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Collinson Group expands in Indonesia via Airport Dimensions

Airport experiences firm and Collinson Group member company Airport Dimensions announced its expansion into Indonesia through a strategic investment in Blue Sky Group which owns Blue Sky Lounge.  Airport Dimensions recently acquired a 45 percent stake in Blue Sky Group subsidiary PT Bumi Liputan Angkasa. According to Airport Dimensions president for EMEA and APAC Errol McGlothan: "Indonesia represents an incredibly dynamic market, and we are thrilled to partner with Blue Sky Lounge to bring our global expertise to this rapidly growing aviation network. As the second fastest-growing aviation market in the world, Indonesia offers immense opportunities. Airport Dimensions is committed to delivering world-class operational expertise to support Indonesia's swift growth as a key regional hub for business and tourism.” McGlothan added that, through this partnership, global best practices will be seamlessly integrated with local expertise to meet the ever-evolving needs of travellers.  This is a significant step in the company’s rapid expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, expansion into Indonesia enables Airport Dimensions to gain a meaningful foothold in the world’s second fastest-growing aviation network.  Now in progress The first project under this collaboration is already underway, with the partners excited to announce the upcoming opening of a new airport lounge at Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport later this year.  McGlothan remarked: “We are incredibly excited to have a new lounge underway in Makassar. This project signifies our commitment to elevating the passenger experience and we look forward to seeing how this will transform the airport lounge experience in the region." The new lounge aims to further enhance the passenger experience in the region. The partnership will also leverage the strengths of both organizations to elevate Indonesia's airport hospitality offerings.  Blue Sky Lounge already holds a leading market position, with premium airport lounges in key Indonesia airports such as Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, and Juanda International Airport in Surabaya.  Furthermore, this acquisition significantly expands Airport Dimensions' presence in Asia Pacific, welcoming a further 11 airport lounges to the network and further plans for growth under the new partnership.  These lounges are located across Indonesia in major regions and airports such as Jakarta, Balikpapan, Samarinda, Batam, Bali, Pontianak, Palembang, Pekanbaru and Surabaya. Linan Kurniahu, president-director of the Blue Sky Group, said: "We're thrilled to be able to partner with one of the largest Airport Lounge networks in the world. This marks a significant milestone in our over 50 years of journey in this hospitality industry in the country. We hope to bring greater travel experience into all airports throughout Indonesia, and we hope that through this partnership we can expand our presence internationally."    

