Travel commerce platform Travelport, and its technology partner, IBM have introduced the IBM Travel Manager, an industry-first AI platform designed to help businesses manage corporate travel spend.
Delivered via the IBM Cloud, the platform uses IBM Watson capabilities to track, manage, predict and analyse travel costs in one place.
A screenshot from the AI platform
The new platform features advanced artificial intelligence (AI), and provides cognitive computing, predictive data analytics using “what-if” type scenarios, and integrated travel and expense data to help travel management teams, procurement category managers, business units, finance and human resource departments optimise their travel programme, control spend and enhance the end-traveller experience.
“IBM and Travelport are using the power of AI to unlock previously unavailable insights from multiple internal and external data sources. Travel managers can use this information to proactively drive improved supplier negotiations via real time and holistic data, enable budget holders to understand and change spending patterns, and improve travel policy compliance monitoring,” said Elizabeth Pollock, IBM industry client leader for travel & transportation.
IBM Travel Manager features an interactive dashboard that offers end-to-end visibility of travel spending, the ability to create alerts and notifications, predictive and pre-defined spending trend analysis, and natural language understanding to analyse text and uncover insights from structured and unstructured data.
The product is expected to be commercially available to customers, through both IBM and Travelport.
The much-anticipated Waldorf Astoria Bangkok officially opened its doors yesterday, the latest in a growing swathe of luxury hotels that have launched or launching soon in the Thai capital to tap the country’s robust inbound tourism sector.
The first Waldorf Astoria in South-east Asia and the fourth in Asia-Pacific – after Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu in China – the new hotel is the fruit of Hilton’s partnership with Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), which is the property development arm of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand conglomerate.
The hotel towers over neighbouring buildings in Bangkok’s Ratchadamri
MQDC’s CEO Visit Malaisirirat, speaking at the press conference yesterday, said the alliance marks “an important strategic move into ultra-luxury hospitality for the Thai property developer, which recently announced another mixed-use development in Bangkok’s Bangna district.
“We have been looking for flagships in South-east Asia for some time,” commented Alan Watts, Asia-Pacific president of Hilton. “Bangkok is one of the most competitive markets in Asia, and Waldorf Astoria will redefine luxury not only for Bangkok but also South-east Asia.”
But Waldorf Astoria is not the only luxury hotel brand that has come knocking on Bangkok’s doors. Even within its prominent Ratchadamri location, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok already calls The St Regis Bangkok its immediate neighbours, while the recently opened Park Hyatt Bangkok and Rosewood Bangkok (opening 2019) – both of which stand less than a kilometer away – are a constant reminder of the level of competition crowding Bangkok’s luxury hotel market, not to mention upcoming hotels like Capella Bangkok (4Q2018) and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (2019).
Hilton is, however, maintaining “an extremely bullish outlook” on Thailand, including the luxury segment, vice president, operations, luxury Asia-Pacific Daniel Welk told TTGmice. “Look at the number of arrivals coming into Bangkok, which hit 35 million last year and is expected to reach 38 to 39 million this year,” he said. The city itself is dynamic and offers amazing products, and the infrastructure is improving.”
Deluxe Bedroom
And if anything that growing competition has brought, it’s greater clarity for Hilton’s hotel brands, Welk stated. “The swim lanes are more defined now,” he said. “(Waldorf Astoria Bangkok) is Hilton’s ninth hotel in Thailand, and we’re well positioned to absorbed any new competition the market will bring.”
After Bangkok, Hilton has another three additional Waldorf Astoria hotels in the pipeline for Asia – the Maldives (opening February 2019), Bali and Jarkarta (both opening 2020).
Asia overall is a region of strong growth for Hilton’s luxury brands, revealed Martin Rinck, global head, luxury & lifestyle group. There are some 35 Conrad properties worldwide, and 12 out of 18 currently under development are located in Asia.
Canopy, the new lifestyle brand launched in 2017, is now Hilton’s “fastest-growing brand with 30 under development and Chengdu will be the first city in Asia to welcome the brand this year.
A new luxury brand, LXR, will debut this year-end as Hilton’s collection of independently established properties with their own identities.
