Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship returns to Singapore after passenger tests positive for Covid-19
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas has returned to port in Singapore, after an 83-year-old Singaporean tested positive for Covid-19 while on board the cruise ship.
The vessel, with 1,680 guests and 1,148 crew on board, arrived in Singapore at 08.00 on Wednesday (December 9), after turning back on day three of a four-day cruise to nowhere, reported The Straits Times.
The cruise line had last week resumed three- and four-night Ocean Getaways, as part of a pilot programme featuring enhanced safety protocols.
Annie Chang, director of cruise at the Singapore Tourism Board, said in a statement that the passenger had taken a mandatory Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test prior to boarding the cruise ship, and had tested negative.
He had reported to the onboard medical centre with diarrhoea, and underwent a mandatory PCR test as part of onboard protocols, said Chang. The passenger was immediately isolated and his initial close contacts were identified and isolated as well. Those close contacts have since tested negative for the coronavirus.
Passengers on board the ship who did not have close contact with the patient will be allowed to leave the ship, after further contact tracing has been carried out.
Chang also said emergency response plans had been activated according to guidelines, including immediate isolation of close contacts, contact tracing and deep-cleaning of the ship. All onboard leisure activities were also ceased immediately and all passengers were asked to stay in their cabins.
She added that all passengers had undergone a mandatory Covid-19 test prior to boarding, and stringent hygiene and safety measures were implemented throughout their journey.
In a health advisory issued to cruise passengers, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said the Covid-19 case’s contacts will be placed on quarantine or health surveillance. The other cruise passengers will be required to monitor their health for 14 days from the date of disembarkation and undergo a swab test at the end of the monitoring period, with the cost of those tests to be borne by the MOH. During that period, they are allowed to continue with their usual activities, including going to work or school.
With powers combined
Hotels and resorts eager to capture a larger slice of the domestic market are realising that the usual deals no longer appeal to an audience that is looking for fresh ways to satiate their wanderlust at a time when international travel is restricted.
To enhance guests experiences during their holidays at home, hotel and resorts are working with other organisations within and beyond the hospitality space to develop enriching programmes.
Far East Hospitality has a suite of experiential staycation packages that support local SMEs, such as homegrown aquaculture farm and floating restaurant, Smith Marine Kelong, and local photography studio StudioPlay.
These partnerships are needed as “staycationers value unique and highly enjoyable hotel experiences that they otherwise cannot get at home”, explained Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality. “In other words, they do not seek the standard room and breakfast.”
The new Capella Bangkok leverages its location on Bangkok’s oldest road to bring traditional experiences to its guests. Mindfulness sessions, for instance, are led by the head monk of Wat Yannawa, a two-hundred-year-old temple nearby while Muay Thai training is conducted by transgender boxing champion and movie star Parinya Kiatbusaba. The hotel also scoured the Charoenkrung area for Chinese herbal shops to bring traditional treatments to its Auriga Wellness Spa.
John Blanco, the hotel’s general manager, said these local experiences are appealing to domestic travellers, as they are “excited when presented with new ways to engage their heritage”.
Bangkok-headquartered Dusit International’s Local Experiences programme, launched in summer, also offers a chance for guests to appreciate local eats and souvenirs while supporting socially responsible enterprises.
Dusit hotels in Chiang Mai and Hua Hin are planning on similar local collaboration – by bringing wet markets into the properties on certain days of the month.
Over in Malaysia, Pullman Miri Waterfront went big with its guest experience upgrade. It hosted a three-day carnival, Trois Jois, which featured activities for all ages, with booth sales, fun games, live performances as well as cooking classes.
According to Joyce Surendra, cluster director of sales and distribution, representing both Pullman Miri Waterfront and Pullman Kuching, Trois Jois was well received by all who attended. There are plans to initiate a similar event in Pullman Kuching on November 21 and 22, and possibly turn Trois Jois into an annual event for Sarawak.
