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| Our New Address! |
From November 11, TTG Asia Media's new address is:
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Singapore Science Park II
Singapore 117528
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Website: http://www.ttgasia.com
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August, 2008 |
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Firefly gears for Singapore-Malaysia expansion
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-07-03)
FRESH from its July 1 launch of three daily Singapore-Subang (Kuala Lumpur) services, Malaysia Airlines' wholly-owned subsidiary Firefly is gearing to ramp up flights between the neighbouring destinations.
The young airline, which was formed in April 2007, will add a fourth frequency on the Singapore-Subang (Kuala Lumpur) route on July 12.
Firefly will also launch services between Singapore and Ipoh on July 12, Kuala Terengganu from July 14, Kuantan from July 22 and Malacca from September 1. Services to Kota Bahru and Alor Setar will begin in October.
The airline's managing director Eddy Leong said: "We have worked to gain this route for a very long time and faced a lot of criticism, scepticism and cynicism. But we eventually made this happen."
Leong pointed out that Firefly was not a low-cost carrier – passengers are provided allocated seating, 20kg check-in baggage and complimentary snacks on board.
"We are a full-service airline and we plough point-to-point routes with a focus on secondary destinations that no other airlines are flying."
Recognising the value of travel agents in distribution, the airline will provide commissions of at least 10 per cent. It plans to kickstart efforts to tap the corporate travel market later this month and will be working closely with corporate travel agencies and event planners.
According to Changi Airport Group CEO Lee Seow Hiang, total passenger movement between the two countries from January to May this year totalled nearly 1.3 million, a 20.2 per cent gain year-on-year.
Lee said Firefly could tap Changi Airport's extensive global connectivity and leverage a significant pool of international connecting traffic.
Firefly will offer an introductory all-inclusive one way fare of S$31 (US$21) to any destination in Malaysia from Singapore. The fares are available for booking for travel between now and October 24.
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Macau cracks down on illegal accommodation
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Shenée Tuck, Macau (2009-07-03)
A CRACKDOWN on illegal guesthouses is currently underway in Macau to raise awareness of the problem and help improve the destination's image.
An inter-departmental working group, with representatives from the police force, fire and health bureaus, environmental protection bureau and the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), has mounted surprise checks on residential apartments.
In a follow-up move, the group has launched a poster campaign to warn residents and visitors of the potential dangers of unlicensed accommodation and has set up a hotline for complaints.
After finding that 23 of 45 apartments visited in surprise inspections were illegal, the group concluded that amendments to existing legislation were necessary to eradicate the problem.
Moves to amend existing regulation are said to be at an advanced stage.
MGTO director João Manuel Costa Antunes said the issue had affected Macau's image as a destination and harmed the interests of the travel trade and visitors.
Macau welcomed 8.9 million visitors in the first five months of 2009, down by 10.6 per cent year-on-year; it is unknown what proportion used illegal accommodation.
The working group has also co-opted the General Union of Neighbours Association to help in the campaign to stamp out illegal accommodation.
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HATA picks Taiwan for overseas meet
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Prudence Lui (2009-07-03)
THE HONG KONG Association of Travel Agents (HATA) will hold its first-ever annual overseas conference in Taipei at a time when the year-old resumption of cross-straits flights has taken a toll on the previously lucrative Taiwanese transit market to Hong Kong.
The 37th HATA gathering will take place from September 11 to 13 and is themed ‘Closer Partnership Through Tourism'.
Relaunched last July after a nearly 60-year hiatus, direct Taiwan-China flights - the result of warming cross-straits ties following Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou's election - have been blamed for the 10.9 per cent fall in Hong Kong's mainland-bound Taiwanese transit traffic in the first five months of this year.
There are now fears seat capacity between Hong Kong and Taiwan could be affected as Taiwanese are no longer required to transit in Hong Kong enroute to China and with new cross-straits flights on the drawing board.
Convention chairman Jason Wong said: "The effects of the ‘three direct links' (transportation, trading and mail) across the Taiwan Straits have become more obvious for Hong Kong since last year. Additional relaxation is in the pipeline for the near future.
"We would like to explore how the cross-straits links will affect us in the future while also encouraging new opportunities. It's about time we all got together to gain further insight on the latest tourism developments. Shortage of hotels is an issue when coping with immense traffic from China."
HATA expects more than100 participants for the convention, which has received strong support from both tourism bureaus in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
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Recession crimps South Korean travel plans
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Singapore (2009-07-03)
ONLY three per cent of South Koreans surveyed plan to travel abroad this summer, according to a telephone poll conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), and reported by Chosun Ilbo.
The KTO's survey of 500 people conducted from June 15 to 16 revealed only around 30 per cent have plans to travel this summer, with nine out of 10 of those saying they would travel domestically.
