Asia Pacific

The Fijian Government announced, effective 14 February 2023, international travellers to Fiji will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and travel insurance.

Sustainability may be the new buzz word, but Singapore has taken it to heart –

Singapore’s international visitor arrivals (IVA) reached 6.3 million in 2022 exceeding STB’s forecast of between 4 and 6 million visitors.

Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, the first Vibe Hotel to open outside of Australia, has officially opened.

Managed by Far East Hospitality, a leading operator of hotels and serviced residences in Southeast Asia and joint venture partner in TFE Hotels, Vibe Singapore Orchard promises a social space for guests to connect with work, like-minded guests and travellers, and the local area.

The lifestyle hotel offers 256 rooms across five room categories (Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Family, Suites) alongside a Lobby Bar, Pool Bar and ROOS all-day dining restaurant. Located in the residential enclave of Orchard Road, within easy access to Singapore's longest shopping belt, the hotel caters to travellers looking for a hotel that provides a welcome retreat amidst contemporary design.

TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick, said whilst Singapore’s newest Vibe was firmly rooted in the pillars of “Lifestyle”, “Connection” and “Discovery”, guests could expect some distinctly Australian touches throughout the property.

“From the friendly Australian-style hospitality on arrival to the premium Penfolds wine range and Australian-inspired dishes ROOS to the O&M amenities and the Vibe pantry in room, there are Aussie touches at every point,” he said.

The hotel’s outdoor swimming pool serves as a space for guests to enjoy an outdoor barbecue with friends and family in typical Australian fashion, while keeping up with the latest on Aussie sports on the big screen at the Pool Bar.

Far East Hospitality’s Senior Vice President, Commercial, Gill Ishwinder, said the relationship between Singapore and Australia was a very close-knit one.

“As the first Vibe property to open outside of Australia, Vibe Singapore Orchard offers the best of both worlds – enabling local guests to experience a taste of Australia served up by the hotel’s friendly staff members, while allowing overseas visitors a trusted and familiar friend who can tell them what’s good to see, do or eat whilst in Singapore.”

Mr Ishwinder said a huge focus had placed on facilitating community and cultural immersion through a program called Vibe Discovery, featuring Discover Hidden Gems, Private Home Dining and Vibe Recommends — a series of carefully curated activities and in-house programmes by Vibe Singapore centred on unique and authentic hyperlocal experiences.

• Under Discover Hidden Gems, a Vibe Guide will take guests on an eye-opening and mouth-watering food tour, giving them a peek (and taste) of hidden gems around Singapore. A photographer by profession but foodie by nature, the Vibe Guide will make guests feel immediately at home, much like a familiar friend showing them delicious secrets around the neighbourhood. Guests will also pick up a couple of food photography tips along the way.

• Private Home Dining will welcome guests deep into the heartlands with the flavours of various home-made dishes across different cuisines prepared by private home dining chefs, reflective of the quintessential Singaporean way of life. Discover Hidden Gems and Private Home Dining experiences are available for Vibe guests to book at a nominal fee.

• Finally, Vibe Recommends will act as a comprehensive digital local guide to the endless possibilities of what to do and where to go in Singapore, including curated round-the-clock itineraries and exclusive perks for guests of Vibe Singapore.

Fiji may be known as a quintessential tropical island destination but as a recent educational trip showcased, it is also a place where a luxury escape can support meaningful social and environmental sustainability.

Fiji has removed the requirement for international travellers to undergo a Covid-19 RAT within 72 hours of arriving.

Tourism Fiji advises that its Fiji Roadshow will be returning to New Zealand in September 2022. 

The first flights since Vanuatu reopened its borders to international travellers landed in Port Vila earlier this month, with visitors now able to travel freely throughout the country’s islands and provinces without quarantine.

Malaysia’s premier purpose-built venue, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has seen a significant increase in demand for in-person events, with up to 127 global meetings (51 conventions and 76 exhibitions) booked at the venue from 2022 to 2024.

Vanuatu Tourism is opening borders with a bang launching a new Welkam Back to Vanuatu! campaign which kicked off last week in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia markets, with advertising showcasing Vanuatu’s tourism offering across radio, outdoor and digital and social. 

Singapore’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry is expected to recover strongly, following the city’s reopening to fully-vaccinated visitors with no quarantine and testing requirements.