Discova has appointed Olivia Yeji Jeung as the country manager for Japan.
She will be responsible for the on-ground, day-to-day development and execution of Discova’s business in Japan.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jeung has lived in Japan for over 15 years and has held several leadership roles in international firms like American Express, Booking.com, and Expedia during her career.
Hurtigruten Group has made new key appointments across its sales, marketing, PR and customer service teams.
Kirsty Fruin joins the Asia-Pacific commercial team as regional sales manager of Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Based in Brisbane, she has accrued a wealth of cruise and travel knowledge through her previous roles, including in the UK at Fred Olsen Travel.
Christina Koullas is the new PR & communications manager – APAC at Hurtigruten Group’s Melbourne office, bringing with her 20 over years of travel PR experience include working with Spirit of Tasmania, DMCs in Europe and running her own PR agency.
Building on its promise to deliver elevated experiences for its guests and top-tier loyalty members, Ascott, the lodging business unit of Singapore-listed CapitaLand Investment, has signed with Chelsea Football Club (Chelsea FC) as its new official global hotels partner for the next four seasons starting this month.
The partnership will enable Chelsea and Ascott to collaborate on providing “money can’t buy” experiences for Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) members around the world, including exclusive access to matches at Stamford Bridge stadium, home of Chelsea FC, as well as VIP visits to The Blues Cobham Training Ground.
The Ascott brand will benefit from expanded exposure within Chelsea FC’s sphere of supporters, which currently number over 600 million worldwide. The brand will be displayed prominently around the stadium for both Men’s and Women’s matches, as well as across Chelsea FC’s social and digital channels with engaging content for fans to enjoy. The hospitality firm will also become the presenting partner of Chelsea’s flagship international fan engagement event, the Famous CFC, in two international markets – one of which will likely be in Asia where Chelsea FC hopes to engage more fans.
Another advantage of this new partnership is the appointment of Ascott to manage the twin-tower hotel located on the site of Stamford Bridge. The hotel is owned by BlueCo, a consortium that owns the Premier League football club. Ascott will assume management from 2H2024, and the 232-key hotel will begin to fly the lyf flag in 2H2025.
lyf Stamford Bridge London is Ascott’s first stadium hotel. At the point of signing, it is also the largest lyf property in terms of room keys.
Tan Bee Leng, chief commercial officer, Ascott, told TTG Asia that the lyf Stamford Bridge London will undergo renovations – mostly to its furnishings – to align its hardware to lyf brand standards.
She shared that hotel operations would not be affected, and new parts of the hotel would be unveiled progressively.
Casper Stylsvig, chief revenue officer with Chelsea FC, described the partnership as a “great brand fit”, as Ascott’s push for impressive customer experiences was “something we also intend to achieve”.
Stylsvig believes that Ascott’s extensive reach in the travel and tourism community will allow the football club to engage with a “younger, energetic and innovative” set of audience.
“We have a very engaged fan base across the globe, especially in Asia. This is a region where Ascott is very strong in,” he remarked, adding that Ascott’s ambitions to grow its portfolio globally also “resonated” with the club.
Tan said opportunities would be created to bring together the worlds of hospitality and football through memorable fan engagement activities, exclusive offers for Chelsea supporters, and bespoke stay experiences at Ascott properties.
Some of the unique Chelsea FC experiences reserved for ASR members include stays paired with guided stadium tours, access to limited edition co-branded merchandise and signed memorabilia, VIP meet-and-greet with football stars, and intimate tours of Chelsea’s private training grounds. Matchday access will also come more easily into the hands of ASR members through limited sets of guaranteed tickets to designated home matches alongside pre-game refreshments.
As part of the media debut event on July 8, journalists participated in a training session with Chelsea FC’s senior programme manager, Chris Woodward, and met with former club goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to hear about his football career.
The first engagement opportunities will begin with the kick-off of the 38-game Premier League 2024/2025 season on August 18. Although lyf Stamford Bridge London will be in the midst of handover when the Premier League 2024/2025 begins, Ascott has many other hotels in London to facilitate event activations.
“The Premier League is an international event and our partnership with Chelsea FC is on a global scale. There is a lot we can do around the world. We can already begin our global marketing campaigns to get people excited about our partnership,” she added.
Minor Hotels has appointed Syahreza Ishwara as general manager of the newly opened Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas in Thailand.
