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Ascott acquires Oakwood Worldwide
CapitaLand Investment Limited’s (CLI) wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has acquired Oakwood Worldwide (Oakwood), a global serviced apartment provider, from Mapletree Investments
The acquisition increases Ascott’s global portfolio by 81 properties and about 15,000 units. Oakwood’s approximately 8,500 operational units will immediately contribute to Ascott’s recurring fee income streams upon completion of the transaction slated in 3Q2022.
Ascott’s acquisition of Oakwood will leapfrog Ascott’s global presence to more than 150,000 units in about 900 properties across over 200 cities in 39 countries. It will add new markets which include Cheongju in South Korea; Zhangjiakou and Qingdao in China; Dhaka in Bangladesh as well as Washington DC, US.
Kevin Goh, CLI’s CEO for lodging, said: “We intend to build on the strong reputation and heritage of the Oakwood brand, especially in markets across South-east Asia, North Asia and North America. Oakwood will continue to grow alongside Ascott’s current portfolio of global brands as we continue to build growth momentum for our lodging business.”
“Besides strategic alignment… Ascott’s acquisition of Oakwood brings about an immediate boost to our units under management and franchise contracts. The Oakwood portfolio will accelerate the growth of our asset-light business, with added recurring fee income streams, expanded lodging offerings and increased customer base,” added Goh.
China tightens Covid curbs again
Eastern Chinese cities have tightened Covid-19 curbs on July 3 in response to new infection clusters, setting fresh delays to the country’s tourism and economic recovery.
Cities impacted by China’s latest restrictions include Wuxi, a city near Shanghai; Si county in Anhui province; and Yiwu in Central Zhejiang Province.
In Wuxi, operations at public facilities, such as restaurants and shops, are halted, while flights between Yiwu and Beijing are cancelled.
Si county, which contributes the bulk of infections in the latest wave, has locked down its 760,000 residents and suspended public traffic.
This comes as China announced on June 28 the decision to cut quarantine period for international travellers by half, to one week, and reduce the post-quarantine home monitoring period from seven days to just three.
Gilles Cretallaz moves to Dusit International
Dusit International has appointed Gilles Cretallaz as its new chief operating officer, replacing Lim Boon Kwee, who retired from the position in May 2022.
In this new role, Cretallaz will be responsible for overseeing the financial and operational responsibilities of Dusit’s hotel business unit, including all Dusit Hotels and Resorts, ASAI Hotels, Elite Havens, White Label properties, and condominiums/residences under Property Management, at both corporate and property levels.
The French national brings to the role more than 30 years of experience leading hotels for the Accor group across Turkey, China, and South-east Asia. Before moving to Dusit, Cretallaz served as senior vice president operations – South-east Asia where he headed Accor’s Bangkok Office and oversaw the operations of 150 hotels.
Re-Fresh Taiwan: Taiwan Is Re-emerging as a Global Marketing Destination
The warmth and friendliness of Taiwan creates a welcoming landscape. When the epidemic spread around the world, international exchanges were blocked and conventions and events came to an abrupt halt. With the national government’s and local citizenry’s concerted efforts to prevent the epidemic from spreading, in addition to the high level of vaccination coverage, Taiwan has been able to effectively control the epidemic and more quickly return to normal life. In the process, Taiwan has upgraded to being a safe, digitalized and efficient destination for conventions and incentive travel.
For the post-pandemic era, Taiwan is a top destination choice based on the nation’s existing foundation bolstered by the Re-Fresh Taiwan program that provides diversified services and cultural experiences. The four major principles of Re-Fresh Taiwan are:
Revive
In response to the revival of tourism in the post-epidemic era in Taiwan, various conventions and exhibitions are gradually resuming, tourist attractions have been redesigned and re-planned, and pending relaxation of border control, Taiwan is ready to provide more abundant and diversified incentive travel itineraries to entertain VIPs from all over the world.
Reassure
Taiwan has reassuring health and medical care plus effective epidemic prevention measures that enable travelers to traverse Taiwan with peace of mind.
In addition, the use of green building materials and green energy systems in convention and exhibition buildings can set minds at ease when it comes to sustainability and environment concerns.
Recover
The Taiwan government has vigorously promoted the integration of virtual and physical exhibitions, making online exhibitions and conferences more frequent. The constraints of time and space are no longer an obstacle, and Taiwan is actively reconnecting with the recovering world.
Reunite
Supported by the above mentioned particulars, and the fact that Taiwan has been building more convention centers to provide additional options for foreign guests, Taiwan is a top incentive travel destination choice—one that is ready to reunite by assisting with weaving unforgettable memories and creating successful MICE events together.
