Brought to you by Macao Government Tourism Office
Hong Kong extends aviation sector relief until year-end
Hong Kong’s Airport Authority (AA) will extend the relief package for the aviation industry for a further two months until year-end, in response to the ongoing challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
AA had previously extended its relief package for businesses operating at the airport in August, until the end of this month.
Relief measures include full waiver of parking charges for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees; reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges; fees reduction related to ramp handling, maintenance and airside vehicles; as well as rental reduction for terminal tenants covering lounges and offices.
In addition, there will also be fee waivers for terminal licensees including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters and cross-border transport operators; as well as concessions on franchise fees for aviation support services such as into-plane fuelling.
The full waiver on fees in relation to aircraft maintenance charges and fixed charges for inflight catering services will also continue until year-end, as will rental relief for retail and catering tenants. Most shops and restaurants in the terminal have suspended business and their rental is waived. For those that remain open to provide essential services, the base rent is waived.
SIA rolls out new payment and lifestyle app
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched Kris+, an app that brings payment, lifestyle and rewards services together in one platform, as part of the company’s ongoing strategy to drive non-airline revenue streams.
On top of dining, retail and entertainment discounts, Kris+ also allows users to earn miles from everyday spend, or pay for purchases and experiences with these miles.
With an updated interface and user experience, Kris+ will also personalise offers for SIA’s global customer base via location-based or interest-based recommendations, offer discounts, miles-back, instant rewards and exclusive birthday and PPS privileges.
Currently, Kris+ has more than 150 partners with over 650 outlets in Singapore providing customised deals for its customers, with more merchants to be progressively added to the app in the coming months. In addition, Singapore residents who travel abroad will also enjoy special offers and rewards from January 2021 when Kris+ brings on board overseas partners and merchants in selected destinations to the platform.
KrisPay, the airline’s loyalty digital wallet, has also been integrated into Kris+. It will soon be enhanced with other in-app payment options, allowing users to simultaneously earn more miles with each purchase.
Inspiring travel to Macao
Small is beautiful, and Macao’s compact geography enables ease of travel to its many attractions, venues and landmarks. Coupled with the juxtaposition of its rich cultural heritage with innovative promotions and festivals to lure varying tourism demographics, the SAR is set to win travellers back when borders reopen
A hive of activity
Macao has taken its first steps in resuming tourism, with the “Beijing Macao Week” held on September 26. The first large-scale travel trade event to be held since the pandemic, it focuses on offline promotion activities and products in attracting more mainland tourists to the territory.
Since the resumption of travel permits in August, mainland Chinese visitors, as well as local residents, have been rediscovering the city with a tapestry of events and activities which MGTO has partnered local tourism players in putting together.
At the top of the list is the sixth “Macao Light Festival 2020 – Light Carnival”. Amongst a host of other fringe activities and interactive games, innovative light artistry illuminate different districts in the city by night, showcasing Macao’s local culture and history.
Partnering local associations, “Light and Colour at Cathedral Parish”, “Fun Journey at our Lady of Fatima Parish” and Lusofonia festival will play up on Macao’s strong Portuguese heritage. For gastronomes and art lovers, there is the 20th Macau Food Festival and MO2049 – Sci-fi works by Ricardo Lima at Taipa Village art space, cementing Macao’s position as UNESCO Creative City.
Wrapping up the year, the troves of exciting events such as Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo, Macau Grand Prix, and the International Film Festival & Awards will encourage further tourism buzz to the SAR.
Fresh appeal
Four new hotels – Holiday Inn Express, Lisboeta Macau, The Londoner Macao, and Grand Lisboa Palace – are lined up to open into 2021, providing a wider array of accommodation options when international borders are reopened. In welcoming the new travelscape ahead, we curate seven guest experiences designed to enthrall visitors, be it their sojourn, or return visit to Macao:
1. City of Dreams – The House of Dancing Water
This aquatic acrobatic extravaganza is now reeling in diving enthusiasts and adventure seekers with a behind the scenes tour to the magic 9m below the surface. Packages range from a diving tour to experience the moving set and iconic props, a free-diving lesson to 7m deep, scuba or free diving certification courses, to photo opportunities with a mermaid.
2. AJ Hackett Macau Tower – Tandem bungy jump
Grab a friend, family member, or even an AJ crew member, and take a tandem plunge on the world’s highest commercial bungy jump at 233m while taking in exhilarating views of downtown Macao. Participants must weigh a minimum of 40kg, with combined weight not exceeding 135kg.
