Hilton Expands Its Global Footprint with Plans to Enter 5 New Markets in 2024

Ambassador Cruise has launched a luxurious new day cruise that makes the most of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay’s limestone karst-studded waters and key attractions such as Sung Sot Cave and Titov Island. Photo credits: Ambassador Cruise With a remarkable two-level dining space, open-air sundeck affording 360-degree views of the bay’s limestone karst-studded waters, the leading cruise operator’s new 99-passenger capacity vessel named “Lavoya Boutique Day Cruise - By Ambassador Cruise” will bring its fleet to a total of four vessels. Cruisers get up close and personal with three of Halong Bay’s most spectacular attractions as part of the seven-hour cruise itinerary. The itinerary checks out the bay’s largest and most compelling cave, Sung Sot, home to myriad stalactites in all sorts of unique forms. Via a kayak or bamboo boat rowed by a local, passengers enter and exit stunning Luon Cave’ self-contained lake, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation, through a 100-metre long limestone arch. Afterwards cruisers visit picturesque Titov Island, swimming at its crescent moon-shaped beach and ascending some 450 steps to reach its peak and soak up panoramic views of the bay. The day cruise has a prime focus on culinary excellence, underpinned by a premium lunch buffet, vibrant Vietnamese cooking demonstration and exquisite afternoon tea service. The extensive lunch buffet showcases a diverse array of Asian and European cuisines including locally sourced seafood, beef, tuna, and other delicacies. Featuring nearly 30 dishes, the buffet’s highlights include US steak with grilled seasonal veggies, smoked tuna with green tea, hot and sour steamed mussels, crispy deep-fried prawns with chilli rock salt, stir-fried glass noodles with crab, and caramelised cinnamon pork shoulder. A seafood tower is also served to each table. Photo credits: Ambassador Cruise As the vessel glides through Halong Bay's majestic limestone formations on its return to Halong International Cruise Port, the chefs stage the Vietnamese cooking demonstration and serve the elegant afternoon tea replete with fine pastries. “As our premium day cruise experience, Lavoya Boutique Day Cruise - By Ambassador Cruise will see Ambassador welcome a new dawn with even more bucket-list worthy experiences,” said Nguyen Hong Nhat, General Director of Asia Premier Cruises Corporation, which owns Ambassador Cruise. “The itinerary will guide you through Halong Bay’s most spectacular locations with excellent Vietnamese cuisine and top-notch service.” The cruise’s current itinerary, on offer during Vietnam’s winter and spring, begins with a 9am check-in at Halong International Cruise Port before transferring to the vessel. Guests disembark at the port at 4.30pm. Since launching its first vessel in 2021, Ambassador Cruise has made a name for itself as the leading luxury cruise operator on Halong Bay. It operates three other vessels; Ambassador I, Ambassador II and Ambassador Signature. Guests choose from a variety of journeys including overnight cruises of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, day cruises, and dinner cruises. The overnight and dinner cruises offer a “Floating Dinner” experience on their 360-degree sundecks. Ambassador Cruise is also introducing an exclusive dining experience in a private cave 40 kilometres from Halong Bay. For more information about Ambassador Cruise or to make a booking, visit ambassadorcruise.com, email info@ambassadorcruise.com or call +84 1900 3045.

IHCL, Goa Introduces Aguada Pickleball Arena at Sinquerim Beach, Goa furthering the legacy of pioneering innovative leisure experiences and its commitment to redefining luxury through unique offerings. The Aguada Pickleball Arena, nestled with in emerald greens against the backdrop of the breathtaking Sinquerim coastline, is poised to become a key destination for sports enthusiasts and leisure travelers alike. As the sport of pickleball rapidly gains momentum worldwide, IHCL Goa’s strategic investment in this facility exemplifies its foresight in recognizing and catering to emerging lifestyle trends.   Reinforcing its position as an industry leader by introducing a first-of-its-kind recreational sports arena to Goa, the facility aligns seamlessly with the growing global preference for active tourism, creating synergies between wellness, fitness, and leisure.  Strategically situated opposite the iconic Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, the arena is set to provide a world-class sporting experience to resident as well as non resident guests thus enhancing the brand’s repertoire, creating new avenues for customer engagement while setting benchmarks for experiential offerings.   IHCL Goa’s initiative is particularly significant as it aligns with the government’s efforts to position Goa as a global hub for sports tourism. Moreover, it demonstrates it’s commitment to sustainable development by repurposing existing spaces to accommodate this innovative facility, ensuring minimal environmental impact while maximizing social and economic benefits.   From establishing India’s first luxury resort 5 decades back to introducing  the Aguada Pickleball Arena showcases IHCL Goa’s forward-thinking approach and its ability to stay ahead of the curve in identifying and delivering on customer aspirations.   Commenting on the launch, Mr Ranjit Phillipose Sr Vice President - Operations, Goa said, “Pickleball, a fusion of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is rapidly gaining popularity due to its accessibility, inclusivity, and social appeal.This sport is easy to learn, making it suitable for all ages and skill levels, while its low physical intensity attracts both recreational players and fitness enthusiasts. Smaller courts and slower-paced play foster friendly competition, encouraging social interaction and community building. As pickleball adapts to both casual and competitive formats, its growing presence among all sections of society and age groups further fuels its popularity.Here is to ‘Your New Favorite Hangout: Pickleball Courts Are Here”. As the Aguada Pickleball Arena prepares to welcome its first visitors, IHCL, Goa remains committed to delivering unparalleled guest experiences while driving long-term value for stakeholders. The initiative reflects the company’s strategic vision of blending tradition with modernity, creating spaces that resonate with contemporary lifestyles while staying true to the essence of Indian hospitality, reaffirming its position as a pioneer in the hospitality sector, setting a precedent for others to follow.

Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" – SGX: B58), an independent, global hospitality company, reflects on a landmark 30th year of progress and celebrations, alongside announcing an exciting pipeline for 2025. The Group is set to welcome its 100th resort for its homecoming debut in Singapore, and will see openings in new destinations beyond Asia, including Tanzania and the Dominican Republic. Photo credits: Banyan Group “We are in our next chapter of growth and innovation, building momentum from the last 30 years as we enter this new phase. 2025 will continue to be a meaningful evolution of our dynamic portfolio as we plant flags in new locations in Asia and beyond. With new destinations, products, experiences and partnerships, we also look forward to the deepening of our sustainability promise and commitment to wellbeing.” said Eddy See, President and Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Group. Brand Evolution Continues with New Frontiers in 2025 Growth momentum is poised to continue in the upcoming year, with 15 new hotel and resort openings, and five new branded residence developments set to expand the Group’s portfolio. Reflecting a continued brand evolution, key hotel and resort openings in 2025 will offer multi-concept spaces that transform the boundaries of traditional hospitality to offer guests a layered experience—integrating wellbeing, nature, culture, community, retail and more—that evolves throughout their travel. Highlights include: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Banyan Group’s inaugural resort in Singapore. The 338-room resort nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve—Singapore's integrated wildlife and nature destination—offers a nature-inspired stay where every element, from the architecture to the interiors, is designed to harmonise with the environment. Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, Banyan Group’s first safari resort and opening in Tanzania. Cradled within the largely untouched wilderness of Ruaha National Park and along the banks of the Great Ruaha River, the resort provides a purposeful discovery experience that brings deep connection and immersion into the local community, culture and wild encounters. Banyan Group’s first standalone integrated development, a boutique urban offering located in the vibrant city of Bangkok. Combining accommodations, spa, dining, a membership club, and a nightclub, the development offers a dynamic space where guests can connect, relax, and work, providing a rich, evolving experience within a single destination. More to be announced in 2025. Multi-brand expansion continuing in Asia, with new hotel and resort openings in the region, including Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay in China; Banyan Tree Haeundae Busan and Cassia Saekdal Jeju in South Korea; Cassia Ram-Intra Bangkok in Thailand; and Homm Mandaue City Cebu in the Philippines, among others. Expanding presence in the Caribbean, with the opening of Cassia Punta Cana, Banyan Group’s first resort in the Dominican Republic. Increasing retail footprint, with Banyan Tree Gallery products made available to global travellers on board Emirates and EVA Air from 2025. Banyan Group’s founding ethos of ‘Embracing the Environment, Empowering People’ will also continue to drive developments across the sustainability and wellbeing realms: Marine conservation efforts will be strengthened with the launch of the Coral Reef Restoration Project on Hainan Island, in partnership with the China Environmental Projection Foundation, as well as with the introduction of a new coral larval restoration method to be adopted in the Maldives. Supported by the Rewilding Banyan Fund, rewilding efforts aimed at restoring natural habitats will be expanded to include an upcoming bee-friendly forest on Bintan Island in Indonesia. Banyan Group’s proprietary 8 Pillars of Wellbeing will be further integrated across the stay experience through retreats, visiting practitioner programmes, alongside exciting developments to the Group’s spa brands in 2025. Photo credits: Banyan Group Landmark Year in 2024 Reflecting on the year passed, Banyan Group significantly expanded its portfolio and introduced a suite of anniversary events and commemorative initiatives globally. Highlights included: Record 18 new hotel and resort openings, with six in Japan and South Korea, and eight in China as part of the Group’s multi-brand expansion strategy across Asia—among them, Banyan Tree’s debut in Japan with Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. Six new branded residence developments unveiled, including the first-ever Garrya Residences and projects within the nature-integrated Laguna Lakelands. Agreements were also signed to launch branded residences in Madrid and Dubai, bolstering the Group’s upcoming presence Europe and the Middle East. 11 new galleries, 12 new spa openings and a steadfast focus on wellbeing, with the launch of seven retreats and experiences of various themes and formats, designed to foster a global community of wellbeing enthusiasts and like-minded individuals who share a commitment to personal growth and fulfilment. Continued advocacy for sustainable hospitality, with the establishment of the Rewilding Banyan Fund, underscoring the Group’s commitment to environmental stewardship; the expansion of Our Marine Lab at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, reinforcing the Group’s leadership in marine conservation; and the funding of the Greater Good Grants initiative to benefit the local communities and environments in which the Group operates. Commemorative 30th anniversary initiatives, including a brand evolution and name shift to Banyan Group, the launch of an experiential members programme, withBanyan, and publication of a special edition anniversary book to mark the occasion. Key initiatives also centred around celebrating 30 years since the inception of the Group’s first and flagship Banyan Tree brand, which saw its hotels and resorts worldwide offering a curated collection of anniversary experiences, alongside the introduction of Banyan Tree Gallery retail exclusives. Banyan Group’s milestones and achievements were globally recognised in 2024 with over a hundred awards and accolades achieved across the business this landmark year.