BANGKOK, 11 July 2024: Absolute Hotel Services will launch two properties on Thailand’s eastern seaboard, U Sriracha and T Hotel Sriracha, in 2026.
U Sriracha will feature 168 rooms and villas with indoor and outdoor pools, a fully equipped fitness centre, meeting spaces, dining options, and a rooftop lounge bar.
T Hotel Sriracha, part of the Relax brand in the Absolute Collection, will offer 48 rooms, a Japanese spa and Onsen, a fitness centre, and F&B options.
Set to open in 2026, the two properties will cater to domestic and international upscale business and leisure travellers. Sriracha is a thriving industrial hub close to Laem Chabang port, Chonburi, and the bustling beachside towns of Pattaya and Bang Lamung.
Absolute Hotel Services CEO and Founder Jonathan Wigley expressed his enthusiasm at the latest addition to the group’s portfolio: “These properties epitomise our dedication to delivering exceptional service and creating unique experiences that reflect the vibrant local culture. Sriracha’s dynamic blend of Thai and international influences provides the perfect setting for our newest ventures. We eagerly anticipate welcoming guests to these exciting destinations.”
SINGAPORE, 11 July 2024: ForwardKeys’ latest data release, in partnership with ETOA, forecasts Europe is poised for an exceptional summer, with inbound tourism projected to surpass previous records.
ForwardKeys says international arrivals to Europe in July and August show year-on-year growth of +12%, just above the global average (+11%). This growth is driven primarily by intra-regional travel, up +10% compared to 2023. This represents a significant influx of visitors from long-haul markets in Asia Pacific (+11%) and the US (+21%).
Photo credit: ForwardKeys.
Fast growth for Central and Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern Europe are witnessing the fastest growth in inbound tourism after a delayed response to the war in Ukraine. This summer, the region expects a remarkable 23% increase in tourist volumes compared to last year. Northern Europe is also on track to grow faster (+12%) than Southern European destinations (+10%), reflecting a broader recovery trend across all European subregions.
Major European city destinations lead the tourism revival, outpacing traditional sun and beach holidays. Cities like Munich (+37%), which benefits from key sporting events this summer, are seeing significant growth. The pattern is balanced across European subregions, with substantial increases throughout the continent, including Vienna (+23%), Edinburgh (+19%), Madrid (+16%) and Venice (+16%).
Photo credit: ForwardKeys
Asia-outbound
China and Japan power bookings to Europe; China (+64%) and Japan (+53%) compared to 2023. Although overall volumes are still below pre-pandemic levels, improvements in air connectivity have led to a surge in travel from these countries.
China, in particular, is responsible for a much larger share of seat capacity than pre-pandemic (+12 p.p.), partly due to limited China-US connectivity. Chinese airlines are deploying their widebody fleet on routes into Europe instead.
Multi-destination trips to Europe are also popular with Asian travellers heading for Europe this summer. Standout city pairs include Budapest – Vienna (+118%), Milan – Munich (+106%), Prague – Amsterdam (+71%) and Istanbul – Athens (+63%), reflecting the popularity of urban European destinations for Asian travellers looking to combine cultural, historic and shopping activities.
ISKANDAR PUTERI Johor, 11 July 2024: Tiong Nam Hospitality Group will expand its marina complex with the addition of private and mega yacht marinas at the Pinetree Marina & Resort, Puteri Harbour, making it a significant milestone for the group, which has managed the 107-room resort since 2018.
The recently added public marina features 76 berths and can accommodate a variety of yacht and boat categories. However, two additional marina categories will open as part of the group’s expansion plans; a private marina and a mega yacht marina.
Pinetree Marina’s strategic location provides access to crucial Southeast Asian maritime corridors, making it a popular starting point for boaters from Phuket, Langkawi, Pangkor Island, Kota Kinabalu, and Singapore.
Tiong Nam Hospitality Group Senior General Manager Johnny Lau stated: “This marina is our newest endeavour, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation in both the marina and hospitality industries. Its strategic location provides effortless access to crucial Southeast Asian maritime corridors.”
The marina is situated at coordinates 01° 25.07′ N 103° 39.51′ E, offering members and guests a range of top-tier amenities, including a fuel dock, laundry facilities, shower rooms, buggy transportation, a customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex, and a marine department office. The berths have 24-hour CCTV security systems and WiFi connectivity, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience.
Tiong Nam Hospitality Group, which also manages Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour, Hard Rock Cafe Ipoh, Fraser Place Puteri Harbour, BRIX KLIA, and the upcoming 1975 Hotel and Avenue, aims to transform Pinetree Marina & Resort into a premier destination for yachting enthusiasts, leisure seekers, and business travellers.
