The Sri Lankan Government has approved 30-day free visas for nationals from 35 countries from October 1 this year. Beneficiaries are passport-holders from countries such as the US, the UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.
Nationals from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, who have been entitled to free visas since late last year, will also be able to obtain a 30-day visa-free entry.
Sri Lanka has approved 30-day free visas for nationals from 35 countries
Harin Fernando, tourism advisor to president Ranil Wickremesinghe, confirmed the new scheme on August 21.
Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) returns from September 13 to 22 with a series of race-themed lifestyle experiences across the city to appeal to individuals of all ages and diverse interests.
GPSS complements the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 experience and encourages visitors and locals to discover the myriad offerings across different parts of the city.
A Race Through Time – The Singapore Grand Prix Through The Years exhibition will be held from September 14 to 22 where visitors can journey through the rich history of the Singapore Grand Prix (Photo: Ferrari Experience)
This year’s GPSS features large-scale activations through four GPSS Headliners at different precincts across Singapore: Groovedriver Festival 2024 at the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang; Jam Off 2024 at Orchard Road; The Glam Circuit Festival at Kampong Gelam; and CQ @ Clarke Quay x Culture Cartel Presents: Street Style Speedway at Clarke Quay.
These will take place alongside offerings by GPSS partners, including new players like Dragonfly Singapore, The Southern Depot, and Trifecta.
Groovedriver Festival marks the first time that there will be a 10-day live music and entertainment programming for GPSS taking place at the Singapore Sports Hub. To enliven the experience further, there will also be a pop-up beach club, automobile showcases, and simulator racing within the iconic venue.
Also making its debut is the cross-culture extravaganza, Jam Off 2024 on Singapore’s shopping belt, Orchard Road, with activities ranging from street dance battles at the main stage to racing and street culture at the fusion F&B stands, merchandise pop-ups, and artistes’ fan meets.
Over at Kampong Gelam, the Glam Circuit Festival will transform into a race-themed wonderland, with mini motorcycles rides, simulator racing, a music festival programme and food pitstops.
A fusion of street culture and racing awaits visitors at CQ @ Clarke Quay x Culture Cartel Presents: Street Style Speedway featuring art installations with local artists transforming car wraps into works of art, a futuristic Speed Tunnel on Read Bridge, the Limited Edt x Culture Cartel pop-up stores, and a Drone Show over Clarke Quay and the Singapore River to end the night.
This year’s GPSS welcomes new programme partners, such as the Dragonfly Singapore bar, Off The Grid by The Southern Depot, and Trifecta Race Club’s rooftop takeover with pop-up party series GrooveTop, featuring a diverse DJ lineup and music genres, alongside surf and snow challenges and test drives.
Other highlights include tours, art shows, cocktails, gaming and electric karting across the island, from Gillman Barracks and the Civic District, to Sentosa, Dempsey and the Marina precinct.
Ong Ling Lee, executive director, sports and wellness, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “In its 15th edition, Grand Prix Season Singapore continues to captivate our visitors and locals with 10 days of race-themed festivities, heightening the buzz of the race season across Singapore. As a key highlight in Singapore’s events calendar, GPSS 2024 showcases the diversity of our attractions, dining, entertainment and retail offerings, all of which our visitors and locals can relish.”
Laguna Lakeside Residences, Thailand
Laguna Lakeside Residences joins the iconic Laguna Phuket integrated resort community at Bang Tao beach on Phuket’s Central West Coast, just 30 minutes from Phuket International Airport.
The new residences are conveniently situated at the gateway to Laguna Phuket, overlooking a lagoon and right on the doorstep of the popular Boat Avenue entertainment district at Bang Tao area.
Set in landscaped gardens, each one-, two- and three-bedroom residences boasts its own expansive rooftop infinity pool.
Travelodge Suites Busan Centum
Travelodge Suites Busan Centum, South Korea
Travelodge Suites Busan Centum offers panoramic views of either Haeundae Beach, the Marine City, or the Olympic Park from all its guestrooms, some of which comes with in-room washing machines, and kitchens. Facilities include a rooftop pool, fitness centre, Italian restaurant, and a meeting room.
Located in Centum City, nearby the property are Haeundae and Gwangalli Beaches, major shopping, museums, Busan Cinema Center, X-the Sky, Luge, Lotte World, and the Hub MICE, BEXCO.
HIIVE by fusion Binh Duong New City
HIIVE by fusion Binh Duong New City, Vietnam
Situated in Binh Duong in southern Vietnam, HIIVE by fusion Binh Duong New City is just 38km north of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and is near Hikari Complex, Binh Duong New City Park and the Binh Duong World Trade Center Association.
