Moxy Solo, Indonesia
Moxy Solo makes its debut in Indonesia’s Central Java region, offering 108 guestrooms, co-working social space, pool, fitness centre, bar, restaurant and event venues.
Located 20 mins away from Adi Soemarmo International Airport in Surakata, the hotel is just a few minutes away from the iconic Pura Mangkunegaran and Keraton Surakarta, where guests immerse in Javanese culture, while the local neighborhood offers a mix of shopping options and dining.
AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Geumjeong
AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Geumjeong, South Korea
The 22-storey AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Geumjeong features a total of 191 rooms, including 19 suites and a penthouse suite. It offers dining options, lounge, two swimming pools, and event venues.
Situated close to major industrial complexes like Pyeongchon Smart Square, Anyang IT Valley, and Gunpo High-tech Industrial Complex, the property is also just a five-minute walk from Geumjeong Station, a big transfer point for subway lines 1 and 4 in Gunpo City.
Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang
Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang, Vietnam
With sweeping views overlooking the Non Nuoc beach, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang is a new resort comprising 85 private villas ranging from one to five bedrooms, in addition to a 157-key hotel tower, where 29 of these rooms come with private pools in the sky.
Wellness facilities include F&B options, spa, fitness centre, and an indoor heated pool.
The resort offers convenient access to the city of Danang, Marble Mountain, Bana Hills and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An. It is situated halfway between Hoi An and Danang, with the international airport just 15km away.
Shama Suasana Johor Bahru
Shama Suasana Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Shama Suasana Johor Bahru welcomes guests with a blend of homely comfort and sophistication, boasting 87 suites ranging from one-bedroom to executive three-bedroom suites.
It offers facilities such as a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, lounge, meeting rooms, 24-hour security and concierge services. Shama Suasana Johor Bahru also implements various eco-friendly initiatives and partners with local businesses to provide guests with authentic local experiences.
The property is nearby the city’s key attractions, with popular malls such as Zenith Mall, KOMTAR JBCC and City Square Johor Bahru located in the vicinity.
The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is expecting to grow its inbound tourism market by hosting the 39th Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) from August 30 to September 2 at the Taj Lakefront in the capital city of Bhopal.
This year’s convention’s theme, Resurgent India Inbound, is expected to highlight inbound tourism’s opportunities as well as challenges.
Madhya Pradesh tourism representative and members of IATO leadership team at a news conference in New Delhi
Madhya Pradesh is currently witnessing an overwhelming demand from the domestic tourism market, however, comparatively, international tourist arrivals have failed to take off.
“The domestic tourism market has grown manifolds in Madhya Pradesh and we expect the trend to continue in the next few years. However, we are still unable to make inroads in the inbound tourism market especially since post-pandemic international tourist arrivals (have) yet to pick up. We are hoping that after hosting the IATO convention, the participating tour operators will be able to promote the destination in international markets,” said Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary, Department of Tourism and managing director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) while speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of a news conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
As per the department of tourism, Madhya Pradesh, 115 million domestic tourists visited the state in 2023 compared to 34 million in 2022. The statistics from India’s Ministry of Tourism show that the state welcomed 327,958 international tourists in 2019, a number that has declined sharply to less than 100,000 in the post-lockdown period.
IATO vice president Ravi Gosain, who will chair the convention, shared that about 1,000 delegates including tour operators, government officials, hoteliers and media representatives are expected to participate at the convention in Bhopal.
He said: “We are organising 10 post-convention tours covering different tourism sites including Sanchi, Udayagiri, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Ujjain and Satpura National Park among others. These trips will help our members to effectively promote Madhya Pradesh in international markets.”
Gosain claimed that there has been an increase of 20 to 30 per cent in international tourist arrivals in states which have hosted the IATO’s conventions in the past.
“We want to take the bull by its horns when it comes to inbound tourism. We are actively participating in international trade shows and collaborating closely with 25 Indian missions abroad to drive positive change in inbound tourism. We are developing destinations such as Gandhi Sagar, Kuno, and Chanderi as glamping sites, which we aim to promote on an international scale. Additionally, we want to promote rural and tribal homestays in global markets,” added Shukla.
An analysis of Agoda’s accommodation search data shows that in Asia, Japan is the market where most searches for Paris originated from.
Agoda noted 43% more searches for stays in Paris in late-July and early-August, as the world’s ‘city of love’ becomes the ‘city of sports’.
Paris is a highly sought-after destination by travellers from Asia
Following Japan, the Asian markets that saw the most searches for Paris were South Korea, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and India respectively.