About Pinetree Marina & Resort Pinetree Marina & Resort Puteri Harbour marks Tiong Nam Hospitality Group’s strategic entry into the marina industry. The public marina currently offers 76 berths in the picturesque Straits of Johor. The resort features 107 contemporary apartments in a spectacular 25-floor building.
Its prime location provides easy access to attractions such as Legoland Malaysia, Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club, and Sunway Big Box Retail Park.
SINGAPORE, 10 July 2024: Emirates offers a mid-year reboot for all travellers this July, with special fares from Singapore to Dubai and Europe.
From now until 21 July 2024, travellers can look forward to attractive flight deals to Dubai, London, Paris, Milan, and more, valid for travel until 31 January 2025.
Featured destinations and starting fares
*The sales period for Melbourne fares ends on 16 July 2024.
The holiday begins inflight, with Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system offering over 6,500 channels of movies, TV shows, music, and games on demand and in multiple languages. Once they sign up to join Emirates Skywards, all passengers can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity onboard and savour the flavours of their destinations through multicourse meals and complimentary drinks.
Emirates has rounded up some hidden gems in these popular featured destinations for a unique adventure. Emirates currently operates 28 flights per week from Singapore to Dubai and flies to more than 130 destinations across six continents.
Explore the historic and tranquil neighbourhood of Hampstead, home to some of the best outdoor swimming spots in London, including three natural bathing ponds. Visitors can frolic in the natural waters while enjoying the panoramic view of the London skyline or picnic along the surrounding grasslands and meadows. The Hampstead Ponds are open to the public all year round and are a must-visit for travellers seeking a different kind of London experience. For a glimpse into the literature, history, and culture of the United Kingdom, travellers can also include the British Library in their itinerary. The National Library of the United Kingdom is one of the largest libraries in the world, and it houses over 170 million items, including Shakespeare’s First Folio and original manuscripts by authors like Jane Austen.
For a more local and offbeat experience of Paris, take a stroll or a boat ride along the Canal Saint-Martin, the quieter and more laid-back counterpart of the River Seine. The 4.5km canal, which 2km is underground, interweaves through charming boutiques, cafes, and vibrant neighbourhoods. It also boasts iconic canal locks, footbridges, and swing bridges. For a picturesque slice of Parisian life, travellers can head to the Cité des Fleurs (City of Flowers), a pedestrian street in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the cobblestoned street is lined with quaint and colourful houses teeming with beautiful flowers and trees.
While a cemetery is unlikely to top any traveller’s bucket list, the Cimitero Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) is worth a visit. An impressive outdoor museum spanning 250,000 square metres, it is known for its sculptures, monuments, and tombs created by various renowned artists and architects. Guided tours are available for those who wish to explore the cemetery’s history and artistic heritage. Cinephiles and dessert aficionados can check out Bar Luce, a café designed by film director Wes Anderson. Inspired by the Italian pop culture of the 1950s and 1960s, the bar’s design pays homage to the city and the Milanese cafes of the past.
For those looking to take a creative break, the Dubai Design Week returns from 5 to 10 November 2024. From architecture product design to graphic design and interiors, this edition will focus on designing for a sustainable future, with exhibitions, marketplaces, and workshops taking place at Dubai Design District.
Emirates passengers flying to, through, or back to Dubai can enjoy more for less with My Emirates Pass. Leveraging their boarding passes, passengers can unlock exclusive discounts at a wide range of retail, leisure, and dining establishments, as well as top attractions and luxury spas across Dubai and the UAE. From now till 30 September 2024, Emirates customers can experience Dubai’s bucket-list attractions, including thrilling water parks and the world’s highest observation deck at Burj Khalifa At The Top, with discounts on admission tickets. They simply need to present a physical or digital boarding pass along with a valid form of identification at participating venues to access the deals and discounts.
In addition,travellers who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class from now till 21 July 2024 will be able to enjoy a complimentary two-night stay at the 5-star luxury hotel JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai while those travelling in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class can enjoy a complimentary one-night stay. This special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours for travel dates until 15 September 2024.
Syahreza Ishwara as GM of Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort.
BANGKOK, 10 July 2024: Minor Hotels has appointed Syahreza Ishwara as General Manager of the newly opened Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas off the coast of Phuket.
Ishwara has been with Minor Hotels since 2014 at the award-winning Anantara Chiang Mai Resort.