Asia

Accor opens 3 new properties across Asia in July

Above: Mercure Pangkalan Bun Accor, the region’s largest international hospitality Group, has opened three new properties in Asia during the month of July: the mid-scale Mercure Pangkalan Bun and premium Mövenpick Hotel Surabaya City in Indonesia, and the midscale Novotel Rayong Star Convention Center in Thailand. The properties demonstrate Accor’s commitment to thoughtful expansion into new locations under their renowned global brands while retaining a local touch. They bring Accor’s total new properties in Asia to 15 so far in 2023. Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre Rayong, Thailand Novotel is a renowned midscale brand, and the 234-key city hotel located in Rayong brings the brand's signature experiences to life with naturally intuitive design and spacious modular rooms, nutritious food, and a wide range of rewarding experiences for business guests and families alike. The hotel's pillarless conference and event venue can accommodate up to 1,200 guests and has a dynamic layout suitable for a range of meetings, from corporate to social events. Guests are invited to celebrate the hotel’s opening with a special rate starting from THB2,200++ per night for members of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, including a food and beverage credit of THB 500 per night, available until 30th September 2023. Rayong has long served as a unique weekend getaway destination for residents of Thailand, located a convenient two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre connects guests to the industrial zone, markets, restaurants, beaches and tourist attractions, such as the 80-year-old Yom Jin Da Road Market, uniquely curvy Seang Chan Beach, the Floating Pagoda, Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, and fruit farms. Mercure Pangkalan Bun Kalimantan, Indonesia Accor’s first property in Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan Province, Mercure Pangkalan Bun, brings a true reflection of the city’s cultural essence. Pangkalan Bun, the capital of West Kotawaringin Regency, serves as a gateway to the renowned 4,150-square-kilometre Tanjung Puting National Park, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This park is the most important conservation area for orangutans worldwide. Embracing the area's connection to nature, Mercure Pangkalan Bun features 150 stylish and contemporary rooms, ranging from Premium Superior Rooms to the Presidential Suite, with interior design incorporating natural elements such as woven rattan and wood. All of the distinctive culinary offerings at Mercure Pangkalan Bun — Kelakai, the all-day dining restaurant; The Malining lobby lounge; and the Palapas Bar — incorporate locally sourced ingredients and showcase a vibrant and contemporary ambiance. The hotel also features the elegant Batuah Ballroom, the largest pillarless ballroom in the city, equipped with cutting-edge technology to set the stage for unforgettable weddings, corporate meetings, and social events for up to 650 delegates. To celebrate the opening, members of Accor's lifestyle loyalty program, ALL - Accor Live Limitless, can take advantage of a special opening rate of IDR 905.080 net per night, including breakfast for two guests, until 31st August 2023. Mövenpick Hotel Surabaya City Surabaya, Indonesia Mövenpick Hotel Surabaya City is set to become a popular destination for business and leisure visitors looking to enjoy Indonesia’s second-largest city and the thriving East Java province. The property is relaunching and opening its doors under the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand, focusing on providing warm and heartfelt service and healthy living. The hotel features 243 spacious and stylish rooms and suites, and guests can unwind in the elevated outdoor infinity swimming pool, fully-equipped fitness centre, and soothing spa. The hotel’s six function spaces feature integrated screens and audio-visual technology, with the largest accommodating up to 750 delegates. Patita Restaurant is an elegant all-day dining concept that will showcase creative new flavours and nourishing bites, while the lively Lobby Lounge offers refreshments throughout the day. Mövenpick Hotel Surabaya City is now the second Mövenpick-branded property in Indonesia, following Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali. The opening of this property is part of a significant expansion strategy for this legendary Swiss brand in Indonesia, which is world-renowned for its innovative culinary offerings, heartfelt service and mindful sustainability. Ideally positioned on Jalan Ahmad Yani, within Surabaya’s most dynamic commercial district, Mövenpick Hotel Surabaya City is surrounded by shopping malls, offices, exhibition centres, educational establishments, medical facilities and more and is conveniently located only a 30-minute drive from Juanda International Airport. Travellers can now book the hotel’s exclusive reopening offer, with rates starting from IDR 1.310.248 net/room per night for two people, including breakfast  “We’re delighted to be introducing Accor’s renowned brands into new destinations, offering our loyal guests a greater array of accommodation options for their travels” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia. “Our Novotel, Mercure and Mövenpick brands are loved by guests around the globe. At Novotel, guests can enhance life balance with a sense of well-being and enjoyment, while a visit to Mercure promises an array of genuinely local experiences. Mövenpick invites guests to balance indulgences like the daily chocolate hour with what’s good for them – and good for the world. As we continue to expand across Asia, Accor is committed to creating positive economic, social, and environmental impact for our guests, owners, talent, local communities and the planet.”        

