Bill Bensley designs a Hilton “zoo hotel” for humans in China

Bangkok-based architect Bill Bensley came up with a radical idea when he was asked to design a Hilton hotel in China that also featured a zoo: that instead of caging the animals, he would cage the humans and let the wildlife roam around outside.

We take a look inside the proposed WorldWild outpost in Guangdong.

Humans in captivity

It’s ironic that, during the current coronavirus lockdown, a luxury zoo-come-hotel that houses humans instead of animals should be making headlines, but these are no ordinary times.

Bangkok-based […]

Asia’s branded hotel residences market booms

Hotel branded residences in Asia is flourishing, having seen a strong upward trajectory over the past two years, with the region now accounting for more than a third of global stock, according to new research by C9 Hotelworks.

This robust growth is reflected by 79 projects in the pipeline, which will see the addition of more than 16,130 units for the upscale through luxury tier properties in Asia by 2025.

Thailand leads the hotel branded residences sector in Asia with the most […]

Possible Idul Fitri exodus ban adds to Indonesia tourism industry’s woes

Indonesia’s trade is eyeing a longer, bleak future as the government mulls over a plan to ban this year’s Idul Fitri mass homebound exodus to prevent the wider transmission of the rapidly-spreading virus, following a spike in the number of infected cases and a rising death toll in the country.

Ramadan is set to take place from April 23 to May 23, followed by the Islamic holiday on May 24 and 25.

Transportation Ministry plans to prohibit vehicles from entering Greater Jakarta

This […]

Suncity Group announces Vietnam IR Hoiana to launch in 2021

Suncity Group has delayed the launch of its Vietnam integrated resort, Hoiana, until 2021 due to disruption caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

The news formed part of the listed firm’s 2019 results announcement overnight, which saw a widened loss of RMB1.48 billion (US$209 million) on a 22.8% fall in revenue to RMB611.8 million (US$86 million) – primarily in the property development segment.

Hoiana, a joint venture between Suncity, Chow Tai Fook and VinaCapital Group, is located in Hoi An South in […]

Indonesia hotels turn to food delivery, self-isolation businesses

Hotels in Indonesia are finding ways to boost their bottomline by introducing food delivery services and self-isolation schemes, following the implementation of the government’s physical distancing policy.

The Aryaduta Hotels, for example, offers a Comfort in Self-Isolation programme for guests who are asymptomatic and looking for a place to isolate themselves within the 14-day virus incubation period. The programme includes accommodation and three meals a day.

Aryaduta Medan Hotel is one of the hotels that are offering self-isolation schemes

Greg Allen, president of […]

Varied prognoses about Tokyo 2020’s postponement

Japan’s travel trade is scrambling to establish the fallout from the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to 2021, but experts say the current Covid-19 crisis may have more impact on the nation’s tourism and service sector than the Games’ delay.

About 8.5 million international tourists were expected to visit Japan during the Games, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition to their accommodation, an estimated 46,000 rooms were booked for organisers, sports officials, media and sponsors.

Japan’s destination […]