Local collaboration is also seen in Penang, where G Hotel Gurney works with top attractions, Tropical Spice Garden and Penang Batik Factory, as well as experienced local guides to introduce guests to the destination’s heritage and nature.
The partnerships with product owners brought guests cost savings and provided a hassle free experience as entrance tickets to tourist attractions are pre-booked. “In addition, the package includes perks at the hotel such as complimentary meals and bicycle rentals,” said Michael Hanratty, general manager of G Hotel Penang.
Hanratty sees such multi-player partnerships leading the future of hotel experiences, and intends to “continue or even expand on our partnerships” once Malaysia welcomes again international travellers. Should these packages be a hit, he hopes to take it beyond Penang through collaboration with domestic or international airlines, or to combine packages with those offered by tourism players in Langkawi to curate two-state packages.
Meanwhile, Kiroro Resort in Japan’s Hokkaido is already developing local and international collaborations to make its three hotels – Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort; The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Hokkaido; and Yu Kiroro – more attractive to potential guests.
Kiroro taps its nearby, western-Hokkaido market, collaborating with other local businesses whose customers might appreciate what the area has to offer. Such activities includes luxury cruises in partnership with Otaru Port Marina, with F&B prepared and served by the resort’s team; exclusive wine-paired dinners for Yoichi Winery members; and a luxury driving experience to the resort for lunch in collaboration with a local car importer.
The company has even facilitated the creation of Akaigawa DMO. As part of DMO activities, Kiroro uses Akaigawa produce and is planning to offer a night village this winter as well as other entertainment. Hirofumi Watanabe, DMO leader and hotel general manager of Kiroro Resort, expects these activities to support local tourism long-term by making Akaigawa and other local towns more appealing as a year-round destination.
On Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, hotels, ryokans and guest houses have joined the Sado Tourism Association’s new visitor membership club, Sadomaru. Launched in September, Sadomaru is an app that visitors download and show on arrival to earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on stays, as well as in restaurants and shops.
The scheme provides insight on the combinations of accommodations, activities and cuisine that tourists enjoy, to help local operators provide more extensive options for tourists long-term.
Room for growth
For some hotels, dangling complimentary experiences as an additional perk to their staycation packages has significantly boosted occupancy rates. One such example is lyf Funan Singapore which has hooked up with two tour agencies to weave free tours into its staycation experience.
These travel agency tie-ups are part of lyf Funan Singapore’s signature #lyfgoeslocal programme, where guests get to experience the neighbourhood’s local and authentic elements, shared Ervin Yeo, managing director for Southeast Asia, The Ascott.
“Since the launch of the joint offerings on August 1, 2020, we have seen an increase in enquiries and reservations on our staycation promotions, especially during the recent long weekends. lyf Funan Singapore was operating at near 100 per cent occupancy across the Hari Raya Haji and National Day long weekends,” he added. In comparison, the hotel was running at 85 per cent average occupancy rate from April to June 2020.
Beneficial for all
Hoteliers believe that working with other sector players will motivate travel desire, unlock new revenue streams, spread business around and uplift the entire tourism industry.
Kiong said: “Survival is the priority for many SMEs today amid the economic fallout from Covid-19 and many businesses have stepped up to help them weather the pandemic. As we continue to wrestle with the pandemic, we must not only worry about our own business survival but those of our key partners as well.
“Hospitality is a part of the tourism ecosystem and we must do all possible to help each other preserve core capabilities. If there is one takeaway from this crisis, it is – we will survive only when we consider others.”
Blanco acknowledged that Capella Bangkok’s work to enrich guest experiences with local expertise enables it to provide support to external entities and benefit from “relationships which allow us to collaborate deeper and in more creative ways”.
Bringing local partners into the hotel experience – literally – also has safety advantages. Dusit’s plans to bring wet markets into its Chiang Mai and Hua Hin hotels “generates a safer experience overall for guests and vendors”, opined Boon Kwee Lim, COO of Dusit International, as they can interact in an environment with enforced international-standard health and safety protocols.
