Qantas launches mystery flights to uplift domestic tourism
Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore
Location
Overlooking the sprawling grounds of the Laguna National Golf & Country Club is Dusit Thani’s latest gem, offering a retreat from the busy city centre and neighbourhoods of Singapore. Here, life slows to a calm ebb, where the breeze flows unobstructed and the eastern waters lap against the coast in the distance.
As an urban resort in a secluded part of town, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore provides a fuss-free coach service to and from the nearest mall, Changi City Point, as well as train station, Expo. Visitors coming in from Changi Airport will find it just ten minutes away by car.
Rooms
Of 198 rooms in total, the hotel currently has 77 – occupying two levels – available for booking. I stayed in the Deluxe Laguna Pool View, which peered out over the calming pool and private pavilions, backed by the sprawl of the golf course. It afforded the standard comfort and sleek design familiar to high-end hotels, with split shower and washroom.
A more notable talking point would be the Prestige Verandah Suite, a 115m2 treat perfect for couples and families, as they come with an adjoining option. Here, guests can enjoy a relaxing outdoor bath or an indoor rain shower, and unwind on the private patio over champagne. One can envision an even more elevated experience in this space, such as a private chef’s table or wine-and-cheese pairing session.
Another room with potential for a fun stay is the Deluxe Laguna Patio Pool View, with sliding doors that open to a private patio with direct access to the pool. While this direct access has been temporarily closed due to current crowd management measures, this room type will likely be more attractive when restrictions ease.
For guests with accessibility needs, the hotel also offers select rooms fitted with smart conveniences, such as sensors for automatic room doors.
F&B
The culinary centrepiece of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore is the charming, forest-themed Greenhouse, an all-day dining, multi-ethnic restaurant that feels as lush and cosy as it sounds. Our lunch here ran the gamut of familiar and well-loved flavours, including Hamachi sushi, stir-fried beef and mango with sticky glutinous rice.
Breakfast, served in a la carte-buffet style, was similarly abundant, allowing us to enjoy a range of classics, from Thai omelette to dim sum and even matcha pancakes. Greenhouse also whips up Punjabi Tandoor and Mediterranean cuisine. Ultimately, the clean, balanced meals were a stark showcase of Dusit Thani’s commitment to wellness.
Scattered around the property are four other F&B outlets. For guests looking to relax with a tipple by the pool or a healthy bowl of greens, Tee Deck is a fine option that offers a beautiful experience, especially at dusk. For members of Laguna National, The Nest is now an exclusive hang-out with panoramic views of the Masters Course, though it is also available for evening events and private functions.
The hotel will welcome its last two dining options in March 2021: Legends Bar & Lounge and Dusit Gourmet.
Facilities
With direct access to a pair of 18-hole championship golf courses, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore’s biggest sell are its luxurious golfing facilities. Members check in at a dedicated lobby, which leads to a clubhouse and expansive VIP locker and changing rooms. It also runs the Leadbetter Golf Academy, and will this year open Laguna Putting powered by Nicklaus Design.
Guests can also work up a sweat at the sprawling 369m2 fitness centre, go for a refreshing dip in one of the three swimming pools – including a lap pool and a wading pool – or get their game on in one of the three outdoor tennis courts due to launch this year.
The Devarana Wellness team also offers sports and wellness activities, including yoga, breathwork exercises, active stretching and personal training.
Still, nothing completes an urban resort like a pampering spa, and the Devarana Spa is a welcome oasis within an oasis. With seven treatment rooms, each fitted with an en suite bathroom, this customisable experience was the cherry on top of a soothing stay.
Service
Dusit Thani’s signature Thai hospitality shone through its staff, who warmly greeted us the moment we set foot into the lobby, and continued showering us with unwavering attention and care throughout our stay.
Verdict
Whether you’re in search of a sporting retreat or just a quiet stay, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore is a rare find that will transport you into the heart of a Thai oasis.
