfare, accommodations, meals and visits to attractions.
Special tours to Serbia will give Thai residents quicker access to Covid-19 vaccines
Executive director Netnapa Kaewsangtham, who built the company as a specialist in European trips over the last 12 years, told TTG Asia: “(New and regular clients) have been asking us to arrange such a trip because the travel conditions from Thailand to Serbia are not as restricted compared to other (countries).”
Serbia is welcoming foreigners keen to access Covid-19 vaccines as part of her tourism business stimulation. Travellers with visas approved in the US and the UK, toting Schengen visa, or exhibiting no Covid-19 symptoms within 72 hours of travel may enter Serbia without having to perform mandatory quarantine, said Netnapa.
Vaccine tourists may pre-register and select their desired brand of vaccine. Without pre-booking, travellers can obtain their vaccine from public hospitals but will not be given the freedom of choice.
According to Netnapa, more than 5,000 people have expressed interest in the tour at press time.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the vaccine tour does not pose any conflict with Thailand’s Tourism Business Act.
Thai residents who go on the tour will need to fulfil a mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days, according to the Department of Disease Control.
While See You Again Co is seeking subsidy for hospitalisation and quarantine expenses from the Thai government, Netnapa believes that most customers who sign up for the vaccine tour will be able to afford these fees.
Maldives tightens coronavirus preventive measures by banning all tourists
Visit Maldives and the Ministry of Tourism have launched the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign to highlight the destination’s progress in inoculating tourism workers against Covid-19 as well as intentions to achieve the same for the rest of the resident population in the upcoming months.
The campaign will include social media activities and a supporting microsite that details the number of vaccinated tourism staff and information regarding registration for vaccination of employees and the latest health and safety guidelines.
Maldives tourism leaders expect a fully vaccinated tourism sector to reassure travellers
Tourism leaders in the destination believe that a fully vaccinated tourism sector is instrumental in attracting tourists, alongside stringent health and safety measures and the Maldives’ unique geographical formation of the islands which offer natural physical distancing.
During the campaign launch on April 28, minister of state of the Ministry of Health, Shah Abdulla Mahir, stated that over 65 per cent of the eligible Maldivian population have received the vaccine and over 90 per cent of the eligible tourism industry is vaccinated.
He emphasised the importance of practicing health and safety measures regardless of the vaccination progress, and underlined the importance of achieving herd immunity.
The ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign will also seek to motivate facilities in the tourism industry to vaccinate their staff.
Maldives initiated the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine on February 1, and the government aims to provide free vaccination to all citizens and residents in the upcoming months.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has confirmed a second Kimpton hotel in Thailand, with the new property set to rise in Koh Samui later this year.
The 138-key Kimpton Koh Samui on Choengmon Beach will feature the brand’s signature playfulness, immersive guest experiences and innovative approach to restaurants and bars. Accommodation options materialise in the form of suites and villas, with pool villas granting unique direct access to the beach.
Kimpton Koh Samui will be the second property under the Kimpton banner to open in Thailand
Four distinctive restaurants and bars as well as a pool, spa, fitness centre, Kids Club and a 124m2 multi-purpose meetings and events space are in the plan.
Serena Lim, vice president, development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG, said: “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with NYE Estate whom we share a common vision of elevating and growing the hospitality sector in Thailand, as well as new partners Multiply Partners and Capstone Asset to bring Kimpton’s heartfelt approach to hospitality to Koh Samui as we continue to expand the brand across the region as well as globally.
“The strength of IHG’s brand portfolio has led to some exciting growth opportunities here in Thailand and this signing is a great example of that. There’s an appetite from owners to join the IHG family of brands and benefit from the power of our enterprise, as the strength and resilience of our brands come to the fore in the current environment.”
The latest signing reflects IHG’s continued expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Asia since its debut in October 2020. There are now Kimpton hotels in Taipei, Bangkok and Tokyo, and more properties are lined up for Bali, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nanjing, Sanya and Kuala Lumpur.
JR Kyushu Jet Ferry has launched local sightseeing cruises on its Queen Beetle Hydrofoil in Fukuoka Prefecture in response to the suspension of international travel due to Covid-19.
The 502-seat vessel departs from Hakata Port on three routes – Fukuoka Bay, Itoshima Coast and Okinoshima – before returning to Hakata Port. Each cruise takes about two hours.
Three scenic routes are offered on the Queen Beetle
Created by the award-winning designer behind JT Kyushu’s Seven Stars deluxe sleeping train, Eiji Mitooka, the Queen Beetle is designed as a luxurious space. Passengers can enjoy spacious seats, exceptional seascape views from the onboard dedicated observatory, shopping and multiple F&B options.
Once operating between Fukuoka and Busan in South Korea, the cruise line secured special permission from Japan’s transport ministry to run domestic cruises after its operations had been suspended for a year.
To maintain the link with South Korea, Tokyo-based travel agency H.I.S. is selling cruise packages that include a shopping trip to a Korean supermarket at Hakata Station and a boxed lunch featuring Korean-style chicken or bibimbap rice dish.