At Trois Jois, tour operators, wedding and events service providers, independent artisans and cottage traders, and more were among the 21 commercial participants, allowing the carnival to function as a platform for local businesses to sell their products and services, thereby reaching benefits beyond travel and tourism.
A smarter redesign
One Farrer Hotel in Singapore is undergoing extensive refurbishments, which will see a redesign of the majority of its guestrooms, facilities and processes. And the experts shaping the hotel’s future look and feel are not just the usual designers – medical experts and technology specialists are also contributing their expertise to ensure the highest possible standards of hygiene and wellness for guests.
The works, costing more than S$2 million (US$1.5 million), will marry aesthetics that evoke positive and calming emotions with science to facilitate infection control best practices.
Carpets will make way for custom gapless vinyl flooring, while specialised wallpapers, moveable furniture and anti-viral fabrics will be used across guestrooms and common areas – all to make cleaning and disinfection a cinch.
At the same time, the hotel is reinventing its processes and including new measures to safeguard guests and employees. These include the launch of a Pillow Lab to improve the hygiene standards of its pillows through scientific research into material choices and cleaning processes. A menu of pillows has been curated to offer the best and most restful sleep experience for guests.
Other measures include contactless entry points, sterilisation processes using specialised UVC chests and lamps, as well as staggered check-in and check-out times.
Works will complete this December, paving the way for the launch of The Mint Hotel, a safe and hygienic concept making its debut under One Farrer Hotel’s ‘Hotels within a Hotel’ concept.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led the hotel team to recognise an opportunity for hotels to function as ancillary facilities for the care of non-emergent patients when critical healthcare facilities and hospitals are overrun.
The design principles of The Mint Hotel, such as movable furniture and materials that are suitable for terminal cleansing, make the property ideal for conversion to a ‘hospitel’ quickly should the need arise.
In redefining its dining concept for the age of safe distancing, the hotel is also launching the Nest at One Farrer to satiate the growing demand for private dining experiences.
ACI kicks off annual salary and employment trends study
Travel, tourism and hospitality-focused HR specialist, ACI HR Solutions, has started work on its 2021 research on salary and employment trends across the Asia-Pacific region.
The well-regarded annual report provides a unique statistical view of the travel, tourism and hospitality labour market as well as an invaluable insight into the mindset of industry personnel.
Against the backdrop of a pandemic and business crisis in the hospitality industry, the 2021 Salary & Employment Trends Survey will bring in specific questions related to Covid-19, shared founder and CEO, Andrew Chan.
Industry personnel can be part of the research by participating in an online survey.
Participants will receive a free copy of the published report upon its release.
IHG aims to triple Malaysian portfolio by 2025
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has plans to triple their number of hotels in Malaysia over the next five years – from the present four properties to more than 14 hotels across six brands.
Rajit Sukumaran, managing director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG, expressed long-term confidence in the Malaysian market, despite the coronavirus pandemic’s continued impact on the hospitality industry.
He said in a press release: “There is still plenty of reason for optimism. History tells us that travel will return and, as demand comes back, we’ll be well-positioned to welcome guests to our hotels – and continue to grow.
“There’ll clearly be bumps in the road, but governments across South-east Asia and (South) Korea have reacted to reduce the spread of Covid-19, which means that, in most markets, we have seen restrictions start to ease and the easier movement of people domestically, even if borders remain closed.”
Serena Lim, vice president, development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG, explained that Malaysia is an important part of IHG’s overall growth strategy and the mainstream hotel segment is key to the company’s expansion in Malaysia.
She said: “Mainstream travel is proving to be the most resilient to the crisis around the world, and it’s where we are seeing occupancy levels rebuild the quickest. We see it as key to our growth in peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia, where we are seeking to unlock secondary markets such as Ipoh, Alor Setar, Kuching and Miri.
“We know that, when the pandemic is behind us, we will see more conversions as independent hotel owners look to bring the IHG brand strength, know-how, and system delivery to their hotels.”