Gino Tan joins The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts as country GM
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts has appointed Gino Tan as country general manager.
In this newly-created role, Tan helms the leadership teams in The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Tan is a seasoned hospitality professional with almost 30 years of operational and marketing leadership experience under his belt. Prior to joining The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, he was vice president hotel operations at Pan Pacific Hotels Group.
Hotel Okura names new president
Kikuhiko Okura is the new president and representative director of Hotel Okura in Japan.
Okura has been with Hotel Okura Group since November 2019, when he was first appointed corporate advisor, as well as president of Hotel Okura Amsterdam.
He has since served in various executive positions in the Hotel Okura Group, brings to his new role more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services sector in both the US and Japan.
Qatar Airways unveils Premium Lounge at Changi Airport
Qatar Airways opened its new Premium Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1, on June 29, 2022.
Available to Qatar Airways Business Class passengers, the Singapore lounge is approximately 700m2 and accommodates up to 85 passengers. It is Qatar Airways’ fifth international Premium Lounge.
The lounge features seven different seating areas – the Principal Lounge, Quiet Pods, Garden Bistro, High Seating, Martini Bar, Brasserie and Private Lounge – and a full kitchen for food orders on top of an existing international buffet spread.
Guests can relax at one of the five Quiet Pods, which offer a cosy, soundproofed, semi-private space equipped with reading lights, a coat hanger and universal charging points.
Custom furniture pieces at the lounge feature sideboards that are strategically placed next to the seats, and sport a lamp, universal plug point, wireless charger and a compartment for storing handbags and personal belongings.
Other than Singapore, Qatar Airways also has Premium Lounges in London and Beirut, with lounges in Paris and Bangkok due to reopen soon.
China reduces quarantine for international travellers
China has reduced the quarantine period for international travellers, its National Health Commission announced on June 28, 2022.
Overseas travellers will now quarantine at a centralised facility, such as a hotel, for seven days upon arrival in mainland China, and stay at home for an additional three days before being allowed to venture out.
Previously, overseas arrivals in China had to spend 14 to 21 days in centralised quarantine, depending on the city of entry and destination within the country.
Within China, close contacts of confirmed Covid cases will also be required to spend seven days in centralised quarantine, followed by three days of health monitoring at home, down from 14 days.
A number of cities have begun to reduce the length of mandatory isolation in the last few months, such as Beijing cutting down from 14 to 10 days in centralised quarantine and seven days at home.
Air New Zealand introduces new Dreamliner cabin
Air New Zealand will soon be able to offer a new Business Premier Luxe suite, a new Business Premier seat, and the world’s first Skynest when the airline’s new Dreamliners touch down in 2024.
This is in response to extensive customer research over five years, where the importance of a good night’s sleep, and the need for more space and comfort have been highlighted.
The new Business Premier Luxe seat has been designed for customers looking for more space and privacy. It has all the features of a Business Premier, with the addition of a fully-closing door and space for two to dine comfortably.
Meanwhile, Skynest will be the world’s first sleep pods in the sky for Economy travellers. A concept first announced in 2020, Skynest will offer six lie-flat options for better rest.
The airline has also added a Sky Pantry to the Premium Economy and Economy cabins, where customers can stretch their legs, and grab some food and drinks.
The eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners arriving from 2024 and retrofitted current 787-9 fleet will have either eight or four Business Premier Luxe seats, 42 or 22 Business Premier, 52 or 33 Premium Economy, 125 or 213 Economy seats, and specifically on the ultra-longhaul aircraft, six Skynest sleep pods.
Air New Zealand’s CEO Greg Foran said: “New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-longhaul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested.
“It’s a proud moment to finally unveil five years of hard mahi (work), in what truly is a cabin of possibility – one that will provide customers with options to get some shuteye wherever they’re sitting.”
Reviews
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Malaysia Airlines’ Platinum Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is back in business to support the flag carrier’s ramped up international services.
The reopening of the airline’s flagship Platinum Lounge also marks the full restoration of its lounges at KLIA, including its domestic, regional and Satellite Golden Lounges, following two years of pandemic-associated restrictions.
Passengers and frequent flyer members travelling via Business Suite, Enrich Platinum, Enrich CIMB World Elite, First Class on codeshare flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, oneworld First Class, and oneworld Emerald can enjoy end-to-end premium services offered by the airline, including access to the Platinum Lounge.
The Platinum Lounge offers guests exclusive fine dining experiences and spacious facilities to refuel before their flight.
The 24-hour lounge is equipped with private shower suites, nap rooms and serene seating areas.