Minor Hotels expands in India
Minor Hotels is set to intensify its presence in India with a target of 50 new openings within the next decade.
The group will focus its strategy on the upper-upscale and luxury hotel segments, where it expects strong interest from owners in its Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection brands.
For Anantara Hotels & Resorts, the group is building on core brand differentiators by targeting opportunities in Ayurvedic wellness retreats, wilderness lodges, and historical palaces, while Avani Hotels & Resorts will fill a gap in the lifestyle hotel space across India.
Minor Hotels has also identified strong potential for the upscale NH Hotels & Resorts, particularly in rapidly developing tier two cities and airport locations – the brand will also attract upper-upscale conversion opportunities.
Eyeing hotel management contracts and with an emphasis on greenfield developments, Minor Hotels will look to identify opportunities in up-and-coming locations.
Since 2017, Minor Hotels has been present in the India market. It launched Oaks Bodhgaya in the north-east Indian state of Bihar, and later in 2024, the group will debut its flagship luxury hotel in India with the opening of Anantara Jaipur Hotel.
To support this expansion, Minor Hotels has opened a new office in Bengaluru, and appointed Vijay Krishnan as vice president of operations for India, overseeing a growing team on the ground.
Amir Golbarg, senior vice president for the Middle East, Africa and India for Minor Hotels, said: “We are bullish on the potential of India, and have already been overwhelmed with owner interest, but are proceeding with a ‘partnerships over properties’ approach. It means we are being very selective in the hotels that we add to our portfolio, with our focus on cultivating meaningful alliances with partners who align with our values and vision.”
“We believe in (India’s) potential as a world-class inbound destination… and we believe in the enormous opportunities that lie in its surging domestic market,” added Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and group CEO of its parent company Minor International.
Kempinski Hotels to debut in Vietnam
For the first time in its history, Kempinski Hotels is venturing into Vietnam for the first time, with the launch of a waterfront hideaway nestled in the folds of the Saigon River, slated to open in 2027.
Kempinski Saigon River, designed by architectural studio Kengo Kuma & Associates, presents a modern reinterpretation of traditional Vietnamese dwellings, with 90 contemporary guestrooms, which affords expansive views of the river that embraces the property, and 10 suites, including the Presidential Suite.
The hotel is currently being developed in cooperation with Vietnamese property developer Ecopark Corporation.
Kempinski Saigon River will offer facilities such as a 1,500m2 spa, all-day dining restaurant, a signature Vietnamese restaurant, as well as a riverside bar and executive lounge.
Situated in Dong Nai on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, Kempinski Saigon River is part of a broader 55-hectare development that will also be home to residences, schools, a sports club and retail areas along 700m of riverfront, connected to Ho Chi Minh City via a 45-minute speedboat ride.
Dong Nai itself is currently undergoing a major infrastructure expansion and improvement project designed to reduce travel times and foster economic growth, including improvements to the road and railway networks, improved waterways and the new Long Thanh International Airport, which is currently under construction.
Grand Hyatt Tokyo presents Pokémon Sleep wellness packages
Grand Hyatt Tokyo, in collaboration with Pokémon Sleep, is offering guests a range of wellness experiences between July 1 and August 31, 2024.
From immersive stays to charming menus, Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s Pokémon Sleep Suite recreates the world of Pokémon Sleep with a glamping-style living space, Pokémon Sleep artwork, and in-room dining featuring menu items like a gourmet Snorlax Burger and a breakfast featuring original Snorlax and Pikachu pancakes.
An additional Pokémon Sleep Stay package is available for only 10 standard rooms per night and offers exclusive amenities, decorations and dining, including tote bags, T-shirts, Pokémon plushies, and more.
Restaurants will also serve imaginative Pokémon Sleep creations – from Snorlax and Pikachu-themed burgers to cookies and desserts such as Jigglypuff’s Seasonal Fruit Flan, as well as the breakfast buffet which serves up Snorlax and Pikachu pancakes.
