Philippine hoteliers are baulking at the stringent staycation guidelines for properties located in metro Manila and other destinations under general community quarantine (GCQ), including restricting accommodations to four- and five-star hotels, limiting guests to those residing within the destination, and mandatory antigen testing for all guests.
Chroma Hospitality country manager, James Montenegro, questioned the point of subjecting every family member living in one household to antigen testing.
Hotels in GCQ areas, including metro Manila, are now allowed to resume staycations, but not without adhering to strict health protocols; Makati, a city in the Philippines’ metro Manila region, pictured
He also pointed out that while families are required to take antigen tests in GCQ hotels, masses are allowed to roam freely without Covid testing in malls, where the transmission risk is higher, especially on weekends when thousands throng the malls.
Montenegro said four- and five-star hotels have strict implementation of health and hygiene protocols that are similar to those in hospitals.
While he welcomed the authorities’ move to allow the resumption of staycations in GCQ areas, Montenegro also saw the need “to strike a balance” between public health measures and economic recovery, noting that hotels have been closed for at least six months now.
Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group, and co-organiser of the Hotel Owners for Tomorrow, an action group made up of independent and MSME hotel owners and operators, agreed that certain staycation restrictions “don’t make sense to hotel owners, much less staycationers”.
Noting how families make up a key segment for the staycation market, she cited the example of how the costs of antigen tests for a family of four booking a staycation may amount to the same as the promotional room rate, deterring domestic travellers from taking staycations. Another problem, she added, is the limitation on the number of occupants, based on the room size.
“It’s too much hassle for a staycation in the city where we have been stuck since March. The domestic market would prefer to have some breathing space outside of the metro,” Jarabata explained.
As per other staycation requirements laid down by the Department of Tourism, all accommodation establishments in GCQ areas must also first secure a DoT Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycations before accommodating any guests for a staycation. They are also required to have contactless booking and payment systems in place.
As well, the maximum number of guests allowed per room will be determined by the floor area – for example, a 49m2 room will be allowed to house a maximum of four guests. Accommodations which were previously used as quarantine or isolation facilities or had Covid-19 positive guests are also required to present a proof of sanitation and disinfection of their facilities.
Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai, Thailand
Located less than a three-hour drive from Bangkok on the fringes of the Khao Yai National Park, the 112-key resort offers guests a European castle-esque experience surrounded by a mountainous landscape. There are 62 guestrooms, ranging from the 45m2 Deluxe Room to the three-bedroom Penthouse, alongside 50 villas. Onsite amenities include a swimming pool, a spa, an events hall, and an 18-hole golf course. F&B options include the all-day dining Flavours of Khao Yai, and farm-to-table Castleton Cafe. Children can be entertained at the My Ozone Animal Club, where they have the opportunity to get up close with a variety of farm animals, including ponies, horses, chickens, and goats.
Capella Bangkok, Thailand
Capella Hotels and Resorts’ first property in Thailand boasts 101 guestrooms, suites and villas, ranging from the 61m2 lead-ins to the 595m2 villas. Each accommodation has been fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony or verandah that opens out to Thailand’s Chao Phraya river. Facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a spa, and seven versatile event spaces. There are also four culinary options, including Thai restaurant Phra Nakhon, and Côte by three-Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco which serves traditional recipes from the French and Italian Riviera.
Grand Nikko Awaji, Japan
Following its rebranding, The Westin Awaji Island Resort & Conference Center has reopened as the Grand Nikko Awaji, and will be managed by Okura Nikko Hotel Management. Previously, the hotel was managed by Yumebutai Co. and Marriott International for 20 years. Located on the northern tip of Awaji Island, the rebranded Grand Nikko Awaji offers 201 guestrooms, each with a standard area of about 42m2, overlooking Osaka Bay and the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park. It features four restaurants, a lounge, seven banquet halls, wedding chapel, a spa and fitness centre with indoor and outdoor pools, and tennis courts.
Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka, Japan
Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka is the first Holiday Inn in Japan to offer a suites product, with 126 of its 185 rooms featuring an apartment-style kitchen, dining room and laundry room. Each guest suite ranges from 30-45m2 in size, making it ideal for long-term business stays, as well as for families and groups; while standard rooms cater for shorter stays for one to two guests. The hotel offers all-day dining, meeting spaces, fitness facilities and ample parking.
TTG Asia Media will be holding its inaugural Great Staycation sale on October 10, as part of this year’s eGSS (Great Singapore Sale), organised by the Singapore Retailers Association.
With borders closed, staycations are the next best thing for travel-deprived locals looking for a getaway. So set your calendars and get ready to pick up some fantastic promotions to help you escape your bedroom.
Our livestream will be hosted on GoSpree’s Facebook page from 21.00 to 22.00, as part of a three-hour-long segment.
Participants will also have the opportunity to enter a lucky draw and contests to win a variety of prizes such as vouchers and staycation packages. Participating properties include Parkroyal Collection Pickering, InterContinental Singapore, and One Farrer Hotel.
More details will be revealed next week, so stay tuned!
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Japanese real estate developer, Sekisui House, to open 11 new Fairfield by Marriott hotels across five Japanese prefectures – Hokkaido, Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima and Kagoshima.
The agreement expands the collaboration with Sekisui House for the Michi-no-Eki project, adding on to the 15 Fairfield by Marriott hotels signed in 2018. All properties are anticipated to open by late 2022.
Fairfield by Marriott to expand its presence in Japan with the signing of 11 hotels
Ranging in size from around 50 to 100 guestrooms, each Fairfield by Marriott hotel will boast public areas serving as a flexible social space for guests to connect with other travellers or simply to relax.
Three hotels are expected to open by early 2022: Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Eniwa with 101 rooms, the 72-key Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Naganuma, and Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Minamifurano with 72 rooms.
The 78-key Fairfield by Marriott Hiroshima Sera will open by mid-2022, while the 96-room Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu and the Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Osumi with 51 rooms are slated to open by late 2022.
Over in Okayama, two hotels are set to open by late 2022: Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Hiruzen with 96 rooms, and Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama with 75 rooms.
Hyogo will welcome three of the brand’s hotels by late 2022: the 99-key Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Minamiawaji, Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Kannabe with 73 rooms, and the Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Yabu with 87 rooms.
Cruise companies may soon be allowed to launch “cruise to nowhere” trips from Singapore, as the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is developing a health and safety framework to restart these sailings.
If the plan goes ahead, this will mark the first sailing from Singapore since March 13, when cruise ships were barred from calling at the port.
Dream Cruises will be partnering Chan Brothers Travel to sell “cruises to nowhere” from Singapore
According to a tender document by STB, for the first three months when sailings resume, ships will be allowed a maximum capacity of 50 per cent of the usual capacity, reported The Straits Times. The tender did not specify a date or timeline for this resumption.
On September 23, STB had appointed classification society DNV GL Singapore to create a cruise compliance audit and certification programme, which will be benchmarked against global health, safety and hygiene standards, according to the report.
Under this programme, DNV GL will establish a set of health and safety protocols, conduct compliance audits, certify cruise ships that meet the requirements, as well as develop a penalty framework for non-compliance.
Cruise companies that wish to embark on sailings must be audited and certified by this programme. For the first three months, inspectors will also conduct onboard checks for each sailing.
Annie Chang, director, cruise, STB, said: “Singapore is monitoring the Covid-19 situation and in discussions with cruise lines on putting in place appropriate measures that will enable cruises to resume in a safe manner. Cruise lines that pass the compliance audit will be given a certification, which serves as a quality mark to assure consumers that the cruise has met these required standards. More details on the cruise certification will be released at a later date.”
Chang told the Straits Times that the SingapoRediscovers domestic tourism vouchers, which will be issued to all adult Singaporeans in December, will not be redeemable for cruise tickets, as they are valid only on hotel stays, attraction tickets and approved tours.