3. MGM Cotai – Guided art tour
Another draw for art appreciators, the resort houses one of Macao’s largest art collection at 300 pieces. Displayed throughout the hotel, artworks range from Qing antique carpets to works commissioned by Asia’s contemporary artists. Tours are available on request at the hotel lobby, don’t miss the Chairman’s Collection – a selection of more than 40 paintings, sculptures and installations with the underlying philosophy of bridging East and West tradition with innovation.
4. MGM Macau – Sino-Portuguese Cultural Experience
This 30-minute tour begins at the miniature Grande Praça Lisbon, where the romantic setting makes for a great photo opportunity. There will also be workshops on Portuguese art, architecture, food, music and handicrafts in providing insights into the unique Macanese culture. This free experience runs from now until December 31.
5. Parisian Macao – Al fresco dining
What better than to picnic under blue skies and the spell of la Tour Eiffel? From now till November 30, The Parisian Macao brings Paris to Macao at its authentic French garden. “Parisian Picnic at Le Jardin” provides a gourmet picnic experience, which includes a curation of French inspired cuisine. Those craving for a glass of elegant bubbly may opt for Champagne at an additional cost.
6. António Restaurant
There’s a new chef at António. Since joining the Taipa village favourite this year, David Abreau has been whipping up new interpretations of traditional Portuguese delicacies. He plans to launch more tasting menus that promise diners a “delightful symphony of flavours” from the freshest ingredients. The 3-storey outlet also houses a rooftop terrace with impeccable views of the quaint village, with seating for 8-10 guests.
7. The Londoner Macao experience (Opening 2021)
Sands China’s third themed integrated resort will encapsulate retail, entertainment and hospitality experience within the setting of Victorian London with recreations of landmarks such as the iconic Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament; complete with the replica of 96m Elizabeth Tower and spectacular clock face. Its gardens are inspired by the Kensington Palace, and guests will arrive at the glass-canopied Porte Cochere, modelled after the famed Victoria Station.
New hotels: Aloft Tokyo Ginza, Grand WuJi Hotel, The Unbound Collection By Hyatt, and more
Aloft Tokyo Ginza, Japan
Located in Ginza, Tokyo’s popular shopping, dining, and entertainment district, the new Aloft Tokyo Ginza is just a short walk away from Ginza Six shopping mall, the Mitsukoshi Ginza department store, Tsukiji Market, and the historic Kabuki-za theater. The hotel’s proximity to the Ginza and Higashi-Ginza stations also provides guests with quick and easy access to other areas of Tokyo and beyond.
The hotel is home to 205 guestrooms, each complete with free Wi-Fi, 55-inch flatscreen 4K televisions, and a walk-in rainfall shower. Dining and social spaces include The Warehouse, an all-day dining restaurant; Roof Dogs, an open-air rooftop bar; and Re:fuel by AloftSM, a 24/7 grab-and-go kiosk. The brand’s signature Re:mix Lounge provides locals and travellers a space to mix and mingle, while W XYZ Bar offers craft cocktails and light bites for guests to eat and sip over live music. There is also a 24/7 fitness centre.
Grand WuJi Hotel, The Unbound Collection By Hyatt, China
The wellbeing-focused Grand Wuji Hotel in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, marks the fourth property in China for The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Previously known as The Yovoy Hotel, Grand Wuji Hotel spans an area of 31,000m2, with a total construction area of 81,000m2.
The four free-standing buildings are linked by a central garden where guests can discover soothing spaces for meditation, outdoor yoga and Tai Chi. Four restaurants are on offer here: LVQI Lobby Bar, serving Chinese-style high tea and brewed tonics; Jia Shu, a vegan restaurant; Five Tastes, an all-day restaurant; as well as Jade Court, featuring Cantonese cuisine and classic Huaiyang dishes, with six private dining rooms.
The hotel offers 272 guestrooms, including 56 suites. Most rooms feature a ‘health corner’ with a Chinese-style daybed for tea and peaceful meditation. Each suite is also equipped with a smart mirror that automatically synchronises with a scale to offer guests personalised health data.
