Asia/Singapore Thursday, 9th April 2026
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Page 90

Westin Hotels & Resorts rolls out running programme across Asia-Pacific

By TTG India
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Westin Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Strava to offer travellers specially curated WestinWORKOUT routes across the Asia-Pacific (excluding China), helping them stay active and discover the sights of their destination while they travel.

The brand is dedicated to helping guests be their best selves while travelling, guided by its six pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. Through the Move Well pillar, Westin Hotels & Resorts encourages guests to stay active and maintain their fitness routines, regardless of where their travels take them.

Westin’s curated running routes helps travellers stay active while exploring their destination

The collaboration allows guests to access and explore WestinWORKOUT routes at their fingertips. These routes, carefully curated by the Westin Run Concierge at each hotel, provide guests with the chance to switch up their running routines or discover scenic hiking trails, all while showcasing the unique charm of the local area.

Some highlights include a 5km beach run in Bali to explore its coastal treasures from The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali; a 6km route that blends history, culture, and the vibrant spirit of Pune from The Westin Pune Koregaon Park; a challenging 5km journey up the mountain in Hokkaido’s The Westin Rusutsu Resort; a 5km jog through the vibrant business and commercial district of West Surabaya in Indonesia from The Westin Surabaya; and a run, jog, or walk that starts from The Westin Singapore and takes runners through the lush greenery of Gardens by the Bay and the scenic Marina Bay and Marina Reservoir.

Furthermore, from November 29 to December 1, The Westin Singapore will be curating monthly run clinics and community runs leading up to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon weekend led by their Westin Run Concierge and appointed ambassadors.

Air India launches NDC content with Sabre

By TTG India
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Sabre Corporation and Air India has expanded their partnership with the launch of New Distribution Capability (NDC) content for India’s flagship airline.

This introduction of NDC offers through Sabre will enhance the way Sabre-connected travel agents shop, book and service Air India reservations. Sabre’s NDC capabilities will provide agencies with rich content and real-time offers from Air India, giving travellers greater transparency, choice, and flexibility.

The collaboration will enhance the way travel agents shop, book and service Air India reservations via Sabre

Sabre and Air India already have an agreement in place to distribute Air India’s traditional content, both in India and globally. With the launch of NDC offers through Sabre, Air India aims to further optimise its distribution strategy, providing travel agencies with a broader range of real-time offers. By using Sabre’s technology, the airline will be able to offer a more streamlined, efficient shopping experience that meets the dynamic needs of the modern traveller.

Nipun Aggarwal, chief commercial officer, Air India, said: “By continuing to enhance our partnership with Sabre, we’re able to advance our NDC journey to meet the evolving needs of travel agencies and passengers, providing an enhanced experience.”

“India is a key market for Sabre and for the travel industry overall as it fuels increased demand for travel. It’s important that the airline can distribute its NDC content easily to third party sellers and, in turn, that travel agencies can shop, compare, book and service multiple types of air content to provide the travellers they serve with a compelling experience,” added Kathy Morgan, senior vice president of product management, distribution experience, Sabre Travel Solutions.

Darwin Waterfront redevelopment a boon for Northern Territory business events industry

By Rachel AJ Lee
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The Darwin Waterfront Precinct is undergoing a major transformation, with the addition of the multi-million-dollar Larrakia Cultural Centre and a 236-room hotel, with both projects slated for completion in 2026.

The A$250-million (US$168 million) redevelopment will also include Australia’s first saltwater surf, a snorkelling lagoon, 2.8 hectares of additional public parklands, a range of multipurpose spaces, and enhanced F&B offerings. These will join existing accommodation, restaurants, bars, shops, wave pool, and public spaces that currently make up the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.

Artist’s impression of the upcoming Larrakia Cultural Centre

Rebecca McCaig, director of Northern Territory Business Events, stated: “The redevelopment will provide business events visitors with access to accommodation located adjacent to the convention centre, along with new cultural experiences, dining and event space options at the nearby Larrakia Cultural Centre.

