Victoria successfully held a 900 delegate conference at the MCEC recently
About 900 tourism operators gathered for the Victorian Tourism Conference held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on April 21 and 22, in the Australia state’s attempt to reboot the tourism and events sector.
The conference highlighted industry sector updates, marketing workshops and innovation stories, as well as an evening function that allowed delegates to reconnect. According to organisers, the face-to-face only event was Australia’s biggest in-person conference in more than a year.
Victoria successfully held a 900 delegate conference at the MCEC recently
This comes as gathering restrictions in Victoria were eased to allow venues to operate at 100 per cent capacity for events under 1,000. MCEC, where the conference was held can now host up to 10,000 attendees, at up to 75 per cent capacity per event space.
“To get this turnout is phenomenal, given everything Victoria went through in the second half of last year,” said Julia Swanson, CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), referring to the lockdowns in Melbourne – the longest of which lasted for almost four months.
“It’s symbolic of the industry starting to turn into a recovery chapter,” she said. “Visit Victoria has also gone through a big restructure with a new strategy set up for the future so it was important to share insights, get people connecting again and paint a sense of optimism.
“Businesses are slow to rebuild and confidence has got to be rebuilt – that’s just the reality. But the appetite is coming back and events like this are a moment in time where you can demonstrate how good it is to be back and (show) what can be done,” she continued.
Two weeks ago, MCB also launched a national business events programme offering interstate event organisers up to A$25,000 (US$19,438) to support hosting costs for events in Melbourne, with 50 per cent payable before the event starts to help with upfront expenses.
The move was met with “an incredible response” generating about 100 enquiries already, revealed Swanson.
She also shared with TTGmice the outlook for international business is healthy. “We’ve probably got the biggest pipeline we’ve had in a long time. We kept our teams overseas fully operational all through the pandemic and we’ve won bids (from) now until 2028. In Asia, our teams in Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur are busier than ever speaking to clients,” she said.
Infections spike, with Bangkok seen as epicentre of third wave; skywalk at National Stadium BTS station pictured
In its latest effort to stymie the province’s third wave of Covid-19 outbreak, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be limiting in-person meetings and gatherings to 20 people or less for the next two weeks.
Effective until May 9, the limitations apply to all events, with film or television shootings, religious ceremonies, or family meetings with more than 20 participants.
Infections have spiked in Bangkok over the last few days; skywalk at National Stadium BTS station pictured
The BMA has also ordered the closure of several public venues, including meeting venues, over the next 14 days. These include meeting and banquet venues both in and outside of hotels, exhibition halls, convention facilities, sports stadiums, and outdoor event facilities such as concert stages, outdoor cinemas, and Thai folks theatres.
Additional measures include the compulsory wearing of face masks in both indoor and outdoor public spaces in Bangkok and 44 other provinces, subject to a 20,000 THB (US$637) fine for violations. Shopping mall hours in 18 red zone provinces have been limited to between 11.00 and 20.00, and convenience store hours from 05.00 to 22.00 until May 2.
Schools, bars, and massage parlours have been closed since a week ago. Many agencies and companies are currently working from home until the end of April.
The capital has reported the highest number of cases out of all of Thailand’s provinces, with 8,175 confirmed cases since the third outbreak began earlier this month.
On Sunday, Thailand logged 11 Covid-19 deaths and 2,438 new cases Sunday nationwide. The latest outbreak, catalysed by the highly-contagious B.1.1.7 variant, has now led to 24,000 cases and 35 deaths in less than a month.
Thailand is among the countries that have faced delays in its vaccination efforts. Of its population of 66 million, only a little over one million have been vaccinated to date.
The positive momentum continues for return to business travel
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has found in its recent poll that nearly one-quarter of its respondents have shared that their company has resumed non-essential business travel, or that the company has in place a plan to resume travel.
These findings and more in GBTA’s 18th Covid-19 poll reveal multiple positive signs for business travel recovery, including an increase in willingness to travel, a decrease in trips cancelled, and a more optimistic view towards returning to the road as travel bookings continue to increase.
