Tag Archives: Asia Pacific

Marriott International to add 14 Additional Properties By End Of 2023 in Asia Pacific Luxury Hotel Portfolio

Marriott International, Inc. today announced it expects to open 14 additional luxury properties in Asia Pacific by the end of 2023. The planned additions highlight the strategic growth of Marriott International’s luxury hotel portfolio in the region, where it currently operates 156 luxury properties.

Across 13 countries and regions in Asia Pacific, Marriott International’s portfolio of dynamic luxury brands continues to create bespoke experiences for today’s luxury traveler in ever popular cities including Tokyo and Melbourne, and is ready to bring these experiences to emerging destinations such as Jeju and Jiuzhaigou. With a collection of iconic brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, EDITION, JW Marriott and Bulgari, the company is set to meet the increasing demand for exceptional luxury travel experiences for our guests from all around the world.

“Today’s luxury traveler is looking for authentic experiences that are personalized, thoughtful and uniquely meaningful,” said Bart Buiring, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Our current portfolio of highly distinctive brands is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of travelers, and these expected additions reflect our optimism for the future of luxury travel.”

The Ritz-Carlton Brings Curated Luxury to New Destinations
In 2021, The Ritz-Carlton arrived in the Maldives and the inimitable style and luxury of the brand is set to expand further in Japan with the expected opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka in 2023. In Australia, the anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne in early 2023 will offer guests sweeping panoramic views above the city skyline, along with the brand’s acclaimed culinary offerings. Ritz-Carlton Reserve anticipates debuting its fourth rare estate in Asia Pacific in the historic Chinese valley of Jiuzhaigou next year, inviting visitors to immerse in the history, culture and natural beauty of its mountain valley home.

The Celebrated Traditions of St. Regis to Grace More Cities in Asia Pacific
Upcoming openings in major cities across the region will bring the glamourous spirit, signature rituals and immersive experiences of St. Regis to travelers in new destinations. Following the opening of The St. Regis Qingdao in 2021, St. Regis is slated to debut in Goa with a breathtaking 49-acre beachfront setting, introducing the timeless traditions and avant-garde style of the brand to the next generation of guests. Modern connoisseurs in Indonesia will soon be able to experience the St. Regis philosophy of ‘Live Exquisite’ with the opening of The St. Regis Jakarta expected later this year.

Contemporary, Design-Led Luxury Takes off with W Hotels
W Hotels is slated to expand its playful, destination-led culture to Macau in 2023 with its vibrant energy and thoughtful design. The socially forward brand also expects to celebrate its third hotel in Australia with the opening of W Sydney at ‘The Ribbon’ in Darling Harbour in 2023, bringing W’s signature always-on programming to the dynamic Australian city.

JW Marriott Welcomes Travelers with Wellbeing-Focused Havens
Inspired by the principles of mindfulness and holistic wellbeing, an anticipated four new JW Marriott hotels across the region are set to deliver uplifting experiences as well as an environment that encourages guests to be fully present. Following the openings of JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Hotel Changsha earlier this year, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites is anticipated to welcome guests by the end of 2022. Expected to also open in 2022, JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa aims to cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who seek a balance in mind, body and spirit when they visit South Korea’s popular holiday island with its stunning UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. Slated to open in 2023 are JW Marriott Goa Vagator and JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an.

EDITION Brings Sophisticated Style and Luxury Lifestyle to Iconic Destinations in Asia Pacific
With an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, and one-of-a-kind hotels already open in Sanya, Shanghai and Tokyo, Toranomon, EDITION is slated to expand its footprint in 2023 with a second location in Japan, The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza. The other highly anticipated property also expected to launch in 2023 is the brand’s first in Southeast Asia, The Singapore EDITION.  Both hotels will set a new standard of modern luxury, combining the personal, intimate, and individual experience the EDITION brand is known for with an unparalleled level of sophistication, originality, and design along with the best of dining and entertainment.

The Luxury Collection Continues to Define Destinations in Asia Pacific
The Luxury Collection offers a portfolio of unique and legendary hotels that are true representations of their destination. ITC Narmada, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Ahmedabad, is the latest addition to the brand’s growing ensemble. Opened in 2022, the hotel is architecturally informed by the traditional designs of the Gujarat region and celebrates guests as storytellers, collectors and explorers when they visit this fascinating city.

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts To Make Brand Debut In Tokyo
Travelers to Tokyo will soon be able to experience the glamor and timeless heritage of Italian brand Bulgari with the planned opening of Bulgari Hotel Tokyo in 2023 in a new ultra-skyscraper near Tokyo Station. The new hotel is slated to feature 98 luxurious guestrooms including a lavish Bulgari Suite and will also offer the brand’s renowned dining venues such as il Ristorante Niko Romito and Hoseki Restaurant.

Amadeus appoints Javier Laforgue as Executive Vice President, Travel Unit & MD for APAC

Amadeus has appointed Javier Laforgue as Executive Vice President, Travel Unit & Managing Director, Asia Pacific where he will oversee its business across the region. Laforgue brings more than two decades of travel industry knowledge to Asia Pacific with extensive experience in various senior management roles across Amadeus.