Paris is set to host the world’s biggest sporting event later this month, and that seems to have sparked interest from travellers across Asia. The increase in accommodation searches on Agoda’s platform highlights the enthusiasm and anticipation for the events, with many eager to experience the global spectacle first-hand.
Agoda’s data revealed that Paris is a highly sought-after destination from Asia, reflecting the city’s allure and perpetual popularity. The increase in searches underscores the importance of the event and the city’s readiness to not only welcome the global sporting community, but also many international fans and visitors.
Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply at Agoda, shared: “The upcoming events in Paris are generating traveller excitement, and we were not surprised seeing this increase in interest from Asian markets.”
Globus family of brands (GFOB) has named Hallie Chua as its regional marketing manager for South-east Asia, a newly-created role.
Based out of Singapore, Chua will be responsible for all GFOB’s marketing activities across key areas throughout the region.
She brings with her more than a decade of experience in the travel sector, and has previously worked across brands including Genting Hong Kong and Nam Ho Travel.
1. Garden Terrace Lawn, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
The biophilic Pan Pacific Orchard hotel in Singapore is visually stunning for its lush vertical gardens and many naturally ventilated common spaces that artfully bring Singapore’s tropical environment indoors.
The hotel’s clever nature-urban blend extends to its function venues, with the Garden Terrace Lawn being a beautiful option for stylish events. This venue on the 11th floor, with soft grass underfoot, can host up to 270 guests. It is loved by organisers of sophisticated events, with one such event being the Cartier Young Leaders Award 2023.
2. Beach Club, Saii Lagoon Maldives
Summer fiesta is dished out in spades at Saii Lagoon Maldives’ Beach Club, an idyllic venue good for 600 guests. The Beach Club offers a choice of both indoor and outdoor spaces, with tentage allowed over the latter. The resort team will gladly support organisers in sourcing entertainment and making activity arrangements to suit event objectives. Want a party under the stars? The Beach Club will not disappoint. Saii Lagoon Maldives is part of the larger Crossroads Maldives integrated resort.
3. Toranomon Hills Oval Plaza, Tokyo, Japan
Enjoy the crisp air of Japanese spring or autumn with an outdoor function at the Toranomon Hills Oval Plaza, a space that adjoins the Toranomon Hills Forum conference venue in Tokyo. A 10m-tall sculpture of a man, titled Roots, produced by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, adds an artistic touch to this space. This venue with the adjacent Oval Café can accommodate 99 seated or 150 standing guests.
4. Outdoor Atriums, Singapore Expo
Stretching from the front of halls four to six, the Outdoor Atriums at the Singapore Expo are versatile spaces that will complement the main events taking place within the halls. There are three to choose from, which can be combined for larger activations.
The Outdoor Atriums have seen some creative uses. For FHA – Food and Beverage 2023, a trade event for F&B manufacturers and emerging brands, these spaces were transformed into Beer Yard, a networking zone. With support from Singapore Expo’s events team, FHA organisers brought in performers, pop-up food trucks, nostalgic game sets, and craft beers from local taprooms.
5. Rooftop, Setia SPICE, Penang, Malaysia
Spanning two levels on the uppermost levels of Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Penang, the rooftop garden is ideal for outdoor events, especially in the evenings. The roof, adorned with 654 programmable, energy-efficient lightbulbs, can display various colours and patterns to suit any occasion. Additionally, there is an outdoor stage for live entertainment and award presentations. This space can host up to 10,000 people for a standing event.
6. Sunset Garden, InterContinental Bali Resort, Indonesia
The sprawling Sunset Garden at InterContinental Bali Resort presents its prettiest face forward at sunset. Here, guests can take in panoramic views of the ocean and the golden glows across the sky as the sun descends. However, this wide open space, good for 1,000 people in a standing reception or 500 in a seated banquet, is also ideal for afternoon cocktail parties.
Philippine heritage is not only the soul of the nation and the identity of its people, but also a boost to tourism and the local economy. So, why are heritage and protected sites difficult to protect and conserve?
Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, a UNESCO Global Geopark and a protected area, made local headlines recently over resorts – such as Captain’s Peak Resort – that should not have been allowed to operate within.
Property developments at Bohol’s Chocolate Hills are a threat to the protected area’s heritage
However, these resorts are insignificant when compared with the bigger offenders, such as corporations that consign vintage buildings and houses to the wrecking ball in favour of more profitable ventures, as well as the owner of a high-rise residential building near Rizal Park in Manila that obstructs the view of national hero Jose Rizal’s monument. The list goes on.
