ILTM Asia Pacific 2024
Taking place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo in Singapore from July 1st-4th, ILTM Asia Pacific 2024 garnered incredible buzz months ahead of the show. While it launched with sobering keynotes at the Opening Forum noting the influence of powerful geopolitical forces on the industry, the biggest takeaway is that Asia Pacific is the hottest region for growth in luxury travel. The numbers speak for themselves, and LuxuryWise has all the best highlights from the show!
of Global GDP Growth
...is the amount that Asia is expected to contribute to the worldwide economy in 2024 alone, according to the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network.
Luxury Travel Advisors
...were in attendance, representing high net-worth travelers from about 33 countries across the region. An estimated 150 of them were from Australia alone.
Countries
...were represented by the 650 international brands exhibiting at ILTM Asia Pacific. Their representatives were eager to meet agents from the fastest growing regional market.
Top News from ILTM Asia Pacific
Two New Properties for Ultima
Talk about hot off the press! Ultima's Quai Wilson just opened in the heart of Geneva – five full-floor apartments ranging from three to six bedrooms with an elegant design and all right on the lake. The Gstaad Promenade, an eight bedroom chalet, opens this September. Both properties are bookable now. Ultima wants to "focus on bonding" among guests and families, and has hired a new designer to "calm down the brand."
Royal Mansour Opens in Casablanca
After eight long years of renovation work the new Royal Mansour in Casablanca, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, is finally open. The design is modern, but pays homage to the architecture of this classic hotel. In all, 149 rooms, suites, and private apartments accommodate guests along with three restaurants – one of which sits on the 23rd floor and boasts a 360-degree view (pictured) of the city and of the ocean!
Surrey Hotel in NYC is Back (& Bookable)
It's an icon reimagined. The Surrey Hotel in New York City, now managed by Corinthia, is a classic upper east side property that will open on September 7th. With 70 guest rooms, 30 suites, and 14 residences, as well as a new restaurant on the first floor and a private club on the second, this storied hotel known for its sophistication and discretion will surely compete with other top properties in New York City.
A&K's Luxury Smorgasbord
There's so much going on over at Abercrombie & Kent, to say the least! They've just announced a new DMC and a new lodge in Mexico, new river ships in Egypt and in Peru, new lodges in Kenya and Rwanda, plus new itineraries from their Inspiring Expeditions line that include Italy, Raj Ampat and the Spice Islands, and circumnavigating the world in a private jet. Two tours with Crystal Cruises will focus on wellness in December aboard the Symphony (pictured), which will have a new Beefbar as well as the only Nobu at sea.
Alila to Debut First Urban Hotel in Q3
Bookable now for stays starting on November 1st, the Alila Shanghai is being touted as the brand's first "urban resort." While details are still a bit limited, what is known is that this former Four Seasons property will premiere with 186 keys, with entry level rooms coming in around 39 square meters (420sq. ft.) and entry level suites at 73 square meters (786sq. ft.). Smack-dab in the middle of the city, it's close to major landmarks such as the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Grand Theatre, and has People's Park as its back yard.
Park Hyatt Opening Multiple Hotels
Are you sitting down? Ok, here we go. The Park Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur opening in Q4 and bookable in September will be the tallest building in the APAC region: 118 stories total with the hotel taking the top 17 (pictured). In all, it'll have about 232 accommodations including 28 suites and 30 residential apartments. Singapore and Marrakesh just opened this month, with London opening this fall. Next year Hyatt will also debut the Thompson brand in Shanghai, the Andaz Bangkok, and other properties in Vietnam and Rome.
Small Luxury Hotels Reports Growth
If you haven't heard already it's worth mentioning the new strategic distribution partnership between SLH and Hilton, which became active on July 10th and made about 80% of its hotels (and growing) bookable through Hilton. To add to that, SLH has signed 34 new ones YTD, with 12 in the APAC region and bringing the total number of hotels in that region to 132 – a third of its total portfolio. Notable new properties are the first hotel in Pakistan, which opens September 24th, as well as one in Nepal and one in Ecuador.
Iconic to Premiere in Palm Beach
The Palm House, which opens this fall in Palm Beach, Florida not too far away from Royal Palm Village, is a redesign lead by London-based Cooper Carry of a property that has been closed for the last 28 years. Acquired about 6 years ago by Iconic Luxury Hotels, its modern-chic 79 rooms and suites will be bookable by late August. While not confirmed, LuxuryWise was able to obtain strong signals that the new restaurant on the property will be "one of the best restaurants in the world with a Japanese theme." We'll let you all fill in the rest.
Pure Amazon, New River Ship for 2025
During the show Sanctuary Retreats announced that they are launching a new Amazon River cruise in Peru in mid-2025. Pre-registration is open now, and sales are opening in August. Conceptualized by the Italian architect Adriana Granato, based out of Milan, the vessel itself is state-of-the-art. The accommodations have warm, earthly tones with details that evoke the spirit of the locale. Its sleek design will give clients a real sense of place while they explore the various parts of the jungle, and their dreams.
LuxuryWise Asia Discoveries
Uga Escapes' "ERC"
That stands for "Elephant Research Center" at Uga Ulagalla in Sri Lanka. That may not be sexy at first, but if you're looking for magic look no further, because you just found a private tour of a secret elephant migration. A few years ago Uga discovered these elephants near Nachchaduwa Lake and decided to protect the area, which effectively made it a private safari. Well off the beaten path and weaving along earthen tracks through countryside dominated by rice paddies, no one will be around your clients while they absorb the experience.
Chalet Ivy Jozankei
One of the most attractive features of this boutique hotel in Hokkaido is that it enjoys the distinct flavors of each of the four seasons, especially autumn when the leaves turn during the second or third week of October. Opened in 2019 and about 40 minutes away from both the town and the airport, the design of the 26 suites has touches of both Japanese and western styles, and a private onzen in every room! Its four categories range from about 67 square meters (721sq. ft.) to spacious 137 square meters (1,475sq. ft.).
Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Or as some might call it, the "Museum Hotel," and for good reason. Over 2500+ pieces of art adorn its rooms, halls, and galleries, many of them telling a story of Japan across the generations. Each of its 60 rooms has its own steam sauna and jacuzzi, and range from about 80 square meters (861sq. ft.) to 240 square meters (2,583sq. ft.). Its seven restaurants, which are open to the public, accommodate pretty much any taste. The hotel is also situated in a prime location for the cherry blossoms.
Impressions
Participants of the much-anticipated ILTM Asia Pacific 2024 trade show gather for the Opening Forum. Topics from keynote speakers, who were introduced by ILTM's Global Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore, covered geopolitical challenges and emerging trends.
Sumana Rajarethnam of the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network based in Singapore, gives attendees a thorough growth comparison of luxury markets across the globe. Illustrated in red above, Asia Pacific is the world's fastest growing region.
Just adjourned from the Opening Form at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, attendees made their way to the Opening Reception with live drummers, an ILTM photo backdrop, and an icon of Singapore greeting them on the way: the mythical Mer-Lion.
After absorbing valuable knowledge and insights about the biggest trends in luxury travel from the keynotes of the Forum, it was time to meet and mingle with old friends and colleagues for the opening bash, appropriately with the Marina Bay Sands as a beautiful background for photos.
The new Colleqt app allowed attendees to scan badges of whomever they met at the show. Afterward, ILTM emailed participants a list of all their scans with contact info. Also, despite the size of the Marina Bay Sands Expo Center, the ILTM crew seemed ever-present to help out.