More than 40 per cent of respondents blamed the recession for their reluctance to travel abroad, with the spread of the A/H1N1 virus an additional concern.
Regarding domestic travel, 20 per cent of those surveyed said they would choose to visit places they have always wanted to see.
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Air France enters codeshare with Bangkok Airways
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Bangkok (2009-07-03)
AIR France (AF) has signed a codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways, granting AF's passengers new Indochina destinations on AF flight numbers effective July 1.
The agreement covers Bangkok Airways' Thailand (Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Trat), Cambodia (Phnom Penh) and Laos (Luang Prabang) network.
In related news, Bangkok Airways has begun deploying its new Airbus 319 aircraft, delivered in May.
One aircraft is configured to offer 144 economy class seats, while the other has12 business class and 108 economy class seats.
The two aircraft operate the Bangkok-Samui, Bangkok-Hiroshima, Bangkok-Phnom Penh, Bangkok-Maldives, Samui-Singapore and Samui-Hong Kong routes.
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Chiang Mai signing launches Centara boutique brand
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Hong Kong (2009-07-03)
CENTARA Hotels & Resorts has launched its Centara Boutique Collection and signed the brand's first property, the Siripanna Villa Resort Chiang Mai.
The 76-room property is located in Chiang Mai city centre and will soft-open in September.
Centara Hotels & Resorts president Gerd Steeb said the launch of the Boutique Collection brand was part of the group's strategy to expand and diversify in Thailand and internationally.
"Our Boutique Collection properties aim to provide high-quality personal service in a setting that is on a more intimate scale than the other brands within the group."
Steeb added that the brand would consist of both city and resort properties in prime locations and that the typical hotel would have between 70 and 100 rooms.
Siripanna Villa Resort Chiang Mai will be marketed to both leisure travellers and the MICE sector. The hotel offers a fully equipped meeting room for 10 to 200 people and the extensive lawn will provide an outdoor venue for up to 500 guests. A business centre is also provided.
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Banyan Tree to open fourth China hotel
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Hangzhou (2009-07-03)
BANYAN Tree Hotels & Resorts is gearing up to open a resort in the scenic Xixi National Wetland Park in the west of Hangzhou.
Part of an integrated complex that will comprise hotels, a conference centre, retail, entertainment and residential apartments, Banyan Tree Hangzhou will have 35 villas and 36 units with terraces overlooking the lake. The villas feature an outdoor heated jet pool in a landscaped courtyard.
The hotel's f&b options include an all-day restaurant, Cantonese fare at Bai Yun, located in a grand dining hall, and a bar lounge that comes with a fireplace and views of the lake.
The property is the result of a partnership between Hangzhou Westbrook Investment and Banyan Tree and is the group's fourth mainland property after hotels in Ringha, Lijiang and Sanya.
The hotel has set an opening rate of US$368++ per night inclusive of breakfast in a water terrace unit for two persons. Guests who stay two consecutive nights and more will receive $50 in f&b credit, while guests staying three consecutive nights and more will receive a complimentary 90-minute spa session.
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New mall brings new Orchard Road venue options
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Singapore (2009-07-03)
ION Orchard shopping mall will bring new events venues to Singapore's famous shopping district when it opens on July 21.
The mall's ION2 will offer 3,066 square metres of outdoor sheltered public event space outside its main entrance, at the corner of Orchard Road and Paterson Road.
A dedicated art space will offer 520 square metres on level four, and a smaller event space will offer 336 square metres on level B4.
Opening in 2010 will be ION Sky, offering a two-layer observation deck and f&b area on the 55th and 56th floors and an exhibition space.
Rental rates for the spaces mentioned will be available upon the complex's opening on July 21.
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New sales and marketing director for InterContinental Hua Hin
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Bangkok (2009-07-03)
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels & Resorts has appointed Nattapun Ranyasewa as sales and marketing director for the new InterContinental Hua Hin, scheduled to open in October.
Ranyasewa was formerly Six Senses Resorts & Spas' regional director of sales for Thailand.
The 119-key colonial-style resort occupies a prime beachfront location along Petchakasem Road in Hua Hin, about a three-hour drive south of Bangkok.
Jeffrey Sussman is the resort's general manager. |
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Singapore inbound unfazed by A/H1N1
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-07-02)
INBOUND travel agents say the presence of the A/H1N1 virus in Singapore has so far caused minimal damage to bookings.
As of July 1, there were 783 confirmed cases of A/H1N1 infections in the city state.
Vacation Singapore DMC confirmed only two or three cancellations by individuals while Star Holiday Mart saw a three to five per cent drop in bookings last month and a cancellation by several members of a Kenyan group bound for Singapore and Malaysia for a 10-day tour.