All guestrooms and suites include a workspace, high-speed Wi-Fi, individually controlled air-conditioning units, kitchenette, and other modern amenities.
The hotel also offers 24-hour laundry services, a fitness centre and golf simulator, restaurant, bar, and two meeting rooms.
La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, South Korea
La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort offers 190 rooms, a nine-hole golf course, fitness centre, saunas, swimming pools and dining options, as well as event venues.
Nestled in the city of Hwaseong-si, South Korea, just a 30-minute drive from Seoul, guests can visit attractions like the Yungneung and Geolleung Royal Tombs and Yongjusa Temple or take a short drive to Seoul and Suwon.
Melbourne’s business tourism landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a resurgence in demand, aviation routes returning with a vengeance, and innovative opportunities for events.
A new regional convention centre in the pipeline is also expected to open up fresh events possibilities, potentially allowing delegates to bypass Melbourne city entirely, and redirecting economic activity to regional areas.
Melbourne business events sector is booming; city skyline pictured
In 2024, Melbourne expects to welcome about 85,000 international and national delegates across 130 events, including 40 international association events, or about one a week.
The Chinese market also appears to be returning, with Amway China bringing in 10,000 incentive delegates last April, marking the first time an incentive event of that scale has returned since the pandemic.
“The events sector in Melbourne is performing incredibly well, and we are getting strong demand coming out of Asia. We are seeing a really high volume of events coming through with strong attendance,” Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau, told TTGmice.
“Many events have been in renewables, new energy, business, sociocultural engineering, and education.
“We’ve also got the fastest growing hotel pipeline in Australia, so together with the new (regional) convention centre in Geelong opening in 2026, we have a growing capacity for events and are certainly expecting continued economic growth.”
Among the new accommodation infrastructure is a mixed-use development that will open early next year in a new part of Melbourne opposite the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), featuring dual hotel brands in TFE Hotels and A by Adina. It will also offer an event space for 1,000 people.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre hosts many events in a year
Another notable hotel brand to make its mark is a 62-storey luxury flagship Shangri-La, which will likely open in 2025.
“To have that ultra-premium, Asian brand in Melbourne is a huge asset, and it’s in a beautiful location with phenomenal views of the city from one direction and the heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building on the other,” added Swanson.
Also highly anticipated is the Elysian Fields, a proposed A$1.7 billion development on a 27,000m2 site to build the world’s first futuristic luxury wellness hub combining modern health, ancient wisdom, and neuroscience, within fairly close proximity to the MCEC.
There is robust activity on the aviation front too.
“In terms of connectivity to Asia, we are seeing those last few gaps that were prevalent after Covid reopen, alongside new services. Beijing Capital Airlines is launching a new Melbourne-Hangzhou route in June. With five direct flights per week, Hangzhou will be the eighth destination in mainland China to connect to Melbourne,” said Swanson.
Vietjet Air is also now connecting Melbourne to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and December 2023 saw non-stop flights from Mumbai via Air India commence.
Joining the party soon is South Korea’s Asiana Airlines, which will run four flights weekly between Melbourne and Seoul for a seasonal service from July to December, which Swanson expects to “really make a difference in welcoming back our Korean attendees”.
Legacy-wise, Melbourne is keeping on the front foot, continuing to innovate its events and putting new stakes in the ground. Responding to what it saw as a growing appetite to gather the brightest minds in finance, a new Asia Pacific Financial Innovation Summit was built and held in April 2024, and developed with the state government and finance professionals. Within six weeks of its announcement, it attracted 600 delegates including global financial sector heavyweights Blackstone, Apollo, and Cornell Capital.
“It’s events like that, that we are looking to do a bit differently. It didn’t exist, so we identified the gap in the market, rallied some of the talent here and their global connections, and created something new in Melbourne,” said Swanson.
In the meantime, big expansion plans are underway for regional Victoria. The new Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is expected to open in early 2026 in the state’s second-largest city, where there is already a hive of activity with government offices, Deakin University, and research centre CSIRO.
It is expected that Avalon Airport, located 15km from Geelong, will grow to accommodate more international flights, creating the potential for event delegates to enter Victoria directly and experience incentive offerings in the area, and also serving as a gateway to the Great Ocean Road for leisure trips.
“It just adds another offering to our toolkit when we are selling Melbourne and Victoria internationally,” said Swanson.
A “gap” between institutes of higher learning (IHL), students and industry was raised during a recent PATA Youth Symposium and has resulted in a call for curriculum to be developed by academics with practical experience, to be updated on a regular basis to close it.