From 2022, the Indonesian national served as the General Manager at Anantara Ubud Bali, overseeing the pre-opening phase. Ishwara’s international experience also includes serving as the General Manager at the Rayavadee Resort Krabi, as well as holding key positions at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi in Malaysia.
NEW DELHI, 10 July 2024: Crimson Hotels Private Limited, a company that manages luxury and boutique hotels, is expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The company has opened two new hotels, Econostay Lhaki Yangchak Residency in Thimpu and Econostay Lhaki Yangchak Residency in Paro.
With the addition of these two new Hotels in Bhutan, Crimson now has eight operational hotels in three countries: Bhutan, India and Nepal.
Crimson Hotels Pvt Ltd Director Sandeep Maitraya expressed his excitement about the two new Econostays: “Bhutan represents a significant opportunity for Crimson Hotels to tap into a market that values cultural richness and natural beauty. Our new Econostay properties in Thimpu and Paro will cater to the growing demand for high-quality accommodations in Bhutan, offering travellers unique and memorable experiences. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality services in diverse markets while promoting sustainable tourism.”
Econostay Lhaki Yangchak Residency Thimpu will offer 35 rooms and suites, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and meeting and banquet facilities, ideal for both business and leisure travellers.
Econostay Lhaki Yangchak Residency Paro, situated close to the Paro International Airport, will provide 18 rooms and suites, each with a touch of traditional Bhutanese architecture. The property will feature a restaurant serving local and international delicacies, meeting and banquet spaces for up to 150 persons, and a fitness centre.
Both the Econostay, properties are located to offer guests easy access to Bhutan’s key attractions. Thimpu, the capital city, is known for its vibrant culture and historical landmarks, while Paro is famed for its stunning natural beauty and the iconic Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery).
“We have another 20 Hotels in the construction pipeline right now. The next two years will see the Crimson portfolio announcing another eight new hotels in India, Nepal and Bhutan”, added Maitraya.
The Crimson Hotels portfolio of brand offerings includes Basics Inn & Suites, which offers economy stays; Econostay, which offers mid-market Hotels to patrons; a five-star range of hotels under the “Citron” brand; and a five-star deluxe luxury collection under the Akatsuki Collection.
About Crimson Hotels Crimson Hotels Pvt Ltd is a full-service hospitality company that provides hotel operations management, branding, development, and pre-opening services.
SYDNEY, 10 July 2024: Amora Hotels & Resorts has named two veteran hospitality professionals to lead its key properties in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Rob Unson joins as General Manager of Amora Hotel Brisbane, while Rahul Dangwal assumes the role of Hotel Manager at Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne. He brings a wealth of expertise in his new role as general manager of Amora Hotel Brisbane. Before joining Amora Hotels & Resorts, Unson was TFE Hotels’ Hotel General Manager.
Rob Unson, GM, Amora Hotel Brisbane.Rahul Dangwal, HM, Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne.
Rahul Dangwal brings over 14 years of hospitality experience to Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne, having held senior management roles with companies such as Stamford Hotels and Resorts, TFE Hotels, and Accor’s Art Series brand.
“We are confident that Rob and Rahul will both play pivotal roles in driving our hotels forward,” said Amora Hotels & Resorts Owner and Director Earp Siriphatrawan. “Their combined expertise and dedication to excellence will further strengthen Amora Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality.”
Siriphatrawan emphasised that Amora’s management hires will further drive the group’s brand of customer-centric hospitality as it expands across the Pacific and Southeast Asia in the next five years.
SINGAPORE, 10 July 2024: SITA, a global leader in technology solutions for the air transport industry, has announced record results for 2023, with revenues reaching almost USD1.5 billion.
This represents a rise of 7% compared to the previous year, and all signs so far in 2024 indicate similar positive performance this year.
SITA CEO David Lavorel.
Unveiling the results at the recent SITA Annual General Assembly, SITA CEO David Lavorel also cited growth in margin and EBITDA, which exceeded plans by 4%.
SITA also saw record contracts and partnerships to transform travel at airports and borders through digital identities, biometric and mobile-enabled self-service, and digital borders. Examples include biometric touchpoints for airline passengers at Frankfurt Airport, a digital travel and sustainability collaboration with the Arab Air Carriers Organisation, and continued world-leading Aruba trials using ICAO’s Digital Travel Credential (DTC) standard.
In addition, SITA’s agreement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will see the latest passenger processing solutions and cloud-enablement for 44 airports in India, preparing the country for a future of increasing growth in passenger traffic.