Star Holiday Mart general manager Dominic Ong said: "The Kenyan group had initially blocked 70 rooms, but only 30 eventually materialised. Those who pulled out of the tour were worried about being infected in Asia. Apart from that, bookings are still stable, save for a three to five per cent drop in June."
Wavelink Travel, an agency specialising in travel and MICE arrangements for the maritime industry and unions, has seen its inbound business grow by 10 per cent each month since April, when the flu first surfaced. A 250-person maritime conference that the agency is managing will still proceed on July 10.
Vacation Singapore DMC director of marketing (inbound) Helen Goh said economic problems were more to blame for the weak inbound traffic.
"Year-on-year bookings from regional markets are down 15 to 20 per cent in June, but that is largely because of the poor economy. Forward bookings from longhaul markets for travel in September onwards are trickling in slowly and the numbers are not as good as we had hoped. Our overseas agents have told us that bookings are weak because of the economy and not the flu. Somehow, longhaul markets are not afraid of the A/H1N1 pandemic," Goh said.
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One million arrivals targetted for Lombok and Sumbawa by 2012
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2009-07-02)
THE West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government has set a target of one million arrivals for the Lombok and Sumbawa islands by 2012 and will launch a tourism campaign this Sunday to help the islands achieve the goal.
The Visit Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 campaign will be launched on July 5 in Senggigi, Lombok and will be attended by Indonesia's president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
West Nusa Tenggara governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi said: "We are building momentum through various events and promotions over the next two years in our effort to reach the target."
The first event will be the Ms Pearl contest, which will appoint an ambassador of pearls as part of West Nusa Tenggara's efforts to go international and become a world-class pearl trade centre. Pearls are one of Lombok's major products and an annual pearl trade mart is planned to start next year.
The destination is also hosting the Ecotourism Business Forum, and Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo this year.
The highlight of 2012 will be the World Ecotourism Conference.
Majdi said: "Mining is currently the biggest source of income for West Nusa Tenggara, but we realise that the industry has a negative impact on the environment. Meanwhile, tourism has the potential to generate high revenue without damaging the environment, offering us a better alternative.
"We have good infrastructure and facilities for tourism, especially in the Lombok and Sumbawa islands, but they have not been optimised.
"We need a new trigger to push tourism up, which is why the Visit Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 campaign will be launched."
Majdi added that a new airport was under construction and was expected to start operations next year. In addition, the Emaar tourism resort project was expected to start construction at the end of this year.
Tourist arrivals to Lombok last year amounted to about 500,000 arrivals, 30 per cent of whom were international tourists. By 2012, international arrivals are expected to contribute 50 per cent of the anticipated one million arrivals to the province.
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YTL Hotels intensifies Singapore efforts, opens sales office
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-07-02)
YTL Hotels and Properties (YTL H&P) is seeking a greater share of the Singapore corporate market and intends to grow this to 70 per cent of bookings within the next two to three months. At present, agent and FIT bookings account for YTL H&P's entire business out of Singapore.
The owner and operator of Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, The Majestic Malacca in Malaysia and The Spa Village Tembok Bali, opened its Singapore Regional Sales Office two weeks ago to raise awareness of its properties, tap companies and work closely with travel agents, DMCs and event planners.
Sapinah Itam, director of sales (Singapore), is targetting at least two incentive groups a month for each of YTL H&P's five properties. "Our Singapore corporate base has been very small. We want to attract small meetings, group retreats and incentives."
The company has tied up with Malaysian carrier, Firefly, on packages for Singapore residents, starting from S$670 (US$463) for three days and two nights full board including return airfare. While the packages are mainly designed for corporate groups, they are commissionable to agents and can be customised for groups of more than five persons.
Itam said: "Pangkor Laut, our flagship property, will become more accessible to Singaporeans through Firefly's services to Ipoh (from July 12). And our packages make our luxury upscale resorts extremely affordable for the Singapore market."
YTL H&P is the hospitality arm of one of Malaysia's most dynamic conglomerates, YTL Corporation Berhad.
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Hong Kong's Ocean Park raises admission fees
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Hong Kong (2009-07-02)
ENTRY charges for Hong Kong's Ocean Park will increase by 20 per cent, an announcement that coincided with Hong Kong Disneyland's new admission fees for local visitors taking effect.
Tour operators have decried Ocean Park's second admission charge increase in two years but the theme park's management defended the price hike, saying it was needed to help fund the park's HK$5.5 billion (US$710 million) redevelopment project.
From August 1, ticket prices at Ocean Park will increase from HK$208 to HK$250 for adults, while entry for children will rise from HK$313 to HK$350.