Most recently, as global head of Air Distribution, he achieved a long list of accomplishments in addition to managing Amadeus’ NDC strategy and investment programme. Prior to that, Laforgue was instrumental in establishing the global sales function and headed the Latin America region as well as the expansion of Amadeus’ activities in key growth areas such as payments.

Decius Valmorbida, SVP, Travel unit, Amadeus, said, “Javier is a trusted leader that understands the needs of Amadeus’ partners in Asia Pacific. His broad experience across the business will enable us to continue delivering cutting-edge technology solutions backed by a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Javier is also an accomplished people leader and his steady guidance will be key to maintaining Amadeus’ position as one of the top employers in the Asia Pacific region.”

Javier Laforgue commented, “The renewal of travel will deliver a unique opportunity of growth for businesses that are driving efficiency and productivity with technology. In Asia Pacific, the travel industry is at a crossroads where technology is playing a pivotal role in getting people moving again. I am looking forward to being a part of that with our diverse group of customers and partners in the region. Together, we will address the challenges and opportunities Asia Pacific offers as the travel industry renews.”

Laforgue is a Spanish national and holds a Master of Business Administration from IE Business School. He will be based in the Amadeus office in Singapore.

 

PATA, GBTA to host maiden APAC Travel Summit in Bangkok on Dec 8-9

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) will host their inaugural PATA & GBTA APAC Travel Summit at the new, state-of-the-art Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand from December 8-9, 2022.

The joint event in Asia will address sustainability and best practices in the tourism, MICE, and corporate travel spheres. The two-day educational and tradeshow event, under the theme “Defining a Responsible, Sustainable Future for Business, Tourism and MICE,” will highlight the challenges and solutions for CO2 emissions, destination sustainability options, and procurement-oriented approaches in the context of the global and Asia-Pacific region’s pandemic recovery. Targeted attendees and sponsors are regional and global travel suppliers including top airlines, hotel and ground/car rental brands – as well as MICE and corporate travel decision-makers from the world’s largest travel companies and travel management companies.

“We are delighted to be working with GBTA in bringing together both of our industry networks to share insights and discuss opportunities and best practices for the responsible and sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry,” said Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA. “At PATA, we support the industry recovery, pursuit of emerging travel opportunities and sustainable travel practices for the region. Therefore, I invite all of our members, partners and industry colleagues to join us and engage in this travel forum to reconnect, get informed and collaborate.”

GBTA) is the premier business travel and meetings trade organisation, with a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents, GBTA’s members manage more than USD 345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually.

“The path to recovery for the global travel industry continues for both tourism and business travel. However, there’s also the opportunity and need to create a better, more sustainable way forward to serve the industry and the planet as well. We are pleased to join forces with PATA to bring to event attendees the important insights, learnings and discussions on what a sustainable future might look like and the actions that we can take in the region as well as across the globe to get there,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA.

Air Canada expects travel demand to recover by end of 2023

Air Canada is expecting a demand for flights between Canada and the Asia-Pacific to recover to a near pre-pandemic level by December next year, a top regional executive said on Saturday, reports Reuters.

Currently, the routes between Canada and the Asia-Pacific run at 30% of the 2019 capacity, but the capacity is expected to double by the end of December, said Kiyo Weiss, Sales Director – Asia-Pacific, Air Canada.
The airline is also considering adding flights to a new destination in the Asia-Pacific in the near future to cater for pent-up demand in leisure travel, she said.

“Probably we’ll make a decision within a month or so,” Weiss said, without providing further details.
Canada’s largest carrier is seeking to augment its presence in the region to meet high demand, particularly from Southeast Asian countries, as the area recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The airline on Saturday resumed direct flights between Montreal and Tokyo’s Narita airport that had been disrupted by the pandemic. (Source: Reuters)

Riya Travel partners with Amadeus to roll out content via NDC

Riya Travel has strengthened its relationship with Amadeus and has implemented NDC (New Distribution Capability), enhancing its retailing capabilities. As one of India’s largest retail agencies, this partnership ensures Riya Travels can provide richer, tailored content to its customers in Asia Pacific.

NDC opens a world of opportunities, making it easier for Riya Travel to offer its customers products and services that are tailored for them, the company said in a media release.

This strengthened partnership will mean Riya Travel can access content via NDC, within the Amadeus Travel Platform. With air, as well as hotel, car and rail content in one display for easy comparison, agents will benefit from integrated end-to-end technology across their business.

GMJ Thampy, CMD, Riya Group, said, “Amadeus has been a long-term partner as we have been working towards driving innovation in travel technology in India. With the second wave of COVID-19 dissipating in India, this is the right time to partner with Amadeus to roll out content via NDC for our clients. NDC will help us offer real time content from airlines with just a click. Amadeus has been at the forefront of next-generation technology solutions, including the deployment of NDC; partnering with it is a natural extension of our relationship.”

Rakesh Bansal, CEO, Amadeus India, added, “As COVID-19 cases in India start to decrease, travellers are optimistic about travel returning. By boosting its travel content with our NDC offering, Riya Travel is getting ready to make travel simpler, cost-effective, and easier to package options for its customers. We are pleased to collaborate with Riya Travel to find new and exciting ways to transform the traveler experience and rebuild travel.”