Masungi Georeserve in Rizal Province, internationally acclaimed for its conservation, sustainable and eco-tourism initiatives, is warding off various quarters, including government agencies, businesses, and landgrabbers who are keen on having a piece of the land.
A battle is now on between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MGF). DENR claims that an agreement it signed MGF in 2017 had been void from the start, as the law only grants 25 years to private sector project proponents. While DENR wants to change the agreement, MGF is arguing that it does not engage in the business for profit but to rebuild and re-wild the forest, highlighting its successes.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Corrections under the Department of Justice is looking to relocate its national headquarters and the country’s biggest prison to Masungi.
Even as the historic walled city of Intramuros continues to undergo improvements and conservation, the issue of informal settlers remains. There are about 2,000 families still living there and waiting to be relocated to the outskirts.
These instances show the disconnect between preserving national treasures and the complications of adhering to governing rules and regulations, stated Bill Barnett, managing director, C9 Hotelworks.
While those who violated the laws and used technicalities to get away with their deeds eventually got caught, the government agencies (both local and national) that issued permits to these culprits should be held accountable.
Addressing this, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the “preventive suspension” of six months for 69 national and local government officials in Bohol to keep them from influencing the investigation into the Chocolate Hills resorts. Among these are Bohol’s governor, mayors and ex-mayors, DENR officials, and town captains.
Ivan Henares, secretary general of UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, said one of the thrusts of his office and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Sub-Commission on Cultural Heritage for this year and the next is for training as well as the capacity building of local government officials, in particular for environmental and heritage protection, conservation, sustainability and cultural sensitivity.
“If the people approving (the demolition and construction in heritage sites and protected areas) don’t understand these basic concepts, there’s no way we can prevent these things from happening in the future,” Henares opined in an interview by ANC Digital broadcaster Karmina Constantino several months ago.
Henares said it was essential to balance development with environmental protection in order to be sustainable, citing the example of ongoing reclamation in Manila Bay which, although satisfied all the technical requirements, meant trouble for the environment. “We know that with this new reclamation, there will be more flooding in areas already affected by floods and (also) areas not affected by floods,” he pointed out.
Proposing an “implementable” national policy for preservation of historic sites regardless of their ownership, Aileen Clemente, president and CEO of Rajah Travel Corporation, emphasised: “The national and local policies should include – but not be limited to – tourism plans, preservation rules and guidelines based on those as required by the United Nations, and include sustainability practices.”
The bottomline, Clemente said, is to “never sacrifice heritage for immediate profit and business interest”.
While DENR regulates and saves the environment, it also has extraction aspects including mining. Henares suggested that DENR should have a dedicated department focused on protection.
One silver lining, though, is that the antique churches in Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, which are considered National Cultural Treasures, were all properly restored to their original design after they were flattened by the 2013 earthquake. In addition, Ifugao Rice Terraces has been removed from the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, meaning that “we are relatively successful in protecting our rice terraces”, shared Henares.
Other UNESCO Heritage Sites that are doing well include the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Historic City of Vigan, four baroque churches of the Philippines, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
MGF trustees, Ann and Billie Dumaliang, have resorted to social media to raise public awareness. It urged the public to sign a petition against nullifying the Masungi Georeserve project. Friends of Masungi held the #rockformasungi Solidarity Event, which saw an attendance of 500, comprising park rangers, the indigenous Dumagat community, environmental advocates, and government leaders.
The Save Masungi Movement also had the support of the international community, including Jane Goodall, Greta Thunberg, and Sting, among others.
In all, there is still salvation for the country’s heritage sites.
With the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh, medical tourism from the country to India has taken a hit. Many of such travellers are either cancelling or postponing their trips, according to stakeholders of the industry.
“There are about 30 to 40 hospitals in Kolkata (capital of West Bengal) for whom Bangladesh is one of the major source markets. The current situation has led to setbacks for them. Kolkata is also a weekend destination for many Bangladeshis who visit the city for shopping. So, the impact is on the overall local economy as well,” shared Kolkata-based Debjit Dutta, director and CEO of Impression Tourism Services.
Due to the situation in Bangladesh, many travellers are either cancelling or postponing their trips to India; Dhaka City in Bangladesh, pictured
Besides the bordering Indian state of West Bengal, a large number of medical tourists from Bangladesh visit different Indian cities for medical reasons.