Ex-hotelier and Innovative Internship Coaching founder, David Jones, who has worked in the US and Asia, commented faculty with “real-world industry experience are essential in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical demands”.
IHLs should tap on those with real-world industry experience to develop the course curriculum
First-hand knowledge provides students with a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed, he added.
Nisha Abu Bakar, co-founder World Women Tourism and founder of Elevated Consultancy and Training, suggested more guest lecturers from industry be incorporated into the curriculum.
She pointed out: “This is not given priority now. Also required are more industry-based projects that are closely monitored and assessed to ensure that student learning happens effectively.
“Soft skills such as resilience and agility, critical thinking, networking, very relevant to the industry are not taught in IHLs adequately.”
Retired tourism professor and former research and strategic information head at PATA, John Koldowski, observed a lack of talent training in critical thinking, design thinking and other similar approaches to enable new talent to develop “real flair in problem-solving”.
He proposed that “IHLs systematically and routinely meet with and hear, not just listen, to a cross-section of industry executives”.
He continued: “Just hearing C-suite views, far removed from the actual workers to fully understand what is needed and required of trainees at the practical level, could give a distorted view in some cases.”
Senior public sector industry executives, he said, also need to be part of the discussions with IHLs and industry.
“Failure must be seen as ‘trying’, not as failure per se. If you are not failing, then you are not trying, is perhaps a more appropriate mantra, to a point,” Koldowski opined, while Jones added mistakes are learning opportunities and not to be feared.
Koldowski quipped: “One idea that has been floated is funding for IHLs be linked to their job placement proportions for recent graduates and the satisfaction the employer has with those placed graduates. Get that right and employers will be coming to the IHLs.”
As for Abu Bakar, she urged employers to view training and talent development as an investment, not an expense.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has plans to acquire the brands and most of the affiliates of Standard International, parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, to enhance Hyatt’s position as the leader in the industry’s premier lifestyle space.
The transaction is anticipated to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions.
Hyatt will acquire Standard International and its brands, like The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels; The Standard, London, pictured
With this transaction, Hyatt will form a new dedicated lifestyle group that will be headquartered in New York City. Led by Standard International’s executive chairman Amar Lalvani, the lifestyle group will leverage Hyatt’s best-in-class operational and loyalty infrastructure while assuming distinct leadership across key functions including experience creation, design, marketing, programming, public relations, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment.
The new lifestyle group will be made up of the Standard International team as well as Hyatt colleagues. The acquired portfolio will be 100 per cent asset-light and includes management, franchise and license contracts for 21 open hotels with approximately 2,000 rooms, including The Standard, London, The Standard, High Line in New York City, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon and boutique treasures like Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas and Hotel San Cristóbal in Baja California, Mexico.
In addition to The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, Standard International’s brand portfolio includes Peri Hotels and its two newest additions, The StandardX, which launched this month in Melbourne, Australia, and The Manner, which launches next month in Soho, New York. Beyond its hotel brands, the portfolio includes world-class restaurant and nightlife concepts including The Boom Boom Room, The Standard Grill, The Standard Biergarten, and more.
The acquisition also includes more than 30 projects with a signed agreement or letter of intent, including new properties expected to open over the next 12 months: The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien, The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit, as well as Bunkhouse Hotels Saint Augustine and Hotel Daphne. Standard International has also developed a robust residential business with Standard Residences under development in Miami, Lisbon, Phuket, Hua Hin and Mexico City as well as completed Bunkhouse Residences at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin.
Following the closing of the transaction, Hyatt plans to integrate these hotels into World of Hyatt, bringing this portfolio of lifestyle properties to the programme’s 48 million loyalty members.
Sansiri, which acquired a majority position in Standard International in 2017 and facilitated the company’s international expansion, will continue to own several properties that will be managed or franchised under the acquired brands.
Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Standard International’s properties and team to the Hyatt family with the newly-created lifestyle group and draw on their brilliance, creativity, culture and innovation.”
Upon closing, Lalvani will take on the role of president and creative director of the lifestyle group, overseeing the integration of the brands to be housed within the group. He said: “We waited a long time to find the right company with whom to join forces. In choosing Hyatt, we tap into a powerful global infrastructure and loyal guest base. We have a shared vision for the enormous potential that still lies ahead.”
The diplomatic row between India and the Maldives earlier this year led to a significant decline in demand for the archipelagic state among Indian outbound travellers. However, the relationship between the two countries has since then improved, highlighted by India’s External Affairs minister S Jaishankar’s recent visit to the Maldives.