Number of rooms 198
Rate From S$266 (US$199)
Contact details
Tel: +65 6841 8888
Email: dtls@dusit.com
Website: www.dusit.com/dusitthani-laguna-singapore
Radisson plans to open 30 hotels across EMEA in 2021
Radisson Hotel Group has lined up 30 hotel openings, with more than 5,000 rooms, across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) this year.
Building on its 2020 growth momentum, 2021 expected openings include seven new properties under the group’s premium lifestyle Radisson Collection brand in France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Elie Younes, executive vice president and chief development officer EMEA, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “2021 will likely be a transition year with a challenging first half and an expected recovery thereafter, and I see it as a year of further opportunities for a better future.”
New hotels: Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, and more
Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, South Korea
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has opened the brand’s first hotel in South Korea. Nestled in the Parc. 1 Complex, a new landmark in the city’s Yeouido district, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul features 326 guestrooms and suites. Four dining venues are on offer, including Spectrum focusing on South-east Asian and Western cuisine; and Mariposa featuring a modern European fare of tasting courses, and gourmet creations. M29, the hotel’s signature rooftop bar, serves up bespoke cocktails and panoramic vistas of the Han River and Seoul skyline. Meanwhile, the Atrium Lounge offers artisanal coffees, curated teas and champagnes.
The hotel boasts one Grand Ballroom and ten meeting rooms, comprising a total of 1,995m2 of event space. Gallery 7 spans an entire hotel floor that offers a selection of spaces for functions, ranging from family celebrations to upscale business meetings. Wellness facilities comprise an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and a spa – all complemented by a range of personalised training programmes by dedicated fitness professionals.
Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, Australia
IHG Hotels & Resorts’ boutique lifestyle brand, Hotel Indigo, has debuted in Australia with the opening of Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets. Located next to the Adelaide Central Market, the 145-room hotel will champion local producers in its two restaurants – all-day dining venue Market & Meander Eatery and Bar, as well as rooftop raw food bar, Merrymaker. In addition to a 24/7 fitness centre, the property will have a 13m outdoor infinity pool, two boardroom-style meeting rooms and the option to hold events on the mezzanine level and rooftop.
Holiday Inn Chandigarh Zirakpur, India
IHG Hotels & Resorts marks its first opening of 2021 in India with Holiday Inn Chandigarh Zirakpur, in association with ABC Sites. Featuring 131 keys with scenic city views, the hotel is located on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway connecting the city of Chandigarh to all famous landmarks and attractions in the Northern belt. The property boasts a gym, an all-day dining restaurant Viva and the Lounge Bar, overlooking the city. For corporate and social gatherings, there is a 774m2 poolside terrace and 2,415m2 of banqueting space – the latter comprising of 668m2 of pillarless grand ballroom, 412m2 of pre-function area, and rooftop pool terrace on the 14th floor that gives a 360-degree view of the city.
La Quinta by Wyndham Bur Dubai, UAE
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has debuted its La Quinta by Wyndham brand in the Middle East with a new 100-room property in Dubai. Expected to open this month, La Quinta by Wyndham Bur Dubai will be centrally located in the historic Bur Dubai district. The newly refurbished hotel will offer a 100m2 event and meeting space, an outdoor pool with pool deck, a spa with sauna and steam room, and a fitness centre. Other features will include all-day dining, a lounge, coffee shop, 24/7 room service, and speciality restaurants serving Indian delicacies and international menus. A 24-hour business centre, children’s play area and pool, dedicated retail space, ample parking, and a local shuttle add to the hotel’s positioning as ideal for business or leisure.
Thailand’s tourism sector seeks July 1 reopening
Several international tourism companies in Thailand have launched a campaign aimed at getting the government to reopen the country’s borders from July 1.
Launched on Tuesday, the #OpenThailandSafely campaign is led by Bangkok-based travel companies YAANA Ventures, Minor Group and Asian Trails; with the support of major companies like Capella Hotels and Resorts, and EXO.