Most customers are from Fukuoka but JR Kyushu Jet Ferry hopes to attract residents in the Kanto and Kansai regions once domestic travel resumes after the end of Japan’s state of emergency on May 11.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Japan on Mikayo Island in the Okinawan archipelago come 2024.
The 55-villa, ultra-luxury resort Rosewood Miyakojima will occupy a secluded peninsula surrounded by white sand beaches, rock formations and ocean vistas. Each of the resort’s villas will feature private pools, landscaped gardens and unobstructed sea views.
First Rosewood property in Japan will open as an intimate, all-villa Okinawan retreat
Four restaurants and bars will showcase fresh seafood, island-raised beef, locally distilled spirits and craft beer. With a stunning seascape as a backdrop, the resort’s indoor and outdoor event venues will play host to destination weddings and private celebrations.
On-site recreation will include a standalone Rosewood Explorer’s Club, Rosewood’s programme for younger guests designed to inspire creativity and imagination, as well as encourage adventure, discovery and social responsibility through unique experiences attuned to the destination. Asaya, Rosewood’s integrated wellness concept, will offer treatment rooms set amid private gardens, indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy facilities and a menu of programmes and services influenced by local healing traditions.
The property will be situated within a 20-minute drive from Miyako Airport and 30-minute drive from Shimojishima Airport which receives direct flights from Hong Kong and major cities in Japan.
Royal Caribbean’s new and fifth Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, is set to make its debut in March 2022, sailing from Shanghai and Hong Kong on four- to nine-day voyages through the Far East to Japan.
Currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder will be the world’s largest cruise ship and the first-of-its-kind to call China home when it arrives in March 2022.
Wonder of the Seas to set sail on cruises to Japan, Vietnam, South Korea from March 2022 through January 2023
The ship’s inaugural season cruises are now open for bookings. From March through November, guests can sail roundtrip from Shanghai to Japan. The combination of ports of call to choose from include Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Ishigaki and Miyazaki.
Wonder will homeport in Hong Kong, from November 2022 through January 2023, to offer Christmas and New Year’s holiday sailings to several ports of call. Part of the destination line-up are Chan May, Vietnam; Busan and Jeju, South Korea; Kochi and Okinawa, Japan; and Taipei, China.
With a gross tonnage of 236,857, Wonder is 362m long and 64m wide, and it features a total of 18 decks and 2,867 staterooms to accommodate up to 6,988 guests.
Wonder will feature the first living park at sea, home to more than 20,000 plants; specialty restaurants; high-end boutiques; twin rock-climbing walls; a classic carousel and deck-defying AquaTheater shows. There will also be a pool and sports zone which will include the tallest slide at sea, a 25m zip line, basketball and volleyball courts, a miniature golf course; as well as a youth zone which will include a nursery for infants and toddlers.
The spa and fitness centre will offer a lineup of exercise classes within the gym and indulgent spa treatments. It will also be home to a café, which will serve up a menu of light and tasty fare like smoothies and sandwiches.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Liz Ortiguera as its next CEO, effective May 17, 2021.
She succeeds Mario Hardy who will finish his term at the end of May.
Liz Ortiguera is a senior executive with over 25 years of global experience and expertise in general management, marketing, business development, and partner network management.
Her career spans several industries – travel/lifestyle, technology, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. She has also cut her teeth at both multinational corporations including American Express and Merck, and start-up environments in software as a service (SaaS), e-commerce, and ed-tech.
For 10 years, she was the general manager for Amex’s Travel Partner Network in Asia-Pacific, managing partnerships with top travel management companies, MICE-related organisations, and leisure agencies in the region.
Bangkok-based See You Again Co travel company has created a vaccine tour package to take private groups and individual travellers to Serbia for a jab against Covid-19, in response to eager expressions of interest from its regular customers.
With rates starting from 100,000 baht (US$3,203) per traveller, the two-week package includes airfare, accommodations, meals and visits to attractions.
Executive director Netnapa Kaewsangtham, who built the company as a specialist in European trips over the last 12 years, told TTG Asia: “(New and regular clients) have been asking us to arrange such a trip because the travel conditions from Thailand to Serbia are not as restricted compared to other (countries).”
Serbia is welcoming foreigners keen to access Covid-19 vaccines as part of her tourism business stimulation. Travellers with visas approved in the US and the UK, toting Schengen visa, or exhibiting no Covid-19 symptoms within 72 hours of travel may enter Serbia without having to perform mandatory quarantine, said Netnapa.
Vaccine tourists may pre-register and select their desired brand of vaccine. Without pre-booking, travellers can obtain their vaccine from public hospitals but will not be given the freedom of choice.
According to Netnapa, more than 5,000 people have expressed interest in the tour at press time.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the vaccine tour does not pose any conflict with Thailand’s Tourism Business Act.
Thai residents who go on the tour will need to fulfil a mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days, according to the Department of Disease Control.
While See You Again Co is seeking subsidy for hospitalisation and quarantine expenses from the Thai government, Netnapa believes that most customers who sign up for the vaccine tour will be able to afford these fees.