Eturbo News

Podcast: Indonesia

Overview: Indonesia     The Republic of Indonesia is a country located in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans and is part of the volcanic Ring of Fire. In fact, if you like volcanoes you will see many of them as you travel throughout Indonesia. Indonesia consists 17,504 islands, of which 6,000 are inhabited. These include the largest islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (Papua).   The most popular island for holidaymakers is Bali, often referred to as the Island of the Gods, which is just east of Java. Indonesia is the world’s largest island country. With over 267 million people, it is also the world’s 4th-most-populous country as well as being the most-populous Muslim-majority country. Although Islam is that country’s largest religion, you will be surprised by the variety of religions and cultures which exist harmoniously in Indonesia. In fact, Indonesian are very friendly and do warmly welcome visitors. Indonesia consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic and linguistic groups, with the largest one being the Javanese. For travellers, Indonesia offer a plethora of experiences. Everything from just soaking up the sun on a beach, or enjoying the hectic pubs and clubs of Kuta in Bali, to indulging in superb diving right throughout the archipelago, surfing, visiting some tremendous cultural sites, trekking through dense jungles to see Orang-utans in their pristine environment, enjoying their fantastic cuisine, shopping for bargains in ultra-modern shopping malls or at local markets, or just admiring some of the most amazing views you will see anywhere. The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, but there are also dozens of local languages and dialects.  English is also widely spoken. The currency is the Rupiah. Travelling to and around the country   The most common way to enter Indonesia is to arrive by air.  Indonesia’s busiest airport is Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Java, followed by Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali.  Third busiest is Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, also on Java. Next is Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on the island of Sulawesi. The fifth busiest airport is Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, on Sumatra. Garuda is the official national airline, and it has many international and domestic routes. Air Asia Indonesia operates domestic and international flight routes. Lion Air is Indonesia’s largest private airline both it and its subsidiary Batik Air fly both international and domestic routes too. Cruise ships do also call at several Indonesian ports, particularly Benoa Harbour in Bali. There are various ways to travel around domestically.  Air connections are plentiful, with a number of airlines servicing many islands and cities. These include Citilink Airlines, Wings Air, Sriwijaya Air and Batavia Air, with some other smaller regional airlines operating services in the more remote regions of Indonesia. Internal airfares tend to be quite cheap. For inter-island travel, there is the Pelni ferry service.  Pelni ferries visit practically every inhabited island in Indonesia.  Some journeys take just a few hours, whilst you can also embark on lengthy journeys that can take two weeks from beginning to end. PELNI uses European-built boats, which are large enough to deal with rough seas, but they can still be uncomfortably overcrowded during peak seasons. Overland travel   In busy places such as Bali, Jakarta, or Sumatra there are local bus services, but the easiest way to get around is to hire a driver if you wish to do a tour. I’ve done this may times, and I have my favourite driver in Bali who is also a brilliant guide. For just getting from point A to point B take a taxi or book Grab for local travel.  Uber does not operate in Indonesia, and Grab is the local equivalent, if you don’t have a local bank account. You can pay cash using Grab, all you need do is download the app to your phone and it works just like Uber. I have used the local taxis – Bluebird is the most reliable of these, but Grab is cheaper. If you enjoy train travel, there is a good rail service which links all the major cities in Java, and which offers fabulous views of the countryside. Trains are cheap, comfortable and air-conditioned. Best Places to Visit Because Indonesia is so big, too big to discuss in detail here, just click the link to these Indonesian destinations for a more in-depth information. Bali Java Sumatra Sulawesi Lombok Top 10 things to do in Indonesia In such a diverse country it was difficult to make a selection, but here are my choices, in no particular order. Visit the Komodo Dragons Komodo Dragons are the world’s longest lizards, growing to over 3 metres in length which live on four islands: Komodo, Flores, Rinca and Gili Motang.  They are carnivores and cannibals, eating their own kind. They can eat prey that weighs 80% of their own weight and unlike other animals, they will eat bones and hooves. Komodo dragons have reddish saliva that contains 50 different types of bacteria. They have forked tongue which they use to detect prey by smell. They can locate the prey that is 6 kilometres away. The location of the komodos is within a UNESCO World Heritage Site so you can only visit the dragons on official tours. Itineraries include short cruises to Rinca Island or longer cruises which also visit the island of Flores. Climb Mt Bromo Mount Bromo, which stands tall at 2329 m, is the most iconic and the most hiked mountain in Indonesia.  Many people start the trek up Mt Bromo, on Java, at about 2 am so they can be on the summit to witness the incredible sunrise. Mount Bromo is still one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and some areas are blocked off from tourists due to its imminent danger. Mt Bromo is located inside the massive Tengger caldera ( a volcanic crater with a diameter of approximately 10km). This is surrounded by a sea of fine volcanic sand. Walk around the Water Temple in Bali For over a thousand years, Balinese Hindu worshipers have been drawn to Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple), whose sacred springs are said to have been created by The God Indra and possess curative properties.  