The report also stated that Chan Brothers Travel will be partnering Dream Cruises to market and sell “cruises to nowhere” from Singapore.
Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream had previously received certification under DNV GL’s programme in infection prevention for the maritime industry, which was developed in June. The vessel has been operating island-hopping cruises in Taiwan since July.
Singapore will lift border restrictions for visitors from Australia – excluding Victoria state – and Vietnam, from October 8.
Both countries have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and have successfully controlled the spread of Covid-19, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Wednesday (September 30).
Visitors from Australia, excluding Victoria state, and Vietnam will be allowed into Singapore from October 8
The risk of importation from these countries is low, said CAAS, noting that over the last 28 days, Vietnam had zero local Covid-19 cases, while Australia – excluding Victoria state – had a virus incidence rate of 0.02 cases per 100,000 people.
From October 1, visitors from Australia and Vietnam can apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) for entry into Singapore. They will be allowed to set foot in Singapore from October 8.
Applicants must have remained in either Australia or Vietnam in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry. They will be required to undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival at the airport and will be allowed to proceed with their activities in Singapore if they test negative, without a need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
Singapore will also update the travel advisory to allow travel to Australia, excluding Victoria state, and Vietnam, CAAS said. Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements imposed by these countries and take the necessary precautionary measures.
The move follows the city-state’s lifting of border restrictions for visitors from Brunei and New Zealand last month.
CAAS said that as of September 30, 17:00, it has approved 331 applications from the two countries to enter Singapore. Of the 136 visitors who have arrived so far, none of them tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, it added.
All visitors entering under the ATP must travel to Singapore on direct flights without transit.
Upon arrival in Singapore, visitors must undergo a Covid-19 swab test at the airport. The test results will be out within 48 hours, and typically within 12 hours. After taking the Covid-19 swab test, visitors are to take private transportation, taxi, or private hire car from the airport to their declared place of accommodation, where they must remain in isolation accommodation until the test result is confirmed to be negative. After which, they will be allowed to go about their activities in Singapore.
Visitors must also use the contact tracing app TraceTogether for the duration of their stay here. While in Singapore, they will be responsible for their medical bills related to Covid-19, including costs related to tests and isolation should they be suspected of being infected with the virus.
Application for a single-entry ATP can be made at no charge between seven and 30 days prior to one’s intended date of entry into Singapore.
From October 2, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from Australia, excluding Victoria state, and Vietnam will similarly undergo a Covid-19 test upon arrival, in lieu of a seven-day SHN with a Covid-19 test administered before the end of the period.
With this project, the chain is bringing its prestigious 24-hour all-inclusive service to Dubai, where it will be the resort of its kind
Palma de Mallorca, 2nd October 2020. RIU Hotels & Resorts chain is gearing up to open its major project for 2020: opening the hotel Riu Dubai. This 4-star, beachfront establishment with 800 rooms represents a major step for the company, as it is its first hotel in this destination and the only unlimited 24-hour all-inclusive hotel in the city.
Opening in December 2020, the hotel Riu Dubai is located by the beach on Deira Islands, just off the coast of mainland Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This newly-built resort has 800 elegant rooms and suites, nine food and beverage outlets and extensive communal areas spread across nine floors, all with exquisite décor.
Guests can choose from a host of dining outlets, including the” Al-Andalus” main restaurant with beachfront terrace, and “Spices” Asian restaurant. There are two poolside restaurants – “The Palm” serving Italian cuisine and “The Moon” specialising in Lebanese/Arabic fayre. For aperitifs, the hotel has a lobby bar with outdoor terrace called “The Pearl”; there are two sports lounges –, “Shamal” and “Spike”; and two poolside bars — “Oasis” and “Coral”.