The Open Thailand Safely campaign has laid out its arguments in a petition which will underpin a formal request to the Thai government to respond favourably to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination programmes underway in Europe, the US, and other Thailand tourism source markets.
The petition is open to anyone in Thailand or around the world who would like to see the country reopen on July 1.
The campaign lists five reasons for proposing July 1 as the reopening date, including that the majority of citizens in many source markets will have been vaccinated by then, and gives time for Thai medical authorities to vaccinate both frontline staff in hospitality settings in Thailand and/or vulnerable citizens around the country.
The date will also give international travellers time to make travel plans and bookings; while allowing airlines, hotels, tour operators and others to start marketing and sales and get ready for tourism operations to commence. Lastly, it is expected that it will take Thailand at least a year, and maybe longer, to return to the large numbers of international visitors that it had before the Covid-19 crisis.
To ensure the safe reopening of Thailand, the petition argues that “international tourists can be asked to satisfy any safeguards the Thai government may require”. Examples cited include showing officially recognised proof of a Covid-19 vaccination from their home country, purchasing health insurance, and showing proof of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure.
YAANA Ventures CEO, Willem Niemeijer, said: “The 1 July reopening would be a strategic opportunity for Thailand to show a leadership role among Asian countries and prepare the way for a solid recovery of the Thai economy in 2022.”
In the coming days, the Open Thailand Safely campaign will also send the July 1 reopening request to Thailand’s prime minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha; the minister of tourism and sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn; and the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn.
According to the Bank of Thailand and official sources in Thailand, tourism, pre-Covid, was worth about 2.9 trillion baht (US$96.5 billion). Some 39.7 million international visitors in 2019 helped sustain up to 8.3 million jobs. However, arrivals fell to 6.7 million in 2020, making between two and four million people unemployed.
Vaccination for Bali tourism workers gets underway
Indonesia has started its Covid-19 vaccine rollout for tourism workers, with those in Bali the first to be inoculated last weekend.
A total of 5,000 people in Bali are targeted to be vaccinated this month, of which half are tourism workers.
Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, said that the vaccination programme is the central government’s ‘fast move’ to get the travel industry, particularly in Bali, back on its feet.
The vaccination for tourism workers is part of the second phase of the government-run inoculation programme which kick-started with the inoculation of medical workers in February. Sandiaga expects that the programme would continue to other destinations in the country soon.
Indonesia’s travel trade is bullish that the country is on the right track to recovery, as the vaccination programme for the industry follows the government’s launch of the GeNose C19, a Covid-19 detection tool.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health has also green-lit private vaccination programmes, allowing companies to buy their own vaccines for their employees – a policy that is expected to speed up herd immunity.
Jongki Adiyasa, deputy chairman of ASITA 71 Jakarta chapter, said the government’s move would make both travellers and hosts feel more secure with each other, and boost travel confidence among domestic travellers.
He recalled that when the number of Covid-19 infections trended downwards in November last year, people’s confidence to travel rose and many had embarked on trips.
“However, because health protocols were neglected, the number of Covid-19 infections increased again in December and January, and the confidence of domestic travellers dropped again,” he said.
Daniel Nugraha, director of Exotic Java Trails, hoped that the vaccination programme implemented by Indonesia and some neighbouring countries would lead to intra-ASEAN travel movement this year.
He said: “International travellers will see that Indonesia is more ready to welcome them back as compared to (some) other countries, although they are not able to visit yet right now due to the border closure.”
Uniform travel protocols bode well for Philippine tourism revival
The approval of uniform travel protocols for all local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines by the government’s Covid-19 task force is expected to spur domestic tourism, which remains weak despite the reopening of major destinations since late last year.
Under the new rules, Covid-19 testing is no longer mandatory for travellers unless required by the LGU prior to travel, with testing to be limited to RT-PCR or swab test. As well, quarantine is not required unless the traveller exhibits symptoms upon arrival at the destination, as are health certificates and travel authorities issued by the Joint Task Force Covid Shield.