A section of industry stakeholders shared with TTG India that they are already seeing improvement in the sentiments from the Indian outbound tourism market.
Maldives is confident that more Indian travellers will return to the destination
Roshan Radhay, vice president – sales & marketing, Maldives & GCC, The Lux Collective said: “We are delighted to observe a notable resurgence in interest from the Indian market, fuelled by recent improvements in India-Maldives relations. This renewed confidence is reflected in the healthy rise in both inquiries and confirmed bookings from Indian travellers. We are optimistic that this upward trend will continue, further establishing the Maldives as a premier destination for discerning Indian guests seeking exceptional luxury experiences.” Radhay expressed confidence that by year’s end, demand from India will return to pre-tension levels.
The sharp decline in India’s standing as a key market for the Maldives is evident from the numbers. India was the top international source market for the Maldives with 209,198 arrivals last year. However, as of August 17 this year, India has fallen to sixth place, with only 77,326 arrivals.
Deepa Manuel, general manager, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives said: “With a push from the government towards rebuilding ties with India in a positive manner and increased marketing and sales outreach from our end, the demand is showing signs of improvement, and the bookings from India are coming in as we expect an uptick during the upcoming festive and wedding season.”
Segments like honeymooners and luxury FIT are helping to revive the demand. “Moreover, we are seeing a rise in family bookings, as more Indian families are attracted to our family-friendly packages, activities, and amenities,” added Radhay.
Additionally, initiatives such as a three-city roadshow organised by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) in collaboration with the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and the National Hotels and Guesthouses Association of Maldives (NHGAM), covering New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore between July 30 and August 3, are expected to boost outbound demand from the Indian market.
However, Indian travel agents believe that it will still take a while for the Maldives to reach the high growth it witnessed in the previous years.
“During the pandemic, the Maldives secured a strong presence in the Indian market by remaining open to tourism. However, demand took a hit following unwarranted remarks made by some Maldivian politicians about Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. While demand is gradually recovering, it will take time for a significant rebound,” said Guldeep Singh Sahni, managing director, Weldon Tours & Travels.
There is also a segment of travellers who have shifted to alternate destinations. “We are not noticing any jump in the demand for the Maldives. Our clients are increasingly seeking experiential travel. For instance, we recently had a family visit Hawaii, exploring islands like Maui, O‘ahu, and Kauai. They participated in a variety of activities, including volcano tours, helicopter rides, zip-lining, scuba diving, and bike tours,” shared Aditya Tyagi, founder, Luxe Escape.
New research from Arival has shown that outdoor adventure activities remain a popular choice for travellers, with 59% participating in such activities during their trips in 2023.
The report, The 2024 U.S. Outdoor Adventure & Activities Traveler, surveyed 1,000 US citizens who have travelled in the past year, and found that 80% of those participating in outdoor activities were under the age of 55.
Arival research reveals that three in four travellers say outdoor activities are essential to their travels
The research also highlighted the increasing frequency of activity participation, with travellers engaging in an average of four activities per trip in 2023, up from 3.5 in 2019. Water-based activities, such as kayaking and paddleboarding, lead the pack with 49% of travellers participating in 2023, up from 20% in 2019.
Land-based activities like hiking and biking follow closely behind, with 48% participation in 2023, compared to 34% in 2019.
Key findings from the report include popularity of water sports, strong demand for land-based activities, younger and more affluent demographic, high spending, shifting booking patterns, activities essential to the trip, multiple activities per trip, as well as research and planning.
“The fact that three in four travellers who participated in activities rated them as essential to their trip underscores the value these experiences bring to the overall travel journey. This presents a significant opportunity for operators who can deliver high-quality, engaging outdoor experiences,” noted Douglas Quinby, CEO and co-founder of Arival.
Paula Weisenbeck, director of marketing at Polaris Adventures, shared: “We’ve seen first-hand the growing enthusiasm for outdoor activities. People are craving authentic, hands-on experiences that gets them outside in new and unique ways and create lasting memories.
“It’s not just about checking off a bucket list item anymore; it’s about connecting with nature, pushing personal boundaries, and sharing unforgettable moments with friends and family.”
Japan Airlines, JTB Corporation and the Japan Adventure Tourism Organization (JATO) are teaming up to launch a programme supporting human resource advancement in Japan’s bourgeoning adventure tourism sector.
Run by the Adventure Tourism Academy, which was founded in April 2023, the courses will “develop leaders who can maximise the appeal of local areas and realise sustainable tourism”, according to a JATO spokesperson.
Japan hopes the training programme will help boost its adventure tourism sector; Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido, Japan, pictured
Participants will learn how to develop sustainable tourism regions, using methods such as in-person lectures, online workshops and onsite skill-building.