Hong Kong Disneyland, which had earlier provided a three-month grace period for local residents, increased fees for this group from HK$295 to HK$350 for adults and from HK$210 to HK$250 for children to the same levels tourists have been paying since February.
The theme park has also reached agreement after protracted discussions with the government on its HK$3.63 billion expansion plan to add another three themed areas and 30 new attractions over the next five years. |
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Asian trade fair market expanded in 2008 despite downturn
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Paris/Hong Kong (2009-07-02)
ASIA's trade fair industry expanded by 8.7 per cent in 2008, with net area sold by organisers in Asia totalling 14.3 million square metres, despite the weakening global economic environment, according to UFI's fifth annual report on the trade fair market in Asia.
According to the report, China's growth continues to outpace the rest of the region. Year-on-year, net square metres sold in China grew by 14 per cent, outperforming the regional average of 8.7 per cent. Over 7.6 million square metres were sold in China in 2008, representing 53 per cent of the total area sold for Asia.
Meanwhile, revenues from trade fairs in Asia increased by six per cent from US$3.25 billion in 2007 to US$3.45 billion last year, down from the 26 per cent growth recoerded in 2007. China registered a 20 per cent increase in revenues with a total of US$1.33 billion.
Business Strategies Group (BSG) in Hong Kong undertook the research for UFI's report and predicted further growth in several of the region's key exhibition markets, including China and India, for 2009. UFI Asia/Pacific regional manager and BSG principal Paul Woodward said: "The pace of change here has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2003, there were 101 venues in the region and space sales were just 5.7 million square metres. By the end of this year, Asia will be home to 162 venues generating space sales of 14.6 million square metres." |
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Frost & Sullivan to assess and rate hotel security
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London (2009-07-02)
FROST & Sullivan is embarking on an initiative to assess and rate hotel security provisions around the world in the wake of high-profile terrorist attacks on the hotel sector in the past year.
The global consultancy firm will undertake the Hotel Security Project with SDS Group, an international counter-terrorism consultancy.
The project will include risk assessment surveys of individual hotels around the world, and training courses for hotel security managers and other hospitality personnel by instructors with hands-on experience in securing hotels.
In the longer term, Frost & Sullivan plans to set up a Security Excellence Rating System to formally recognise hotels that implement “best-of-breed” industry security practices.
The consultancy firm has published a white paper entitled “Improving Hotel Security in Today’s Unpredictable Global Environment” as a first step in the introduction of this new initiative.
Frost & Sullivan partner Dorman Followwill said: “Travellers today expect to be well-protected when staying in a luxury hotel. They have the right to be aware of the security measures being taken to ensure their safety and well-being…Frost & Sullivan’s in-depth understanding of the security industry, and its global research capabilities, enable it to provide an objective assessment of the standard of hotel security in key cities around the world.” |
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Accor opens first Novotel in Mumbai
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Singapore (2009-07-02)
THE NOVOTEL Mumbai Juhu Beach opened yesterday on a beach-front site in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, the third property for the hotel chain in India.
The new hotel offers 203 guest rooms and suites with views overlooking the Arabian Sea and 700 square metres of state-of-the-art banquet facilities.
Novotel Juhu Beach will offer five f&b options that include Mediterranean, oriental, Indian cuisines, all-day-dining, and an urban bar and lounge.
The hotel will also provide a 24-hour gymnasium, an in-house spa, a beauty salon, a dedicated on-site hygiene lab and an outdoor swimming pool.
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach general manager Heinz Egli said: “A business and leisure destination, the hotel will offer guests the best of both worlds - technologically astute and comfortable accommodation with varied dining and recreation options.”
Novotel has released a promotional rate for the new property of 7,500+ (US$157) rupees for a standard room and 8,500 rupees for a Premier Room with ocean views inclusive of breakfast and transfers.
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Destination management conference free for PATA delegates, members
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-07-02)
THE Fifth International Conference on Destination Management, organised by the UNWTO and China National Tourism Administration, will grant free entry to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) delegates and members.
This year’s conference, titled “Weathering the Storm of Global Recession: The Challenge for Destination Management”, will take place on September 21 and 22 at Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel, Hangzhou, China.
The conference seeks to provide practical, sensible and cost-effective solutions to face the many challenges and changes brought about by the global economic crisis.
Speakers include PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre director John Koldowski, Tourism Malaysia chairman Victor Wee and International Medical Travel Association president Ruben Toral.
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Tour package cancellations rise as Malaysia grapples with A/H1N1
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2009-07-01)
THE Malaysian tourism industry is in crisis management mode as the country's efforts to combat the A/H1N1 pandemic cause overseas tourists to stay away from the destination.
As of June 30, the total number of confirmed A/H1N1 cases in Malaysia had risen to 158.