For a takeaway treat, the Fiorentina Pastry Boutique has also created a Pokémon Sleep Crunchy Matcha Chocolate and a range of sweets, including vanilla Pokémon Sleep Biscuits and Riolu’s Ginger Cookies with a gentle cinnamon fragrance. Pokémon fans can purchase these limited treats individually or as a set.
For more information, visit Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore welcomes new GM
Dao by Dorsett has appointed Jessie Khoo-Gan as its new general manager.
She joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and has amassed over 30 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.
Prior to joining Dao by Dorsett, she has held leadership roles at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, as well as at Pan Pacific Hotels Group and the Shangri-La Group.
Rubel Miah joins Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, BDMS Wellness Clinic as GM
Rubel Miah has been appointed as the new general manager of Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok and BDMS Connect Center.
With over 20 years of hospitality expertise, the French national was previously the general manager of Lebua Hotel Bangkok.
Iloilo campaigns for more visitors
A private-government sector collaboration has launched the Visit Iloilo campaign, complete with branding and tactical offers, to position the province as a leading tourism destination for foreign and domestic travellers alike.
Iloilo Festivals Foundation (IFFI) president Allan Tan said that apart from presenting the destination in every imaginable discussion and platform possible, Iloilo will increase its presence in local trade fairs and international travel expos.
Soon to be launched across service partners are discounts and added service value systems, Tan added.
The campaign also draws support from Iloilo MICE Alliance, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo Chapter, Department of Tourism, local government units, and the province of Iloilo.
Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group general manager Art Boncato Jr said the website www.visitiloilo.ph is being jazzed up and a digital marketplace page will be added to highlight tourism suppliers and their offerings. The e-commerce platform will enable convenient service transactions between customers and businesses.
Visit Iloilo is envisioned to be a progressive campaign to last a long time as the province doubles down on expanding its tourism hardware including an international airport, ferry services linking it to other domestic destinations, a convention centre, more hotels, and more natural and cultural attractions, heritage sites and festivals.
Located in Western Visayas, Iloilo City was named UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for 2023, recognising its heirloom dishes including pork dumpling soup called pancit molo; savoury noodle dish of batchoy made from innards, beef and pork strips sprinkled with pork crackling; native chicken delicacies, and more.
Oceania Cruises unveils 2025 Mediterranean sailings
An array of new European sailings, ranging from nine to 56 days, has been added to Oceania Cruises’ 2025 Mediterranean programme.
Cruise enthusiasts can expect to journey with Oceania’s Marina and Nautica to iconic islands in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic as well as well-loved European resort towns and bustling cities, and lesser-known ports of call.
Cities including Athens, Barcelona, Istanbul, Rome and Lisbon frame the 16 voyages, allowing the ships to meander from lively jet-set resort towns such as Monte Carlo, Cannes, Positano and Sorrento, to hidden gems including Tirana and Sarande in Albania; Trapani in Sicily; Calvi and Propriano in Corsica, and Sibenik in Croatia.
Through Oceania’s extensive set of small-group, immersive shore excursions, guests can rediscover previously-visited favourites through a new lens, or uncover new places for the very first time. For example, while in Santorini, travellers can choose an adventurous tour of the island’s active volcanoes, or while in Montenegro, see a new side of Kotor by exploring Europe’s southernmost fjord, Boka Bay.
The new voyages also come with enhanced onboard experiences, as the 1,250-guest ship, Marina, emerges from an expansive refurbishment. It will feature two new dining options, an expanded poolside ice-cream parlour, and refreshed Penthouse Suites and public areas.
Yotel makes Japan entry with Frasers’ hands
Global hospitality brand Yotel and Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality have formed a partnership that will allow the former to launch the first Yotel hotel in Japan in early 2025.
The 244-key Yotel Tokyo Ginza will command a prime location in the city’s most popular dining and shopping destination, with Tokyo Station a short 15-minute walk away.
