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Countdown to ProWine Singapore

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 19 April 2023: The countdown begins for ProWine Singapore 2023, which will take place alongside FHA-Food & Beverage from 25 to 28 April 2023 at the Singapore Expo.

ProWine Singapore is jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia and Informa Markets, while FHA-Food & Beverage is organised by Informa Markets.

Visitors can look forward to doing business and networking with more than 100 wine and spirits exhibitors from over 20 countries and regions, representing a diverse line-up from old-world wine to new-world wine regions, Asian wines, award-winning cognacs, craft spirits, and a range of alcoholic beverages – from liqueurs, premium beer, ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers. An estimated 8,000 trade visitors from Singapore and neighbouring countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, will attend the specialist trade fair.

“ProWine Singapore’s synergistic collaboration with FHA-Food & Beverage since 2016 continues to grow from strength to strength, and by combining our expertise and resources allows us to create and nurture a unique platform that offers unparalleled networking and business opportunities for industry players and help companies and brands push the boundaries of the wine and spirits industry. Complemented by a thoughtfully-curated masterclass and seminar series, we are committed to encouraging knowledge-sharing and thought leadership,” says Messe Düsseldorf Asia managing director Gernot Ringling.

Southeast Asia’s demand for alcoholic drinks is expected to drive revenue at an annual growth rate of 18.9%, with alcohol consumer penetration reaching 10.7% by 2025.

Masterclasses

A signature feature of ProWine Singapore is the Masterclass programme, where trade visitors can look forward to presentations on consumption trends, including the future of the region’s wine, spirits and beer segments; motivating factors driving millennials and Gen Z drinkers; climate change and investment opportunities.

The Wealthiest Cities in the World

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 19 April 2023: When it comes to resident millionaires, cities in the USA and China dominate the World’s Top 10 Wealthiest Cities.

Only one European city, London, is on the 2023 list published Tuesday by international investment migration firm Henley & Partners in partnership with global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth.

New York City wears the crown as the wealthiest in the world with 340,000 millionaires, while two other American wealth hubs — the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles — come in third and sixth places, with 285,000 and 205,400 resident high-net-worth individuals, respectively (note: HNWIs are defined as those with investable wealth of over USD1 million and all figures are rounded off to the nearest 100).

Tokyo, which led the pack 10 years ago, falls to second place with 290,300 millionaires, and London, the wealthiest city in the world for many years, drops to fourth place with 258,000 resident HNWIs. City-state Singapore, widely regarded as the most business-friendly city in the world and one of the top destinations for migrating millionaires, sits in fifth place with 240,100 resident millionaires. In comparison, Sydney comes in 10th place with 126,900 millionaires. Home to some of the world’s most exclusive residential suburbs, Sydney has experienced especially strong wealth growth over the past 20 years and is projected to break into the global Top Five wealthiest cities by 2040.

Asia Pacific cities make gains

China has three cities in the Top 10, with Hong Kong (129,500 millionaires), Beijing (128,200), and Shanghai (127,200) taking seventh, eighth, and ninth places, respectively. Beijing and Shanghai have climbed the rankings over the past decade, but Hong Kong has taken a tumble, dropping from fourth place in 2012 to seventh place.

Henley & Partners CEO Juerg Steffen says seven of the Top 10 wealthiest cities in the world are in countries that host formal investment migration programmes and actively encourage foreign direct investment in return for residence or citizenship rights.

“The right to live, work, study, and invest in leading international wealth hubs such as New York, London, Singapore, Sydney, and Hong Kong can be secured via residence by investment. Being able to relocate yourself, your family, or your business to a more favourable city or have the option to choose between multiple different residences across the world is an increasingly important aspect of international wealth and legacy planning for private clients.”