The positive momentum continues for return to business travel
Positive momentum for business travel
About one in 10 (9%) poll respondents say their company already has resumed non-essential business travel, while an additional 13% report their company now has in place a fully developed travel-resumption plan.
Additionally, 31% of respondents say their company is actively working on a travel-resumption plan, while 20% say their company has begun the process, but has more work to do. Only 18% report no formal planning underway, while 7% reported being unsure.
Two-thirds (65%) of poll respondents feel their employees are ‘’willing’’ or ‘’very willing’’ to travel for business in the current environment, an increase of 11 percentage points from the March 2021 GBTA poll results. The remaining corporate travel buyer and/or procurement respondents feel their employees are not willing (12%) or neutral (12%) in terms of their willingness to travel for business. In addition, one in 10 (11%) are unsure.
Positive signs in the United States were further underscored by responses to the April 2, 2021, travel guidance update by the Centers For Disease Control, which recommended “that fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves.” More than six in 10 U.S. respondents said the new CDC guidance makes them much more (29%) or somewhat more (32%) comfortable travelling for business. Another third (32%) report the CDC announcement has not changed their opinion. Only four per cent feel less comfortable travelling for business.
Half of U.S.-based corporate travel buyer and procurement respondents feel recent CDC guidelines will have a ‘major’ or ‘some’ influence on their company’s timeline for resuming non-essential domestic business travel. Another one-third say the new guidelines will have a minor (18%) or no influence (15%) on their company’s timeline. One in 10 (14%) say they are unsure.
Globally, suppliers and travel management company respondents see optimism about the industry’s path to recovery. Half (50%) say they felt more optimistic than they did last month with four in 10 (43%) saying they feel the same as they did last month. Less than one in 10 (8%) say they feel more pessimistic about the industry’s path to recovery than they did last month.
Half (50%) of supplier respondents say their bookings from corporate customers have increased in the past week, while two in five (38%) report their bookings have remained the same from the previous week. One in 10 report their bookings have decreased (11%).
Three quarters (75%) of respondents who report cancelling or suspending most or all trips to a specific region/country are considering resuming travel in the near future (one to three months) or are considering resuming travel in the near future but do not have definite plans. Among those companies, 16% report plans to “resume all travel in the next one to three months,” while 59% report that they are considering resuming all travel in the near future, but have no definite plans as yet.
Seven in 10 (71%) poll respondents think issuing government-issued digital health verification (or digital green certificates and/or vaccination passports) is either “very effective” or “effective” in terms of resuming business travel. Just one in 10 thinks it is “ineffective” or “very ineffective” or are unsure (10%). Few are indifferent (7%) about the policy.
Respondents from Europe are more likely (81%) than respondents from North America (68%) to say issuing digital health verification (or digital green certificates and/or vaccination passports) is effective in terms of resuming business travel.
More flexibility in working arrangements
Eight in 10 poll respondents say their employees will have “much more” (35%) or “more” (47%) flexibility to work from home than they did before the pandemic. An additional one in 10 (14%) say employees will have equal flexibility and only three per cent say employees will have less flexibility.
Respondents based in Europe (88%) are slightly more likely than respondents in North America (81%) to say they expect their company’s employees will have more/much more flexibility to work from home than before the pandemic.
Among those who think their company’s employees will have more flexibility to work from home, half believe their company is “very likely” (16%) or “somewhat likely” (35%) to revise travel and expense policies to account for an increase in remote working. One in five report their company is unlikely (18%) or very unlikely (4%) and an additional one in 10 do not have an opinion (13%) or are unsure (15%).
As domestic business travel resumes, two in five (44%) poll respondents expect more business meetings with clients and customers will be held in non-traditional settings such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, flexible office spaces and/or hotels. One in four (27%) do not expect this to become more common and one in three (29%) do not know.
Company-wide functional collaboration on planning for return To travel and offices
Four in 10 (39%) respondents report buyer and procurement members are involved with key aspects of their company’s planning for return to offices. However, fewer report they are involved with their company’s remote working policies (23%) or their company’s approach to managing a decentralized workforce (18%).