With the return of travel comes the need to make operations efficient. The launch of new services for the SITA Connect Go SD-WAN solution allows the industry to achieve this goal, as a platform for digitalisation. Qatar Airways and Biman Bangladesh Airlines became early customers, using the solution to help fuel growth.
In another major trend, collaborative IT for aircraft is helping to make flights more efficient and sustainable, using AI and data-driven operational tools. In 2023, airlines eagerly took on SITA OptiFlight® to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by better planning fight paths. They include Azul, Singapore Airlines, AIX Connect, Vistara, and many more. AI and flight optimisation services are critical to help aviation’s journey to a carbon net-zero future.
Continuing the focus on travel industry operational efficiencies and sustainability, 2024 has seen the launch of SITA Total Airport Optimiser. Using an AI-powered platform helps airports manage every aspect of their operations. Through a partnership with Univers, the solution also brings sustainability into the heart of operational decision-making. It means airports can monitor and report energy usage, emissions from aircraft and other vehicles, and their carbon footprint.
The momentum in 2024 continued with SITA’s acquisition of Materna IPS, the leader in passenger handling for airports and airlines and the Self-Bag-Drop market leader. The move will reshape aviation, creating the world’s most powerful passenger portfolio for airports and digital travel.
SITA has acquired ASISTIM, renowned for its managed airline flight operations services. This paves the way for airlines of all sizes to outsource part of their flight operations through a fully-fledged airline flight Operations Control Center (OCC) managed service.
About SITA SITA is the air transport industry’s IT provider, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. Our technology powers more seamless, safe and sustainable air travel.
With around 2,500 customers, SITA’s solutions drive operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports while delivering the promise of connected aircraft to customers of over 18,000 aircraft globally. SITA also provides technology solutions that help more than 70 governments strike the balance of secure borders and seamless travel.
CHIANG RAI, 10 July 2024: I am checking out a ‘private resort’, and it’s not easy to find despite being a vast 75 rai estate of lush greenery just a couple of kilometres up the road from Chiang Rai’s Singha Park.
There are only two recognised private resorts that I know of in Thailand. The other is located on Koh Yao Noi, off the east coast of Phuket Island. Meanwhile, Chiang Rai’s elusive Pa Sak Tong is not where Google Maps says it should be, but that might not be accidental.
Photo credit: Pa Sak Tong. Baan Sak Tong Villa.
Private resorts, by their very nature, are challenging to find. They snub LED signage or easy-to-follow road signs and even frown on Google Maps. Google obliges by sending you on a wild goose chase until you almost bump into a bamboo pole barrier and the tiniest of arrows that say welcome — you have arrived.
I was mulling over the conundrum private resorts face. They like to be anonymous for their client’s sake, while a bit of publicity in moderation doesn’t do any harm. I have arrived at a resort named after its opulent Golden Teak villas, where the teams of butlers and chefs curate remarkable hospitality and dining experiences. I am here for lunch with the private resort’s managing director, John Dunbar, who is introducing two new villas to the resort’s portfolio and the now well-established Locus Native Food Lab, an elaborate chef’s table restaurant open to the public.
Chef’s table at the Locus Native Food Lab, Pa Sak Tong.
Last week, Marriott International released a luxury travel study claiming that “three distinct and new groups of luxury travellers have emerged.” They are the ‘Venture Travelist’ who seeks business opportunities when travelling, the ‘Experience Connoisseur’ Millennials who travel for enrichment, and the ‘Timeless Adventurer’, 65-plus who build their own itineraries and explore places before they become famous.
I could add a fourth, the ‘reclusive traveller’, where being anonymous and far away from the media spotlight is worth buying out a resort lock, stock and barrel for your entire stay to be with family and close friends without intrusions.
Pa Sak Tong has all the proper credentials to appeal to travellers seeking the ultimate in privacy; its vast hill country estate cradles its famous guests in an off-the-grid bubble.
“Our product is total privacy with the highest standard of personalised service in Asia, explains Dunbar. “It’s a buyout, but guests have three choices — Khum Sak Tong with 18 guests in six villas, Baan Sak Tong with up to 12 guests in three villas or a total estate buyout of 24 guests in seven villas.
“The major difference between us and other large villas is we price based on the number of guests, which is very positive for smaller parties of four or six guests. Other villa operators charge one price regardless of whether you have two or 24 guests. We feel we offer fair value. So, while calling it a buyout stay, it’s a fair and price-conscious buyout.”