Lim explained that another part of IHG’s growth strategy is to introduce new luxury and lifestyle brands to the country, such as Kimpton and Hotel Indigo, both of which are set to launch in Kuala Lumpur come 2023.
The 471-room Kimpton Kuala Lumpur will be situated in the Tun Razak Exchange area, a new financial district currently being developed in Kuala Lumpur; while the 180-key Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park will open at the base of the picturesque Bukit Nanas.
Next year, IHG will also introduce its upscale brand Crowne Plaza in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. The group will also debut its Regent brand in Malaysia, with the slated 2022 opening of the Regent Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia resumes interstate travel, extends CMCO for some states
Malaysia has lifted the conditional movement control order (CMCO) for most states since yesterday (December 6), as the government seeks to revive the country’s economy battered by the pandemic.
However, it will be extended for another two weeks until December 20 for Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, most of Selangor, and some parts of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Perak – areas where the number of Covid-19 cases remain high.
From today, interstate travel will also be allowed nationwide, except in areas under enhanced movement control order, said senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob during a media conference on Saturday.
Under the CMCO, all schools, public parks and recreational centres must be closed. Most sports, social and cultural activities are not allowed, with entertainment centres and nightclubs banned from operating.
While most economic activities are allowed to continue, only three people per household are allowed to venture out of their homes.
On Saturday, Malaysia reported 1,123 new Covid-19 cases and four more deaths, bringing the tally to 71,359 and 380, respectively.
Maldives tourism revives over holiday season
Tourism in the Maldives, which reopened its borders in mid-July after a near four-month lockdown, is picking up with a surge in arrivals expected for the festive season.
“The year-end arrivals are looking good and some of this credit should go to the Maldivian authorities for aggressive destination marketing,” an industry official said.
Beating 22 other countries to bag the highly coveted World’s Leading Destination award at last month’s World Travel Awards – the most prestigious awards in the tourism industry – has also helped to boost the Maldives’ reputation as a tourist destination, said Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) managing director Thoyyib Mohamed.
“We have been continuing destination marketing even during the lockdown. Last month, we launched a global media campaign and currently have 47 other marketing activities with B2B and B2C campaigns,” he said, adding that source markets including Russia, Ukraine, the UK, India and the US were doing well.
He said the Maldives saw 35,759 arrivals last month, and is on track to reaching its target of 100,000 arrivals from mid-July to year-end by December 15. Meanwhile, the total arrivals for the year is expected to be a little over 500,000 arrivals, a steep decline compared to pre-Covid figures but commendable given the restrictions on outbound travel in many source markets.
Abdulla Ghiyas, deputy managing director at Inner Maldives Holiday, said many airlines were returning to the Maldives, in part due to the island nation being one of the few Asian countries with borders open to leisure travellers. “We are seeing many expatriates from the Middle East also visiting the Maldives,” he said, adding that based on the upward trajectory, next year’s target has been revised to one million from 600,000.
The number of Covid-19 infections detected in the island nation has also reduced since borders were reopened on July 15, and were mostly confined to the capital Male – far away from the remote resorts, added Ghiyas, who is also the former president of Maldives Association for Travel Agents & Tour Operators.
Meanwhile, 10 resorts have acquired their own Covid testing machines and are awaiting Health Ministry clearance, a facility until now only offered by Soneva resorts in the Maldives.
Another industry official from a DMO, who declined to be named, said the surge in visitor arrivals has surprised many sector players. “(Demand in forward bookings) is really looking good and we expect occupancy of 60-65 per cent during the festive season, as compared to 70-75 per cent in the past few years,” he said, noting however that prices have been marked down by 30-50 per cent to attract visitors. Still, he added: “Even if prices are low, the cash injection with growing arrival numbers is vital to sustain the resorts.”
Correction: This report has been updated to correctly state that Abdulla Ghiyas is the former president of Maldives Association for Travel Agents & Tour Operators.
Take a Singapoliday with Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Brought to you by Pan Pacific Hotels Group
New faces of the year
The latest addition to the metamorphosis – Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay (formerly Marina Mandarin) – brings the first garden-in-a-hotel concept to Singapore. It is not surprising then, to spot the Group’s core belief in sustainability radiating through this revamped property.