The move comes amid nationwide efforts to promote adventure tourism by utilising the country’s “rich natural environment and diverse cultural resources”, which have the potential to attract more international visitors to regional areas, thereby revitalising local economies, continued the spokesperson.
JATO says more extensive training will help the sector’s human resources address the challenges they face, including “raising awareness (of adventure tourism in Japan), strengthening safety management, using local resources sustainability and cooperating across various administrative organisations”.
Instruction in theory and practice will be provided by a team with extensive experience in Japan and overseas, including active practitioners of adventure tourism and experts in tourism policy, regional tourism development and risk management.
“By addressing the issue of cultivating leadership talent in the Japanese adventure tourism market, we hope to link the UN Sustainable Development Goals and regional assets to economic value through tourism,” said a JAL spokesperson.
A JTB spokesperson added that talent development in Japan’s adventure tourism sector will help “achieve a win-win situation for local communities, travellers and society”.
Silversea has introduced its Save. Indulge. Explore. cruise promotion, offering savings of US$3,000 per suite on Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port all-inclusive fares, with a reduced deposit of just 15 per cent from now to October 31.
The promotion is applicable for a selection of Japan voyages, including the 10-day Tokyo to Yokohama sailing from September 26 to October 6; and the 16-day Singapore to Tokyo cruise from March 6 to 22, 2025.
Sail onboard Silver Muse from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City and onwards to Hong Kong, Jeju, Seoul, Kagoshima and Tokyo
Beyond Japan, other voyages comprise the seven-day Vancouver to Seward itinerary, sailing from July 24 to 31, 2025; and the six-day King George Island to King George Island cruise from February 13 to 19, 2026.
Foodies can also delight in Silversea’s S.A.L.T (Sea And Land Taste) culinary programme which enables guests to join in hands-on culinary workshops with renowned local chefs at selected shore excursions and indulge in destination-specific curated menus onboard.
Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) returns from September 13 to 22 with a series of race-themed lifestyle experiences across the city to appeal to individuals of all ages and diverse interests.
GPSS complements the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 experience and encourages visitors and locals to discover the myriad offerings across different parts of the city.
This year’s GPSS features large-scale activations through four GPSS Headliners at different precincts across Singapore: Groovedriver Festival 2024 at the Singapore Sports Hub in Kallang; Jam Off 2024 at Orchard Road; The Glam Circuit Festival at Kampong Gelam; and CQ @ Clarke Quay x Culture Cartel Presents: Street Style Speedway at Clarke Quay.
These will take place alongside offerings by GPSS partners, including new players like Dragonfly Singapore, The Southern Depot, and Trifecta.
Groovedriver Festival marks the first time that there will be a 10-day live music and entertainment programming for GPSS taking place at the Singapore Sports Hub. To enliven the experience further, there will also be a pop-up beach club, automobile showcases, and simulator racing within the iconic venue.
Also making its debut is the cross-culture extravaganza, Jam Off 2024 on Singapore’s shopping belt, Orchard Road, with activities ranging from street dance battles at the main stage to racing and street culture at the fusion F&B stands, merchandise pop-ups, and artistes’ fan meets.
Over at Kampong Gelam, the Glam Circuit Festival will transform into a race-themed wonderland, with mini motorcycles rides, simulator racing, a music festival programme and food pitstops.
A fusion of street culture and racing awaits visitors at CQ @ Clarke Quay x Culture Cartel Presents: Street Style Speedway featuring art installations with local artists transforming car wraps into works of art, a futuristic Speed Tunnel on Read Bridge, the Limited Edt x Culture Cartel pop-up stores, and a Drone Show over Clarke Quay and the Singapore River to end the night.
This year’s GPSS welcomes new programme partners, such as the Dragonfly Singapore bar, Off The Grid by The Southern Depot, and Trifecta Race Club’s rooftop takeover with pop-up party series GrooveTop, featuring a diverse DJ lineup and music genres, alongside surf and snow challenges and test drives.
Other highlights include tours, art shows, cocktails, gaming and electric karting across the island, from Gillman Barracks and the Civic District, to Sentosa, Dempsey and the Marina precinct.
Ong Ling Lee, executive director, sports and wellness, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “In its 15th edition, Grand Prix Season Singapore continues to captivate our visitors and locals with 10 days of race-themed festivities, heightening the buzz of the race season across Singapore. As a key highlight in Singapore’s events calendar, GPSS 2024 showcases the diversity of our attractions, dining, entertainment and retail offerings, all of which our visitors and locals can relish.”