Chatrium Grand Bangkok has appointed Pierre Leif Edlund as its new general manager.
Originally from Sweden, he has amassed 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
He spent the past eight years honing his skills in the Maldives, where he recently served as resort manager at One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives.
Marco Polo Hotels – Hong Kong has appointed Dawn Zhao as the new area director of sales and marketing for its three Hong Kong properties: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Gateway Hotel, and Prince Hotel.
With more than 15 years of experience in senior sales and marketing roles, Zhao has held key positions at companies like Rosewood Hotel Group, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Disney Resorts, and IHG Hotels & Resorts.
In her new role, she will oversee sales and marketing efforts across the three hotels, driving innovative campaigns, optimising sales strategies, and guiding teams to meet strategic objectives.
Capella Hotel Group has unveiled plans for four new properties opening in 2025 anchored by partnerships with architects and designers for Capella Taipei in 1Q2025, Capella at Galaxy Macau and Patina Osaka in 2Q2025, as well as Capella Kyoto, set to open 4Q2025.
Capella Taipei is an 86-room urban retreat offering a modern mansion experience along Taipei’s Dunhua North Road, while Capella at Galaxy Macau will feature 93 keys that celebrates the city’s cultural heritage and tropical landscapes.
The 221-key Patina Osaka draws inspiration from Japan’s City of Water, and Capella Kyoto houses 89 rooms, which blend traditional Zen aesthetics with modern luxury.
Looking ahead, Capella aims to double its portfolio by 2030, with future projects including properties in Seoul, Riyadh, and Tianjin. The group is also innovating in digital payment solutions, including cryptocurrency acceptance at select properties.
“Our expansion strategy reflects three key principles: selecting destinations with rich cultural narratives, partnering with world-renowned architects who understand our vision of cultural authenticity, and maintaining an intimate scale across most properties to ensure highly personalised service,” said Cristiano Rinaldi, president of Capella Hotel Group.
“With these openings, we’re expanding from eight properties to 12 by the end of 2025, with plans to double our portfolio by 2030. Future projects include a branded residential development in Seoul and hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Tianjin, China.”
Air Canada to fly direct to Manila
Air Canada now operates non-stop flights between Vancouver International Airport and Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
As the only Canadian carrier serving the Philippines, Air Canada’s new route will operate four times weekly starting April 2, 2025, using the airline’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The new service will be Air Canada’s 12th transpacific route from Vancouver, joining destinations like Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
With this new service, next summer Air Canada will offer over 180 weekly flights between Canada and the Pacific.
Saudia launches non-stop flights from Phuket to Jeddah, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia flag carrier, Saudia, has inaugurated its direct flights between Phuket and Jeddah, and Riyadh, enhancing connectivity between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
The new Phuket-Jeddah and Phuket-Riyadh services will operate three times a week.
Malaysia welcomes Shanghai Airlines’ Changchun-Kuala Lumpur service
Malaysia welcomed 150 passengers on Flight FM813, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on December 13 from Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in Northeast China, with a stopover in Yuncheng, Shanxi province.
Shanghai Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, currently operates daily flights to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, and thrice-weekly flights to Penang. The new service via Yuncheng will run every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday using a Boeing 737-800.
This new route offers passengers from Jilin and Shanxi provinces a more convenient travel option to Malaysia.
25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird, Indonesia
The 38-storey 25hours Hotel Jakarta The Oddbird offers 210 rooms and 135 residences right in the heart of Jakarta’s Sudirman CBD in District 8, atop the iconic ASHTA Mall.
Guests enjoy perks such as a Schindelhauer bike to explore the city, a free minibar, and a canvas or Freitag bag for use during their stay.
Aside from the spa and F&B offerings, the hotel also offers flexible meeting spaces in 10 Creative Lounges across the ninth and 53rd floors, as well as a 530m² ballroom with an outdoor deck.
voco Seoul Myeongdong, South Korea
Infused with Korean influences, voco Seoul Myeongdong offers guests easy access to the Myeongdong district, with nearby attractions including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Tower, Namdaemun Market, and luxury department stores.