“About 85 per cent of Bangladesh inbound tourist arrivals to India are for medical reasons. The volatile situation in Bangladesh is impacting the medical tourism business in the country,” said Zia Siddiqui, managing director, Alliance Hotels & Resorts.
For over 10 days, protests have continued against a government job quota system in Bangladesh. The country has witnessed clashes between the protestors and law enforcement agencies over the issue.
“We have been exploring the Bangladesh market for some time now and have seen a slight increase in people coming from there for treatments. We were talking to a few Bangladeshi clients who were planning a trip next month but have now postponed their trips for later this year,” said Abhilash K Ramesh, executive director of Kairali Ayurvedic Group.
However, Dutta sees the current unrest in Bangladesh as a matter of concern for overall inbound tourism to India and regional tourism too.
“There are two things involved in this issue: one is regional business and the other one is bilateral business. Bangladesh is the largest inbound source market for India. Post-pandemic, 23 per cent of the total inbound tourism business to India has been from Bangladesh. Unlike natural calamities, the impact of social or political unrest on tourism is for a longer period,” he said.
Dutta further elaborated on the destinations favoured by Bangladeshi leisure tourists, including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Ajmer. Some also visit north-eastern Indian states like Meghalaya via the Dawki border crossing and Agartala through the Akhaura border.
“We, as a company, had a couple of cross-country tours lined up, combining Bangladesh and India. If the situation persists, we are going to lose that business. This is a bad time for unrest as foreign tour operators start to work on their brochures for 2025. If the situation lingers, they might be sceptical about working on a regional tour product that might not materialise,” Dutta added.
Requests for responsible food sources, sustainable event vendors and meaningful destination experiences are on the rise, according to event and hospitality specialists in the Gold Coast.
Destination experiences specialist, Kiff & Culture, is seeing responsible event requests becoming commonplace. Its business development manager Sophie Ham sees this trend as being advantageous, as the company has built a portfolio of programmes that show off the Gold Coast’s natural landscape, wildlife, indigenous community and culture, and farm-to-table opportunities.
Kiff & Culture’s Fire to Fork dining programme
The experience agency’s Fire to Fork dining programme, for example, offers event guests a chance to learn about the art of cooking naturally over fire, as well as the range of “zero-kilometre” local produce available to them.
“We also get corporates enquiring about opportunities to support local charities when they meet in the Gold Coast,” shared Ham, adding that Kiff & Culture’s extensive network allows it to connect clients with charities that are best aligned to a client’s corporate social responsibility goals.
Kiff & Culture is currently working towards a sustainable tourism certification, which Ham expects to materialise by the end of 2024.
“We are very focused on sustainability practices and are partnering with the right people who allow us to achieve our responsible goals,” said Ham.
Unicorn Group’s co-founder and creative experience officer, Ron Anderson, said that with the increased focus on meaningful events, there is now an opportunity to craft local experiences tied to the destination and its people.
Citing an example, he pointed to a corporate event in April that built a whole range of fun and uniquely Gold Coast activities around its trade component at Burleigh Pavilion. The experiences included surfing lessons on Burleigh Beach conducted by famed Gold Coast surfers like Stephanie Gilmore and Joel Parkinson, and walking tours of the Jellurgal Dreaming Mountains by the traditional custodians of Burleigh Head.
“These are not experiences that you can replicate in other parts of Australia, as these surfers call the Gold Coast home as do the indigenous tribes. Even the chef who crafted the event menu has lived here all his life,” added Anderson.
Meanwhile, adhering to sustainable food sourcing practices comes easily to hospitality players in the Gold Coast due to access to local agricultural producers.
Hannah Hoy, events manager with Kost Bar and Grill, which opened in 2023 on Broadbeach, said customers increasingly appreciate locally sourced fresh food.
“Our seafood comes from the Miami fish market here on the Gold Coast, while our meat and everything else is from New South Wales farmers,” remarked Hoy, adding that the restaurant offers various courses to suit different event catering requirements.
Besides offering low-carbon impact catering, Ellen Buencamino, director of sales with Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, said the hotel also meets corporate clients’ sustainability expectations through strict guidelines enforced by the wider IHG Hotels & Resorts, which the Crowne Plaza brand is part of.
“Corporate clients staying with us know they will not encounter single-use plastics in their rooms, for instance. We also have our recycling initiatives,” said Buencamino.
Taking sustainable event efforts further, Queensland-based event planner Architects of Vibes maximises the longevity of all materials used for event activations.