“There will also be an enhanced range of social programme and leisure activity choices at the Waterfront Precinct, all within easy walking distance of the convention centre and accommodation providers.”

The new Larrakia Cultural Centre, located directly opposite the Darwin Convention Centre, will feature the rich heritage and culture of The Larrakia People, traditional custodians of the Darwin region. Corporate groups will be able to partake in Larrakia cultural ceremonies, view artworks or make their own Larrakia art, such as a weaving or painting. The centre will boast several function spaces including four meeting rooms, an outdoor amphitheatre for up to 150 people, and a restaurant for up to 120 diners.

Also under construction a five-minute walk from the Darwin Waterfront Precinct is the three-storey Northern Territory Art Gallery. The building – to be completed by end-2025 – will house four exhibition spaces showcasing Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South-east Asian artworks, a grand foyer, dedicated community spaces, a retail shop, and café. The gallery will host a rotating calendar of national and international exhibitions, offering opportunities for business event groups to participate in art programmes, special events, and festivals.

When asked about the target markets for Northern Territory, McCaig told TTGmice: “NT Business Events continues to engage with key markets in the Asia Pacific, with the Northern Territory’s close proximity and aviation access to this region playing a key role in attracting targeted business events.

“With the daily direct Singapore Airlines services to be joined in late March 2025 by Qantas flights five times per week, increased Singapore to Darwin capacity is expected to attract marketplace attention. The Singapore aviation hub also provides one-stop access to a wide range of destinations across South-east Asia and beyond.”

Multiple winners in destinations when sports events come to town

By Marissa Carruthers
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Hosting major sporting events presents a raft of opportunities to boost tourism in a destination, bridge the gap between generations, and create a lasting legacy, shared event specialists.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, noted that music and cultural events as well as secondary and tertiary gatherings are roped in whenever a week-long basketball tournament is held in a destination.

Major sporting events boost tourism, culture, and local economies through integrated experiences, such as the Grand Prix in the UAE United Arab Emirates, pictured; photo by Cristiano Barni

“NBA is the main pull, but one way to appeal to all is how you (integrate) the fashion shows, culture and food experiences around the main event. That’s how you really make it relevant,” she commented.

Michael Golding, marketing and communications executive director at Ethara, said the same extensive offerings are present during the Grand Prix season in Abu Dhabi. Across the race week are various events, including media and finance weeks.

Golding said: “We look at secondary and tertiary events and the spend they bring into the economy. These are important platforms that build off the additional investment around the Grand Prix.

“There are a lot of people coming to town, so we want to also allow them to network, do business, and have conversations they might not otherwise be able to have during the rest of the year.”

Collaboration was also flagged as key to pulling off a major sporting event, with strong relationships between the venues, destination marketing organisations, and other stakeholders essential.

“When we play in a country, we look at the entire ecosystem and different stakeholders. We don’t want to just play games, we want to leave an impact. We want to make sure we’re stimulating jobs. We’re hoping to create excitement,” Akamanzi said.

Michel Mari, business department manager, corporate and MICE, at Choose Paris Region, said building a lasting legacy is crucial when organising large-scale sports events. The majority of purpose-built stadiums and venues for the recent Olympics and Paralympics in Paris have been sold to the private sector and are being put to use as additional attractions in the French capital.

Overall, festivals and events, including those of a sporting nature, are observed to have a positive impact on destination reputation, found a study by MMGY TCI Research.

Marina Bay Sands reveals new brand vision, completes Paiza Collection transformation

By TTG India
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Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has unveiled a new brand vision and campaign as it marks a significant milestone in its US$1.75 billion reinvestment programme, with the completion of the exclusive Paiza Collection across all three hotel towers.

The new brand vision, Above Beyond, reflects the grandeur of MBS’ iconic architecture, while also embodying its ambition to surpass expectations and set new benchmarks in hospitality. This vision is supported by a multi-million-dollar redesign and campaign to reinforce the resort’s position as a global leader in luxury destinations.