It will showcase the brand’s distinctive signature style, seamlessly blending modern design with locally inspired artwork. Guests can expect new features during their stay, such as robotic concierge, motorised SmartBeds, and fully integrated technologies enabling a complete digital guest experience from reservation up to check-out.
Hubert Viriot, Yotel’s CEO, said the new property would be the brand’s flagship.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with an investor who shares our dedication to innovation and excellence in hospitality,” he said.
Eu Chin Fen, CEO of Frasers Hospitality, said: “The debut of the inaugural Yotel-branded hotel in Tokyo, Japan marks a significant milestone for us and reaffirms our commitment to deepen our presence in the country as we continue to grow the portfolio. We are pleased to join hands with Yotel to launch the brand in Japan and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership in the long term.”
Yotel Tokyo Ginza is part of the brand’s wider strategy to expand across key cities in Japan. The group is also working to roll out Yotelair, a transit hotel concept, at key gateway airports and train stations.
March brings record-high arrivals to Japan, weak yen a factor
Japan welcomed 3,081,600 tourists in March, a record high that the Japan Tourism Agency attributes to the weak yen and high demand for cherry blossom viewing. Consumption is also up, with the 8.56 million international arrivals over January to March spending 1.75 trillion yen (US$11.1 billion), an increase of 53 per cent over the same period in 2019.
The yen’s drop to a 34-year low against the dollar is spurring a surge in inbound tourism to Japan as the country becomes a cheaper destination for international travellers. Visitors are using the opportunity to splurge on higher-end accommodation, experiences, food and drink, and tours, say industry players.
Makarim Salman, founder and lead guide of Maction Planet, told TTG Asia that the weak yen has had “a positive impact” on his business.
“We’ve seen an increase in bookings from customers taking advantage of the favourable exchange rate,” he said, adding that customers are “spending more than usual” on shopping for luxury goods in Tokyo’s high-end Ginza and Omotesando districts, and experiences.
“Many of our clients are seeking out opportunities to delve deeper into Japanese culture at the higher end, such as private tea ceremonies, exclusive whiskey tastings, and bespoke sake tastings. We have also seen a growing interest in luxury experiences, such as staying at high-end ryokans and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants,” he continued.
Lindsay Colbert, managing director of Japan Ski Experience, is also seeing visitors spending more.
“We have noticed higher demand for private ski guides within resort boundaries as well as the backcountry, offered together with concierge services, experiences for the whole family, photography etc.,” she said. “These on-mountain activities are complemented by luxury offerings such as spa facilities, fully equipped gyms, yoga classes and pampering packages.”
Still, Salman is certain that the weak yen alone is not the sole factor driving tourism gains.
“Japan continues to demonstrate strong underlying growth as a destination,” he said, adding that the country is still benefiting from “the pent-up demand for international travel following the pandemic”.
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has rebranded itself to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA) in a significant move that underscores its expanding global influence and commitment to sustainable practices across the globe.
This announcement was made on stage at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, marking a new chapter in the organisation’s mission to advance Net Positive Hospitality for people, planet, place, and prosperity.
WSHA, with a storied 30-year legacy, started with 14 members in 2020 and has since grown to over 50 members representing more than 300 brands, 55,000 properties, and seven million rooms across every region of the world.
Its initiatives include the World Academy for Sustainable Hospitality and the Hotel Carbon, Water and Waste measurement tools, as well as global employability programmes and the development of universal criteria for sustainable progress.
Aligned with over 50 formal major industry partners, including the WTTC, UN Tourism, Global Business Travel Association, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, WSHA is dedicated to driving innovation, advancing global tools, and training, and fostering best practices through its Accelerator programmes.
WSHA CEO Glenn Mandziuk said: “Our name change reflects our journey towards inclusivity and the global expansion of our mission. Our vision of Net Positive Hospitality, where the industry contributes more than it consumes, is now closer than ever.”