Entertainment for guests of all ages is guaranteed with an abundance of modern fitness, leisure and recreational facilities, including its star attraction, “Splash Water World” beachfront pool and slide park. There are also three swimming pools, including one suitable for children, as well as Club RuiLand, with supervised play facilities dedicated to youngsters. Adults have access to the RiuFit programme at the fully-equipped gym, as well as the chance to enjoy a daily sports entertainment programme. The hotel also has its own spa, beauty salon and gift shop.
The Riu Dubai forms part of the Deira Islands coastal city that is transforming Dubai’s oldest and most traditional trading hub into a world class tourist destination. In this large and ambitious resort project, RIU has worked in partnership with world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of Dubai’s world-famous Palm Jumeirah and other iconic developments, to bring a new concept in family accommodation to the city.
Click here to learn more about the new protocols that apply in all RIU hotels and also see how it looks in practice.
Check our Summary of RIU Covid19 health protocol here
For detailed information or reservation enquiry please contact us at contact.asia@riu.com
Roberto Bruzzone has joined Silversea Cruises as its new senior vice president of marine operations, reporting directly to president and CEO, Roberto Martinoli.
Bruzzone will be responsible for the marine and technical operations of the fleet, oversee newbuilding and refitting activities, as well as handle the technical procurement and crew management functions.
He has extensive experience in the shipbuilding industry, having held various positions at major international cruise lines in a successful career that has spanned almost 20 years.
Following a five-year stint as vice president of technical operations at a major cruise corporation – part of a 14-year period at the same company – Bruzzone took the position of COO to oversee the company, acting as the newbuilding division of another major cruise line holding.
• International tourism recovery could take “three to five years”, says Singapore’s tourism chief
• Agility and creative innovation key enablers to drive tourism recovery
• Businesses that harmonise tech and human touch will be more prepared to play in the new normal of travel
Singapore’s tourism industry must brace itself for “a long winter” ahead, says STB CEO Keith Tan
Nine months into the Covid crisis, which has rewritten the playbook for Singapore’s tourism industry, local players have proven their agility in adapting to a new reality. In this changed landscape, brands have had to seek out new growth opportunities, retune their business plans, unlearn old habits and adopt new ones.
However, tackling the pandemic and its aftermath will be a marathon, not a sprint. And more needs to be done to ensure the long-term survival of the tourism sector as it braces itself for recovery.
Painting a gloomy forecast of the path forward, Singapore Tourism Board CEO Keith Tan said “there is a long road to recovery ahead” and “frankly, from where I stand, I am not sure I see any light at the end of the tunnel”.
He predicted that even if a vaccine was found by year-end or at the start of 2021, it would take “possibly three to five years” for international arrival numbers to return to 2019 levels.
“We must be prepared for a long winter,” he said, but stressed that in the interim, “we cannot simply be in hibernation”. Rather, Singapore needs to continue working to ensure that the destination remains top of mind for high-value business and leisure travellers.
Tan was speaking to industry stakeholders at the SG Tourism Roundtable: Navigating the Covid Storm webinar organised by PATA. The two-hour session saw players from the hotel, retail, travel agency and attractions sectors sharing how Covid-19 has disrupted their industry, and lessons learnt.
In his opening remarks, Tan urged tourism stakeholders to identify their existing capabilities that set Singapore apart from her competitors, and pledged the government’s support to sustaining those capabilities.
He also encouraged players to be creative in finding new revenue streams, such as pivoting to digital platforms, and called on businesses traditionally reliant on foreign visitors to reposition their business to target locals more effectively.
Tan warned stakeholders not to expect the tourism industry to return to pre-Covid normal, even after travel rebounds. “There will be permanent, lasting changes to the mindsets and expectations of travellers. So we must change, we must improve or else many of us will not survive,” he said.
Predicting that in the new normal where people will travel less and seek unique travel experiences, Tan said the industry needs to be prepared to meet that thirst for more exclusive and smaller-scale experiences.
Likewise, Kevin Cheong, chairman, Association of Singapore Attractions, urged local attraction operators to create unique, authentic and original experiences.