The hotel’s 576 guestrooms and suites offer views of Seoul’s cityscape or the Namsan Tower, and features amenities such as a fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, children’s pool, all-day dining restaurant, four meeting rooms, and a function hall that holds up to 220 guests.
Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc has introduced The Level Villas, a new luxury villa category where guests are treated to a range of exclusive privileges, services and facilities, including their own private beach.
The Level Villas were transformed from 95 of the property’s three-bedroom villas, where 56 of the villas are beachfront, while the remaining 39 villas offer sea and lake views. All feature their own private pool.
Guests get access to The Level Clubhouse which offers breakfast as well as an à la carte menu featuring a fusion of local dishes. There is also a dedicated concierge to curate personalised outings and arrange a private check-in and check-out.
The Level guests are granted privileges on all F&B across the resort, and enjoy a complimentary YHI Spa Water Ritual during their stay.
Capella Singapore, Singapore
Capella Singapore on Singapore’s Sentosa Island has refreshed its Capella Manor and Colonial Manors, featuring custom furnishings, curated artwork, and spaces designed for both intimacy and grandeur.
Each manor is a standalone two-storey bungalow, resembling a private residence, with three ensuite bedrooms, separate living, dining, and study areas, plus a private terrace and pool.
Guests receive personalised service from a Manor Culturist, who creates tailored experiences, including poolside picnics, babysitting, and dim sum masterclasses with the culinary team.
In addition to bespoke turndown amenities, a fridge stocked with champagne, premium wines, refreshments, and in-manor breakfast, guests can immerse themselves in Singapore’s history and culture through heritage tours and local culinary experiences.
Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has launched its new five-star brand, Anamore, which will be recognised for its elegance, service, and facilities. The luxury brand aims to establish a strong presence in both urban and resort destinations, featuring innovative and sustainable designs that balance modernity with heritage, as well as offering lifestyle wellness amenities.
Anamore Resort & Wellness in Pushkar, set to open at the end of 2025, will span nearly eight hectares with Moroccan-inspired architecture. The resort will comprise 250 rooms, approximately 1,858m² of banquet space, expansive lawns, and a variety of F&B outlets. It will include a wellness centre, gaming zones, and a kids’ club, with easy access by air, rail, and road.
Opening in late 2026, Anamore Resort & Wellness in Karjat, Maharashtra, will include 100 guestrooms and 26 four-bedroom villas. The resort will highlight Venetian-inspired water channels, a golf driving range, and alfresco dining. Sustainability will be central, with a focus on solar energy, water conservation, and local gardens.
Located in Maharashtra, Anamore, Murud will overlook the historic Murud-Janjira Fort, with 180 rooms, including 30 sky villas with triple-height ceilings. Boasting Arabian-inspired architecture and sustainable design, the resort facilities comprise a rooftop infinity pool, seafood dining, and a wellness spa with ocean views.
Anamore Resort & Wellness in Srinagar, Uttarakhand, will feature 80 anchored yacht villas, each with a private pool, terrace garden, and views of the Alaknanda River. The resort will offer panoramic views, a 558m² banquet facility, a lawn, a specialty restaurant, and a helipad.
Anamore, Khalapur, situated about 80 km from Mumbai in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, will include 200 rooms and 300 service apartments, complete with pools, outdoor spaces, and smart home technology. The property will offer all-day dining, a specialty restaurant, a café, meeting spaces, and wellness facilities, blending modern design with sustainability, such as solar energy, green roofs, and water management systems.
“Anamore is not just about opulence; it’s about creating sustainable, immersive destinations that offer both premium luxury and cultural resonance. Our vision with Anamore is clear – we want to redefine the future of luxury travel in India differently,” said Cygnett Hotels & Resorts founder and managing director, Sarbendra Sarkar.
“By integrating eco-conscious practices, wellness, and cutting-edge design, we aim to make a lasting impact on the way people experience high-end premium hospitality in India.”
Marriott Bonvoy has revealed a line-up of highly anticipated hotel openings across the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China) in 2025.
The upcoming year will see the debut of three JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the reopening of W Maldives, the first-ever Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in Papua New Guinea, and the introduction of Moxy Hotels in Nepal and AC Hotels in the Philippines. Additionally, Courtyard by Marriott will open its first property in South Korea, while Marriott Hotels & Resorts will expand into unique destinations across India.