The buyout options for the villas come with a team of butlers and chefs who serve residents exclusively. However, the buyout option can also extend to the resort’s independent signature restaurant, usually open to non-residents. Locus Native Food Lab stands in its own gardens, separated from the villas. In the evenings, it is open to the public for a single seating and is limited to a maximum of 12 diners. Chef Kongwut Chaiwongkajorn presents around 12 to 18 Northern Thai dishes, emphasising that “every dish has a story,” that he tells with enthusiasm as he prepares an amazing array of dishes.
Dunbar recognises there are challenges running Thailand’s only private estate resort in Chiang Rai. “We need international flights to Chiang Rai,” he explains. “Vietjet is planning to restart domestic flights between Phuket and Chiang Rai this October, but we need direct flights from gateway cities in Southeast Asia.”
AirAsia will start direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Chiang Rai in November. Thai Airways International intends to upgrade its A320 fleet to offer business class and economy on its domestic flight network from its Bangkok hub. That will allow travellers to fly business class to Bangkok and continue the journey in the same class all the way to Chiang Rai.
However, more should be done to put Chiang Rai on the luxury travel map by recognising quality restaurants with a few renowned stars. Dubar points to Michelin, saying it is “unfortunate that it has left out Chiang Rai” when it focused on Chiang Mai.
“Chiang Rai has many excellent dining facilities that should be recognised by Michelin, Locus Native Food Lab being one of them. Hopefully, Michelin will soon include our fine city in their guide,” he concluded.
SINGAPORE, 10 July 2024: Travel Meet Asia 2024 concluded a successful and comprehensive two-day travel trade show and convention, connecting Southeast Asia’s expanding travel market to global opportunities.
Touting a remarkable 80% year-on-year growth the show attracted over 1,300 attendees, over 140 exhibitors, and over 180 quality top buyers who scheduled over 7,507 business appointments for two days.
Photo credit: Travel Meet Asia, Indonesia 2024.
This year’s exhibition saw numerous business appointments and participation from key exhibiting companies like Singapore Tourism Board, Czech Tourism Authority, Korea Tourism Organisation, Business Events Sarawak, Royal Caribbean International, AYANA Hospitality, Frasers Hospitality, Meliá Hotels International, ONYX Hospitality Group, Pullman Hotels and Resorts, NagaWorld Limited, Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok, Bintan Resorts, Jambuluwuk Hotels & Resorts, Golden Lotus Hotel Group, Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort, Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens, Global Destination Management Corporation, ONLYONE Africa, Vio Travel, Smailing Tour DMC, VM Travel, come2indonesia.com, GMTC, DidaTravel Technology, SiteMinder, and SUNRATE.
The conference featured 560 minutes of high-powered content across 22 sessions. The conference was led by 38 industry leaders including Enric Casals Brufau, Regional AVP, Agoda; Johanes Chang, Founder & CEO, BiztripsEvents; Tony Sham, Country Manager Indonesia, Cathay Pacific; Fazal Bahardeen, CEO, Crescentrating & HalalTrip; Yusno Yunos, CEO & Founder, Evenesis; Staphine Suwardjo, Head of Operation, FCM Indonesia; Askar DG KAMIS, CEO, IDHotelier; Arief Gunawan, Chairman, Indonesia Luxury Travel & Hospitality Association; Brett Henry, President Director, MG Group; Andy Khen, Owners Representative and Corporate Director of Revenue & Distribution, PMG Hotels & Resorts; Stefan Renziehausen, Executive Director – Operations, SABA Hospitality; Alpha Poh, CEO & Co-Founder, The Moment Collective; George Hendrata, CEO, tiket.com, and Adam Piperdy, Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Unearthed Productions.
Travel Meet Asia 2025
Looking ahead, Meet Asia 2025 will return to Jakarta, Indonesia, on 11 to 12 June 2025. The event will continue to foster regional and global business ties through strategic partnerships and high-level networking opportunities.
Five heavyweight travel associations have already pledged their support for Travel Meet Asia 2025, recommending top travel agents from regional markets to Travel Meet Asia, Jakarta. The Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) and the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO) will bring key decision-makers and top outbound travel trade buyers from across Indonesia, leveraging their extensive networks and industry expertise to connect stakeholders and promote cross-border business opportunities and deals. Additionally, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), and the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) will bring Southeast Asian outbound travel trade buyers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. These collaborations foster global business ties through networking and knowledge sharing, further cementing Southeast Asia and Indonesia’s travel potential.
Early bird rates for booth registration for Travel Meet Asia 2025 are now open. For more information, visit travelmeetasia.com/exhibitor or download the prospectus here.