Accessed via a private entrance, nearly 3,000m2 of meeting venues are available to host a variety of conferences, special events and weddings. The 1,200m2 Five Season Banquet Hall can accommodate up to 1,200 people, while six multifunctional conference rooms provide elegant spaces for small and medium-sized meetings and banquets. Unique health amenities for conference attendees include customised seasonal menus and activities such as Tai Chi, yoga and meditation. As well, an inner courtyard leading out to an expansive lawn is open to host weddings.
At the 24/7 fitness centre, guests can benefit from a health assessment and join in workouts in the 200m2 Energy Room or indoor heated swimming pool. Guests are also encouraged to explore a deep sense of mindfulness and balance through cultural activities, such as traditional Chinese tea ceremonies in the Zen Tea Room.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, Japan; and Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Thailand
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ expansion continues in Asia with the opening of Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo and Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
Located in the heart of Shinjuku, Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo boasts 151 rooms and suites furnished with La Bottega amenities and Kimpton perks including a ‘bath turndown’ with the brand’s own scented candles and bath salts. Each of the hotel’s dining destinations has origins steeped in New York culture, providing culinary experiences built on Kimpton’s legacy of one-of-a-kind, locally loved restaurants.
Meanwhile, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok is located in the creative district of Langsuan. As a mixed-use new-build hotel and residences concept, the hotel features 362 rooms and suites, including 131 serviced residences, each with thoughtful details such as bespoke HARNN bath amenities and kimono robes designed by Christian Develter for Tube Gallery.
The hotel features four immersive dining venues such as the all-day dining Stock.Room that seats 400 guests. Elevating the neighbourhood grocerant concept with its six open kitchens, guests can also expect seasonal pop-ups serving Thai street eats, all the way to hosted master classes.
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, Thailand
Overlooking the Andaman Sea and located in the heart of Phuket’s most famous beach destination, Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort features 600 guestrooms and suites, including pool access rooms with private terraces. The Family Suite features a dedicated kids’ room including boat beds and children amenities. In addition, the Ocean View suites offer sweeping vistas of Patong Beach and the Andaman Sea.
The hotel features five dining venues: Chao Leh Kitchen, an all-day restaurant with a focus on Phuket cuisine, along with pan-Asian and Western favourites; Sears & Co., offering a casual dining experience with indoor and alfresco seating; as well as The Deck Beach Club Patong for light bites and signature cocktails. Alternatively, there is also the Lobby Bar and the Pool Bar, the latter featuring a seven-seat swim-up counter.
Other facilities include The Deck Beach Club Patong, 24-hour gym, a trio of swimming pools, including a saltwater lagoon pool. Youngsters will be entertained at the Little Sea Gypsies Kid’s Club, where activities range from cooking classes to face painting, kids’ boot camps and more.
With 1,200m2 of flexible function space including two ballrooms and over 1,000m2 of outdoor events space, the hotel offers venues for all types of corporate or social gatherings. The Akara Grand Ballroom, foyer and pre-function area can cater up to 500 people, while the Kathu Junior Ballroom can accommodate up to 170 delegates. Seven other meeting rooms can be adapted for a range of function types. Couples looking to tie the knot can opt to do so in the ballrooms or outdoors on the Garden Terrace.
Singapore establishes bilateral air travel bubble with Hong Kong
Singapore and Hong Kong have reached an in-principle agreement to set up a two-way air travel bubble, which will allow for travel between the two destinations without the need for quarantine or a controlled itinerary.
Under the travel bubble, there will be no restrictions on travel purpose. However, travellers will be subject to mutually recognised Covid-19 tests and will need to have negative test results, said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in a press release on Thursday. Those travelling under the bubble will also be required to travel on dedicated flights, it added.
The air travel bubble can be scaled by adjusting the number of dedicated flights upwards or downwards, or even suspended, in line with the latest developments and Covid-19 situation in the two cities, said MOT.
Transport minister Ong Ye Kung said in the release: “Both our cities have low incidence of Covid-19 cases and have put in place robust mechanisms to manage and control Covid-19. This has given us the confidence to mutually and progressively open our borders to each other. It is significant that our two regional aviation hubs have decided to collaborate to establish an air travel bubble.
“It is a safe, careful but significant step forward to revive air travel, and provide a model for future collaboration with other parts of the world.”
According to the MOT, Singapore and Hong Kong will flesh out the full details of the air travel bubble “in the coming weeks”, with its launch date and other implementation details to be announced in due course.
Conrad Clifford, IATA’s regional vice president for Asia Pacific, welcomed the announcement of the Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble.