Director Dylan Bond told TTGmice that “all materials are reused in different ways” – either to create a different feature in future events or as protective coverings in back-end operations.
Bond explained: “If clients were to say they intend to print massive banners, we would first and foremost recommend digital alternatives. Failing that, we will take (the banners) back after the event, cut them up and turn them into covers to be used when transporting our equipment. We do what we can to minimise waste from our clients.”
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia has introduced a new fleet of electric tuk-tuks, providing an innovative and eco-friendly transportation option for guests.
The sleek ONiON T1 vehicles feature a white exterior shell that shields passengers from the hot tropical sun and rainy downpours, while their sturdy suspension and ample legroom ensure a smooth ride for those exploring the city of Siem Reap and its surroundings, including the UNESCO World Heritage wonder of Angkor Wat.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor’s new fleet of electric tuk-tuks allow guests to explore the area in comfort
The new tuk-tuks are manufactured by ONiON Mobility, a green transport company headquartered in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
Earlier this year, the hotel also launched a series of exclusive Curated Journeys offering guests new ways to experience Siem Reap’s rich culture and history.
Several of these excursions will be available via the new electric tuk-tuks.
“Sustainability is top of mind in everything we do at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – from sourcing local ingredients in our restaurants and eliminating single-use plastics to other initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint – and we are thrilled to be able to offer our guests these eco-friendly tuk-tuk passenger vehicles,” said Joseph Colina, general manager, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
In anticipation of its grand opening on November 1, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is welcoming guests to the new underwater world-themed paradise where children stay, play, and dine for free, and guests enjoy up to 25 per cent off the best available room rates along with a variety of introductory perks.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives boasts an array of family-centric activities and facilities designed to entertain guests of all ages. Families will delight in the expansive outdoor water complex, with a swimming pool, kids’ pool, lazy river, and water playground.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives will open on November 1
Little ones have their own kids’ club and game room, while parents have access to the fitness centre and spa.
The resort also has a diverse selection of dining options, including international all-day dining, seafood and Italian, modern Thai cuisine, Mediterranean mezzes, bar, and an ice cream parlour.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives offers 145 beach and overwater villas, and families will appreciate the convenience of bunk beds in all Family room types.
From now until December 15, CentaraThe1 members will also enjoy an additional 15 per cent discount for stays between November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025.
She brings with her more than a decade of experience in the travel sector, and has previously worked across brands including Genting Hong Kong and Nam Ho Travel.
The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is expecting to grow its inbound tourism market by hosting the 39th Annual Convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) from August 30 to September 2 at the Taj Lakefront in the capital city of Bhopal.
This year’s convention’s theme, Resurgent India Inbound, is expected to highlight inbound tourism’s opportunities as well as challenges.
Madhya Pradesh is currently witnessing an overwhelming demand from the domestic tourism market, however, comparatively, international tourist arrivals have failed to take off.
“The domestic tourism market has grown manifolds in Madhya Pradesh and we expect the trend to continue in the next few years. However, we are still unable to make inroads in the inbound tourism market especially since post-pandemic international tourist arrivals (have) yet to pick up. We are hoping that after hosting the IATO convention, the participating tour operators will be able to promote the destination in international markets,” said Sheo Shekhar Shukla, principal secretary, Department of Tourism and managing director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) while speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of a news conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
As per the department of tourism, Madhya Pradesh, 115 million domestic tourists visited the state in 2023 compared to 34 million in 2022. The statistics from India’s Ministry of Tourism show that the state welcomed 327,958 international tourists in 2019, a number that has declined sharply to less than 100,000 in the post-lockdown period.
IATO vice president Ravi Gosain, who will chair the convention, shared that about 1,000 delegates including tour operators, government officials, hoteliers and media representatives are expected to participate at the convention in Bhopal.
He said: “We are organising 10 post-convention tours covering different tourism sites including Sanchi, Udayagiri, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Ujjain and Satpura National Park among others. These trips will help our members to effectively promote Madhya Pradesh in international markets.”
Gosain claimed that there has been an increase of 20 to 30 per cent in international tourist arrivals in states which have hosted the IATO’s conventions in the past.
“We want to take the bull by its horns when it comes to inbound tourism. We are actively participating in international trade shows and collaborating closely with 25 Indian missions abroad to drive positive change in inbound tourism. We are developing destinations such as Gandhi Sagar, Kuno, and Chanderi as glamping sites, which we aim to promote on an international scale. Additionally, we want to promote rural and tribal homestays in global markets,” added Shukla.