Tourism minister Ng Yen Yen said images of students wearing face masks in schools, and tourists with suspected A/H1N1 symptoms being quarantined in local hospitals, had resulted in tour package cancellations.
A tourism crisis management committee, with representatives from Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia, Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) and the Tourism Ministry, is collecting statistics on booking cancellations from airlines, tour operators and hoteliers, monitoring media reports and conveying the real situation to their overseas counterparts.
According to Ng, 12 major Beijing outbound operators that promote Malaysia had seen booking cancellation rates of between 50 to 90 per cent in the last two weeks.
Outbound tour packages from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong to Malaysia had also seen cancellations of between 20 to 50 per cent.
MAS managing director and CEO Idris Jala said routes from Japan and China were registering the highest rate of booking cancellations.
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Indonesia's Panorama considers theme parks, integrated resort
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Jakarta (2009-07-01)
PANORAMA Leisure Group (PLG) is looking at growing its property business through theme parks or an integrated resort, and is undertaking feasibility studies and considering offers from regional and international operators.
The move forms part of the company's expansion plan for its hospitality business.
PLG's new CEO Budi Tirtawisata said: "We continuously seek business opportunities in tourism and are studying the possibilities for developing theme parks or even an integrated resort in Indonesia. But this plan is still at a very early stage."
PLG currently has a share in the Waterbom Jakarta water park.
"A number of overseas theme park operators have shown some interest in opening (a theme park) in Indonesia, so there is potential," Tirtawisata added.
In related news, PLG's transportation company has launched a metred taxi business, White Horse Premium Cab, with an initial 25 cars. PLG intends to have 150 units by end of this year and another 150 next year and plans to operate the taxis in Jakarta and Bali where they will predominantly serve guests at hotels and airports. |
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Marriott, Starwood unveil telepresence strategies
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Singapore (2009-07-01)
MARRIOTT International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, yesterday, both unveiled separate plans to offer high-end video-conferencing telepresence facilities in their properties in a bid to boost meetings business.
Telepresence technology is a high-end video-conferencing solution that combines high-definition video and audio over high-speed network connections to deliver an immersive experience for the user, making participants feel they are meeting in the same room.
Marriott intends to locate telepresence meeting suites in 25 cities including New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Shanghai, Frankfurt and London, covering the Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brands. The first suites will use AT&T's Telepresence Solution and are expected to go live end-October.
Starwood will open 10 telepresence suites by the end of the year in partnership with Tata Communications. The first suites are planned for Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, The Westin Los Angeles Airport and W Chicago-City Center. Starwood anticipates expanding the telepresence offering to hotels in key business markets like Brussels, Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
Marriott International president and COO Arne Sorenson hoped the technology would create more business meetings, saying: "People can travel shorter distances and easily connect with colleagues and clients around the world."
Tata Communications senior vice-president global managed service John Landau explained telepresence services would help companies hold more productive meetings without incurring travel and time costs. "More team members can participate in meetings and collaborate around the world," he said.
Starwood senior vice-president of global sales Christie Hicks said: "Starwood has made a name for itself as an innovator in the hotel industry and it is crucial that we continue to evolve our meetings offerings to address the needs of today's consumers." |
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Japan Ryokan Association brings 200 members online
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Singapore (2009-07-01)
THE JAPAN Ryokan Association (JRA) will make 200 of its members available on the four Global Distribution Systems over the next few months, after teaming up with Utell Hotels & Resorts.
JRA claims to represent the top 1,300 of Japan's 55,000 ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), which have been unavailable online or through GDSs until now.
The selected ryokans will offer rate and availability information in Pegasus' Online Distribution Database for distribution to online travel agencies, corporate travel departments and tour operators, and will also accept Internet bookings direct from customers through Pegasus' NetBooker NG solution.
According to Utell, this is the first deal of its kind in Japan where traditionally, ryokans have previously never been bookable online.
JRA executive director Masao Koseki said: "(With the distribution solution) the world can experience Japanese hospitality at its best."
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Ascott opens properties in Chongqing, Shenzhen
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Singapore (2009-07-01)
THE ASCOTT Group today opened two Somerset-branded properties in the Chinese cities of Chongqing and Shenzhen, marking the group's entry into the two cities.
The Somerset JieFangBei, Chongqing is the first serviced residence in Chongqing to operate under an international brand, and offers 157 studios, and one- and two-bedroom residences in the heart of Chongqing's Yuzhong District.
Somerset Garden City, Shenzhen is a 147-unit serviced residence located near the Shekou business district and the Shekou Ferry Terminal, which provides Hong Kong-bound ferry services.
Ascott Group's new CEO Lim Ming Yan, who assumes his role today, revealed that another seven more properties will open in China by 2010. Yan said: "It is a pleasant welcome to join Ascott on the day it opens two new properties in China. The addition of these properties reinforces Ascott's leadership position as the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in China and signals our confidence in the Chinese market."