The US and China vie for millionaire growth

The US and China also dominate the Top 10 list of fastest-growing cities for resident millionaires over the past decade. One of China’s most enduringly popular holiday spots, Hangzhou, tops the charts in this respect with millionaire growth of 105% between 2012 and 2022. High-tech capital Shenzhen and the port city of Guangzhou also enjoyed significant HNWI expansion over the past decade, at 98% and 86%, respectively. The three fastest-growing millionaire hotspots in the US are Austin (102% growth in resident HNWIs), West Palm Beach (90%), and Scottsdale (88%). India has two cities in the Top 10 ­— Bengaluru (88%) and Hyderabad (78%) — and the final two places go to the UAE’s cultural hub Sharjah (84%) and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam (82%) which is fast emerging as Asia’s next big wealth hub.

Head of Research at New World Wealth, Andrew Amoils, says traditional wealth magnets such as Monaco and Dubai have also experienced especially strong millionaire growth over the past decade. “Arguably the world’s top haven for the super-rich, the average wealth of a person living in Monaco exceeds USD 10 million, making it the top-ranked city on a wealth per capita basis. It is also the world’s most expensive city, with apartment prices regularly exceeding USD 35,000 per square meter. Dubai is another established international wealth centre with low tax rates, making it a magnet for migrating millionaires worldwide. Approximately 3,500 high-net-worth individuals moved to the city in 2022 alone.”

The World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2023 includes HNWI population data for 97 cities worldwide and HNWI growth stats for the past decade (2012 to 2022) along with seasonal hotspots for ‘centi-millionaires’ (those individuals with an investable wealth of USD100 million or more).

About Henley & Partners

Henley & Partners is the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment. The firm also runs a leading government advisory practice.

https://www.henleyglobal.com

Vietjet boosts Australian flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 19 April 2023: Vietjet welcomed nearly 400 passengers at Sydney International Airport who arrived on its inaugural flight from Ho Chi Minh City last week.

The airline also recently celebrated the launch of the Ho Chi Minh City – Melbourne service with a vibrant dance performance at Melbourne Airport. These debut flights begin Vietjet’s six weekly return flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, to Melbourne and Sydney, with Brisbane twice weekly service to commence in June. 

Speaking about the new flights, Vietjet Chief Operations Officer Michael Hickey said: “The first two routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne and Sydney have proved Vietjet’s strong commitment to providing multiple services for Australians to explore Vietnam and other Asian destinations.

“Vietjet’s affordable fares and dedicated services on new A330 aircraft will also ease travelling from Asia to the Pacific.”

Operating on A330s with three return flights per week, Vietjet’s flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Sydney will depart every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The return flights depart from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Vietjet’s thrice-weekly services from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne commenced on 8 April, flying A330s every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City depart every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

JW Marriott debuts in Goa

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 18 April  2023: JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, debuts in Goa, India, this week with the opening of JW Marriott Goa.

The new 151-room hotel is located on the coast of Vagator, Goa, approximately 27 kilometres from the new Mopa Airport in North Goa and 43 kilometres from Goa International Airport.

Vagator is home to the historic Chapora Fort and Chapora and is famed for its beaches, dramatic cliffs and breathtaking sunset views.

The property features four dining venues, including the JW Kitchen, an all-day restaurant with a theatre-style open kitchen. Catering to weddings and events, the hotel features 18,752 square feet of indoor and outdoor event spaces, including two meeting rooms and a 4,607-square-foot ballroom with an outdoor terrace.

JW Marriott Goa names Manav Malhotra as the general manager.

Elite Havens adds villas in Thailand and Indonesia

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, Thailand, 17 April 2023: Elite Havens, the leading provider of high-end vacation rentals in Asia, owned by Dusit International, has expanded its portfolio of more than 300 luxury villa rentals by adding four outstanding new properties to its hand-picked collection of exceptional event villas in Thailand and Indonesia.

The additions include Permata Ayung Private Estate, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia; Tirtha Bayu Estate, Seseh-Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia; Infinity View, Kata, Phuket, Thailand; and Inasia, Lipa Noi, Koh Samui, Thailand. Each new property offers privacy and personalised experiences executed by Elite Havens’ expert in-house teams and event organisers.