CapitaLand’s group chief investment officer Lee Chee Koon will become president & group CEO from September 15, taking over from Lim Ming Yan who gave notice to retire earlier this year.
Lim will continue to serve as a board director for the company until December 31, 2018.
Lee Chee Koon
Lee first joined the company in February 2007 and has held several appointments within the group, including as CEO of Ascott, CapitaLand’s wholly owned serviced residence business.
Before joining Ascott in July 2009 as managing director for China, Lee was vice president in the office of the president at CapitaLand. Prior to joining CapitaLand in February 2007, he held appointments in various ministries such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Meanwhile, CapitaLand has appointed group COO of CapitaLand Group Jason Leow Juan Thong as president (Asia & retail) and CEO of CapitaLand China Lucas Loh Jen Yuh as president (China & investment management), effective September 15.
In his new role, Leow will look into growing the Group’s presence in Asia (excluding China), including Singapore and Vietnam, as well as to expand its retail business.
Loh will be responsible for overseeong the growth of China as a core geographical market for the group, as well as the expansion of its investment management business.
Both Leow and Loh will report to Lee in their new positions.
A rendering of the upcoming St Regis Melbourne property
The St Regis Melbourne will rise in 2022 as the luxury brand’s first in Australia, adding to the growing crop of new hotels that are opening in the city.
Owned by Century Group Aus, this new-build hotel will be located in the luxury mixed-use precinct Flinders Bank on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets. Guests will also be within walking distance of Collins Street and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
A rendering of the upcoming St Regis Melbourne
The 33-storey Flinders Bank will house the St Regis Melbourne across levels two to 11 and include 168 guestrooms and suites, offering views of either the Yarra River or city skyline.
F&B offerings will include a speciality restaurant in addition to a sophisticated Drawing Room space and the St Regis Bar, which will serve up the local rendition of the brand’s signature cocktail, the Bloody Mary.
The hotel will also feature a fitness and wellness centre with a 25m indoor swimming pool, spa and beauty salon.
Billed as the largest W in the Asia-Pacific, W Hotels’ flagship in north-western China has opened with 385 guestrooms and suites each boasting its own balcony. The 80,000m2 hotel’s decor has been inspired by the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang dynasties, five ancient dynasties that once called Xi’an home.
Event planners can avail the 4,000m2 of versatile function spaces fully equipped with advanced audio-visual facilities. One of the spaces includes the 2,330m2 Great Room which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and boasts a towering ceiling and twisting chandeliers. In addition, a digital screen at the end of the pool allows for projected graphics and the ability to host on-water fashion shows.
King Suite
Meanwhile, the four F&B venues are Wei, all-day dining restaurant; Yen, the hotel’s Cantonese fine dining restaurant with 11 separate rooms; hotpot eatery Fu; and Woobar.
Recreational facilities include an indoor swimming pool, 24-hour gym and Away Spa with five treatment rooms.
W Xi’an is located near north-west China’s largest international travel hub, Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, as well as Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the Datang Furong Garden, and Qujiang Lake.
Award-winning chef Chandra Mohan Arunasalam has joined Banyan Tree Phuket as executive chef.
Prior to joining Banyan Tree, the Malaysian was at Hilton Kuala Lumpur as chef de cuisine.
Chandra’s culinary journey began in his hometown in Malaysia and continued on to England and Maldives. He then spent most of his career in the US, including notable work at the two-Michelin-star Avenues Restaurant with Curtis Duffy at The Peninsula Chicago.
He has also worked at several three-Michelin-star restaurants, alongside legendary American chefs such as Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, Charlie Trotter at his celebrated restaurant, Chef Grant Achatz at Alinea and Trio, and Curtis Duffy at Grace Restaurant Chicago.
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GRAND MILLENNIUM KUALA LUMPUR
Strategically located in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is an award-winning property that is nestled within the luxuries of the city’s fascinating Golden Triangle. The hotel is less than minutes away from the Bukit Bintang MRT and Monorail stations, and is a 45-minute drive from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Adjacent to the popular Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Shopping Mall and steps away from Starhill Gallery, Fahrenheit88, Bintang Walk and Lot 10 Shopping Complex, the hotel is home to 468 spacious and well-appointed guestrooms and suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows that boast the city’s breath-taking skyline.