Stepping through the entrance, visitors are greeted by a soaring 13m landscaped planter wall; before transcending the skybridge on the 4th floor – designed to emulate an immersive forest tree top experience – to an indoor atrium, now transformed into a lush garden featuring sculptural pavilions that double up as enclaves for guests to unwind.
With sustainability and experiential stays gaining traction in today’s travels, all 583 well-furnished rooms feature biodegradable in-room amenities and a water filter system to minimise the use of single-use plastic bottles.
A host of wellness experiences beckons: an urban farm located onsite offering educational farming experiences; a mineral swimming pool fitted with optic lights akin to luxuriating in a cosmic pool; and – with appreciation for conscious eating – a farm-to-table concept dining.
As part of its launch, capitalise on the trove of curated options in charting your stay – from in-room family fun, to picnics at the insta-worthy sculptural pavilion or even at the iconic Gardens by the Bay.
Bespoke stays
As cross border leisure travel is largely still a pipe dream, PPHG has also pivoted two other brands under its portfolio, Parkroyal and Pan Pacific, with localities in Singapore’s treasured precincts to attract residents to be a tourist in their own city.
With Christmas festivities around the corner, why not consider indulging yourself to rediscover Singapore, or at best, gift it to an industry friend? We check four of them out:
Feed Your Wanderlust: A culinary-oriented stay, delight palates with a four-course lunch or dinner set menu, Club access to all-day refreshments and a hearty champagne buffet breakfast. Guests who’ll miss the food can learn to replicate it at the cooking and mixology classes, included as part of the package.
Participating properties: Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road, Pan Pacific Singapore, Parkroyal on Beach Road, and Parkroyal Collection Pickering.
The Suite Life: Life is indeed sweet when champagne, spa treatments, and luxury car transfers are involved. In addition, Parkroyal Collection Pickering curates a series of holistic wellness activities – cooking and mixology classes, yoga and pilates sessions, and architectural tour of Chinatown – to round up the stay.
Pacific Club Experience: Can’t fly? Don’t fret. A stay at club floor rooms at Pan Pacific Singapore grants access to the Pacific Club Lounge on the 38th floor, which offers 360-degree views of Marina Bay, the South China Sea, and the city. Besides personalised hospitality and culinary frills, the option of booking its private dining rooms for two hours is a welcome respite in today’s climate.
Simply Yours: The Exclusive Couples Retreat: Explore facets of Singapore’s rich heritage with a partner (or esteemed friend) while staying at the newly renovated Parkroyal on Beach Road. In-house culinary masters lead curated local experience workshops daily, and guests may also opt for add-on activities such as guided walks, batik making, and perfume discovery workshops at discounted rates. Unwind a day of being out and about with refreshments and evening cocktails served to your room.
Gourmet tourism at home
Foodies, don’t dream its over because travel restrictions now throw a spanner to your vacation plans.
With Singapore at the crossroads of an international culinary scene, PPHG redefines dining experiences with its portfolio of new concepts, and award-winning restaurants and bars showcasing a plethora of global flavours.
First up, longstanding favourites in the local dining scene: Keyaki and Si Chuan Dou Hua.
Breezing through the ethereal Japanese garden surrounding the establishment is akin to visiting the destination in itself. Keyaki prides itself for using air-flown ingredients from Japan in creating its renowned Kaiseki and teppanyaki menus.
Accommodating both traditionalist and contemporary diners, both tatami and western seating private dining rooms are available.
Our familiarity with bold and spicy Chinese flavours today is thanks to Si Chuan Dou Hua, the pioneer of authentic Sichuan cuisine in Singapore. The fiery gastronomic adventure ranges from intricate a la carte presentations to celebrated themed buffets featuring an extensive list of samplers. Dining here is also complemented by theatrics – with tea served through a long-spouted kettle.