Ishwara started his career with Minor Hotels in 2014 at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, and has since served as general manager at Anantara Ubud Bali and Rayavadee Resort Krabi, as well as held key positions at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi in Malaysia.
AirAsia X
AirAsia X will connect travellers from Malaysia to Nairobi in Kenya’s capital from November 15 this year, following the airline’s introduction of new flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan.
The airline will also offer a seamless Fly-Thru connection, creating a link between Kenya and 130 destinations across South-east Asia, Northern and Central Asia, and Australia.
Vietjet
Vietjet has commenced two new services – from Ho Chi Minh City to Xi’an in China, and between Nha Trang and Daegu in South Korea.
Following the launch of its Shanghai and Chengdu services earlier this year, the airline’s non-stop direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Xi’an operates four round trips per week.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines will launch a new route to Xining in Qinghai Province, offering two flights weekly from July 9.
Xining is situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and serves as a key gateway linking China’s eastern and western regions, including Tibet.
This new direct flight service will further strengthen connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Emirates
Emirates has unveiled the first cities on its network to be served with its newest Boeing 777 cabin interiors – Geneva, Tokyo Haneda and Brussels.
The airline will offer customers more opportunities to experience its signature Premium Economy on this aircraft and, for the first time, Emirates’ next-generation Business Class seats, set in a new 1-2-1 configuration.
The first upgraded Emirates Boeing 777 products will operate on the following services: EK 83/84 to and from Geneva from August 11, EK 312/313 to and from Tokyo Haneda from September 1, and EK 183/184 to and from Brussels from September 11.
A total of 81 Boeing 777s will be refurbished as part of Emirates’ investment in its retrofit programme, and more destinations to be served with the airline’s latest products will be announced over the course of the next few months.
According to a new report from Marriott International Luxury Group, Australia is at the top of the list of hottest destinations among luxury travellers in Asia-Pacific, ahead of Japan and Hong Kong.
Thus, it is only fitting that Tourism Australia decided to join ILTM Asia Pacific for the first time this year.
Robin Mack, executive general manager, commercial & business events Australia, told TTG Asia: “The Asia-Pacific region is a highly valuable market for Australia’s luxury travel industry. ILTM Asia Pacific enables us to connect with the luxury travel trade in Asia, introduce Australia’s newest premium tourism offerings, and showcase Australia’s unique style of luxury – where the brilliance of nature, culture, hospitality and exclusivity meet.”
In the same Marriott report, 91 per cent of respondents also cited safety as important for a luxury experience, and fine dining is a major travel draw, with 88 per cent planning trips around food.
“What luxury travellers are looking for aligns with the experiences that Australia prides itself on offering – safe travel and gastronomic experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the world,” Mack pointed out.
One of the growth areas post-lockdown for high-net-worth individuals is the appeal of “secluded luxury”, which Australia “offers in spades”, said Mack.
For example, the exclusive 40-key Lizard Island Resort off the coast of Queensland on the Great Barrier Reef recently unveiled The House, a private three-storey three-bedroom holiday home. A 45-minute plane ride from Cairns, the resort is located in a 1,013-hectare National Park boasting 24 sandy beaches and a lagoon.
Mark Leslie, Lizard Island’s general manager, told TTG Asia: “It is also our first time at ILTM Asia Pacific, and it is our first time marketing to the Asia-Pacific market (to date, the resort mainly receives clients from the US and Europe). The Asia-Pacific market is at our doorstep, but is largely untapped by us.”
Leslie added that with flight connections twice weekly from Singapore to Cairns, and Cathay Pacific mounting flights from Hong Kong to Cairns in October, it presents a huge opportunity for luxury travellers in the region.
Earlier this year, Tourism Australia also hosted the first showcase event in Asia for the Signature Experiences of Australia to increase awareness among South-east Asian agents of the trade-friendly programme, and the diversity of exclusive and special interest experiences on offer across Australia, from Luxury Lodges of Australia to Discover Aboriginal Experiences.
Ta’aktana Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo is Marriott International’s first property in this gateway to Komodo National Park and The Luxury Collection’s second property in Indonesia.
Featuring 70 rooms, including 25 villas and 45 suites, the resort boasts seven overwater villas, three restaurants, a lounge and bar, fitness centre and spa.
Located about 10-minute drive from the airport, the waterfront property is nestled between a canopy of surrounding wild forests and the Flores Sea.
