PPHG evolves spa brand in response to science-backed wellness trends

June 26, 2025

The St Gregory brand of spa and lifestyle facilities, part of the Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG), is upgrading its infrastructure, curating new programmes and nutritional F&B menus, and building on its Traditional Chinese Medicine strengths to answer a vociferous call for holistic, science-backed treatments among local guests and travellers.

While programmes continue to abide by three core brand pillars – Oriental Therapies, Well-being of Mind and Body, and Innovation, offerings are further enhanced across four service pillars – Therapy, Fitness, Aesthetics, and Active Ageing.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s Wee Wei Ling says St Gregory is being reposition as a part of a larger wellness destination within each hotel

The most visible evolution of the St Gregory product is reflected in the rejuvenation of the wellness sanctuary at Parkroyal on Beach Road hotel in Singapore. The wellness sanctuary on level two comprises a spa, gym and pool, all of which have been given a new look and programming.

Wee Wei Ling, executive director of sustainability partnerships, lifestyle and asset at the Singapore-headquartered PPHG, established St Gregory in 1997 “as one of the city’s first bona fide spas”. The first branch was located at the Grand Plaza Parkroyal on Coleman Street, a property that is no longer with the company. A second branch followed soon after, located at Parkroyal on Beach Road.

“From the get-go, St Gregory offered therapies ranging from traditional Chinese tui na and Javanese massages to ayurvedic treatments and advanced techniques from both Europe and Asia. Our commitment has always been holistic healing, professionalism, and personalised care,” said Wee, adding that the brand continues to have its finger on the pulse of wellness motivations through the years.

In 2005, St Gregory “evolved beyond a traditional spa to become a holistic wellness destination, offering everything from aesthetic services to active ageing programmes”.

Today, there are 10 St Gregory outlets across Singapore, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

She told TTG Asia that St Gregory’s evolution is “part of PPHG’s global AEI strategy to revitalise, future-proof, and elevate guest experiences”, and the rejuvenation of St Gregory spa at Parkroyal on Beach Road is “just the beginning”.

The company is taking a strategic approach to reposition St Gregory as a part of a larger wellness destination within each hotel.

Wee sees value in being aligned with the wellness tourism movement. She said: “Wellness tourism is accelerating, driven by a generation of consumers who are more informed and proactive about their health. According to McKinsey’s Global Wellness Trend Report 2024, milennials and Gen Zs are outspending older demographics in areas like health supplements and skincare, with efficacy and scientific credibility ranked among the top 10 most important considerations.”

She also referenced studies that observed growing demand for products and services that support healthy aging and longevity. Citing the NielsenIQ’s Global State of Health & Wellness 2025 Report, Wee said 70 per cent of global consumers consider themselves proactive in managing their health and 55 per cent of consumers are willing to invest over US$100 a month in wellness-related products and services.

Moving St Gregory’s wellness promise with the times helps to boost PPHG properties’ ability to attract health-focused travellers.

“St Gregory is the wellness face of PPHG. Guests trust our hotels to deliver not only comfort and luxury, but also credibility and care in the services we offer. In today’s evolving wellness market, brands must go beyond product innovation, and deliver consistency, transparency and trust,” Wee stated, adding that hotel spas are “more than just amenities; they are wellness touchpoints that strengthen the identity and appeal of each hotel”.

Although not all of PPHG’s 50-plus properties around the world has a St Gregory spa, Wee said that when one does, especially in hotels where the company is both owner and operator, “we take a strategic, long-term view to ensure its success and alignment with the brand”.

She added: “A well-run spa is a symbol of a successful hotel operation. It must be commercially viable, but more than that, it should offer guests a sense of calm, care, and emotional connection. Many of our guests across the region are repeat visitors who seek out St Gregory as part of their travel routine.”

PAL to bring the Philippines’ first A350-1000 to Manila

By TTG Asia

June 26, 2025

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The first of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is now on the production line at the Airbus Toulouse facility in France. These aircraft are crucial to the Philippine flag carrier’s modernisation programme.

An additional eight A350-1000s are slated for production and eventual delivery to PAL from 2026 to 2028.

