International Overnight Visitors in Singapore Forecasted to Increase by 2.6% - Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index 2017

in

According to the latest Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index 2017 released today, travel and tourism in Asia-Pacific are both expected to grow steadily in the period ahead. Bringing in $91.16 billion USD in travel expenditure in 2016, Asia Pacific outpaced Europe ($74.74 billion USD), and North America ($55.02 billion USD). 

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia Commons

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

International overnight visitors to the Top 10 destination cities were up in 2016. According to the Index, Bangkok tracked 19.41 million visitors, while London came in a close second with 19.06 million visitors. Singapore (13.11 million visitors) inched past New York (12.7 million visitors) into fifth position for the first time in three years, while Seoul (12.39 million visitors) leapfrogged three spots into seventh place.

Home to half of the world’s top ten most visited cities, Asia Pacific’s success as a global travel hub has been supported by strong intra-regional travel. Both Singapore and Seoul tracked significant growths, aided by visitors from neighboring countries, particularly those from China. In the Index’s seven-year history, China has grown from being passive contributors to the region’s travel sector to the main driver of growth for visitor arrivals into Asia Pacific’s top destinations. Overall, forecasts for continued growth in 2017 are positive except for New York, with Tokyo (12.2%) expecting the largest boom.

Featured
IHG to open Hotel Indigo in Sydney opposite Capitol Square - Hotel Indigo Sydney Central
IHG to open Hotel Indigo in Sydney opposite Capitol Square - Hotel Indigo Sydney Central

A management agreement has been signed between the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Watson Elite for Sydney's first Hotel Indigo which is slated to open in 2021. The third Hotel Indigo property planned for Australia (following the Hotel Indigo Brisbane Fortitude Valley as well as Hotel Indigo Melbourne Docklands), Hotel Indigo Sydney Central, will be located opposite Capitol Square in the central precinct of Sydney.

Six Senses Duxton to open on 15 April 2018 - Taking Reservations now!
Six Senses Duxton to open on 15 April 2018 - Taking Reservations now!

The Six Senses Duxton (the first of two heritage buildings that will collectively create the Six Senses Singapore) is scheduled to open next month on 15 April 2018. This will be one of the newest hotels to open in Singapore this year and the Six Senses Maxwell is set to open later this year. The first property is currently taking reservations and there is also an opening offer that you could take advantage of. 

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport celebrates 10th Anniversary with 1,000,000 IHG Points Grand Prize Giveaway
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport celebrates 10th Anniversary with 1,000,000 IHG Points Grand Prize Giveaway

The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has once again been named the World's Best Airport Hotel as well as the Best Airport Hotel in Asia for the fourth consecutive year at the World Airport Awards by Skytrax. In addition to this, the property will also be celebrating her 10th anniversary this year by giving away a grand prize worth S$18,000 (inclusive of 1 million IHG Rewards Club points!) as well as special room packages with added benefits.

The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore introduces an e-Compendium by Tapendium
The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore introduces an e-Compendium by Tapendium

As part of the 'Smart Fullerton' experience, new digital touch points like an in-room e-Compendium tablet (provided by Tapendium) are set to reinvent the hospitality experience for the modern traveller. The Fullerton Hotel as well as The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore have managed to digitalised the traditional compendium into a tablet across all 500 rooms and suites.

Wellness Tea Time (Healthy Afternoon Tea) at the Capella Singapore
Wellness Tea Time (Healthy Afternoon Tea) at the Capella Singapore

Indulge without guilt at the Capella Singapore's designer kitchen, Chef's Table with Wellness Tea Time. Conceptualised by Sandra Lim of Live Fruitfully, a certified Raw Food Chef from The Matthew Kenney Culinary Institute, and Chef David Senia, the Culinary Director of Capella Singapore, the new take on the classic afternoon tea experience uses distinctive wholesome ingredients and it is available every Friday from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.

Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min opens along Inle Lake - First Sofitel Property in Myanmar
Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min opens along Inle Lake - First Sofitel Property in Myanmar

Myanmar's very first Sofitel property has just opened along the shores of the famous Inle Lake. The Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min is a luxury boutique resort that is set to become a new destination for couples and travelers looking for serenity in Myanmar’s Shan State. The property is not only accessible by car but can also be reached via motorboat for guests who wish to get a chance to see the Intha rowing experience, where boatmen adopt the well-known traditional one-legged rowing technique to row their boats on Inle Lake.

IHG acquires 51% Stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts - InterContinental Hong Kong to become Regent Hotel in 2021
IHG acquires 51% Stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts - InterContinental Hong Kong to become Regent Hotel in 2021

The InterContinental Hotels Group has just announced its agreement to acquire 51% stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts (which in turn makes them the largest shareholder) for $39 million in cash. They will then have the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest in a phased manner from 2026.

World's Second Largest Fairmont Hotel opens in Austin, Tax - Fairmont Austin
World's Second Largest Fairmont Hotel opens in Austin, Tax - Fairmont Austin

The recently opened Fairmont Austin is now the largest hotel in Austin, Texas and it is also the second largest Fairmont hotel globally, in both number of rooms and total meeting and event space. With nearly 140,000 square feet of meeting and event space as well as 1,048 rooms and suites, the Fairmont Austin is situated in the vibrant Central Business District (CBD) with direct access to the Austin Convention Center via the Red River Canopy Walk.

Publico Ristorante (InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay) introduces Capri Sundays - Sunday Brunch
Publico Ristorante (InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay) introduces Capri Sundays - Sunday Brunch

Publico Ristorante in InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay will be bringing the best of the Isle of Capri to Singapore with a brand new Sunday brunch experience (11:00AM to 4:00PM) that is filled with contemporary Italian dishes and exuberant cocktail concoctions. Expect to find classics with an Italian twist in the à la carte brunch menu alongside the ultimate Italian classic, the Aperol Spritz. The combination of Mediterranean flavours with the breezy terrazza, cool house tunes and dynamic entertainment makes Publico the ultimate brunch destination.

Marriott International unveils Fairfield by Marriott Belitung in Tanjung Pendam Beach, Indonesia
Marriott International unveils Fairfield by Marriott Belitung in Tanjung Pendam Beach, Indonesia

A brand new property on the beautiful Belitung Island in Indonesia has just been unveiled - the Fairfield by Marriott Belitung, which is located at Tanjung Pendam Beach offers remarkable sunset views and local culinary delights alongside the brand’s signature warm, inviting hospitality.