Tourism players in the Philippines have lauded the move, which is seen to pave the way for domestic tourism to bounce back.
“This should resolve the confusion and resolve the mobility issue. People didn’t want to travel because of the inconsistencies and the need to monitor the different protocols,” said Rajah Travel Corporation’s chair and president Aileen Clemente.
She cited the case of Greece as an exemplar of mitigating Covid-19 risks while causing the least possible hassle to all. “It recognised that zero-risk is never going to happen, but the mitigation of risks to an acceptable level worked very well. They are also more or less a group of islands (like the Philippines), but the implementation of protocols were done on a national level, and not localised,” Clemente said.
Kasel Travel Solutions president and CEO, Eric Papa, is positive that “tourism starts now” with the uniform travel protocols, which apply to domestic travel in all areas, including metro Manila and nine other areas that remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until the end of March. All other areas in the country are under the less strict modified GCQ.
In a statement, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said the simplification of the travel requirements is “vital in encouraging domestic travel and helping in the speedy recovery of Philippine tourism”.
The DoT defers to the decision of LGUs to require travel tests before travel, saying that the subsidised programme for RT-PCR tests in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center will help reduce costs and encourage travel.
Hoping that “all LGUs will comply” with the new rules, Clemente said that what needs to be done is to ensure the implementation of testing and other protocols and promote talk that what propagates the pandemic is not travel, but rather, the lack of implementation or compliance to the protocols.
AirAsia rides into Singapore’s food delivery scene
Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia has launched its food delivery service in Singapore, as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams amid the pandemic’s continued impact on the aviation industry.
According to a Straits Times report, AirAsia Food will initially feature about 80 restaurants, including popular outlets like No Signboard Seafood, The Shepherd’s Pie, Swee Choon Tim Sum, Maki-san, and Pizza Express. About 300 other restaurants are set to join the platform, it added.
In conjunction with its official launch, AirAsia Food is offering unlimited free delivery for a duration of two weeks from March 2-16, 2021 for deliveries within 8km from the order point. Customers can place their orders via the AirAsia super app, or the airasia.com/food website.
By signing up as an AirAsia super app user, consumers are able to earn and pay with BIG points for their orders on AirAsia Food. They can also make advance orders on the platform.
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes noted that at least 50 per cent of Singaporeans eat out every day, with the country seeing a staggering 2.7 million active online food delivery users in 2020.
He said: “At AirAsia Food, our mission has always been to help local food businesses keep their cost low by offering a much lower commission rate that can then be passed on to customers so they can enjoy even lower prices for their favourite dishes.”
Calling for more F&B operators to join the platform, AirAsia Food will provide dedicated teams who will onboard merchants and enable them to go live within 48 hours with no registration or setup fees, according to Lim Ben-Jie, head of e-commerce for the AirAsia super app.
Hyatt Regency headed for Vietnam
A Hyatt Regency hotel is set to rise in popular beach destination, Ho Tram, come 2024, marking the brand’s debut in the south of Vietnam.
The result of a management agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and IFF Holdings Joint Stock Company, Hyatt Regency Ho Tram Resort and Spa and Residences will feature 280 guestrooms and 63 pool villa residences.
All guestrooms and suites will feature contemporary interiors and uninterrupted sea views. The property’s residences will include pool villas with two to five bedrooms, offering owners and guests privacy and exclusivity. Other resort facilities will include multiple restaurants and bars, designated adults’ and kids’ pools, a kids’ club and playground, an elevated forest walk, meeting and event facilities, and a detox spa offering.
The property will be situated in a prime location along an over 330m coastline known for its pristine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coastal vibe; and a 90-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City.
Japan travel campaign to remain halted even after emergency lifts
Japan will continue the suspension of its domestic travel subsidy programme, introduced to support its ailing tourism industry, even after the state of emergency covering numerous prefectures is fully lifted.