“Nobody came to Singapore to see more of China… For too long a time, we have been copying (from our foreign counterparts). We need to develop our own unique content (and) our own local stories (that) really pull the heartstrings of our guests,” he said.
Creating new revenue streams
With sustained international border closures, the hotel industry remains in “critical financial crisis”, said Margaret Heng, executive director, Singapore Hotel Association (SHA).
However, she noted, nimble-minded hotels in Singapore have been quick to pivot to incremental revenue streams, such as creative takeaways, F&B delivery services, online gift shops, and most recently, ‘workations’ – a staycation for work – to boost weekday demand.
The pandemic has also forced brick-and-mortar brands to rethink their business model. In light of current capacity limits due to safe distancing measures, local cinema operators have struggled to break even, according to Terence Heng, vice president, Shaw Theatres.
This will still be the case when capacity limits at cinemas are raised from October 1. Large cinema halls with more than 300 seats will be allowed to admit up to 150 patrons in three zones of 50 patrons, while smaller cinema halls will be permitted to up their capacity to 50 per cent of their original operating capacity or stick to the current limit of up to 50 patrons per hall.
With the closure of cinemas in Singapore amid the pandemic, Shaw Theatres launched a virtual cinema
Adding on to the woes of cinema operators is the move by many studios to push back movie release dates, or air titles on streaming services.
To diversify its business, Shaw Theatres in July launched a virtual cinema, KinoLounge, streaming indie, arthouse flicks not screened in local theatres. Unlike its physical counterpart, the online platform can showcase Q&A sessions with the directors and filmmakers, offering “a new level of in-depth interaction”, Heng said.
He added that the company is on a constant hunt for alternative content for its physical cinemas. It also has plans to expand its F&B offerings, with the possibility of pivoting to home delivery, he said.
Stronger together
During times of crisis, it becomes all the more crucial for industry stakeholders to band together for a stronger fight.
Tan urged various establishments to come together to create meaningful and exclusive packages and bundles to appeal to more discerning travellers, including locals.
Collective synergies play a key role in recovery, said SHA’s Heng, noting that “without the government’s support, the private sector alone cannot survive the crisis”. She added that collaboration has helped Singapore “to emerge stronger in comparison to many other countries”.
Singing the same tune, Steven Ler, president, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), urged agents to be more open to sharing resources and working collaboratively. There is room for greater collaboration, even across sectors, he stressed.
Looking ahead, NATAS plans to create more collaborative platforms for agents to work together to explore new opportunities such as jointly developing back-end solutions, Ler shared.
In the retail sector, collaboration between landlords and tenants needs to be strengthened, opined Rose Tong, executive director, Singapore Retailers Association. “There should be more equal sharing of responsibilities in shopper traffic and sales acquisitions. We will be looking and expecting more flexible lease structures, shorter lease periods, and less onerous lease terms,” she said.
Marrying high-tech and high-touch
Technology has become a critical enabler for businesses across the tourism value chain to continue engaging with customers and generating revenue amid the pandemic.
This point was driven across by Tan, who urged the industry to step up to create more seamless and digitally-enabled experiences for visitors. “To survive and to thrive, all of us have to be armed with the right data, insights and the abilities to scale new products and experiences faster,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to leverage STB’s suite of smart services that allow businesses to tap into data to target customers more smartly and to guide their business decisions.
But while Covid has hastened the shift to contactless interactions, panellists stressed that high-touch still play a key role in a high-tech world.
“The relationship between offline and online retail is now more important than ever, and brands that cannot combine or marry the two will find it hard to sustain or even be profitable,” Tong said.
Stressing the importance of human touch, Ler said the role of travel agents has become “more relevant in this critical time” where uncertainty surrounding travel has thrown up a lot of questions for aspiring travellers. “We (agents) can be better prepared to have (relevant travel) information (on hand) to share with the customers as we guide them through the booking process,” he said.
At the end of the day, the sector must unite to push for growth, and accept that the new normal is here to stay.
