Nepal and Bhutan next for Wyndham’s portfolio expansion

July 9, 2020

Hawthorn-Suites1 — Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dwarka

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will make its property debut in Nepal this August and in Bhutan come March 2021, as part of its continued expansion across the Indian subcontinent.

Ramada by Wyndham Valley Thimpu, Bhutan, will offer 41 spacious rooms, including many with panoramic views of the magnificent Himalayas. Tucked in the Thimpu valley by the free-flowing Raidāk River, its location will provide easy access to special events at the Tasichho Dzong, the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma, and the sacred Memorial Chorten site.

Wyndham grows *its* *footprint* across the *Indian subcontinent, with planned properties in* Nepal and Bhutan, following the opening of the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dwarka (above)

Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel, Nepal, will be situated in the Thamel district of Kathmandu. The hotel will offer 90 guestrooms with a range of amenities to make for a comfortable stay and a rooftop promising a scenic view of the city.

The announcements came on the back of the company’s latest opening in the region, the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dwarka – the brand’s debut in India.

Later this month, Wyndham will welcome the 45-key Ramada by Wyndham Mussoorie Mall Road at a hill station in the Dehradun District of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Referred to as the Queen of the Hills, Mussoorie is popular with leisure and business travellers.

Nikhil Sharma, area director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said: “Over the last few years, Bhutan and Nepal have seen a steady increase in tourism, making them ideal destinations for us to expand into. What’s more, they perfectly complement the opportunity and uptick of the mid-scale market in India, which we’ve strengthened today with the introduction of our Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham brand.

“As the Indian subcontinent continues making waves in the hospitality industry, Wyndham remains laser focused on tapping into its key markets and fulfilling our mission of making hotel travel possible for all.”

Wyndham is currently one of the largest international hotel companies in India. Besides Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dwarka, the company has opened two other properties in the country since January 2020: Ramada by Wyndham Aligarh GT Road in January and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Pune Hinejwadi in March.

Cathay Pacific ramps up sustainability focus

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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The Cathay Pacific Group has released its 2019 sustainable development report highlighting its efforts in moving towards greener aviation, and its community engagement initiatives.

These endeavours focus on climate change, the efficient use of resources, waste management, and supporting people and community.

Cathay Pacific pledges to halve its single-use plastic packaging by end-2022

The Hong Kong airline said that it has set a target to reduce its single-use plastic footprint by 50 per cent by the end of 2022, removing nearly 200 million pieces of single-use plastic from its operations annually.

The carrier has also introduced new efficiency initiatives, added six new, more fuel-efficient Airbus A350s to its fleet, and scaled up climate change risk and mitigation planning.

In addition, Cathay also committed to the continued support of communities through its Cathay ChangeMakers initiative, which aims to recognise citizens who have made positive contributions to society; and its I Can Fly programme, which recruits Hong Kong students who show a passion for aviation.

Cathay Pacific CEO, Augustus Tang, said: “At the time of preparing this report, a public health emergency has rocked the global economy. It feels more important than ever to foster positivity, to protect our people, to strengthen our communities and to confront the major challenges we face.

“We are very determined to play our part in this hugely important undertaking; one which requires us to be financially successful but in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Our commitment to developing sustainably with transparency and accountability is undiminished.”

New hotels: Raffles Bali, Far East Village Hotel Ariake, and more

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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Raffles_Bali_sunset1 — Raffles Bali sunset

Raffles Bali, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran Bay, the hilltop Raffles Bali has soft opened, offering vistas of the Indian Ocean and its own secluded beach. All 32 pool villas on the property features an outdoor terrace and private pool, indoor and outdoor showers, yoga mats and beach accessories, and a soaking tub. F&B venues include the brand’s iconic Writers Bar; Rumari restaurant, which serves up Balinese cuisine; Loloan Beach Bar and Grill, a seafood resturant; as well as The Secret Cave and the Purnama Honeymoon Bale, both for intimate dining experiences. Also on show is a library and spa.

Raffles Wellbeing Butlers are also on hand to arrange bespoke cultural experiences, from temple dance ceremonies to traditional cooking classes. Raffles Bali will be the first Raffles to launch the brand’s new wellbeing programme, Emotional Wellbeing by Raffles.

Far East Village Hotel Ariake, Japan
Far East Hospitality has opened its Far East Village Hotel Ariake in Japan. Previously known as Village Hotel Ariake Tokyo, the 306-key property is the first hotel under the Village brand to expand its presence outside of Singapore. Located in Koto City, the eastern part of Tokyo, Far East Village Hotel Ariake targets the domestic business community who will be attending conferences and exhibitions at Tokyo Big Sight – one of Japan’s premier exhibition arenas and convention centre. The hotel is also located a short walk from Ariake Tennis Park and the Ariake Arena.

Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae, South Korea
Come August, Accor Ambassador Korea, in partnership with Seohan Tourism Development, will open its third Mercure-branded hotel in South Korea. The Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae will feature 270 guestrooms, an all-day-dining restaurant, a lobby bar, fitness centre and laundromat. For corporate meetings and events, a business corner and meeting facilities are available; while the outdoor courtyard garden offers the perfect venue for private parties and cocktails.