Over half (56%) of poll respondents say their company’s planning on return to business travel is led by a cross-department committee or working group (which could include travel, human resources, security, legal and other departments). One-quarter (25%) of respondents say their company’s planning for return to business travel involves another, singular department such as the C-suite, security, or human resources. Only one in 10 (11%) say the travel department or other areas (8%) are leading the effort.
Half (49%) of poll respondents say their job responsibilities have changed due to the pandemic, whereas half (51%) say their responsibilities have not changed. Poll respondents in Canada (63%) and the US (50%) are more likely than respondents from Europe (36%) to report their job responsibilities have changed.
Among those who say their job responsibilities have changed due to the pandemic, most report their responsibilities have increased (72%) and travel policy decisions involve more people and departments (31%). In addition, one in 10 say they report to a different person or department (17%), have fewer direct reports (16%), or need to receive approval from more people/departments to enact travel policy changes (15%). Few respondents say they have more direct reports (8%) or have had responsibilities taken away from them (5%).
“It is encouraging to see key indicators all pointing towards a return to business travel, as organisations collaborate internally across multiple functions to ensure a safe return for their travellers and commuters,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “Many companies have also revisited their work-from-home policies due to the pandemic, and in many cases are making a permanent change that will remain in effect even after the pandemic. It’s clear the way we manage and conduct business will be noticeably different moving forward.”
Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble to start next month, six months after its original planned launch
The much-delayed air travel bubble (ATB) between Singapore and Hong Kong that will allow quarantine-free travel between the two cities is poised to kick off on May 26.
This comes six months after the ATB’s original planned launch last November was deferred by both parties due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong.
Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble to start next month, six months after its original planned launch
Both parties will start the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB cautiously, with one flight a day in each direction, capped at 200 passengers on each flight for the first two weeks, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Monday (April 26). The numbers will be reviewed thereafter, it added.
Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung said in the release: “I am happy that Hong Kong got the Covid-19 situation under control. It has been a long few months, but the conditions are now ripe again to relaunch the ATB. Both sides will need to stay very vigilant in the next one month, so that we can launch the first flights smoothly. It is a significant ATB between two aviation and financial services hubs in Asia.”
Hong Kong’s secretary for commerce and economic development, Edward Yau, added: “With gradual stabilisation of the fourth wave of epidemic in Hong Kong, we have been engaging in active discussion with Singapore on the relaunch of ATB. The two governments have reached consensus on the latest arrangements and will put in place more stringent public health protocols in response to the latest epidemic development. Our goal remains striking a right balance between public health and travel convenience so that the public will feel assured while providing certainty.”
Both sides will closely monitor the Covid-19 situation from now to the ATB’s targeted launch date, and will proceed with the launch if the situation continues to be steady and under control in both cities, said MOT.
The ATB flights will be operated by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Cathay Pacific.
Welcoming the move, a spokesperson from SIA, said in a statement: “This is an important milestone in our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and helps to establish confidence in the safe resumption of international air travel with the necessary protocols in place. Singapore Airlines strongly support all efforts to open the Singapore air hub up in a safe and calibrated manner. We will continue to be nimble and flexible in adjusting our capacity to meet the demand for air travel.”
SIA has also released its ATB flight schedule to and from Hong Kong.
The airline’s inaugural ATB flight from Singapore to Hong Kong, SQ882, will depart on May 26; while its inaugural ATB flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, SQ883, will depart on May 28.
From May 26 to June 7, the flight schedule will be as follows:
From June 9, SIA will operate daily ATB flights, with the schedule as below:
In a statement, Cathay Pacific said that these ABT flights will be operated by pilots and cabin crew who have all been fully vaccinated.
“With travel having been difficult for everyone over the past year, we know that our customers have been eagerly anticipating the launch of our Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble flights so that they can rediscover the joy of flying. We believe the safe and secure bubble flights will be a milestone showcase for the opening of similar travel arrangements with other popular destinations,” said the airline.
