Bangkok-based Onyx Hospitality Group has launched a new hotel brand called Saffron Collection, which will offer a portfolio of “story-driven” boutique hotels and resorts.
Saffron Collection will initially be available in Hanoi, Penang, Bangkok and Aranyaprathet in Thailand, with plans for further expansion across the Asia-Pacific region.
Each Saffron Collection property will serve as “a timeless showcase of the continuous legacy of the landmarks, people or legends that made a lasting impact on the destination and neighbourhood”.
Oriental Residence Bangkok will be reintroduced as a Saffron Collection property by the end of 2020. Touted as a “modern-day interpretation” of the famed Oriental Hotel set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the property will feature 145 suites, a collection of function rooms and the French-inspired Cafe Claire.
As a new-build addition to the collection, The Five Residences Hanoi is slated to open in October 2020, and will feature design incorporating the five elements of nature as inspired by the Five Elements Mountains of Central Vietnam. Centrally located on Doi Can Street, the property will offer 116 rooms and suites, neo-Asian restaurant NAM and MAAI Spa.
This will be followed by the mid-2021 opening of The George in Penang, and the early 2022 opening of Indochina Hotel in Aranyaprathet, Thailand.
Located on Jalan Pinang, The George, Penang will be a new-build hotel offering 93 rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and rooftop pool; while Indochina Hotel, Aranyaprathet will reopen as a 120-room property following an extension restoration of the historic institution.
Every Saffron Collection lobby will showcase a customised cocktail cabinet, offering a select list of mixology concoctions from the locality alongside one signature cocktail designed for each property.
“Saffron Collection is driven by our quest to create a distinctive portfolio of boutique hotels and resorts that appeal to guests who want to be immersed in the stories and legends of the places they visit,” said Douglas Martell, president and CEO, Onyx Hospitality Group.
“Each Saffron Collection property aims to create memorable experiences through locally-relevant design and sensitive integration into the past and present of a destination. For owners and investors, Saffron Collection is also our way of preserving the compelling moments in a family, a corporation or a building and area’s history, and reinterpreting them towards memorable experiences for our present and future travellers.”
Singapore is at the top of the list of travel destinations for people living in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines when it comes to post-lockdown travel, according to a new global study.
These destinations also have considerable pent-up demand for travel. Out of the five, Indians are the most eager to travel internationally in the next 12 months (77 per cent), followed by Thais (70 per cent), Indonesians (60 per cent), Hong Kongers (47 per cent), and Filipinos (46 per cent).
Jointly conducted by social research agency Blackbox Research, data provider Dynata, and language partner Language Connect, Unravel Travel: Fear & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus (Covid-19) World examined the sentiments, preferences, and expectations of more than 10,000 people across 17 countries regarding travel in a post-Covid-19 world.
The study also found that Singaporeans are keen for the local travel industry to find its footing again. An overwhelming 93 per cent of Singaporeans recognise that tourism is a major industry and contributor to the local economy, with more than half (67 per cent) believing that the country is well-prepared to reopen tourism and leisure activities. More than half (57 per cent) are also comfortable with tourism boards, including their own, promoting their countries amid a pandemic.
On a more global level, the study revealed that one in five will look to avoid business travel in the next 12 months, spelling a challenge for Singapore’s plans to progressively resume essential business travel for executives.
Saurabh Sardana, COO of Blackbox Research, said that both regional interest and citizen sentiment towards restarting local tourism have been encouraging, but establishing traveller’s trust in health and safety protocols is key.
He elaborated: “People across Asia have the most pent-up demand to travel, and Singapore is well-placed to tap into that opportunity given its strategic location as the region’s travel hub. As Asia’s business hub as well, Singapore’s immediate focus on appealing to business travellers by working to establish green lane arrangements with a number of countries will help kickstart the industry.
“However, with concerns on health and safety as well as the increasing prevalence of digital tools replacing in-person business meetings, our study found that a significant percentage of people globally are deterred from business travel.
“With the number of cases in control now, Singapore is well-placed to cut through the fear and noise around pandemic travel, and drive home the safety narrative for its local tourism assets. This includes assurances on health checks during key stages of their itinerary, as well as ensuring that the required safety standards and precautions are in place.”
Singapore also has strong domestic appeal, with 78 per cent of Singaporeans keen to support local travel attractions in the next 12 months.
Sardana said: “Despite being a small island state that does not offer locals different states and regions to explore, our survey demonstrated that Singaporeans’ impression of domestic travel is still relatively robust. Singapore is committed to appeal to local consumers, as demonstrated by its S$45 million (US$32.5 million) SingapoRediscovers campaign, and its offerings are also well-placed to capture the domestic market.
“The next stage will be to further grow the way domestic tourism is perceived by locals, based on a greater understanding of local preferences, sentiments, and expectations.”