Crystal Cruises has expanded the set of health and safety measures for its Crystal Clean+ protocols to include Covid-19 testing for all guests and crew, mandatory travel insurance, in-port guidelines, and more.
The new Crystal Clean+ 3.0 protocols build on Crystal Clean+ 2.0, the initial set of enhanced health and safety procedures released in July, and comes even as the cruise operator has voluntarily extended its suspension of global voyages until year-end.
Crystal updates safety protocols to incorporate CLIA guidelines for Covid-19 testing for all guests and crew
The new protocols incorporate the current recommendations provided by CLIA to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the new protocols, guests will now be required to complete a Covid-19 test prior to departure for their cruise and provide a printed copy of their negative result at check-in – failure to do so will result in denial of boarding. In addition, guests will take a second Covid-19 test upon arrival at the pier and must test negative prior to boarding. Guests will be required to purchase travel insurance, either via Crystal or a third-party.
While on board, guests will have to observe social distancing of at least two metres of those outside of one’s travel party, including dance partners. As a result, Crystal’s Ambassador Host dance programme as well as Crystal’s Junior Activities programming and in-suite babysitting services will be suspended until further notice.
Furthermore, guests will only be permitted to disembark the ship in port if participating in Crystal’s shoreside activities or excursions, and shuttle buses into town will not be provided when in port – guests who fail to comply will be barred from reboarding the ship.
All crew will be tested for Covid-19 prior to leaving their home location to join the ship and must receive a negative result. They must also take a Covid-19 test at embarkation, quarantine for seven days upon arrival, and take a test at the end of that seven-day period and must receive a negative result before beginning their duties. In addition, crew will be tested periodically during their rotations.
Expanded measures were released across the entire Crystal fleet, including Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises.
Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai, Thailand
Located less than a three-hour drive from Bangkok on the fringes of the Khao Yai National Park, the 112-key resort offers guests a European castle-esque experience surrounded by a mountainous landscape. There are 62 guestrooms, ranging from the 45m2 Deluxe Room to the three-bedroom Penthouse, alongside 50 villas. Onsite amenities include a swimming pool, a spa, an events hall, and an 18-hole golf course. F&B options include the all-day dining Flavours of Khao Yai, and farm-to-table Castleton Cafe. Children can be entertained at the My Ozone Animal Club, where they have the opportunity to get up close with a variety of farm animals, including ponies, horses, chickens, and goats.
Capella Bangkok, Thailand
Capella Hotels and Resorts’ first property in Thailand boasts 101 guestrooms, suites and villas, ranging from the 61m2 lead-ins to the 595m2 villas. Each accommodation has been fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony or verandah that opens out to Thailand’s Chao Phraya river. Facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, a spa, and seven versatile event spaces. There are also four culinary options, including Thai restaurant Phra Nakhon, and Côte by three-Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco which serves traditional recipes from the French and Italian Riviera.
Grand Nikko Awaji, Japan
Following its rebranding, The Westin Awaji Island Resort & Conference Center has reopened as the Grand Nikko Awaji, and will be managed by Okura Nikko Hotel Management. Previously, the hotel was managed by Yumebutai Co. and Marriott International for 20 years. Located on the northern tip of Awaji Island, the rebranded Grand Nikko Awaji offers 201 guestrooms, each with a standard area of about 42m2, overlooking Osaka Bay and the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park. It features four restaurants, a lounge, seven banquet halls, wedding chapel, a spa and fitness centre with indoor and outdoor pools, and tennis courts.
Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka, Japan
Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka is the first Holiday Inn in Japan to offer a suites product, with 126 of its 185 rooms featuring an apartment-style kitchen, dining room and laundry room. Each guest suite ranges from 30-45m2 in size, making it ideal for long-term business stays, as well as for families and groups; while standard rooms cater for shorter stays for one to two guests. The hotel offers all-day dining, meeting spaces, fitness facilities and ample parking.