The Temple is located in the village of Manukaya.  Entering the inner courtyard, you will arrive at the ‘Jaba Tengah’ area which is the main area of the temple. The holy springs here bubble up into a large, crystal-clear pool within the temple and gush out through 30 waterspouts into the two sacred purification pools.  Adherents enter the various pools, bathing and purifying themselves in each one, and praying in front of various altars. Just as at other temples and sacred sites around the island, you will need to put on a ‘sarong’ before entering the premises. This is one of the most serene places you will find. Balinese temples are Hindu and places of reflection.  The locals don’t mind if you wander around, just don’t walk between them and the altar when they are praying. Discover Lake Toba This is the remnant of the largest volcanic eruption in the past 25 million years, and what a fabulous place it is to visit. It is also the world’s largest volcanic lake.  This enormous crater-lake consists of an island almost the size of Singapore in its centre. At over 1,145 square km, and a depth of 450 meters, Lake Toba is actually more like an ocean. This is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world. Lake Toba is also home to two ethnic groups of Tomok and Simanindo. Located on the island of Samosir, a highlight is to visit a traditional village which is protected by surrounding barriers of earthen ramparts with bamboo fencing and trees. The village also features many unique and authentic traditional houses, especially from Tomok, which consists of a row of massive wooden houses with striking saddle-shaped thatch roofs made of sugar palm fibre. Dive in the waters of Raja Ampat If you love scuba diving or snorkelling, Raja Ampat is magical. Here will find a pristine paradise where Mother Nature and warm friendly people welcome you with all the exceptional wonders in Raja Ampat, the islands-regency in West Papua Province. Raja Ampat is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals.  Raja Ampat offers amazing aquatic experiences. Home to 9.8 million acres of land and sea, with 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of molluscs. This makes it the most diverse coral reef system in the world. With crystal clear waters and an amazing abundance of sea life, Raja Ampat re-defines underwater discovery. Relax on one of the Gili Islands Lombok is just east of Bali and is growing in popularity as it is a lot more casual than its neighbour.  Just off the northwest coast of Lombok are the three Gili Islands.  These are Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, which can only be accessed by boat. Automobiles and motorised traffic are prohibited on the islands by local ordinance, so the preferred method of transportation is by foot and bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage called a cidomo. Scuba diving and free diving in and around the Gilis is also common due to the abundance of marine life and coral formations. Gili Air (which means water in the local language) and Gili Meno are very quiet and suitable for families, whereas Gili Trewangan is more of a party island due to its larger number of restaurants and bars. All are magnificent. See the communal houses in Torajaland The land of Toraja, is a highland situated in the region of Southern Sulawesi. The Toraja people still practice many ancient rites and many say that they are obsessed with the idea of death, not in a morbid way but as something significant to them. After the person’s death, the body is kept for several years while they save the money for the actual funeral. Tongkonan is the traditional ancestral house. These houses have a distinguishing boat-shaped and oversized saddleback roof and are built on piles. The internal space is small in comparison with the overwhelming roof structure that covers it. Interiors are typically cramped and dark with few windows. The homes are the focus of family identity and tradition, representing the descendants of a founding ancestor. Be stunned by Borobudur Temple Located on the island of Java, the magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome.  A marvel of design, the monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar. The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ash. The restoration took eight years to complete and today Borobudur is one of Indonesia and the world’s most valuable treasures. Have a stone jumper leap over you on Nias Nias Island is south of Sumatra, about an hour flight from Medan. Some believe that this island conserves one of the last traces of a Megalithic culture.  In the fascinating stone village of Hombo Batu, which reminded me very much of an Incan village, they have a tradition of Stone Jumping. I was told that generations of men and boys would practise the stone jumping as a way of getting over stone walls when attacking villages. This tradition is also a virility ritual for boys in order to proclaim them men. They literally had to jump over a two-metre stone to prove their manhood. Originally this rock had spikes and sharp bamboo reeds on top so it was especially dangerous and led to injuries or even dead. People in Nias perform the Stone Jumping Ceremony as it was done centuries ago. Our small group was taken into a house and dressed in traditional clothes, we were then taken to stand in front of a tall, stone wall.  Next thing we know, a young man is leaping well over us, landing on his feet. It was a really impressive display and fantastic athletic feat. See the rice terraces of Bali Close to Ubud in the mountains of Bali are some extraordinarily beautiful rice terraces. These are carved into steep hillsides and consist of small paddies, each with built-up mud walls surrounding a flat planting area.  Flooding the planting area is the key to successfully growing rice. A system of channels are also built to guide the water into the gardens, and narrow paths connect the terraces.  Whilst you will find rice farms just about everywhere in Bali, the ones near Ubud are the most spectacular because of the way they dominate the vista by clinging to precipitous slopes. They are at the best when the rice is just about ready to harvest, a job that is still done by hand. VFor more visit Visit Indonesia https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/home

