Northstar

4 | www.travelweekly-asia.com Lee Xin Hui is the assistant editor of Travel Weekly Asia. Having a penchant for food and travel, she enjoys exploring a country's culture and history through its culinary finds – hidden gems privy to locals, weekend farmer markets and buzzy restaurants. Her favourite travel memory is driving along the quaint Italian countryside in end-winter and unwinding with a glass of red at sunset. VOICES 8 20 23 Finding new purpose Known as the harbour city of Taiwan, one of Kaohsiung's main attractions, Pier-2 Art District, naturally lies by the sea. Once home to general-purpose warehouses built in 1973, they gradually fell out of use and only became revived in 2002 by the government. Today, Pier-2 Art District is known as the hub for artistic development in southern Taiwan. Wide walking trails and cycling paths cut through the vibrant neighbourhood. Take a stroll, and you may discover colourful wall murals, modern art sculptures, and trendy cafes, performance venues and designer boutiques dotting the promenade. CONTENTS 2 TALKING POINT Japanese and foreign culture come together in the historic town of Karuizawa. 4 VOICES Cities are giving old spaces new leases of life to boost tourism and the economy. 6 TRAVEL AGENTS JTB Asia Pacific finds the chi of collaboration. 13 AVIATION New aircrafts for Cebu Pacific. 14 PRODUCT: WEDDINGS Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort entices soon-to-wed couples with attractive amenities. 16 GAMECHANGER Morris Sim, CMO of Next Story Group shares what's next for the company. 27 UNDER MY SKIN Tunku Iskandar, Life member of PATA and ASEANTA. Clockwise from top: Metro Manila, Philippines; Keemala in Thailand; Ballroom setup at The Parisian Macao. hubs offer a more accessible experience that could appeal to a wider range of tourists – not just the true-blue art aficionados, but also those who wake up in the morning wanting to do something cultural, but not too hardcore. Cities everywhere are increasingly giving old spaces new leases of life, but not just for the purposes of art. Earlier this year, The Lo and Behold Group rolled out a new boutique hotel, The Warehouse Hotel, which was restored from its days as a former godown along the banks of Singapore River. Its purpose, besides offering accommodation, is to act as "a portal into local culture", said managing partner Wee Teng Wen. In Hong Kong, the colonial-era Murray Building built in the late 1960s will become a five-star hotel Pier-2 Art District in Kaohsiung. The larger port area is also being shaped to become Asia's New Bay Area comprising an exhibition and convention centre, a port and cruise service centre, a public library and the still-constructing Kaohsiung Maritime Culture and Popular Music Centre, where musical and cultural performances will be held. A similar concept is seen in Beijing's 798 Art District, a sprawling 60-hectare creative hub with buildings that follow the unique style of Bauhaus architecture, which are cubic and often favour right angles and open-floor plans. By bringing art, food and retail together, these cultural and art at the end of the year, as part of the government's 'Conserving Central' initiative, which identifies buildings of significant heritage value for adaptive reuse. Tourism entrepreneurs, if you're thinking of doing something, here's your chance: Italy is giving away some of its medieval castles, farmhouses and monasteries for free – if you'd commit to transforming them into tourist facilities including hotels, spas and restaurants. They'll even throw in an 'Art Bonus' tax break to help offset the conservation and enhancement cost. Now, how about that? Credit: Lee Xin Hui "Old spaces are being given new leases of life, but not just for the purposes of art. "

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