The first of nine A350-1000 aircraft on PAL’s order is being assembled at the Airbus Toulouse facility in France

PAL President Richard Nuttall said: “We’re set to take delivery of the plane in the fourth quarter of 2025. The fleet game-changer will significantly boost PAL’s passenger capacity and reinforce our commitment to delivering world-class service.”

The A350-1000s will facilitate PAL’s transpacific long-haul operations. Fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft is able to accomplish ultra-long-range connectivity with improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Each aircraft can accommodate 382 passengers in a three-class cabin configuration with distinct cabins allotted for Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class travellers.

PAL has 79 airplanes in service. In addition to the order of nine A350-1000s, PAL expects to receive 13 new A321neo regional jets starting in 2026.

Hong Kong Airlines passengers get easy access to Zurich travel insurance

By TTG Asia

June 26, 2025

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Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) and Hong Kong Airlines have introduced the Zurich HKA Travel Insurance Plan, which allows passengers to conveniently obtain travel protection at a discounted price when booking their flights.

Hong Kong Airlines passengers can purchase Zurich Insurance plans while booking their flight

The plan is available in three tiers: Protect Plan, Lite Plan, and Gofly Plan, each offering extensive travel protection including up to HK$750,000 (US$95,541.40) in medical expense coverage, up to HK$20,000 for trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and up to HK$10,000 for personal belongings protection.

Additionally, Fortune Wings Club members of Hong Kong Airlines can enjoy an exclusive additional HKD$100,000 in personal accident coverage.

Middle Eastern air hubs lose shine amid ongoing conflict in the region

By Karen Yue

June 26, 2025

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The Iran-Israel-US conflict, which started on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian soil, has disrupted air travel in the Middle East and forced airlines to reroute long-haul flights to safer airspaces.

Providing an overview of airlines’ reaction to the instability in the Middle East, Mayur Patel, head of Asia at OAG Aviation, said: “Major airlines including Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines have had to cancel or reroute flights. Singapore Airlines, for instance, suspended its flights to Dubai from June 22 following an internal security assessment, with the suspension remaining in effect at the time of writing (on June 25).”

He added that there has been “a significant drop in flights operating via key Middle Eastern air hubs, particularly Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Manama” since June 13.

“The temporary closure of airspace over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and briefly across parts of the Gulf led to widespread flight cancellations, diversions, and delays. For instance, Hamad International Airport in Doha saw over 250 cancellations and more than 200 delays on June 24 alone.”

This has resulted in preferred air corridors and air hubs shifting to other regions. Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia air corridors are favoured while European hubs such as Frankfurt, Istanbul, and Amsterdam, as well as Asian major gateways are processing higher transit traffic.

Patel also told TTG Asia that overall flight bookings to the Middle East have likely declined since June 13, driven by widespread cancellations and rerouting in response to the Israel–Iran conflict.

“Evolving airspace restrictions and heightened security advisories have led both businesses and leisure travellers to scale back their travel plans, even though precise booking data is not yet available,” he stated.

Ongoing conflicts in both the Middle East and Russia, along with a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, have deeper operational impact on airlines, beyond an upset flight schedule and inconvenienced travellers.

Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, told TTG Asia: “The frequent closures and diversions as well as cancellations in some cases cause costs to go up and affect schedule reliability, not to mention the reaccommodation costs and cost to crew scheduling. Additionally, capacity which is already constrained will be further affected while demand remains resilient.”

Similarly, Patel also warned of a cost impact – carriers forced to adopt longer flight paths to avoid restricted zones will incur higher fuel consumption, extended crew duty hours, and increased operating costs. These burdens come on top of complicated crew scheduling and stretched operational resilience.

“These adjustments have triggered widespread delays, particularly on long-haul routes connecting Europe, Asia, and Australasia,” he noted.

Patel said: “Managing these changes amid evolving NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) advisories and congested air traffic control has further strained airlines – especially those operating hub-and-spoke models that depend on tight schedules and quick turnarounds.”

With the US now drawn into the Israel-Iran conflict amid its abrasive stance on global trade, Subhas said travel to the US “has definitely seen a downturn” while “traffic and trade flows on other routes are holding firm”.

He expects June’s air traffic report to show some short term effects due to the frequent disruptions to capacity.