Hoshino Resorts 1955 Tokyo Bay, Japan
Hoshino Resorts 1955 Tokyo Bay is located in the Maihama and Shin-Urayasu area of Chiba Prefecture in Japan, and provides a convenient stay for guests visiting Tokyo Disney Resort.
It offers 638 retro-themed rooms with facilities such as a cafeteria, restaurant, and social space.
Guests staying here can access a 24-hour Food & Drink Station, as well as enjoy a free shuttle bus that runs between the hotel and the theme park – no reservation required.
Grand Hyatt Singapore, Singapore
Grand Hyatt Singapore has unveiled the first phase of its multi-year transformation with the reopening of its Terrace Wing, refreshed dining concepts and lush public spaces.
Facilities such as the fitness centre and pool have also been revamped, along with an outdoor lawn area, where guests can partake in guided meditation, yoga, and Pilates.
When the Grand Wing reopens in early 2025, the hotel will complete its evolution into a Grand Living Room and Wellness Haven with 699 guestrooms and suites.
Park Hyatt Changsha, China
This new 230-key hotel occupies the uppermost floors of the Tower Two skyscraper, the capital’s tallest building, allowing guests access to one of China’s largest luxury malls, and just a short stroll away from the lively Wuyi Square.
Park Hyatt Changsha is also a quick drive to Changsha’s leading attractions, including Orange Isle Park, Hunan Museum, Hunan Art Museum, and Yuelu Mountain.
The hotel offers restaurants and a bar, wellness and fitness centres, and event venues.
Accor hotels in Cambodia, including Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, have launched the Discover Cambodia campaign spotlighting Khmer culture, heritage and hospitality.
The month-long campaign will run throughout August and will feature an array of activities, meals, discounts and more.
Some highlights include Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, which will host an exclusive Khmer dinner and dance performance at Le Phnom 1929 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, in addition to a special cocktail menu inspired by famous Cambodian singers at the hotel’s iconic Elephant Bar.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap will offer a Golden Age Tasting Menu from August 1-10 at the Khmer fine dining restaurant 1932, as well as an exclusive Sunday Champagne Brunch on August 4 celebrating 1960s Cambodian pop music with the Khmer Magic Music Bus.
TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square will offer a traditional Khmer-themed dinner at Hemisphere Sky Bar, with a concert by Sok Visal on August 15.
For younger guests, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra will host a kids’ camp with tennis, badminton, tae kwon do, football and more, along with cooking classes, treasure hunts and creative challenges. The hotel will also host a special Sunday Brunch at Do Forni on August 11, plus other activities.
Other participating Accor hotels include ibis Styles Siem Reap, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Novotel Phnom Penh BKK 1, Novotel Sihanoukville Holiday Resort, and more.
For more information, visit Accor.
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is gearing up for this year’s Singapore night race season with a multitude of Formula 1 (F1) race-themed offerings across the property.
Beyond on-track excitement, racing aficionados can relish the thrill of the season with offerings by Scuderia Ferrari and a limited number of premium hotel packages at MBS.
The top all-access package, priced at S$100,000 (US$73,703) including a four-night stay for four in the Paiza Signature Suite, a three-day all-access pass to the Marina Bay Sands Sky Suite at the race circuit, and access to exclusive invite-only events, such as a cocktail reception with the Scuderia Ferrari team drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
As part of the package, guests can indulge at signature restaurants, including at Bread Street Kitchen and the new Greek restaurant estiatorio Milos.
Other hotel packages are also available, like the three-day F1 Experience passes, a table at LAVO Party Brunch, resort credits worth up to S$2,000, as well as VIP access to the F1 afterparties at MARQUEE Singapore.
For more information, visit Marina Bay Sands.
Well-travelled, well-heeled individuals, who were among the first travellers to hold hotels to responsible actions, are becoming more critical of what qualifies as sustainable operations, leading hoteliers to make a more conscious effort to communicate their accomplishments in this aspect and to lead deeper impact projects.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has recently started an online video series for its Considerate Collection, profiling property owners who are active supporters of the environment, culture and community through their business.
The Considerate Collection, launched in 2021, is a portfolio of properties that pass strict assessment across three levels – Environmentally Conscious, Cultural Custodians and Community Minded – by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Although the Considerate Collection has grown in numbers – 61 properties compared to 21 at the start, consumer awareness of impact projects was lacking.
“Feedback from the marketplace is that we are not telling our stories enough; a lot of the sustainability programmes undertaken by owners of our Considerate Collection properties remain behind the scenes. We talk a lot about these efforts at travel trade events, but many travellers in the public space are unaware. So, we decided to help our owners tell their story,” said Mark Wong, senior vice president, Asia Pacific of SLH.