Cathay Pacific’s ATB flights will operate as CX759 and CX734 using the airline’s modern, fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The inaugural CX759 flight from Hong Kong will depart on May 26, while the first CX734 flight from Singapore will depart on May 27.
From May 27 to June 9, the flight schedule will be as follows:
From June 10, Cathay Pacific will operate daily return ATB flights to Singapore.
This article has been updated to include Cathay Pacific’s comments and ABT flight details.
Grand Park Otaru has appointed Leslie Chiyoma as general manager of the hotel.
With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Chiyoma has held leadership appointments with luxury hotel chains and select service hotels in Japan, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.
Born in Saitama, Japan, Chiyoma started his career as a sales manager in an international hospitality company. He worked across multiple functions and rose through the ranks to leadership positions that required him to oversee the development of a new resort and operate a new hotel in Niseko, Hokkaido.
He was also a hotel performance consultant for nearly a decade where he provided analysis and guidance for 38 hotels across the world.
A mix of broadcast studios and on-demand technology for transformable venues is being offered
Hybrid events drive F&B and accommodation earnings
Hotels may retain hybrid event-ready capabilities into the foreseeable future
Broadcasting studios and technical capabilities to support online/in-person events are diffusing into the hotel arena, beyond specialist venue operators like convention centres, as hybrid events grow in popularity.
Both Marriott International and Hilton claim that most of their hotels in Asia-Pacific are now hybrid event-ready.
Marriott International has a collection of hotels – such as JW Marriott Singapore South Beach and The Westin Singapore – with permanent hybrid event-ready studios while the rest are capable of transforming venues upon request and with support from trusted and experienced third-party vendors.
Major hotel chains are muscling up on hybrid event capabilities
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Hyatt Regency Sydney
Hilton Kuala Lumpur
The Westin Singapore
All hybrid event-ready Marriott International properties are equipped with a broadband connection that facilitates smooth transmission and a suite of “unique technological features” that allow planners to enliven their production, such as with gamification engagement modules to draw the audience, shared Ramesh Daryanani, vice president, global sales, Asia Pacific.
Citing Studio Britannia at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach as an example, Ramesh said the venue is equipped with state-of-the-art production facilities, along with an on-site production crew, ultra-high-speed connectivity, teleprompters and digital broadcast cameras. Planners can broadcast in real-time across multiple meeting rooms or from the grand ballroom while streaming the event online for remote participants.
While Hilton properties do not have dedicated hybrid event studios, existing function spaces are equipped with solutions to support hybrid event production. Through Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions, a programme launched earlier this year, event planners are guided towards hybrid event-ready hotels and given access to planning resources under the company’s proprietary Hilton EventReady Playbook.
Richard Myerscough, Hilton’s vice president of sales, Asia Pacific, told TTGmice that hybrid event-ready hotels must have a minimum amount of incremental and available bandwidth that is above and beyond the hotel’s average circuit utilisation level, and they must pass an evaluation to ensure they meet the needs of small hybrid events.
Qualified hotels also partner with specialist event production companies to offer event technology packages created for small hybrid events. At the same time, heavy investments have been made into staff training to ensure they are in tune with current event needs.
A highlight of Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions is the availability of a single contract, multi site provision, which enables planners to book the in-person portion of their event at various hybrid event-ready Hilton properties under one contract. Myerscough said this feature was borne out of the desire to put planners’ mind at ease.
Presently, the newest hybrid event-friendly kid on the block is Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, which showed off its solutions in April this year.
However, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is not late to the game. Hyatt Regency Sydney was among the first hotels in Asia-Pacific to alter existing event capabilities to answer to the growing demand for online and broadcasting facilities when international meetings were disrupted by the pandemic. In partnership with audiovisual and event technology company Encore, it converted two of its meeting rooms into a high-spec broadcast studio in November 2020. The Heritage Studio features a green screen room offering broadcast-quality streaming capabilities alongside a control room that comes equipped with audio-visual equipment to provide turnkey solutions to connect attendees and speakers around the globe. Encore’s ImmersiveXR technology can also be incorporated to create engaging virtual sets.
