Northstar

16 | www.travelweekly-asia.com GLOBAL WRAP THE BEST OF TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA'S GLOBAL WRAP e-DAILY Travel Weekly Asia writers and correspondents wrap up the best of the news from across Asia. Worldwide Hotels brings portfolio under one umbrella JAPANESE CITIES VOTED BEST IN THE WORLD Japan's Tokyo and Kyoto have taken the top two spots in the Conde Nast 2018 Readers' Choice Awards for best world cities. The two Japanese cities finished ahead of Melbourne, Vienna and Hamburg. Singapore was the top city in Asia, claiming seventh place overall. Conde Nast said that Tokyo "continues to thrill with its contradictions: ultramodern, neon-lit skyscrapers and tranquil temples, unmatchable street style and centuries-old etiquette. NORTHSTAR SNAPS UP TNOOZ Northstar Travel Group has acquired Tnooz and its related assets as it accelerates the development of its PhocusWire media brand. Tnooz will be merged with PhocusWire over the course of the remaining months of 2018, with its content archive, signature products and editorial focus on online travel and travel technology to be retained by the PhocusWire team. Worldwide Hotels is now Singapore's largest home-grown tourist class hotel group following the consolidation of Hotel 81, Value Hotel, Venue Hotel, V Hotel, Hotel Boss and Hotel Mi under one umbrella. In Singapore, Worldwide Hotels owns and manages all of its 38 properties and more than 6,500 rooms across the six brands. Carolyn Choo, managing director of Worldwide Hotels Group says, "This sets our intention to expand worldwide, in line with the next phase of the group's long-term growth. Worldwide Hotels strives to be a significant player in the global hospitality scene." Carolyn Choo, managing director of Worldwide Hotels Group PHOTO CREDIT: GETTYIMAGES. US-based Tnooz was founded in 2009 and became an important leader of in-depth coverage of the online travel business, including the pioneering of early industry hackathons and the profiling of hundreds of industry start-ups. Northstar Travel Group is also the owner of well-known brands including Meetings & Conventions Asia and Travel Weekly Asia. Crystal Serenity. Genting Dream. GENTING CRUISES ON COURSE FOR INDONESIA Genting Cruise Lines has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia's state-owned terminal operator, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III (PERSERO), to jointly develop the country's cruise tourism industry. The first agreement between the two parties saw Dream Cruises' Genting Dream visit North Bali in late 2017, where the port facilities at Celukan Bawang will be further developed to allow ships of up to 350m to berth. Both parties will also explore possible joint developments of additional cruise ports operated by PERSERO, extending the cooperation beyond North Bali to other destinations in Indonesia. Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long from the air. Tokyo "continues to thrill," says Conde Nast. BEST WESTERN SAYS HI TO HA LONG BAY Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is one of its most popular attractions and Best Western Hotels & Resorts aims to give its guests a splendid view of the UNESCO World Heritage site with its new hotel. Upscale Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2020. The 31-storey hotel will have 1,008 residential-style rooms, each with a minimum of 35 square metres and a private balcony. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, business centre, executive lounge and retail outlets. An all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurant, coffee shop, beer bar, wine bar and cigar lounge make up the food and beverage options. MARRIOTT IS BRINGING LUXURY BRANDS TO SRI LANKA The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott are heading for Colombo as part of new mixed-use complex. The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo and JW Marriott Colombo are being developed by One Transworks Square (Pvt) Ltd. and mark Marriott International's entry into Sri Lanka's luxury market. "The One" luxury project will be composed of three glass towers set on prime property at Transworks Square, Colombo 1. The Outpost Sentosa, opening early 2019. FAR EAST ADDS THREE IN SENTOSA Far East Hospitality will open three hotels in Sentosa Island by the end of 2019. The first two, Village Hotel at Sentosa and The Outpost Hotel, will open in Q1 2019, followed by The Barracks Hotel, which will open later in Q3. This adds 839 keys across three distinct hotel experiences. "While there are travellers who prefer distance from the hustle and bustle during their getaway, others look for convenient and connected accommodation options," said Arthur Kiong, CEO, Far East Hospitality. "Located in a prime area in Sentosa, our new hotels offer guests the best of both connectivity as well as the serenity of an island getaway. It's as near (to Singapore), or as far as you want it to be."

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