Presenting over 1,800 square metres of atmospheric venues ideal for a variety of special occasions and equipped with 21 flexible function rooms of various sizes and layouts, some of which include natural daylight; all function rooms are fully fitted with state-of-the-art conference facilities and include complimentary usage of an LCD projector and motorised screen. The Millennium Ballroom offers a spacious foyer overlooking the grand lobby, suitable for pre-event cocktails. Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access is provided to 30 guests per function room.
Hotel facilities include 4 restaurants, featuring an eclectic menu of Asian, continental, Cantonese and Japanese epicurean specialties; swimming pool, fully-equipped fitness centre and a spa.
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HERITAGE HOTEL MANILA
The Heritage Hotel Manila is situated right in the heart of the city, and just minutes away from both international and domestic airports, Manila Bay yacht clubs, Makati and Manila business hubs; PICC & World Trade Convention Centre, SM Mall of Asia Complex, featuring the country’s largest shopping mall, and SMX Convention Centre, Philippines’ biggest convention centre and the latest attraction, the Mall of Asia Arena.
This hotel in Pasay, Manila has 450 well-appointed rooms that exude a warm and comfortable ambience, complemented by modern abstract artworks of the renowned visual artist, Nestor Olarte Vinluan. All rooms include WIFI.
Featuring modern facilities, excellent equipment support, and a dedicated events team; the hotel offers 12 versatile event spaces, including 2 ballrooms, providing a total of over 1,245 square metres of floor space to cater to a variety of events, from small meetings of 10 to large conferences for 500 seated guests or 700 guests theatre-style.
Hotel facilities include: a restaurant and a Lobby Lounge, serving a range of Asian and international cuisine; and leisure facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and a 24-hour cyber room area.
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MILLENNIUM RESORT PATONG PHUKET
Millennium Resort Patong Phuket is just a 5-minute walk to the world-famous Patong Beach, with Jungceylon Shopping Mall just a few steps away as well as an array of food & beverage choices, entertainment and nightlife venues in close proximity. The resort offers 418 guestrooms. A popular choice is the unique Cabana rooms, each with its own private terrace, personal Jacuzzi, and direct access to the luxurious pool.
Featuring 10 function rooms, the resort is equipped to host a variety of meetings and events, as well as the expertise to provide innovative themed events and exquisite culinary creations. The impressive Jungceylon Ballroom (300 square metres) at the Lakeside wing can accommodate up to 200 guests theatre-style and 300 guests for receptions. The 3.3m high-ceiling ballroom can also be converted into individual function rooms and comes with a spacious foyer which is ideal for a pre-function cocktail reception.
Other facilities include 5 food & beverage venues, serving BBQ, Thai and international buffet; and leisure options include a spa, fitness centre and 2 outdoor swimming pools.
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MILLENNIUM HOTEL SIRIH JAKARTA
Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta, conveniently located in central Jakarta, is a stone’s throw away from the famous Tanah Abang Market and close to government offices, shopping malls, museums, embassies and office buildings. The 401 room property offers practical comforts and a range of in-room amenities, including WIFI, available in public spaces as well.
Equipped with 15 versatile function rooms, including a high-ceiling grand ballroom perfect for any large scale conferences of up to 1,200 guests theatre-style; the hotel is able to cater to a variety of events, be it meetings, seminars or even social events. Special menus and customised decorations can be arranged upon request. Private events may also be arranged at the outdoor garden and pool area for up to 300 persons cocktail-style. The property also offers ample on-site parking facility for up to 200 vehicles.
Other facilities include free shuttle service to major shopping centres, 2 food & beverage venues, offering delicious local cuisine and international specialties; a fully-equipped gym, whirlpool and swimming pool.
Royal Caribbean Cruises has reported a YOY 25 per cent growth in its number of passengers from Indonesia last year, with corporate incentive bookings contributing a major share of the numbers.
Voyager of the Seas, one of the largest and most innovative cruise ships in South-east Asia, will be offering as many as 90 sailings of three to nine nights from Singapore to popular regional destinations
Highly favoured among Indonesian companies are Royal Caribbean Cruises’ four-day/three-night sailings to Malaysia and Thailand.