With Encore’s expertise, Hyatt Regency Sydney can also support online events hosted anywhere else in the hotel.
These hardware and technical support are part of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ new Hybrid Meeting Offer, which promises hybrid event-friendly solutions “neatly bundled and centrally billed” for the convenience of planners requiring activities across multiple Hyatt venues, said Kate Atkinson, regional vice president – sales & marketing for Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.
Reputed in the events industry for delivering outstanding live experiences, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts have worked emotional and mental well-being into the heart of the Hybrid Meeting Offer. Where in-person events are possible, the hotel’s creative events teams can coordinate unique well-being experiences, such as gong sound baths and percussion therapy, designed to break the ice and/or energise guests.
Good business generator
Since introducing the Hybrid Meeting Offer, Hyatt Regency Sydney has hosted a number of successful pan-regional hybrid events for large and medium-sized conferences, including fully virtual conferences, company annual general meetings, multi-city hybrid events, product launches, training seminars and pre-recordings for use at events or for online distribution.
These hybrid events generate further revenue for the hotel through catering and accommodation usage, said Atkinson.
“Many (events also conclude with) networking in the hotel’s popular bars and restaurants,” she added.
Atkinson described virtual events as a “lifeline for events in the midst of current restrictions and they will be a key component of events during the transition back to normal life and beyond”.
Over at Hilton properties, the ability to support hybrid events has earned them incremental revenue through F&B – not just from onsite catering but also home delivery for remote event attendees.
Myerscough said there has been an encouraging rise in interest and bookings from event planners since kicking off its hybrid-event-ready concept.
“Just earlier this year, we hosted a 30-person hybrid meeting for a technology company in Beijing,” he shared. “In April, we will serve as the main hub in Japan for a larger scale hybrid meeting, connecting to eight other locations and streaming live to more than 500 delegates. A sizeable hybrid event will also be hosted in one of our hotels in Singapore later this month.”
While acknowledging that meetings business continues to be impacted by the pandemic, Myerscough said the Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions will at least allow his properties to “remain relevant and competent to capture a strong share of virtual and hybrid event demand”.
Taking cue from demand
Ramesh is confident that the demand for hybrid events will only continue to intensify, especially as governments relax their restrictions on activities. The company has observed “high interest across the region”, and some of the events hosted at these hybrid event-ready facilities are senior leadership meetings in India and Australia.
Having seen a growing number of hybrid event enquiries in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is now looking into the possibility of converting existing space into hybrid broadcasting studios at more hotels, Atkinson told TTGmice.
Ramesh: Marriott International’s roll out of hybrid meeting packages and transformation of spaces to hold hybrid events are varied across markets as each had different needs
“We anticipate expectations and needs for meeting and event formats to continue to evolve, and we are equipped and ready to adapt to new formats and client preferences,” she said.
When asked if Hyatt Regency Sydney’s Heritage Studio would be a permanent facility, Atkinson said it would continue to be on offer as demand dictated. However, the hotel has no plans to create more hybrid event-ready studios, as the demand for larger format, face-to-face events is growing as movement restrictions ease across Australia.
“Trends are showing that hybrid events with streaming capabilities will continue to be in demand while international travel restrictions remain, but domestically there is pent up demand for people to meet face-to-face again when safe to do so, so they predict in-person will be first choice with virtual being an extension/ back up offering,” she explained.
In tackling the same question, Myerscough expects Hilton hotels to continue offering hybrid solutions for the “foreseeable future”.
The “guest-centric innovation in Hilton’s DNA” will lead the company to keep evolving its products and services to cater to new demands, he said.
Singapore and Hong Kong are finalising details of the air travel bubble
Singapore and Hong Kong have called off an announcement planned for Thursday (April 22) on an air travel bubble between the two cities.
It is not clear why the announcement has been delayed, and a new date has not been set, Bloomberg reported, quoting people familiar with the matter. The report also quoted a source as saying that the cancellation was initiated by the Singapore authorities.