Set within a riverside estate in the hills of Ubud, Permata Ayung Private Estate offers 12 bedrooms in individual pavilions across five hectares of land with multiple event spaces, both indoor and outdoor. It features its own standalone riverside spa with an adjoining bridal suite, a plush private cinema, organic juice and cocktail bars, colourful tropical gardens, lush coconut groves, and serene views of rice fields, making it an excellent venue for wellness retreats and large-scale weddings in a private oasis.

Also in Bali, Tirtha Bayu Estate is a spacious oceanfront estate overlooking the dramatic black sands of Cemagi Beach. Artfully blending traditional and contemporary design, it features an interconnected complex of two villas – the modern and elegant six-bedroom Villa I and the traditional and refined five-bedroom Villa II. With multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces, plus two infinity pools, the beautiful property can host events and weddings with up to 150 guests.

Over in Thailand, Infinity View is an elegant four-bedroom villa for intimate celebrations near Phuket’s Kata Noi Beach. The beautiful property certainly lives up to its name, featuring a majestic ocean backdrop beyond its crystal blue pool. Its idyllic location offers complete privacy for small family gatherings and milestone celebrations just five minutes from the beautiful white sands of Kata Noi and Kata.

Rounding out the new additions in Thailand, the latest addition to the Elite Havens Koh Samui portfolio, Inasia, is also an excellent choice for large families or groups of friends celebrating life’s special moments. Situated next to Lipa Noi Beach, it features eight guestrooms with views of the deep green sea. Shallow waters running 100 metres off the shore make it a safe environment for children to splash and play. Indoor and outdoor dining areas add variety for celebrating an intimate event.

“The last few years have left people with renewed zeal to explore more of the world and clarify the importance of celebrating each small moment with near and dear ones,” said  Elite Havens CEO Maya Rigg. “Not only are travellers seeking to return to familiar locations and revisit their favourite villas, but they are also booking private venues like luxury villas at exclusive destinations to celebrate life events like weddings, family reunions, and other milestones. We expect the confidence of travellers to continue the upward trend seen in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming guests to make lasting memories at our exquisite new additions in Bali, Phuket, and Koh Samui.”

More details about the new properties can be found at the following links:

Permata Ayung Private Estate (Bali)

Tirtha Bayu Estate (Bali)

Infinity View (Phuket)

(Source: Dusit International)

Showtime returns to Outrigger Waikiki

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 April 2023: Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group have teamed up to bring Honolulu residents and visitors a new multi-year resident show exclusive to Hawaii.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi joined executives from both organisations to make the announcement on 10 April.

Anticipated to open in late 2024, the show will fuse the world-renowned acrobatics and innovation that Cirque du Soleil is known for with the Hawaiian islands’ natural beauty and unique culture. Native Hawaiian Aaron J. Salā, PhD, has been retained as the creative cultural producer to assist in creating this show’s storyline along with other prominent Hawaiian artists, musicians and dancers.

A joint venture is being made by both parties to create this opportunity and transform the 20,000 sq ft (1858 sqm) showroom venue at Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, previously used by Magic of Polynesia. The necessary permits for renovation work to commence and create the nearly 800-seat theatre with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system are being submitted. The venue architect is Hawaii-based G70, with project estimating done by RLB in Honolulu.

“Cirque du Soleil is an iconic company at the apex of entertainment,” said Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “We are confident that the show created for Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel will delight and astound our guests and residents.”

Wagoner added: “This collaboration with Cirque was years in the making and perfectly aligns with Outrigger’s brand elevation strategy, which includes a promise to provide authentic live music and signature experiences in renowned beach locations.”

Mayor Rick Blanglardi, said: “In addition to bringing a new vibrancy to Waikiki, this project will produce significant economic impact through job creation in redeveloping the theatre space and ongoing show operations. I’m honoured and excited to welcome Cirque du Soleil as the newest Honolulu resident.”

More details will be shared in the coming months regarding the partnership, the show’s name and creative concept, and on-sale dates, with a target of December 2024 for the show’s debut.