The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing, China
Overlooking Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing towers 62 stories above the city’s CBD, on the uppermost floors of the upscale Deji Plaza. The hotel features 295 rooms, including 32 suites with kitchen and dining areas. Available are five F&B outlets, including Cantonese restaurant Dai Yuet Heen, all-day dining outlet Lavandula, and rooftop bar-restaurant Flair. Also on-site are a spa, a 24-hour fitness centre and yoga studio, and an indoor swimming pool. Meeting planners can avail more than 2,200m² of event space, including The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom with an outdoor terrace, The Plaza Ballroom, and seven multi-functional meeting rooms.

Kempinski Hotels expands partnership with Clean the World

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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More properties under the Kempinski Hotels group have joined the Clean the World programme, which donates soap to vulnerable communities around the world while protecting the environment from harmful waste.

This is said to be an expansion of Kempinski’s existing work with Clean the World, as it seeks to reinforce its commitment to improve environmental impacts and support social initiatives.

Kempinski partners Clean the World to recycle discarded soap bars and donate them to needy communities

Clean the World’s hospitality programme takes discarded soap bars and bottled amenities, and recycles them in order to protect the environment, preserve natural resources, help communities in need, and to reduce costs.

The seamless process starts with a housekeeping service collecting the used soap and amenities, and sorting them into Clean the World-provided bins. Once full, the bins are shipped to one of six Clean the World warehouses, where the soap is then run through a special filtration process, whereby all debris is removed and filtered into ‘grind’.

The grind is then processed into new soap bars and packed for distribution by partners around the world, including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Children International and the Red Cross.

“We are incredibly excited to be working with Clean the World, whose commitment to sustainability and continued support for impoverished communities around the world amplify our corporate social responsibility,” said Benedikt Jaschke, chief quality officer and member of the Kempinski Management Board.

Jaschke added that Kempinski’s work with Clean the World to “fight the global spread of preventable diseases” was “even more vital as we face the current global pandemic”.

Commenting on the partnership, Shawn Seipler, founder and CEO of Clean the World, said: “(Kempinski Hotels’) forward-thinking and corporate sense of responsibility to enhance their sustainability efforts to now include soap recycling speaks volumes about who they are as a brand. They are prioritising putting life-saving soap into the hands of people who need it, while also protecting the environment from harmful waste.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Clean the World has continued to work tirelessly to distribute over three million bars of soap to homeless shelters, food pantries, refugee camps and emergency healthcare facilities around the world. It is calling on all hotels to recycle their soap rather than dispose of it, so they can help stop the spread of Covid-19 and prevent a future resurgence of the virus within vulnerable populations.

Princess Cruises updates summer 2021 sailings for US and Europe

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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Princess_Cruises_Alaska1 — Princess Cruises Alaska

Princess Cruises’ summer 2021 season will see Majestic Princess being deployed for the first time to Alaska while Regal Princess will return to Europe.

Majestic Princess‘ Alaska deployment replaces Regal Princess, and will fulfill all published Seattle Inside Passage departures from May to September, except the May 4, 2021 departure of a five-day Alaska Sampler which will be cancelled.

Majestic Princess will set sail for her inaugural Alaska season, while Regal Princess will return to Europe

In her Europe deployment, Regal Princess will sail from Southampton, England, replacing Grand Princess for summer 2021. Regal Princess will sail on 17 round-trip departures from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Norway, Scandinavia, Iceland and other popular destinations in the region.

As a result of this change, the Regal Princess South Pacific Crossing, as well as two Grand Princess seven-day Europe cruises will be cancelled.

Grand Princess will be deployed to the West Coast for a new summer Mexico and California Coast season, departing from Los Angeles, with details to be announced later this summer.

Guests booked on Regal Princess Alaska and Grand Princess Europe voyages will have their booking automatically moved from Regal Princess to Majestic Princess in Alaska, and from Grand Princess to Regal Princess in Europe, and will receive a new booking confirmation.

Anantara offers luxury train trips through Vietnam

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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The-Vietage-Interior1 — The Vietage Interior

The Vietage, a 12-seat carriage, has launched luxury railway journeys through the Vietnamese countryside linking Danang and Quy Nhon.

Developed by Anantara, The Vietage will journey between Anantara Hoi An Resort and Anantara Quy Nhon Villas. The six-hour journey passes through local villages, the rural countryside, and stops at a few stations on the way.

The Vietage offers luxury train travel experiences for guests exploring Vietnam

Amenities on board the custom-designed carriage include a sit-up bar, and a dedicated area with spa treatment chairs.

A one-way ticket aboard The Vietage costs US$185 per person, including a three-course meal, free-flow drinks, bar snacks, and a 30-minute head and shoulder treatment.

An à la carte menu also offers premium wines, champagnes and treats such as local caviar and cheeses, all available for pre-purchase.

The Vietage departs from Danang every morning at 09.31, arriving at Dieu Tri station in Quy Nhon at 15.43. The return journey departs Dieu Tri at 17.29 and arrives in Danang at 23.01. The Vietage runs for eleven months each year, taking a break during the annual Vietnamese Tet holiday period.