As of this morning, several Persian Gulf states, including Qatar and the UAE, have reopened their airspace and resumed flights. Further, Flightradar24’s update on X stated that Iran has partially reopened its airspace to permitted international flights to and from Tehran.

A spokesperson from Royal Jordanian Airline told TTG Asia that operations had resumed after the second day of the conflict, and that the airline is among the few that continue to operate flights to the Levant region and Jordan. The airline launched its first non-stop service between Mumbai and Amman on June 19.

Chinese travellers turn to new interests in Japan

By Kathryn Wortley

June 25, 2025

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Chinese travellers to Japan are on the rise and a growing proportion are repeat visitors choosing culture- and nature-focused experiences rather than shopping, which was once the preferred activity of the market.

China overtook South Korea as the largest feeder market for Japan’s inbound tourism in April, with 765,100 arrivals compared to South Korea (721,600) and the next largest market, Taiwan (537,600), according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

Culture- and nature-focused experiences in Japan are winning over Chinese travellers; geothermal draws in Beppu, Kyushu pictured

The development follows the rapid post-pandemic rebound of Chinese visitors to Japan, which began in 2024 after a slow start. In the first four months of 2025, Japan welcomed 3.1 million tourists from China, up from the 2.9 million recorded during the same period in 2019.

Families comprising at least one member who has visited Japan before make up a significant proportion of these visitors, resulting in growing demand for more immersive and authentic travel.

“Chinese tourists are no longer interested in the shopping spree of the past, but in enjoying Japanese culture and nature, such as hot springs, tea ceremonies, strolling around in kimonos, and winter sports where they can enjoy powder snow,” a JNTO spokesperson told TTG Asia.

“The purpose of these trips is to experience a variety of unique Japanese scenery including everyday scenes such as shopping streets, shrines and temples, delicious food such as seafood and kaiseki cuisine, settings from movies and manga, and places that look great on social media.”

In addition to the Golden Route – typically connecting Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka, an increasing number of Chinese tourists are visiting Hokkaido and hot spring resorts in Kyushu, Chugoku and Tohoku, added the spokesperson.

Taiwan Tourism Information Center opens in Seattle

By TTG Asia

June 25, 2025

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Taiwan’s Tourism Administration has established its first Taiwan Tourism Information Center in heart of downtown Seattle at Two Union Square. The facility will boost travel ties, cultural exchange, and visitor engagement between Taiwan and the Pacific Northwest.

With nearly 190 weekly direct flights between Taiwan and major North American cities, Taiwan’s connectivity to the US continues to grow. Among these, Seattle has become a key aviation hub, with notable route expansion from EVA Air, China Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, significantly improving access for American travellers.

Taiwan deepens engagement with the US market with the opening of a tourism information centre in Seattle

Director general Daniel K C Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, said the Taiwan Tourism Information Center “marks a new chapter in our bilateral engagement”.

“It’s more than a physical office – it’s a symbolic gateway that invites the Pacific Northwest to discover the wonders of Taiwan,” he added.

Following the facility’s opening on June 13, a Taiwan Tourism Promotion Forum was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, convening local travel professionals, media, and influencers for networking, destination education, and partnership building.

The Taiwan Tourism Information Center in Seattle will roll out a series of high-impact campaigns over the year to further engage with US consumers. The activations include the Two Days Taiwan Immersive Festival in August, which will bring a vibrant night market experience to the heart of Seattle; Hey Hey Taipei airport installation in September; and a nationwide digital campaign with special travel deals, conducted in partnership with Expedia, in October.

Frequent volcanic activities fluster tourism operators in East Nusa Tenggara

By Dhini Oktavianti

June 25, 2025

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Intermittent eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) over the past two years have significantly disrupted travel to the surrounding region, even though the volcano is not located close to popular tourist locations like Bali and Lombok.

Wind-blown ash commonly leads to cancellation of flights bound for and leaving surrounding airports. During the most recent major eruption on June 17, several airports on Flores Island were shut. Although Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport remained open, 32 domestic and international flights to and from Bali were cancelled, highlighting the volcano’s widespread impact.

Airports on Flores Island were shut when Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on June 17

Tour operators are frustrated with the unpredictable nature of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki and the resulting business disruption.