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. In addition to producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the company brings its creative approach to various entertainment forms, such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, and special events. Through its creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to impact people, communities, and the planet positively. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit CDSentertainmentgroup.com.  

ABOUT OUTRIGGER HOSPITALITY GROUP

For 75 years, Outrigger has charted a journey of discovery – expanding from Hawaii to premier resort destinations, including Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives. The privately held hospitality company invites guests to ‘Come Be Here’ with authentic Signature Experiences and the Outrigger DISCOVERY loyalty programme. Outrigger’s multi-branded portfolio includes Outrigger Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger, Kapalua Villas Maui and Honua Kai Resort & Spa Maui while also managing select properties from top international hotel brands, including Embassy Suites by Hilton, Best Western and Hilton Grand Vacations. Find out more at Outrigger.com or visit @OutriggerResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

AAHK gives away air tickets

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 18 April 2023: The “World of Winners” air ticket giveaway campaign, sponsored by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), landed on the Chinese Mainland last week with a spectacular celebration event held in Shanghai.

Over 1,000 people attended the launch event, which featured Hong Kong cultural performances and on-site games, with more than 100 free air tickets given away as prizes. AAHK chief executive officer Fred Lam led the AAHK presentation.

The campaign ‘World of Winners’ was created to support the Hong Kong SAR Government’s “Hello Hong Kong” promotional campaign welcoming visitors back to the city following the lifting of anti-pandemic restrictions.

AAHK has sponsored 500,000 tickets for home-based carriers to offer travellers worldwide, including 140,000 for Mainland travellers.

In addition to celebrating the resumption of passenger air traffic to Hong Kong, AAHK presented details of new airport facilities designed to enhance the passenger experience and maintain Hong Kong International Airport’s (HKIA) standing as the preferred airport for Mainland travellers.

Lam commented on the campaign, and AAHK plans: “HKIA is the city’s gateway to the world, and all of us in the airport community fully support the Government’s ‘Hello Hong Kong’ promotional campaign. We are delighted to sponsor the tickets for our home-based carriers and offer people from across the globe a chance to rediscover everything they love about Hong Kong.

“We are particularly excited to allocate 140,000 air tickets for Mainland travellers, who have long been an important and valued segment of inbound passenger traffic to Hong Kong.”

Jetstar Asia reinstates Haikou flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 April 2023: Jetstar Asia will resume services between Singapore and Haikou on 29 April 2023, following a three-year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, just in time for the Golden Week Labour Day long weekend.

The Singapore-based low-cost airline expects to fly more than 70,000 customers each year between the two popular destinations, operating four weekly return services to meet the pent-up demand for travellers wanting to return to the port city and capital of China’s island province of Hainan.

Jetstar Asia has launched special one-way fares from Singapore to Haikou from SGD128, available on jetstar.com from today until 24 April, to celebrate the restart of services to China.

Jetstar Asia’s regional general manager for Southeast Asia and Greater China, Xu Haibing said: “Haikou was the very first Chinese city Jetstar Asia flew to in 2009, and as the first international airline to provide low-cost travel to customers in China, we have a long-standing relationship with the city of Haikou.

Haikou remains an important port for Jetstar Asia and a popular destination for many Singaporeans with Hainanese heritage.

Passengers from China will enjoy direct flights to Singapore and connectivity through the Changi hub to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar and Surabaya.

Last month the airline relocated operations to Terminal 4 at Changi International Airport.

The new Jetstar Asia services will operate on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, departing Singapore at 0725 and arriving at Haikou at 1105. From Haikou, the Jetstar Asia service will depart at 1200 and arrive in Singapore at 1530.

Before the pandemic, Jetstar operated more than 80 weekly services to six destinations in Greater China, including Haikou, Shantou, Sanya, Xuzhou, Guiyang and Taipei.

Qatar Airways resumes Birmingham flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, 18 April 2023: Qatar Airways flights to Birmingham, England, will resume on 6 July 2023, operating daily throughout the summer season.