Besides stepping up on communications, SLH is taking accountability and sustainability measurement ever more seriously. To ensure that Considerate Collection properties maintain their investments in environment, culture and community, it has partnered with Weeva, a company that will establish a management system that enables properties to track sustainability achievements.
“This will allow properties to document and quantify their impacts, and share results with their owners, team members and the media,” said Wong.
Believing in the power of positive stories shaping the right travel decisions, Preferred Travel Group has crafted an informative website for its Beyond Green portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges. These are properties that pass a rigorous vetting process by independent investigators, based on globally recognised sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, conducted every two years. The website is a treasure trove of Good Stories features that detail members’ efforts in environmental and cultural conservation, community development, and more.
Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Travel Group, acknowledged that a lot of the more complex sustainability efforts, such as energy conservation and food waste management processes, are hidden from the view of travellers and guests. Hence, it is important for hotels to tell their stories and “do it in a way that consumers find interesting”.
Being more vocal about hotels’ responsible efforts will also help to correct misconceptions about luxury, sustainability and revenue not being able to coexist.
“There is a perception among consumers that a sustainable property may not be luxurious. Our job is to make sure that travel advisors know that is untrue and have the information (from Beyond Green’s Good Stories features) to share with their travellers,” stated Woodley.
“Some people also think that hotels have to be out in the middle of nowhere to be sustainable. That is untrue. An example is Starhotel’s E.c.ho. Milan, which is a city hotel that has developed a great way to communicate its sustainability efforts. The hotel has a guide book that tells guests about all the good things being done, including back-of-house processes. Our sales team now uses this guide book to cite examples for their sustainability-focused corporate clients,” shared Woodley.
Good Stories features have also allowed Preferred Travel Group to demonstrate to hoteliers that sustainability and profitability can coexist.
When asked if these communication efforts have a direct impact on bookings and revenue, Woodley said: “Sure, but that’s not the key expectation of hotels in the Beyond Green portfolio. Hotels invest in being qualified for Beyond Green to be able to connect with like-minded hotels and to share ideas on how to harness renewable energy or to contribute to species preservation.”
What’s next?
As sustainability messages flood the marketplace, Marion Walsh-Hédouin, vice president communication & public relations for Minor Hotels, said “competition” among hotels and resorts to excel in sustainability efforts benefits everyone and the environment.
“This competition raises the bar for conservation, and I am all for that competition,” she remarked.
Savvy hoteliers who are looking to level up to the next stage of conservation efforts and to truly convince travellers who are increasingly scrutinising tourism companies for potential green-washing, must develop programmes that can be executed within the community and with the involvement of customers, she opined.
Citing an example, she pointed to the group’s Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which offers the Walk With Giants experience. Guests are invited to bond with the elephants of northern Thailand in their natural habitat, by strolling alongside these gentle creatures and witnessing them go about their day. The programme allows the resort to employ elephant mahouts with a salary while supporting their family with accommodation and solar-powered electricity.
“Normally, mahouts and their elephants would live away from their families in an animal attraction or camp. Our activity allows us to reunite them,” she explained.
In addition, money collected from Minor’s Dollars for Deeds’ programme, which invites guests to combine their stay with opportunities to support a range of good deeds that help local communities and the environment, is being used to fund English education for village children, giving the next generation an opportunity to raise their quality of life, as well as mahout training that teaches better ways to care for elephants.
SLH is paving the way for its next step in responsible operations, by delving deeper into community support through universal accessibility and inclusivity. It is assisting property owners in setting up operations and hardware to facilitate welcome for guests with both visible and invisible disability and medical issues.
One way it is doing this is through a partnership with IncluCare, a UK-based organisation that offers inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment, and accreditation for the tourism industry. Details will soon be shared.
Wong believes that by becoming accessible and inclusive, properties will not only be able to welcome a whole new segment of guests, they will also begin to look at differently-abled individuals as potential staff.
“This is a pool of human resources that hotels seldom think of hiring. These differently-abled individuals are often left out of society,” he added.
“Being equipped for universal accessibility is also a sensible thing to do now because societies across the world are aging. Facilities like ramps, grab bars and brighter lighting are needed by elderly travellers, not just those with disabilities. Hotels, in designing their hardware of the future, must take these requirements into account now,” he concluded.