Awan Aswinabawa, chairman of A&T Holidays, Lombok, told TTG Asia that he is still selling tours to NTT, but remains cautious of disruptions.

Oyan Kristian, CEO of NTT DMC, recalled the immediate drop in bookings for the region following Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki’s eruption in late-2024. While bookings for 2025 summer has picked up, he is worried about cancellations over the coming high season; there are travellers who had booked long in advance for destinations like Labuan Bajo

“We are afraid that our guests would not be able to fly in (if Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts again),” he said.

Paul Talo, managing director of Floressa Bali Tours, said the frequent eruptions necessitated evacuations of tourists. He recalled having to take three tour groups out of Flores hastily by boat due to an eruption. His consolation is that tourists would choose to return to Flores when it is safe.

Industry players say there is a need for better preparedness to cope with the active Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki.

A&T Holidays, Lombok shares frequently updated information and recommends all customers to purchase travel insurance.

Floressa Bali Tours have alternative routes on stand-by, such as sea travel from Labuan Bajo to Bali, or ferry and land connections to Bima or Lombok.

“Rebooking after a cancelled flight is often difficult due to limited seat availability, making alternative modes of transport essential,” Paul said.

Industry players also urged improved support from airline and hotel partners.

According to Awan, flexibility is lacking in airlines when it comes to itinerary changes, especially when disruptions arise during peak season. He hopes that the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism could encourage airlines to be more adaptive to force majeure events.

Oyan also urged clearer policies on hotel refunds during natural disruptions. He recalled an experience with a hotel that refused a full refund for a cancelled group. The hotel partner reasoned that the airport was not officially closed, even though conditions were unsafe to fly and the group could not get to the destination.

Tourism development breathes new life into Cambodian fishing village

By Marissa Carruthers

June 25, 2025

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20250521_090115_640 — Trapeang Sangke Community-based Tourism turns local lives around

Only a few years ago, the Cambodian fishing community of Trapeang Sangke had hit rock bottom. Illegal fishing and overfishing, combined with development in the area that razed swathes of mangroves, led to rapidly depleting fish stocks that villagers have relied on for generations for their livelihoods.

The results were disastrous. Many residents in the area in Kampot, close to the Cambodian coast, were forced to illegally migrate to Thailand and Malaysia to work in often dire conditions. Children dropped out of school early to help their parents earn money, and the future looked bleak.

Trapeang Sangke Community-based Tourism

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In 2019, community chief Him Sim decided to take action and tap into alternative sources of income for the 914-strong community. With the help of various organisations, including Asian Development Bank, they formed an ecotourism venture in the form of Trapeang Sangke Community-based Tourism.

Initially, the project ran as a small operation involving a handful of basic wooden huts perched over the river, and the chance to accompany fishermen, plant mangroves and learn more about the ethnic Cham people’s way of life.

“Before, many families didn’t have time or money to take their kids to school due to the hard livelihoods of fishing. They would bring their kids with them when they went fishing or to find any kind of income,” Sim said.

“Now, they only need one person for labour, not the whole family. Even though they haven’t become rich, they can now make enough money to support their family and send their kids to school, and they have enough food.”

While Covid-19 saw visitors drastically dwindle, the eco-tourism project is ramping up efforts to lure more visitors and has recently upscaled operations.

Today, more than 20 quaint, brightly-painted huts offer rustic overnight stays, and more fishing boats capable of transporting up to 16 people have been added to the fleet, with additional members of the community trained to professionally welcome visitors.

Fishermen now double up as boat drivers, guiding river cruises and accompanying guests who want to plant mangroves. In addition, women in the community have launched women-led cook groups to cater adequately to guests, while others are employed as cleaners and guides.

This also enables members to increase their earnings, with 20 per cent of the profits from all of the income earned through the ecotourism project being pumped back into a community fund to support the vulnerable.

For example, the community pot of cash is distributed to elderly members living in underprivileged households, struggling widows and students who drop out of school due to lack of funds.

Committee member Him Ny said that currently, the majority of visitors are domestic day trippers, visiting to cruise the river, plant mangroves and snap selfies at the many Instagrammable spots. However, the community is hoping to tap into the international crowd.