The love affair with local food birthed Best of Lime, an all-new a la carte buffet featuring tie-ups between hawker heavyweights from the renowned Hong Lim Food Centre, and in-house culinary stars with their creative takes on international fusion cuisine.
Head to the facelifted Ginger for a curation of Singaporean flavours with a twist, such as dried shrimps – a staple in South-east Asian cooking – meets garlic cheese bun, or slow braised Australian beef cheek rendang.
Also newly renovated, all-day dining restaurant Spice Brasserie embraces Asian street food, while taking diners on a culinary journey weaving through Asia to Europe at its buffet line. An ode to the vibrant Kitchener Road neighbourhood, the restaurant also houses a tandoor oven in churning out unique takes on North Indian delights.
For the millennials (and those who identify as such) whose cameras must eat first, there will be ample opportunities for the ‘gram – all while savouring healthful farm-to-table cuisine in greenhouse-inspired private dining areas at Peppermint, sipping afternoon tea at freshly sown verdant landscape at Atrium Lounge, or when downing tipples at new destination bar Club 5.
Feeling famished already? Click here for bookings on featured establishments and more.
IATA issues guidelines for global vaccine distribution
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Guidance for Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Logistics and Distribution will ensure member airlines are prepared to handle what is expected to be the largest and most complex operation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Launched in mid-November, the guidance was developed in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, Pan American Health Organization, UK Civil Aviation Authority, World Bank, World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization.
The guidance includes a repository of international standards and guidelines related to the transport of vaccines and will be updated regularly as information is made available to the industry. In addition, IATA has set up a joint information-sharing forum for stakeholders.
On December 2, the UK became the first Western country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine and will roll out Pfizer-BioNTech’s drug from next week.
Conrad Clifford, IATA’s regional vice-president for Asia Pacific, told a virtual media briefing that if people continue not to travel because of the 14-day quarantine requirement, airlines will continue to see a 90 per cent drop in traffic.
Commenting on Qantas’ announcement last week that passengers have to be vaccinated before flying with the airline, Clifford said he did not know when this regulation would kick in and was not aware of any other member deciding to follow suit.
IATA maintains that testing is still the way to go, and outgoing director-general Alexandre de Juniac, at its November 24 virtual AGM, commented: “We can’t wait for the vaccine, the priority now is testing.”
He added: “As excited as we are about vaccine development, I must be very clear on one point. We cannot wait for vaccine distribution to reopen borders for travel. An immediate solution already exists. We could safely open borders today with systematic Covid-19 testing.”
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has signed a three-year MoU with South Korean production company, Studio Dragon Corporation, to promote Singapore as a destination in South Korea and other regions through the production of Korean dramas in Singapore.
The MOU was signed by CK Kang, CEO of Studio Dragon Corporation, and Keith Tan, CEO of Singapore Tourism Board. This is the first collaboration between Studio Dragon – which produced global hits such as Crash Landing on You and Guardian: The Lonely and Great God – and a national tourism organisation.
Filming of these Korean dramas, with Singapore as a backdrop, will begin when travel restrictions ease. During this process, STB will play an advisory role in determining the locations, products and cultures of Singapore to be featured.
Additionally, the two parties will collaborate on joint marketing and promotional activities related to the drama productions filmed in Singapore. These will be rolled out in phases determined by prevailing travel policies in target markets and consumers’ readiness to travel.
Tan said: “Korean dramas are immensely popular around the world, and we hope this will generate more interest and conversations about Singapore. We are confident that this partnership will help to boost the recovery of our tourism sector and inspire more people to visit Singapore when the time is right.”
Kang added: “While it will be not easy to come together at this moment due to challenges brought about by the pandemic, we hope to be able to expand our partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board not just to feature Singapore as a travel destination for future visitors, but in various other IP-related projects focusing on dramas in future as well.”
This partnership forms one of the key pillars of STB’s marketing strategy in South Korea, a country that ranked ninth out of Singapore’s top 15 source markets in 2019. Some 646,000 South Koreans visited Singapore last year, a three per cent increase over 2018.