Singapore-Hong Kong potential travel bubble hits another snag as Singapore battles fresh Covid-19 cluster
Media reports had earlier reported that Singapore and Hong Kong were finalising the details of the travel bubble, which will exempt travellers from quarantine. Sources had told the South China Morning Post that the Singapore-Hong Kong delayed travel bubble is on track for a mid-May launch, despite the emergence of new virus variants.
The development comes as Singapore faces a new Covid-19 cluster among its migrant worker community that is linked to an imported case.
Rooms
I stayed in a Studio Loft room, on the top floor of the shophouse. My dwelling felt cosy, thanks to the wooden furnishings and earthy palette. In a corner was a working space with a Bluetooth speaker, a contemporary grey sofa, and a small kitchenette for light cooking. A flight of stairs led up to the loft bed, but there wasn’t much walking room on that level.
Due to the configuration of the original site, room sizes in the same category may vary, but all boast similar fixtures and features.
Strangely, my favourite part of the room was the bathroom, strategically hidden behind a wooden door. The white tiles juxtaposed against the black countertop made the space aesthetically pleasing, and made me think about wanting such a design for my future home bathroom. The shower pressure was great, and the bathroom came well stocked with my favourite brand of body wash and shampoo, Ashley & Co.
Aside from providing large bottles of bathroom amenities, the property’s sustainable efforts extend further into the room. For example, two glass bottles could be found in the kitchenette, and these could be filled with warm, cold or sparkling water at the Nordaq filter on Level 2. Guests staying in the studio lofts can also drink directly from the Hyflux filters.
MICE facilities
No meeting facilities are available on-site, as this property is geared towards business travellers who are on short-term assignments for around two weeks to a month. Due to current border closures, Wanderlust is currently targeting locals seeking a comfortable and quiet space to live and work in for a short or extended period of time.
To showcase Singapore’s multiracial and multicultural identity, Wanderlust has partnered with several local companies to offer exclusive activities for guests. Options range from a Little India walking tour with Singabites to a leathercraft workshop by Crafune and a Kombucha masterclass using ingredients sourced in the Lion City.
Being a foodie, I chose the Little India tour, which comprises five delicious food stops, as well as visits to several cultural attractions in the historical district. Separately, Singabites is also able to organise corporate events in Singapore that are centred on the city-state’s burgeoning food scene.
Other facilities
Soak in the Jacuzzi on the second floor to unwind, or knock back a tipple at the rooftop bar overlooking the charming shophouses in the vicinity.
There is also a laundry room with two dryers and two washers on-site. I was delighted to find out that washing powder comes complimentary, which would be an added perk for long-stay guests.
Service
The ever-smiling staff, who always addressed me by name, put me at ease and feeling welcomed from the moment I set foot into the property.
Meanwhile, the Little India walking tour was an insightful experience. Shabnam, my guide for the two-hour jaunt around the district, was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastically shared more of Singapore’s backstory with me.
During the tour, we got to admire several wall murals, and made a few stops for delicious South Indian cuisine such as chicken biryani and appams. All of the eating spots were first-time visits for me – rather embarrassing for a local who has lived here for more than three decades.
Verdict
The peace and quiet I found in that Studio Loft Room made for a restful stay. I can also see myself working comfortably from this space for an extended period of time.
Singapore and Hong Kong are finalising details of the air travel bubble
The much-delayed travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong is on track for a mid-May launch, despite the latter having confirmed the first Covid-19 infection with a mutant strain in the community.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, insider sources have revealed that details on the travel bubble are set to be released in the coming days. The report also quoted a source as saying that both sides are keen for the plan to materialise as soon as possible.
Singapore and Hong Kong are finalising details of the air travel bubble
The development follows Singapore’s announcement that the stay-home notice period (SHN) for travellers from Hong Kong will be reduced from 14 days to seven days from Thursday (April 22), and they will be allowed to serve their SHN at their place of residence.
Travellers will also be required to take a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival and another PCR test before the end of their seven-day SHN.