Ivan Soetikno, general manager of Multi Alam Bahari International, the cruise company’s international representative in Indonesia, told TTGmice that his corporate incentive groups usually take the weekend sailings to allow delegates to return to Indonesia on Monday.
Robby Kartadinata, sales manager of Multi Alam Bahari International, added that clients like to conduct meetings onboard and combine that with games and tailor-made land programmes at ports of call.
Multi Alam Bahari International is keen to promote Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas, particularly sailings in the Caribbean, to entice clients to venture beyond Asian cruise routes.
Robby expects the general Indonesian market to grow by 20 per cent this year, with the corporate segment maintaining a strong hold as major contributor.
Angie Stephen, managing director, Asia Pacific of Royal Caribbean Cruises, who was in Jakarta to promote Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas‘ South-east Asia season starting next month, shared that while growth in Indonesia was strong, there is still much room for improvement.
She explained that CLIA’s data showed cruise passengers from Indonesia in 2017 rising by 40 per cent over 2016, a total of 46,500 passengers. In comparison, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Indonesian passenger numbers have grown by 25 per cent.
“With only less than one per cent of Indonesia’s population has tried cruising, the growth of an affluent population, and the need for travellers to try new things, these factors have given the cruise industry a huge opportunity to grow the market,” Stephen said.
ICCA and TTGmice have come together to present ICCA-TTG Passionate Breakfast, a new event that seeks to spotlight business event professionals and issues that matter most to them, with the first edition on September 18 focusing on the progress women have made in the industry.
Bearing the theme Graceful Powers, the presentation will feature reputable female achievers in Asia’s business events industry, specifically Suprabha Moleratanond, ICCA Honorary Member; Panga Vathanakul, managing director of Royal Cliff Hotels Group; Jane Vong Holmes, senior manager-Asia of GainingEdge; and Mona Manap, founder/CEO of Place Borneo.
The quartet will each share their personal stories of how they have navigated their career in business events, and the collective story will be of perseverance, strength and why the industry needs to support gender diversity at the leadership level.
ICCA-TTG Passionate Breakfast will be held from 08.00 to 09.30 at World Ballroom C, Level 23 of Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld Bangkok. The first edition will be part of IT&CMA 2018.
Registration is free for all ICCA members as well as exhibitors and association buyers attending IT&CMA 2018, but seats are limited. To secure a seat, email margaret.l@iccaworld.org by September 7.
Singapore-based startup Travelstop has raised US$1.2 million from investors, led by SeedPlus, a venture capital firm in Singapore, along with a travel-focused venture capital firm based in the US.
A new AI-powered software-as-a-service platform for Asia’s business travellers
Other investors during this round include Dan Lynn and Vikram Malhi, founders of Zuzu Hospitality Solutions; David Ko, president and COO of Rally Health; and Jarrod Howe, regional operations director at Hyper Island Singapore.
Travelstop is an AI-powered software-as-a-service platform aimed at simplifying business travel for companies in Asia. It uses advanced machine learning and AI-powered personalisation to make flight and hotel recommendations, reducing the hours needed by business travellers to research and book their travel. Employees also have access to an intuitive expense reporting tool that simplifies the expense reimbursement process.
A press statement from Travelstop indicated recognition that the Asia-Pacific region is the largest business travel market in the world, comprising 40 per cent of global business travel.
As such, the funding will be used to drive product development, build a development team in Singapore, and ramp up growth through sales and marketing, the startup said. This year, it will be focusing on priority markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Prashant Kirtane, Travelstop’s CEO, said: “Young millennials and business travellers in Asia are technology savvy, socially driven and are smart travellers that actively participate in the sharing economy. These travellers aspire for more meaningful travel experiences, and we at Travelstop are building a modern business travel platform for the next-gen traveller. Our goal is to not only provide a delightful and flexible travel booking experience, but also make the post-trip expense management process more efficient.”
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
Behind the imposing, Brutalist concrete that defines Zurich’s Oerlikon district lies a surprising secret. While its exterior honours the neighbourhood’s industrial roots, stepping inside Mama Shelter reveals a vibrant, neon-soaked world that is a far cry from its rigid shell
A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