The airline will use a Boeing 787-8 with 254 seats (22 business class and 232 economy class seats) on the route.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

Flights resume to Birmingham just three days before the iconic British Grand Prix takes place on 9 July at the legendary Silverstone circuit, located only one hour from the city’s main airport.

The second largest city in the UK, Birmingham, is a significant commercial hub, especially for the silversmith profession located in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, which produces 40% of the UK’s Jewellery. Birmingham is also home to the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, making it one of the top three shopping destinations in the UK.

Qatar Airways Holidays offers travel packages which include flights, hotels, premium seats at the race, gourmet hospitality, Paddock Club Pit Lane Walk and an exclusive event with appearances by F1 legends or drivers.

Qatar Airways Group is the global partner and official airline of Formula 1.

On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, QR33 will depart Hamad International Airport at 0805, arriving in Birmingham at 1315. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, QR35 will depart Hamad International Airport at 0220, arriving in Birmingham at 0730.

On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, QR34 will depart Birmingham at 1445, arriving in Doha at 2340. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, QR36 will depart Birmingham at 0900, arriving in Doha at 1755.

Do consumers trust travel retailers?

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 April 2023: According to new independent research commissioned by Travelport, a technology company that powers bookings for travel suppliers worldwide, consumers want the travel industry to deliver an easy, modern travel retail experience.

The study, entitled “What Consumers Want,” revealed multiple gaps that explain customers’ lack of trust in travel retailers, namely the lack of simplified and intuitive experiences, easy support and transparency.

This insight offers valuable considerations and opportunities for the travel industry to generate more sales and customer loyalty.

“Commenting on the challenge to get modern and give consumers the simple, easy and supportive experience they expect,” Travelport chief marketing officer Jen Catto said: “According to new research commissioned by Travelport, customers prefer shopping in every other retailing sector over travel. Now that the industry is recovering, there is an enormous opportunity for travel brands to reinvest in their customer experiences, earning them customer loyalty while increasing their revenue simultaneously. It’s a win-win.”

Key Study Findings

Time and transparency prioritised over price

Supporting the belief that ‘time is money,’ Travelport’s study confirmed consumers spend more time online searching rather than buying — consulting reviews, seeking recommendations, and looking into other factors of what an offer includes. The study revealed that the majority (69%) of consumers research a purchase online daily or weekly, with very few (only 2%) stating that they never research a purchase online.

Travelport also found that nearly all consumers (93%) believe that the best modern retailers make it easy to find what they want. Full transparency is what most consumers (90%) desire most, meaning modern retailers must share full product information upfront to help consumers save time and gain confidence in their purchases. Doing so will pay off for retailers. Most respondents (59%) said that getting what they want is more important than how much they pay for it.

Even Gen Z wants convenient, human-led customer support

Most study respondents (77%) have interacted with a chatbot regardless of age. However, just a quarter of theoretical “digital natives,” ages 18-41, use them frequently. Three-quarters of all respondents prefer to speak with a human (via chat or phone) when something goes wrong, but what was unexpected is that more (83%) of younger consumers ages 18 to 41 want more human support than their elders, age 42 and above. Furthermore, consumers in this study shared the importance of easy returns and exchanges (43%), filtered options (40%) and personalised offers (29%). These factors indicate more personal support is valued at every stage of the retail journey, from research to purchase and post-purchase experiences.

Consumers will travel longer and spend more for sustainability

Climate change and sustainability are top of mind for consumers, especially those passionate about travel. Travelport’s study revealed that nearly half of all consumers surveyed (49%) would choose to spend more and even more (60%) would take longer, indirect transport routes to their destination to save on carbon (CO2) emissions when travelling. This varies by age group, as the study results show (33%) of consumers ages 18–41 would travel two to three hours longer to save on CO2 emissions, compared to only (19%) of consumers 42 and older.

For additional modern retailing insights from Travelport, please visit https://www.travelport.com/what-consumers-want.

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