Hong Kong will also shorten the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated visitors from Singapore, requiring them to serve only a seven-day quarantine at a designated hotel, instead of 14, from as early as end-April or early May. Additionally, Singaporean travellers who have not been vaccinated will need only quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel, as compared to 21 days previously.
Hong Kong travellers who wish to join the travel bubble scheme will have to be fully vaccinated. However, Singapore will not impose the same vaccination requirement for incoming travellers from Hong Kong.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Joanna Flint to the newly-created role of chief commercial officer.
In this new role, she will oversee the development and execution of the Group’s commercial strategy while also taking executive responsibility for all aspects of Mandarin Oriental’s customer experience.
These responsibilities were originally assigned to chief marketing officer, Jill Kluge, who will retire from Mandarin Oriental in September 2021.
Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Fint spent 12 years at Google in general management and sales leadership roles, most recently as managing director – global partner Business, with responsibility for industry go-to-market and commercialisation for Google’s media and technology partners in Asia Pacific.
Before Google, she was principal consultant at Ogilvy Asia Pacific. This followed a decade in the travel industry-leading global eCommerce, CRM and customer service transformation programmes for Singapore Airlines and British Airways.
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The much-delayed air travel bubble (ATB) between Singapore and Hong Kong that will allow quarantine-free travel between the two cities is poised to kick off on May 26.
This comes six months after the ATB’s original planned launch last November was deferred by both parties due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong.
Both parties will start the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB cautiously, with one flight a day in each direction, capped at 200 passengers on each flight for the first two weeks, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Monday (April 26). The numbers will be reviewed thereafter, it added.
Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung said in the release: “I am happy that Hong Kong got the Covid-19 situation under control. It has been a long few months, but the conditions are now ripe again to relaunch the ATB. Both sides will need to stay very vigilant in the next one month, so that we can launch the first flights smoothly. It is a significant ATB between two aviation and financial services hubs in Asia.”
Hong Kong’s secretary for commerce and economic development, Edward Yau, added: “With gradual stabilisation of the fourth wave of epidemic in Hong Kong, we have been engaging in active discussion with Singapore on the relaunch of ATB. The two governments have reached consensus on the latest arrangements and will put in place more stringent public health protocols in response to the latest epidemic development. Our goal remains striking a right balance between public health and travel convenience so that the public will feel assured while providing certainty.”
Both sides will closely monitor the Covid-19 situation from now to the ATB’s targeted launch date, and will proceed with the launch if the situation continues to be steady and under control in both cities, said MOT.
The ATB flights will be operated by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Cathay Pacific.
Welcoming the move, a spokesperson from SIA, said in a statement: “This is an important milestone in our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and helps to establish confidence in the safe resumption of international air travel with the necessary protocols in place. Singapore Airlines strongly support all efforts to open the Singapore air hub up in a safe and calibrated manner. We will continue to be nimble and flexible in adjusting our capacity to meet the demand for air travel.”
SIA has also released its ATB flight schedule to and from Hong Kong.
The airline’s inaugural ATB flight from Singapore to Hong Kong, SQ882, will depart on May 26; while its inaugural ATB flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, SQ883, will depart on May 28.
From May 26 to June 7, the flight schedule will be as follows:
From June 9, SIA will operate daily ATB flights, with the schedule as below:
In a statement, Cathay Pacific said that these ABT flights will be operated by pilots and cabin crew who have all been fully vaccinated.
“With travel having been difficult for everyone over the past year, we know that our customers have been eagerly anticipating the launch of our Hong Kong-Singapore air travel bubble flights so that they can rediscover the joy of flying. We believe the safe and secure bubble flights will be a milestone showcase for the opening of similar travel arrangements with other popular destinations,” said the airline.
Cathay Pacific’s ATB flights will operate as CX759 and CX734 using the airline’s modern, fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The inaugural CX759 flight from Hong Kong will depart on May 26, while the first CX734 flight from Singapore will depart on May 27.
From May 27 to June 9, the flight schedule will be as follows:
From June 10, Cathay Pacific will operate daily return ATB flights to Singapore.
This article has been updated to include Cathay Pacific’s comments and ABT flight details.