“Replacing quarantine measures with Covid-19 testing will help in reopening borders, restoring the connectivity that jobs and economic activity depends on, and gives passengers greater confidence to travel. In a recent 11-market survey of travellers commissioned by IATA, 83 per cent of respondents indicated that they will not travel if there is a chance of being quarantined at their destination,” he said.
Clifford also urged other governments in Asia to take a similar approach to replace quarantine with Covid-19 testing as part of their efforts to reopen their borders and start restoring their economies.
PATA endorses new chair, welcomes new board members
PATA has formally endorsed Soon-Hwa Wong, CEO of AsiaChina, as its new chair, replacing Chris Bottrill who had held the position since May 2018.
Bottrill remains a member of the Executive Board as Immediate past chair.
In a press statement, Wong said: “It is indeed an honour to be given the privilege to serve PATA members, especially in a time like this.”
As the association approaches its 70th anniversary in 2021, Wong said efforts are ongoing for “a comprehensive organisation redesign that will transform PATA into an association that will lead the tourism industry into the post-Covid future and beyond”.
“Together with our industry partners from both the public and private sector, we will commit to sustainable tourism development to benefit the economic well-being of the community at large,” he added.
Wong has some 40 years of extensive experience in the-Asia Pacific tourism and hospitality industry. After a long and successful corporate career, he founded Asia Tourism to provide advisory and consulting services to commercial and not-for-profit enterprises. He recently set up AsiaChina, primarily focusing on the two-way tourism flow between China and Asia-Pacific.
As part of paying it forward, he is also providing pro-bono services in mentoring start-ups and university students in his alma mater in addition to serving in several social committees.
Wong’s long association with PATA dates back to 1996 and he has served in various capacities over the years. Presently chairman of the PATA Singapore Chapter, he is also the recipient of the PATA Life Member Award in 2018 and PATA Award of Merit in 2008.
During the virtual PATA Board Meeting on October 12, six new members also joined the Executive Board. They are Hai Ho, CEO, Triip, Singapore; Suman Pandey, president, Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, Nepal; Andrew Jones, guardian, Sanctuary Resorts, Hong Kong; Fanny Vong, president, Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao, China; Oliver Martin, partner, Twenty31 Consulting Inc., Canada; and Peter Semone, founder and president, Destination Human Capital, Timor Leste.
Ho and Pandey were elected as the new vice chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively.
Furthermore, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director, Macao Government Tourism Office and Supawan Teerarat, senior vice president, strategic business development & innovation, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau have been appointed to the Executive Board as non-voting members.
Macau tourism shows signs of rebound during Golden Week
Tourist arrivals to Macau are gradually picking up pace, with the special administrative region welcoming 156,000 visitors over the National Day Golden Week holiday, which took place between October 1-8, following the reopening of its borders to mainland visitors.
Although the figure marked a year-on-year fall of 86 per cent in average daily visitor arrivals, according to provisional statistics from the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), it signalled a post-Covid rebound.
The city recorded 145,000 visitors from the mainland, which was the major source of visitors, constituting 93.1 per cent of total visitor arrivals with an 84 per cent decline in average daily visitor arrivals from last year.
Owing to virus containment measures, Macau registered only 9,614 and 1,231 visitor arrivals from the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions, respectively, as well as 13 visitor arrivals coming from international markets.
Visitor arrivals from the mainland have gradually risen in recent months as the pandemic situation stabilises in Macau and the mainland.
The rebound can also be attributed to MGTO’s active campaign to promote the reinstatement of travel permit issuance for mainland residents to Macau. From the first week after travel permit issuance was resumed up to the Golden Week, the average daily visitor arrivals rose from around 6,000 to nearly 20,000.
Figures provided by industry operators revealed that local hotel establishments (hotels and guest houses) saw an average occupancy rate of 43.6 per cent during the Golden Week, a year-on-year decrease of 50.4 percentage points. To date, the supply of local hotels and guest houses has reached a total of 42,441 rooms.
Industry figures show that the average occupancy rate for five-star hotels was 43.2 per cent, down 52.0 percentage points; for four-star hotels, 45.2 per cent, down 47.4 percentage points; for three-star hotels, 51.9 per cent, down 42.8 percentage points; for two-star hotels, 21.4 per cent, down 61.0 percentage points; and for guest houses, 23.9 per cent, down 51.7 percentage points.