Marina Bay Sands’ Paiza Collection transformation is now complete, which includes the Presidential Suite, pictured

First announced in 2022, Marina Bay Sands’ transformation has been undertaken in phases, starting with new hotel rooms and suites across its three towers, dining experiences and lifestyle amenities. The transformation will also include the Sands SkyPark, lobby and wellness facilities.

The latest milestone is the completion of the Paiza Collection, made up of first-class rooms and suites on the top floors that houses the the Chairman, Presidential, Skyline and Horizon Suites. Guests arrive via a discreet lobby with private lifts and are escorted to their palatial, residential-style suites by their personal butler.

The Chairman Suite comes with a 146-inch television, a baby grand piano, spa and gym facilities, and a fully stocked kitchen for dinner parties. The Presidential and Skyline Suites are fitted with a golf simulator or a media room, while the Horizon Suite is a wellness sanctuary with a Himalayan salt wall, massage tables, dry sauna, hammam shower and gym.

To date, approximately 1,540 new rooms, including 635 suites, have been completed, and refurbishment works are now focused on completing the Sands Collection in Tower 3 by 2Q2025. Once complete, there will be approximately 1,850 rooms including 775 suites.

The new brand vision aligns with the future ambitions of MBS and every aspect of the brand, from its logo and website to hotel amenities, key cards, branded experiences and uniforms worn by staff, has been redesigned to elevate the brand experience.

Front-of-house staff have also been trained to embody the ethos of the new brand – the 160-strong Butler Services team, which features the largest butler force in Singapore, undergoes rigorous training and audit at the in-house Butler Academy.

In addition, MBS has engaged a group of creative visionaries to interpret and express Above Beyond through a short film, striking visuals and one-of-a-kind experiences. As part of this multi-part campaign launch, which will run into next year, a suite of over 500 assets comprising campaign photographs and short-form videos was also commissioned, featuring globally renowned photographers.

MBS’ COO Paul Town said: “We are now at the next stage of development with our ambitious transformation that is pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality. The new brand vision and property refurbishment is timely as it mirrors and complements this vision, setting the tone as we enter the next phase of growth.”

Aviation roundup: Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Asia and more

By TTG India
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Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific introduces new direct flights to Chiang Mai and Sapporo
Cebu Pacific (CEB) has launched its Manila-Chiang Mai route on October 29, and will commence direct flights to Sapporo in Japan on January 16, 2025.

The Manila-Chiang Mai flights will operate three times weekly – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – and is the only carrier in the Philippines that offers direct flights to Chiang Mai in Thailand.

CEB will operate flights between Manila and Sapporo three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Jetstar Asia

Jetstar Asia resumes Singapore to Medan flights
Jetstar Asia has resumed services to Medan, Indonesia from Singapore, after a four-year suspension.

As only low-cost carrier to offer direct flights between the two destinations, the airline will operate the daily return service between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Kualanamu International Airport in Medan with its Airbus A320s fleet, providing more than 130,000 low-fare seats annually.

Emirates

Emirates returns to Edinburgh with daily service
Emirates has restarted its service to Edinburgh in the UK, touching down in the Scottish capital for the first time since 2020.

Edinburgh is Emirates’ eighth destination in the UK.

The daily service will complement the airline’s current A380 daily flight to Glasgow, offering customers 14 weekly flights to/from the country.

Air Canada

Air Canada adds fifth Singapore-Vancouver service
Air Canada is expanding its winter services between December 6, 2024 and March 28, 2025 with the addition of a fifth flight departing on a Friday from Singapore to Vancouver.

The Vancouver-Singapore service will depart on Wednesday from December 4, 2024 and will run till March 27, 2025.

Robust developments across Jakarta set to sharpen city’s event-readiness

By Tiara Maharani
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Change is sweeping across Jakarta as the city enhances its hardware to achieve its goal of becoming a global economic and business city. Key to these changes are new and expanded convention and exhibition centres.

Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group are jointly constructing the Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE) and other event venues within the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2 mixed-use mega project in Jakarta’s northern coastal area.

Jakarta is welcoming new and expanded convention and exhibition facilities

NICE will be built in phases, with phase one scheduled to commence operations in September 2025. The development, valued at US$2.6 million, will span over 40 hectares and comprise three exhibition buildings with 54,560m2 of space. Events will have a selection of 11 exhibition halls, a pre-function hall, and an 18,000m2 atrium along with VVIP and green rooms. There will also be 30,000m2 of outdoor space for concerts and festivals, and a 1.3-hectare courtyard for dining, leisure, and entertainment facilities.

Speaking to the media during a site visit, Ryan Adrian, managing director of Industri Pameran Nusantara, a joint venture venue management company of Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group, said 17 anchor events have been lined up for NICE.

NICE’s phase two development has also been set for 2026. This will comprise a 30,000m2 convention building, 47 meeting rooms, and four- and five-star hotels.

“When completed, NICE will enable Indonesia to capture new opportunities in regional business events and contribute towards greater vibrancy of the PIK precinct,” he added.

NICE will be complemented by many other developments, including direct toll access to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and the Inner and Outer Ring Road to reach Jakarta CBD, marina and jetty terminal, and lifestyle complex.

Both Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group are also developing the Spike Air Dome, set to open in February 2025 to inject nine hectares of event spaces to the area. This will be located in a community park, where corporate and community gatherings are hosted.

Jakarta will also see the expansion of its Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo) in Kemayoran. Starting next year, the venue will add a three-storey building that will house a 3,000m2 Grand Ballroom, a 1,000m2 Junior Ballroom, 14 meeting rooms, and a Grand Theatre auditorium with 2,500 seats.

Ralph Sheunemann, marketing director of JI Expo Kemayoran told TTGmice: “Demand for events has been increasing exponentially after the pandemic. We have been experiencing a lack of space since last year, and our venues are full all year up to 2026, except for January when we are running 40 to 50 per cent occupancy. Therefore, we must expand.” – Additional reporting by Mimi Hudoyo

Cathay celebrates record growth in its corporate SAF programme

By TTG India
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Since launching in 2022, Cathay’s Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme has achieved substantial growth and is becoming one of the biggest initiatives of its kind globally, marked by new global partnerships and a record commitment to SAF usage.

The Corporate SAF Programme has introduced a tiered structure, allowing customers to participate based on their SAF demand and business needs. It has the support of 15 corporate partners, with DB Schenker being the biggest contributor to the programme to date while Kuehne+Nagel is a Diamond partner; EQT, a Gold partner; Julius Baer and Lenton Group are Silver partners.

Cathay marks the third year of its successful Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme

Notably, this year has seen multi-year commitments from partners as they view SAF as a long-term solution to their decarbonisation journey, reinforcing Cathay’s 2030 SAF target.

Cathay also recognises the continued commitment of some of its longstanding partners, including Airport Authority Hong Kong, AIA, Dimerco Express Group, Kintetsu World Express, Standard Chartered Bank, Swire Pacific, Yusen Logistics, and the Business Environment Council. This diverse partnership base reflects a strong commitment to reducing the climate impact from both business travel and airfreight services, and across different sectors in our community.

Programme partners in 2024 have committed to using 2,650 tonnes of SAF – equivalent to a reduction of approximately 8,060 tonnes of carbon emissions, three times the reduction achieved last year.

SAF remains the most crucial lever for decarbonising airline operations before alternatively powered aircraft can be widely deployed in commercial operations. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce over 80 per cent of carbon emissions on a lifecycle basis, depending on the SAF technology and feedstock used.

Cathay Pacific was among the first airlines in the world and the first in Asia to announce a target of 10 per cent SAF for its total fuel use by 2030. Since then, the airline has successfully conducted SAF uplifts at both Hong Kong International Airport and other airports overseas.