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VisitBritain plans early Thailand launch for agent learning programme
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-07-01)
VISITBRITAIN will launch the BritAgent Specialist Programme in Thailand earlier than scheduled, following an overwhelming response for its online learning programme for travel agents in Singapore and Malaysia.
The British NTO had initially planned to roll out the programme in Thailand at year-end, and the rest of the region soon after, but since the programme was first introduced in March this year, 225 staff from 46 travel agencies in Singapore and Malaysia had signed up, far more than expected.
VisitBritain South-east Asia manager Sumathi Ramanathan said several travel agencies had signed up more than 50 per cent of their workforce for the programme.
"We will have the BritAgent programme in Thailand by the third quarter of the year. Because of the language and cultural differences, we are working on producing local language content. Once a VisitBritain Thailand representative is in place, we will launch the programme. Other VisitBritain offices have also expressed their interest in the programmes. We are looking to introduce the programme in the UAE, India and South Africa by the end of the year, followed by Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China."
The programme is designed to equip travel trade frontliners, buyers and product planners with the knowledge and skills needed to market Britain as a destination. It will see its first batch of graduates this December.
Graduates will receive the Certified BritAgent title, and VisitBritain will grant their travel agencies preferred agent status. |
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New GM for Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit
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Singapore (2009-07-01)
CARLSON Hotels Worldwide has appointed Mark Bulmer as general manager of the 152-room Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit.
Bulmer was most recently general manager of Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel in Bangkok where he was involved in repositioning the property to attract new markets, following the move of Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi.
Bulmer has also had experience with Le Meridien Angkor in Siem Reap, and Le Meridien Port Vila Resort Casino in Vanuatu, Australia. |
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Singapore (2009-07-01)
WE reported on June 29 that the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) had printed stickers for its members to notify the public of their ongoing boycott of Air France-KLM, and had made them available for collection on that day.
Readers should note that the stickers were printed by the alliance of eight agency associations including HATA. Each of the associations are encouraging their members to support the campaign and display the sticker.
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Thailand extends visa-fee exemptions
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Bangkok (2009-06-30)
THE Thai government has extended the exemption of fees for tourist visa applications until March 4, 2010.
This is the second extension of the scheme, which initially was to have run until June and then end-2009.
The exemption covers visa-on-arrival applications at international airports in Thailand, and applications for longer-than-eligible stays at Thai embassies and consulates abroad.
Thailand gives a visa-on-arrival to citizens of 20 countries for stays not exceeding 15 days. Citizens of another 42 countries are allowed visa-free stays of not more than 30 days.
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US outbound travel down, spending up for 2008
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Washington D.C. (2009-06-30)
THE number of US residents travelling abroad declined by one per cent in 2008 compared to 2007, the first annual decline since 2002, according to figures released by the US Department of Commerce.
The US resident outbound market totalled 63.6 million travellers in 2008, down from 64.1 million in 2007.
Spending by US residents travelling abroad in 2008, however, set a record for the fifth successive year at US$112.3 billion, up seven per cent from 2007. This figure is broken down to spending within foreign countries, which totalled US$79.7 billion, and spending on air transportation via foreign air carriers, which totalled $32.6 billion.
The top five countries where US travellers spent their 2008 travel dollars were Mexico (US$11.1 billion), the UK (US$10.5 billion), Canada (US$7.3 billion), Germany (US$6.3 billion) and Japan (US$5.2 billion).
US travellers also spent record amounts in Germany, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, the Netherlands and Argentina.
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TAT to expand regional presence
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-06-30)
THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to open new offices in Kunming, China and Mumbai, India within the year, and in Jakarta, Indonesia by next year.
The move is part of the 2009-2010 multi-pronged tourism marketing map that aims to boost tourist arrivals from regional markets to offset the anticipated decline in longhaul arrivals.
TAT deputy governor for policy and planning, Mr Surapon Svetsrenee, said special marketing efforts would also focus on the golf, wedding and honeymoon, diving and youth markets, which are seen as resilient amid crises.
Mr Surapon added the TAT would conduct marketing promotional activities in untapped segments and cities in Russia, Japan, the US, Canada, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Iran among others.
Thailand aims to attract 14 million foreign tourists next year.
Arrival estimates for this year, drawn up by various tourism-related public and private organisations, range from 12 million to 13 million visitors.
However, Mr Surapon said next year's target "can be adjusted in accordance to the volatile factors affecting the tourism industry".
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Singapore changes A/H1N1 travel advisory message
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Singapore (2009-06-30)
THE Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) has amended its travel advisory webpage, removing its advice to avoid A/H1N1 affected countries.