The first quarter of 2025 will see the launch of three properties: JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort and W Maldives in the Maldives, alongside Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa in Uttarakhand, India. In the second quarter, Marriott Bonvoy will add five more properties to its portfolio: Udaipur Marriott Hotel (India), The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa in Batam (Indonesia), Courtyard by Marriott Pyeongtaek Azalea Park (South Korea), Sheraton Johor Bahru (Malaysia), and Courtyard by Marriott Danang Han River (Vietnam).
In the third quarter, Marriott Bonvoy will introduce a range of new properties, including Marriott Executive Apartments Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Moxy Kathmandu in Nepal, Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites in Papua New Guinea, JW Marriott Cam Ranh Resort & Spa in Vietnam, and the first AC Hotel by Marriott in Manila, the Philippines.
To close out 2025, Marriott Bonvoy will unveil several openings and reopenings. The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, the only Westin-branded resort in Fiji, will reopen in 4Q2025 after an extensive renovation. Marriott Executive Apartments UB City in Bengaluru will also mark the brand’s debut in India. In Japan, the JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo will open in Autumn 2025 as the brand’s flagship property in the country, following its successful launch in Nara. Additionally, Marriott will expand its footprint in Thailand with the openings of Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 22, and Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa at Jomtien Beach, further strengthening its presence in these destinations.
Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) will officially open to the public on February 14, 2025.
The new attraction will feature immersive experiences including themed dining, exclusive merchandise, and a show along with previously announced rides.
Inspired by the waterfront snack stand in Illumination’s Despicable Me, the Super Hungry Food Stand serves a hearty selection of meals, unique to USS, along the boardwalk, with a theme that echoes the nearby carnival game kiosks.
Those seeking retail therapy can check out Minion Marketplace – the shopping hub in Minion Land, which will feature the full Super Silly Fun Land Collection with 15 items spanning themed apparel, homeware, and souvenirs.
Then experience mayhem, music, and mischief in the Minute of Minion Mayhem Show as the Minions and Gru’s girls – Margo, Edith, and Agnes – take over the streets in an all-new show, with fart guns, catchy dance moves, and a meet and greet at the end.
Guests can also immerse themselves with rides such as the all-new Buggie Boogie carousel, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and Silly Swirly.
For more information, visit Universal Studios Singapore.
Michael Rousseau, president and CEO of Air Canada, has been named the new chairperson of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board. He succeeds Scott Kirby, CEO of United, who held the post since December 2020.
In his new role, Rousseau will lead the two annual board meetings and serve as the spokesperson for the board, guiding the strategic direction of 25 global member airlines.
Local governments in Japan are considering travel taxes as a means to fund tourism-related policies and infrastructure, while also addressing the issue of overtourism.
More than 50 local governments are exploring the implementation of an accommodation tax. The 13 local governments that already do so use the revenue for such support as tourist information centres, Wi-Fi access and local bus services.
In Hokkaido, the prefectural government has decided to introduce an accommodation tax of 100 to 500 yen (US$0.67 to US$3.33) per person per night, beginning April 2026.
However, in prefectures like Miyagi, accommodation providers have hindered government plans, citing concerns that managing the fees would be burdensome and the added cost could deter potential customers.
Shizuoka Prefecture’s onsen hot spring town of Higashi-Izu will raise its bathing tax to 300 yen from March 2025. Bathing taxes can be used for tourism promotion, as well as maintenance of mineral spring sources, bathhouses and firefighting facilities.
In a bid to manage overtourism on Mount Fuji, Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures plan to introduce an entry fee of 3,000 to 5,000 yen per climber starting in summer 2025. The current voluntary 1,000 yen conservation fee will be abolished.
The new entry fees are intended to prevent overcrowding, “bullet climbing” without rest, and environmental damage. Efforts in these areas were stepped up in July, with the installation of a gate on the Yoshida Trail, which was used to limit the number of hikers to 4,000 daily.
The gate reduced the number of climbers during the season by 10 per cent year-on-year to around 200,000, according to local data.