In addition to scaling up SAF adoption, Cathay also relies on fleet modernisation, operational efficiency improvements, leveraging on emerging technology breakthroughs to decarbonise aviation, and high-quality carbon offsets and removals to achieve the long-term net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

IAPCO highlights the value accredited PCOs bring to the business events industry

By TTG India
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The success of the meetings and events industry hinges on its delivery of exceptional outcomes, which is in the hands of accredited PCOs, say global industry leaders, who added that these professionals have a significant impact on destination competitiveness, technological advancements of the industries they serve, and the financial viability of major global associations.

James Latham, founder of The Iceberg, presented by Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), and International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) endorser, said those at the top of the PCO world would continue to have a major impact on destinations.

International Association of Professional Congress Organisers invests in continued education for its PCO members

“Events delivered by top PCOs consistently showcase mission-based impacts, outcomes, and legacies – attributes that set them apart from others, and work that leaves a lasting impact.

“That’s why accredited PCOs, such as IAPCO members, will play a crucial role in elevating the competitiveness of destinations, particularly in emerging regions like Latin America, where their expertise and connections will be instrumental,” said Latham.

Alain Pittet, director of the Geneva Convention Bureau and IAPCO endorser, added: “The industry relies on PCOs being educated and up to date with the latest in congress organising. We want to be sure that associations which have selected Geneva as a destination for their congress get what the best of the best are doing, and this is why we only suggest IAPCO-accredited PCOs.”

He pointed out that continuous professional development and education is the calling card of the world’s top PCOs.

“IAPCO understands this and provides continuous education and dynamic insight on new trends to their members. This means IAPCO-accredited PCOs can continuously deliver reliable and high-quality service,” said Pittet.

AO Spine is a long-term client of an IAPCO-accredited PCO, and its director Jayr Bass said IAPCO’s global network of members has helped to open its annual congress to a worldwide audience.

BCD Travel rolls out end-to-end sustainability offering for corporate travel

By TTG India
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BCD Travel has partnered with Squake, a climate-tech company, to launch a new, streamlined sustainability offering that allows corporate travel programmes to centrally set targets, decide upon sustainability policies to achieve them, and distribute these across online and offline booking channels for each employee.

This new offering, which is now being piloted with Siemens, is said to be relevant to all clients, regardless of their progress in sustainable business travel. It will be available to all other customers in 1Q2025.

Bridgeman: the new offering will simplify the process of achieving sustainable travel

Tools are available to encourage travellers to travel less and travel better, in addition to paying attention to air, train, hotel and ground transportation emissions. Using one of multiple calculation methodologies, the tool will show the carbon cost of each trip. This ensures a consistent representation of carbon emissions across point-of-sale, itineraries and invoices, and reporting.

For companies that have decided to allocate an actual carbon tax or require a traveller to invest in a carbon reduction project or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for each trip, BCD Travel now has automated solutions. The offering includes both point-of-sale and aggregated fee allocation options including SAF procurement or carbon compensation certificates.

In addition to driving traveller behaviour change, BCD Travel and Squake will provide carbon budgeting, forecasting, and reporting tools to help clients set and manage carbon targets. This is key to complying with regulatory reporting requirements like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

Travel managers can also set the parameters for their policy as well as track and report on their progress.

BCD Travel’s consulting division, Advito, and its sustainability experts are on hand to help clients wanting sustainability strategy, change management support, and application of more sophisticated analytics tools.

April Bridgeman, senior vice president at BCD Travel and managing director at Advito, said: “BCD Travel prioritises sustainability. Yet, it has been challenging for our customers to make their travel programmes more sustainable. Until now, our clients have had to spend significant time and energy identifying, selecting, and deploying a range of sustainability providers that aren’t easy to integrate together or into their programmes.

Along with Squake and Advito, we decided to help by bringing what was once a fragmented set of features and suppliers together to simplify the process. And, we added some new features along the way.”

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG India | WebBeds appoints new Asia-Pacific president
TTG India | IHG to develop Holiday Inn Express property in Surat
TTG India | Higher fuel costs to dampen India travel demand