The change comes as Singapore confirmed 30 new A/H1N1 cases yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 629.
Previously, the MOH website advised Singaporeans to "avoid non-essential travel to affected areas". It now advises them to "be informed of developments globally so that they can take the necessary precautions when travelling", and provides a list of countries with confirmed cases.
An MOH spokesperson told the local media that keeping the travel advisory would become less useful as the whole world, including Singapore, saw more cases. She said the places listed on the MOH website would allow travellers to make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with their trips.
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Starwood launches "richest offer ever" for MICE planners
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Singapore (2009-06-30)
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts has rolled out Free Meetings + Free Nights, a package that offers savings of up to 50 per cent for MICE planners in Asia-Pacific.
The offer includes free meetings and free stays for every three-night residential meeting booked, while one- and two-night residential conference bookings enjoy the meetings component for free.
Valid until March 2010 for bookings by September 2009, the package is available at more than 100 hotels in Asia-Pacific, with participating brands including Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Le Meridien.
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New Abacus solution for small- and mid-sized agencies
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Singapore (2009-06-30)
ABACUS International has introduced a new solution designed to help small- and mid-sized travel agencies improve their operations.
Abacus PowerConnect provides functions that aim to streamline and automate agencies' mid- and back-office functions, including making bookings, issuing documents, settling transactions, payment, inventory management and real-time reporting.
Abacus International vice-president, agency marketing, Mr Brett Henry, said: "With this solution in place, management has a tool to take their agency to a more professional level of operation, and staff are able to better spend their time on income-generating activities such as closing sales."
Abacus International is marketing the solution as being able to work off the shelf and requiring zero or low investment in terms of acquiring new hardware or software.
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New GM for Pan Pacific Xiamen
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Singapore (2009-06-30)
PAN Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Mr Rudy Rodas as general manager of the upcoming Pan Pacific Xiamen hotel, opening on August 1.
Mr Rodas has almost 30 years of hotel experience, having held senior management positions in Accor, Marriott and Sheraton hotels throughout the world.
Pan Pacific has also appointed Mr Johnson Xi as resident manager for the Xiamen property.
The property was previously managed by Accor Hotels as the Sofitel Plaza Xiamen until May this year.
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Bali airport ramps up A/H1N1 preventive measures
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2009-06-29)
BALI Ngurah Rai International Airport has stepped up measures to prevent A/H1N1 infected passengers from entering the island, following detection of more cases.
Indonesia Minister of Health, Ms Siti Fadillah Supari, yesterday announced six new cases of swine flu found in Bali and Jakarta, raising the number of cases to eight.
The minister said: "Three of the infected patients are Australians, now being treated at Sanglah Hospital, Bali, and three patients are Indonesians returning from their holidays in Singapore and Australia, now under treatment at Sulianti Suroso Hospital, Jakarta."
Apart from screening passengers through thermal scanners, the Bali airport authority is working with the airport health office to give additional treatment to planes arriving from A/H1N1 infected countries.
Upon arriving at Bali airport, the planes will be sequestered at Bravo 18, a remote aircraft parking area where the plane and passengers will be sprayed with disinfectant, as reported by balidiscovery.com.
Passengers will then disembark and pass through a thermal scanner. Those with body temperatures above normal will go through further medical observation by the airport's A/H1N1 containment team.
In the meantime, Bali Tourism Board (BTB) issued several suggestions to tourism stakeholders in a circular letter last week.
BTB chairman, Mr Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, asked members to increase coordination between hotel clinics and local health centres. He also suggested providing face masks to visitors and stocks of Tamiflu to treat A/H1N1 patients. |
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Longhaul flight demand returning
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Singapore (2009-06-29)
ASIA-PACIFIC companies are starting to resume longhaul travel, according to data compiled for the first few months of 2009 by FCm Travel Solutions.
While demand on key corporate routes to destinations in the US and Europe remains sluggish, early indications, particularly in the months of April and May, now show businesses in Asia-Pacific are beginning to travel outside the region again.
Additional data compiled by travel management consultancy, FCm Travel Solutions, includes showing companies are closely scrutinising their travel programmes and modifying their preferred hotel programmes to include more three-and-a-half and four-star hotel properties.
Businesses shifting to lower-rated properties are requesting more inclusions such as free wireless Internet and discounted dining.
FCm Travel Solutions global brand leader, Mr Rob Flint, said: "The impact of the global financial crisis has forced many companies to revise their travel programmes and corporate travel culture to ensure the same level of travel for less money." |
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Slump for Asia-Pacific hotels continues
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London (2009-06-29)
HOTELS in Asia-Pacific registered double-digit decreases in all three key performance metrics for May 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global.