AirAsia’s Ourshop partners FAMA to help farmers sell produce

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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AirAsia’s e-commerce marketplace, Ourshop, is partnering the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) to support local farmers by providing a platform for them to sell their fresh and frozen produce.

To do so, Ourshop, powered by AirAsia’s logistics arm Teleport, launched a new category called Ourfresh on its platform, offering produce direct from the source, with next-day delivery guaranteed for Klang Valley customers.

AirAsia’s Ourshop offers local farmers a direct channel to sell their fresh and frozen produce

Ourshop will feature products from a total of 200 farmers of various fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish.

Ourshop head of marketing, Grace Chin, said they decided to introduce Ourfresh as they “saw the growth of fresh and frozen produce during the movement control order”. The initiative aims to help local producers grow beyond traditional markets and expose them to new customers, she added.

The venture will kick off in Klang Valley, before expanding throughout Malaysia, and then, the South-east Asia region.

Preferred promotes staycations in India

By TTG Asia

July 9, 2020

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The-Leela-Palace-Udaipur — The Leela Palace Udaipur

Preferred Hotels & Resorts has launched Loving Local, a global campaign championing local and regional hotel stays, in India.

The campaign, rolled out across 21 destinations, aims to encourage travellers to staycation within their hometown or venture further into their surrounding region to enjoy authentic hospitality at more than 200 participating hotels and resorts worldwide.

Preferred encourages Indian travellers to staycation at members hotels like The Leela Palace Udaipur (above)

In India, there are 16 participating member hotels, including The Leela Palace Udaipur, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, The Imperial New Delhi, and Welcomhotel Amritsar.

The campaign is valid for bookings made by July 31, 2020 for stays of two nights or more through December 31, 2020.

India agents petition for expedited airfare refunds

By Rohit Kaul

July 9, 2020

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The IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of India, calling for the powers to order airlines to expedite refunds for cancelled tickets.

This follows continued inaction from airlines despite the Supreme Court of India instructing the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 12 to work out a solution for the refund of airfares to passengers.

Airlines in India continue to deny refunds to travel agents, who are buckling under financial strain

Biji Eapen, national president of IAAI, said: “We have requested aviation regulators to direct airlines (to make) full refunds of all tickets issued before and after March 24 for the flights that were supposed to operate (but were) cancelled due to the coronavirus situation, travel restrictions and lockdowns.”

The elusive airfare refunds have put additional pressure on Indian travel agents who are battling mounting financial losses due to the pandemic.

Jyoti Mayal, president of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), told TTG Asia that some member travel agents, who have been hounded by clients for airfare refunds, have had to dig into their own pockets, despite that being ill-advised by the association.

In addition to refusing full refunds, airlines have also insisted that financially-stretched travel agents fulfill their IATA payments on time, revealed Mayal.

Vineet Raina, founder and managing director, Pink Elephant Journeys, remarked: “The airlines are legally required to provide refunds to customers who had their flights cancelled because of the coronavirus.

“In most of the cases, the airlines…are providing a credit shell, valid up to one year (in place of full ticket refund). That is clearly in violation of the DGCA instruction.”

Malaysia hotels woo travellers with safety label

By S Puvaneswary

July 9, 2020

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Cleanliness — Disaster Operation conducted by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's Hazmat Special Forces at the Covid-19 Quarantine Interim Center in a hotel.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has launched the first industry-wide hygiene and safety label in the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic to give travellers peace of mind amid the pandemic.

Dubbed the Clean & Safe Malaysia, the certification programme is designed specifically for hotels and resorts in compliance with both local regulatory requirements and international standards.

*Malaysia’s Clean & Safe* label *certification* for the country’s hotels aim to restore traveller confidence

This programme is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, and will be the benchmark of hygiene and safety standards for the country’s hotel industry.

MAH CEO Yap Lip Seng said in a statement: “The Clean & Safe Malaysia hygiene and safety label extends beyond base regulatory requirements, with the ultimate goal of not only ensuring its implementation, but also continuous compliance for peace of mind of travellers staying at certified hotels.”

MAH has appointed Bureau Veritas Malaysia (BVM) as the independent auditor leveraging its global footprint and auditing expertise in more than 140 countries to deliver a consistent and uniformed solution to every participating hotel across Malaysia.

BVM will audit and monitor participating hotels throughout the entire certification period, and the general public can also access information of these hotels on its website.

Every certified hotel will be issued the Clean & Safe Malaysia label and certificate, complete with its very own QR code for referencing and verification purposes.

Nepal and Bhutan next for Wyndham’s portfolio expansion

Cathay Pacific ramps up sustainability focus

New hotels: Raffles Bali, Far East Village Hotel Ariake, and more

Kempinski Hotels expands partnership with Clean the World

Princess Cruises updates summer 2021 sailings for US and Europe

Anantara offers luxury train trips through Vietnam

AirAsia’s Ourshop partners FAMA to help farmers sell produce

Preferred promotes staycations in India

India agents petition for expedited airfare refunds

Malaysia hotels woo travellers with safety label

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