Events

Swiss-Belinn Airport Surabaya celebrates launch

Swiss-Belhotel International celebrated the official launch of its latest 3-star property in Indonesia, the Swiss-Belinn Airport Surabaya, with a Grand Opening Ceremony on 9th September 2017. The opening ceremony was marked by the ribbon-cutting and inscription signing by the Regent of Sidoarjo, Bapak H. Saiful Ilah S.H, M.Hum, accompanied by Matthew Faull, Swiss-Belhotel International executive director, and Emmanuel Guillard, senior vice president of operations & development at Swiss-Belhotel International as well as general manager Nungrudin Sukmawati. Gavin M. Faull, chairman & president at Swiss-Belhotel International noted the importantance of the hotel’s location – just 2 km from Djuanda International Airport . “Swiss-Belinn Airport, Surabaya is all about ease of travel, particularly for business travellers and visitors who want the convenience of staying close to the airport. The hotel boasts seven meeting rooms, all fully equipped to cater for small to medium corporate events and special occasions. Smart rooms and efficient but friendly service creates the perfect combination for today’s travel-savvy guests looking for a modern-day city hotel.”

China

Where to Stay: the latest hotels in KL, Nagoya, Colombo and more

Favehotel Tuban Favehotel Tuban Location: On Basuki Rachmad Road in Tuban, the seaport in East Java, three hours' drive from Surabaya's Juanda International Airport Grade: Economy Keys: 105 Facilities: Coffee shop Meeting space: Three meeting rooms They say: “Style, functionality and great value are the keys to a comfortable and pleasing stay at Favehotels” We say: Favehotel is growing a strong reputation in Indonesia for high-quality affordable accommodation. Free Wi-Fi, in-room tea and coffee and cable TV will attract business travellers on a budget Opening: Already open Innside by Meliá Zhengzhou Innside by Meliá Zhengzhou Location: In the Zhengdong New District of Zhengzhou, the capital of China's Henan province, close to Zhengzhou East Railway Station Grade: Upscale Keys: 335 Facilities: Restaurant, bar and 24-hour fitness centre Meeting space: Unspecified They say: “Our vision is an exciting one: to create a more authentic experience for today’s "bleisure" travellers, or work trippers” We say: This is the fourth location for Innside, Melia's lifestyle brand, in China. Modern design and convenient amenities such as free Wi-Fi should appeal to guests Opening: Already open Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Location: Within the Damansara Heights, midway between Kuala Lumpur and Petalingjaya Grade: Luxury Keys: 312 Facilities: Five restaurants and bars, an executive lounge, outdoor pool, fitness centre and a spa with five treatment rooms and a Moroccan hamman Meeting space: Six meeting rooms, including a 1,100m² ballroom They say: “The hotel's interior blends local heritage with a sophisticated feature wall depicting the country's Wau Bulan... with French art vivre through an Eiffel Tower artwork” We say: This stylish luxury hotel has excellent facilities, especially for the MICE market, but the location isn't ideal for leisure breaks in Kuala Lumpur Opening: Already open Mercure Dwarka Mercure Dwarka Location: The holy city of Dwarka in India's Gujarat state, a short drive holy temple of Jagat Mandir Grade: Midscale Keys: 99 Facilities: Restaurant, fitness centre and free shuttle service to local temple Meeting space: One meeting room catering for up to 60 people They say: “Gujarat is an important market for us as it enjoys the unique positioning of being a business hub with a rich cultural heritage” We say: As the first international hotel in Dwarka, the Mercure is in a strong position to benefit from the city's strong pilgrimage traffic Opening: Already open Red Planet Nishiki Red Planet Nishiki, Nagoya Location: In downtown Nagoya, close to the train station and Sakuraten Shrine Grade: Economy Keys: 211 Facilities: Social lobby area with free Wi-Fi Meeting space: Unavailable They say: “The opening of the third Red Planet hotel in Japan, a market which needs product innovation and quality upgrading in the economy hotel sector, solidifies Red Planet's position as the largest and fastest-growing pan-Asian value hotel company” We say: With its strong downtown location, Red Planet's third budget hotel in Japan will cater for the surging numbers of international visitors to the country Opening: 1 November 2017 Shangri-La Hotel Colombo Shangri-La Hotel Colombo Location: On the Galle Face Green promenade, overlooking the Indian Ocean, 40 minutes' drive from Colombo airport Grade: Luxury Keys: 500, plus 41 serviced apartments Facilities: Five F&B outlets, daily live entertainment, a spa with nine treatment rooms, 24-hour fitness centre and swimming pool Meeting space: More than 4,500m² of space including two ballrooms and an outdoor event lawn They say: “Shangri-La Hotel Colombo will allow travellers who are beginning their Sri Lankan holidays or in town for meetings to experience a mix of Shangri-La’s Asian elegance and a contemporary style” We say: This will be a major new destination for Colombo, especially enhancing its MICE sector. Likely to be popular with Sri Lanka’s rising number of Chinese business travellers Opening: December 2017  

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