The average room rate of hotel establishments in Macau was 1,290.5 patacas (US$161.9) during the Golden Week, a year-on-year decline of 30.0 per cent. The average room rates for five- and four-star hotels were 1,634 patacas and 605.2 patacas respectively, down 26.9 per cent and 49.4 per cent respectively; for three- and two-star hotels, 821.6 patacas and 285.7 patacas respectively, a decrease of 32.2 per cent and 69.7 per cent; for local guest houses, 240.3 patacas, down 65.7 per cent.
Riu rolls out new website for agents
Riu Hotels & Resorts has launched its new website, Riu Pro, designed to equip travel agents with all the sales and information tools required to market the brand, alongside up-to-date corporate information.
Recognising that travel agents play a key role in the growth and marketing process of Riu, the hotel chain committed to developing this agile and versatile tool, aimed at facilitating agents’ work as much as possible.
It entails significant innovation in Riu’s marketing area, as well as major optimisation of time and resources for both the hotel chain and agents.
The new tool incorporates the Riu Partner Club loyalty programme and access to the Riu Brand Centre database and image bank, as well as all the information, news and announcements about Riu that are relevant to travel agents. Agents can go to www.riupro.com and enter their usual passwords to access all the functions and new features.
Australia’s regional hotel markets outperform capital cities
Australia’s short-term hotel performance will remain similar to recent months, with regional areas outperforming capital cities over the next three months, according to STR’s latest data.
Parallel to other countries across the world, higher occupancy in regional areas is especially pronounced on weekends, and occupancy-on-the-books data for the next 90 days (as of October 5) shows a similar pattern.
Data for October 17, for example, shows regional Australia’s occupancy on the books at 46 per cent, while the capital cities show 26 per cent in the metric. November and December data follows suit, with regional Australia data sitting between 14-32 per cent and capital cities between 8-17 per cent. Post-Christmas is where the trend begins to shift slightly, with more Australians set to head out of town for their summer vacations.
“Regional Australia has benefited from intrastate travel as Australians have elected to take short breaks on weekends and during the school holiday periods,” said Matthew Burke, STR’s regional manager, Asia Pacific.
“Airline capacity remains low as corporate travel is restricted, and even as state borders reopen, our capital city markets will see limited midweek travel. To date, as reflected by the occupancy on the books for the capital cities, corporate travel has not recommenced, and it looks more unlikely that it will before the end of 2020.”
Over the next 12 months, the Sydney surrounding market, as defined by STR, shows higher occupancy on the books when compared to the greater Sydney market. Sydney surrounding is a key drive-to market, so it is expected to benefit from those travellers wishing to take weekend leisure trips.
The highest monthly occupancy on the books for both markets is in October: Sydney surrounding (46 per cent) and Sydney (16 per cent). Closing out the year, occupancy on the books for Sydney surrounding remains above 20 per cent, while the Sydney market is showing the metric under 10 per cent.
“Brisbane, Perth and Canberra lead bookings for the coming weeks,” said Burke. “Cancellations are limited compared with the beginning of the year, but pick-up is still much weaker than we would expect to see under a normal trading environment. However, pick-up for the past month has been quite consistent, which shows there is travel activity happening and sustaining the current trading levels we have seen most recently.”
Even with some level of activity, performance data remains well below historical averages. Preliminary September data for the country shows occupancy came at 43.1 per cent, representing a decrease of 42.3 per cent year-over-year. Average daily rate was down 17.9 per cent to A$147.50 (US$105.21), while revenue per available room fell 52.6 per cent to A$63.51.
Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 has unveiled the Stay & Savour campaign, offering Thai residents a staycation with gourmet dining experience.
At a starting price of 1,999++ baht (US$64), guests can enjoy one-night stay with breakfast and a seafood dinner buffet at the onsite Crave Wine Bar & Restaurant every Friday to Saturday from 18.00 to 22.00, with an extended hour every Sunday, from 17.00 to 22.00.
In addition, guests can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, access to the onsite 24/7 gym and rooftop pool, as well as complimentary tuk-tuk shuttle to BTS Nana, Terminal 21 shopping mall and MRT Sukhumvit.
Guests can save on their stay with Rao Tiew Duay Gun, a new domestic tourism campaign by Tourism Authority of Thailand offering discounts on hotel rooms for no longer than five nights to five million travellers. Valid Fridays to Sundays for the rest of 2020, guests can input promo code YQ1 in corporate/promotional code box when making online reservations.