New Visa app runs a concierge

SINGAPORE, 22 September 2017: Visa launched its first mobile concierge app, Thursday, targeted at affluent consumers in Singapore.

VISA research suggests nine out of 10 Singapore affluent consumers are interested in accessing concierge services via a mobile app

Downloadable on iOS App Store and Google Android Store, Singapore is the first market in Southeast Asia where this mobile app is available. Read more

TripAdvisor and Deliveroo in food deal

SINGAPORE, 13 July 2017: TripAdvisor TRIP and Deliveroo, an on-demand food-delivery service, announced, Wednesday, the integration of Deliveroo’s restaurant network into the TripAdvisor desktop website, mobile web and mobile app experiences in 12 countries worldwide.

In Asia the Deliveroo service will be available in just Singapore and Hong Kong.

Consumers browsing TripAdvisor restaurant listings now have the option to order food from more than 20,000 of Deliveroo’s restaurant partners spanning more than 140 cities. Read more

Shisen Hanten wins stars

SINGAPORE, 3 July 2017: Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro at Mandarin Orchard Singapore has been awarded two stars in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2017, retaining its lead as the highest Michelin-rated Chinese restaurant in Singapore for the second year running.

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro made its Singapore debut in 2014, with the founding of Japan’s first Szechwan restaurant in 1958 by Chen Kenmin who is regarded as the “Father of Szechwan cuisine in Japan.”

Executive Chef Chen Kentaro, grandson of Chen Kenmin and son of celebrity Iron Chef Chen Kenichi  takes pride in bringing to fruition his grandfather’s vision of contributing to a greater appreciation of Szechwan cuisine through Shisen Hanten’s signature dishes. Read more

Indian tucker at its best

BANGKOK, 23 June 2017: Rang Mahal restaurant at the 407-room Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok has won the Editor’s Choice Award for Indian cuisine at the 19th Bangkok’s Best Restaurant awards.

The Rang Mahal was selected by a panel of five judges, with 12 to 23 nominees in each category vying for recognition by Bangkok’s most respected awards in the hospitality industry.

Bangkok Best Restaurant Awards is hosted by Bangkok Best Dining & Entertainment magazine. Read more

Vietnam reviews bar opening hours

HANOI, 22 May 2017: Vietnam Tourism Association has submitted a proposal to the government asking it to further extend opening hours for the country’s nightlife to keep the country in play to compete head-on with neighbouring destinations.

The association argues the country would attract more tourists if opening hours for evening entertainment and dining are extended.

Local media said if the proposal gains approval, nightclubs, bars and restaurants could remain open until 0200. Some provinces allow late closing, but the association wants a national ruling on opening hours. Read more

NhaTrang raft ban remains

KHANH HOA, 16 May 2017: The People’s Committee of NhaTrang City of south central Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, reaffirmed its ban on floating restaurants in NhaTrang Bay.

Local media reported that earlier in the month, the provincial People’s Committee had ordered floating restaurants across the bay to shut down.

However, some households proposed to local authorities that they should be allowed to continue their business in order to pay back loans used to build the rafts. Read more

Where travellers check-in

NEEDHAM, MASS, US, 26 April 2017: TripAdvisor launched its first-ever mobile Check-Index, Tuesday, that reveals travellers’ and locals’ most frequented hotels, restaurants and attractions in major world tourism destinations.

The study was based TripAdvisor’s massive databank of mobile check-in information.

“Our mobile Check-Index shows the points of interest where consumers are voting with their feet and actually spending their time,” said TripAdvisor vice president of product, consumer experience Jeff Chow. “It’s interesting to see how in some cities travellers and locals are drawn to the same things to do or places to eat, while in others you see distinct differences in their preferences.” Read more

LENS LINES Top for Tatler toffs

BANGKOK, 4 April 2017: Rembrandt Hotel’s popular Rang Mahal, and Mexicano restaurants were recognised on Thailand Tatler’s Besr Restaurants list for 2017.

Rembrandt Hotel general manager Eric Hallin received awards for both restaurants at a Tatler event hosted at Quartier Water Garden in Bangkok. Read more

Sabre rattlers swipe Champagne

BANGKOK, 27 March 2017: The first time I witnessed a demonstration of Sabrage, the art of opening a bottle of champagne with a sabre, was at the St Regis Bangkok a few years back. It was quite impressive especially the part when the cork, still attached to the bottle’s lip, shot off in the direction of the well stocked bar lined with expensive wines and liquors.

It made it to the bar top and landed an ice bucket. Well done, cried the F&B manager and we all applauded the feat like kids at a circus.

Where I hail from there was a significant lack of champagne culture. In the 1960s folk in Manchester, UK, frowned on pub goers sipping champagne, let alone whacking them with a sabre. Read more

Shark fin still on Hong Kong menu

HONG KONG, 8 March 2017: Hong Kong authorities have seized more than a ton of shark fins as activists warn traders are sneaking the sought-after delicacy into the city by mislabelling shipments to get around bans by major transporters.

The city is one of the world’s biggest markets for shark fin — often served as a soup at expensive Chinese banquets — but it prohibits the trade in products taken from endangered species.

Companies including airlines Cathay Pacific and Virgin and shipping company Maersk have barred the transportation of shark fins following public outcry over the trade, which is blamed for the deaths of tens of millions of sharks every year. Read more

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