Based on year-on-year measurements for May, Asia-Pacific occupancy dropped 14.9 per cent to 55.4 per cent; the average daily rate (ADR) declined 15.2 per cent to US$117.86; and revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell 27.9 per cent to US$65.26.
STR Global managing director, Mr James Chappell, said: "Occupancy levels dropped the most within the Asia-Pacific region for the month of May and in the year-to-date numbers of any region.
"While Europe, Americas and Middle East/Africa regions are experiencing a slowdown in the rate of decline, the same cannot be said in Asia. Some of the lowest levels of occupancy, under 50 per cent, were reported in Bangkok, Beijing, Phuket and Shanghai, as the markets suffered from a post-Olympic boom and oversupply. Other areas, like Thailand, are suffering because of the uncertain economic climate."
Mr Chappell added that Brisbane, Melbourne, Seoul and Sydney reported the highest levels of occupancy, over 70 per cent, for May from the 17 markets tracked by the Asia/Pacific Hotel Review.
In addition, three markets reported ADR increases: Bali, Indonesia (up 18.5 per cent to US$127.83); Tokyo, Japan (up 12.9 per cent to US$228.55); and Osaka, Japan (up 8.7 per cent to US$129.72).
Bali was the only market to increase in RevPAR for the month, rising 10.8 per cent to US$88.79.
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Hong Kong agents launch sticker campaign in Air France-KLM dispute
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Hong Kong (2009-06-29)
THE Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) has printed stickers for its members to notify the public of their ongoing boycott of Air France-KLM, and has made them available for collection from today.
The stickers carry a message to the public stating that the agent is not selling Air France-KLM tickets.
HATA urged members to display the stickers in their offices until the airline gives in to their demands.
The availability of the stickers comes a week after eight trade association members staged a protest, attended by 600 travel agents, at the airline's corporate office on June 23.
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IHG offers redeemable nights for points, cash
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Singapore (2009-06-29)
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group has launched a new feature for its Priority Club Rewards loyalty programme that allows members to redeem points topped-up with cash for night-stays at any of the group's 4,200 properties worldwide.
The Points & Cash programme allows for two cash options - US$30 and US$60 - to be combined with reduced point levels for night-stays. Priority Club Rewards members will therefore have three options when redeeming rewards: points only, points plus US$30, or points plus US$60.
IHG loyalty programmes vice-president, Mr Don Berg, said: "Our members told us they wanted more flexibility and versatility in their redemption options, and Points & Cash meets that request.
"In this economy, everyone is trying to stretch their wallets, so it's not surprising that our members want to stretch their loyalty programme currency, too."
In 2008, Priority Club Rewards members redeemed more than 80 per cent of points for reward nights.
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Willis steps down from Kuoni advisory role
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-06-29)
MR RICHARD Willis, former managing director of P&O Travel Hong Kong - later renamed Kuoni Travel (China) - has stepped down from his senior advisory role at Kuoni following its recent acquisition of a 32 per cent equity holding in Et-china.com International Holdings, one of the major southern Chinese travel corporations.
Mr Willis said: "As senior advisor, I was basically on the look out for business opportunities in China. With the recent Et-china.com equity purchase, my job is done and there is nothing more to do."
Mr Willis stepped down as managing director of P&O Travel Hong Kong in 2005, following its purchase by Kuoni Travel Group, and has served in a non-executive chairman/senior advisory role since then.
Mr Willis told the Daily his future plans include devoting his time between his continuing work with academia and working for a consultancy firm on the tourism side.
"I will continue advising the government on curriculum development for travel-related courses, and continue performing my teaching commitments at several educational establishments throughout Hong Kong.
"I will also work with the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA) in developing in-house certification for different segments of the travel industry. Many people in the industry lack accreditation to complement their experience. This will be part of my ongoing work to bridge academia with hands-on business." |
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Malaysian agents association elects new president
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-06-29)
DATUK Setia Dr Joshua Peter Tan was elected Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) president at the 34th AGM on June 27, taking over from Mr Ngiam Foon, who held the post for two terms.
Dr Tan said his immediate task would be to ensure that industry players were ready to face the challenges of liberalisation and to take the industry forward in these challenging times.
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Vietnam Airlines readies Danang-Osaka charter service
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Sirima Eamtako, Danang (2009-06-29)
VIETNAM Airlines will operate a series of charter flights between Danang and Osaka, Japan, from December, using the 184-seat Airbus 321.
From July or August 2010, the flight will become the regular Osaka-Danang-Siem Reap service, according to the airline.
Danang Tourism Promotion Center vice-director, Mr Nguyen Duy Quang, said the new route linking Vietnam's beach resort city of Danang with Cambodia's cultural town of Siem Reap would stimulate demand from Japanese tourists to both destinations.
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