“The eco-tourism project helps us to protect our traditional jobs as fishermen, as well as protect the mangroves and the ecosystem, and tourists can help play a part,” he added.

Cebu Pacific sees strong growth in Hong Kong services

By Prudence Lui

June 25, 2025

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Cebu Pacific’s services to Hong Kong from Philippine airports in Manila, Clark, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo are now the airline’s second largest international operation. In 1Q2025, the airline carried over 312,000 passengers between the Philippines and Hong Kong, a nine per cent increase from the same period last year. Much of this growth came from routes outside Metro Manila, signifying rising demand for regional connectivity.

Spurred by strong demand, Cebu Pacific is scaling up frequencies on its Hong Kong-Philippines routes: Manila flight will go up to 28 times per week; Clark 14 times per week; Cebu 10 times per week; Davao four times per week; and Iloilo four times per week.

Cebu Pacific’s Xander Lao says the airline is studying options for new services to Hong Kong

President and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said Cebu Pacific’s Hong Kong operations are driven by outbound Filipino traffic. In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed record-high arrivals from the Philippines, in excess of one million visitors.

Lao said travel from the Philippines to Hong Kong is back to pre-pandemic levels.

He added that Cebu Pacific’s schedule to Hong Kong is attractive, as it offers “first flight” in and “last flight” out, allowing travellers a full day in Hong Kong. Such a schedule is especially useful for business travellers, allowing the airline to court value-conscious SMEs.

He also attributed the positive business performance to Cebu Pacific’s numerous secondary hubs across the Philippines, an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands.

Lao is optimistic about business for the rest of 2025, stating an expected growth of 15 to 20 per cent year-on-year. He also shared intentions to add on more connections to Hong Kong.

“We will continue to study (our options); perhaps a Puerto Princesa-Hong Kong service, which we had before the pandemic,” he said.

Cebu Pacific will work with Philippine government agencies and tourism board on destination marketing and to fend off competition from “traditional tourism powers in South-east Asia” and encourage Hong Kong visitation to the Philippines.

Go on an art trail with The Hari Hong Kong

By TTG Asia

June 25, 2025

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Five-star hotel, The Hari Hong Kong, has launched a cultural immersion experience that guides guests through a remarkable variety of art presented across the hotel as well as the surrounding Wan Chai neighbourhood.

The Monumental Melt by Rado Kirov is made with mirrored stainless steel

The Hari Art Trail is underpinned by a personalised art tour with the hotel’s in-house art ambassador, practicing artist Bibek Rai, who shares anecdotes behind the hotel’s eclectic art collection and contemporary design.

Spanning a variety of mediums including installations, mixed media, surreal photographs, graphic paintings, three-dimensional images and digital film pieces, the art is curated by London-based art advisory A Space For Art, which also selects works for sister hotel The Hari London.

Some outstanding permanent artworks within the hotel include The Monumental Melt by Rado Kirov, which is made with mirrored stainless steel, Tseng Kwong Chi’s iconic black and white self-portrait series, and Lee Leenam’s digital reinterpretation of the New Kiss. Meanwhile, the hotel’s rotating display includes works from The Hari Art Prize Hong Kong Edition, which supports talented emerging artists.

This exclusive art tour with Bibek Rai is available by appointment only and subject to availability; it is not limited to guests in residence.

Following The Hari Art Trail, guests are encouraged to continue the art trail by visiting two of Wan Chai’s hidden gems: 1960s tenement block-turned-creative hub Foo Tak Building and appointment-only gallery PHD Group.

For more information, email askme@thehari.com.

PPHG evolves spa brand in response to science-backed wellness trends

PAL to bring the Philippines’ first A350-1000 to Manila

Hong Kong Airlines passengers get easy access to Zurich travel insurance

Middle Eastern air hubs lose shine amid ongoing conflict in the region

Chinese travellers turn to new interests in Japan

Taiwan Tourism Information Center opens in Seattle

Frequent volcanic activities fluster tourism operators in East Nusa Tenggara

Tourism development breathes new life into Cambodian fishing village

Cebu Pacific sees strong growth in Hong Kong services

Go on an art trail with The Hari Hong Kong

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