The country has been grappling with a third wave of Covid-19 infections since last December that prompted the national government to issue stay-at-home requests for residents in Tokyo and nine other heavily-populated areas. The government’s Go To Travel scheme, which may have facilitated the spread of Covid-19 in Japan according to several academic studies, was also postponed on December 28.
In recent days, however, Japan has shown signs of exiting the third wave, generating optimism for the hard-hit hospitality and travel sectors. The number of new Covid-19 cases has declined to about 1,200 per day, down from more than 7,000 new cases a day for consecutive days in mid-February.
In a further positive move, the state of emergency was lifted in Fukuoka, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Gifu and Aichi prefectures on March 1, one week before scheduled. Tokyo and its neighbours (Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitma), meanwhile, are slated to exit the emergency declaration status on March 7 if all Covid-19 risk assessment criteria are met.
Assessment of the Covid-19 spread in each prefecture is expected to be an important consideration as the government mulls the return of the Go To Travel programme. On February 28, government officials announced that the infection situation in each region would be analysed and through infection prevention measures taken before the programme is reinstated.
Still, with or without the domestic subsidy initiative in place, tourism attractions are hopeful that positive consumer sentiment resulting from the lifting of the state of emergency will entice visitors back. Moreover, local tourism is likely to revive first.
Alex Bradshaw, head of overseas business at traditional garden and stately home Sengan-en in Kagoshima City, said that its “immediate priority” is engaging its local market in Kagoshima Prefecture.
“We are cautiously expecting a slow and steady return of visitors with the lifting of the state of emergency and have, of course, kept strict measures for the prevention of Covid in place,” he said. “As a primarily outdoor attraction, we are in a good position to attract visitors looking to reconnect with nature and relax, (and) expect this to be a strength going forward.”
Qantas is set to operate a series of mystery flights for domestic travellers keen to satisfy their wanderlust amid international travel restrictions.
The national carrier last operated mystery flights in the 1990s when travellers would turn up at the airport and be allocated seats on a scheduled flight to any of the airline’s destinations where they spent a day at their leisure before flying home.
Building on that concept, Qantas will offer three mystery flights onboard Boeing 737 planes that will include not just the flight, but an entire day of activities in a mystery destination that will be outside major capital cities.
Qantas Group CCO, Stephanie Tully, said the mystery flights were about giving Australians memorable travel experiences and promoting domestic tourism.
“Our customers tell us that where they can and can’t travel within Australia has been a bit of a mystery lately,” she said.
“The vaccine rollout is bringing a lot more certainty and domestic border restrictions should soon be a thing of the past. In the meantime, these flights turn that mystery into a positive by creating a unique experience for the many people keen to start travelling again.
“As well as helping bring more of our people back to work, these mystery flights are another way to support tourism operators in regional areas especially, who have been hit particularly hard by several waves of travel restrictions.”
The airline’s mystery flight experience is the latest in its series of concept flights to boost domestic tourism amid the ongoing pandemic, following its flights to nowhere (when domestic border closures were at their peak) and flights to somewhere (when initial reopening began last year).
The mystery flights will depart from Sydney (April 18), Brisbane (March 27), and Melbourne (May 1) to a destination within approximately two hours. As part of creating a unique onboard experience, the flights will include some low-level scenic flybys of key landmarks en route.
Experiences on the ground could include anything from a winemaking course in a premier Australian wine region to a gourmet lunch with musical entertainment on the shores of one of Australia’s tropical island wonders.
For each mystery flight, the airline has provided clues for customers to pick their preferences and to assist with baggage packing.
Seats on the mystery flights go on sale on Qantas.com at midday today. The all-inclusive fares, which include meals and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage plus activities on the ground, are A$737 (US$574) for Economy and A$1,579 for Business. All three flights will operate with net zero emissions, with 100 per cent of emissions carbon offset.