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Website: http://www.ttgasia.com
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July, 2010 |
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February, 2010 |
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January, 2010 |
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December, 2009 |
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November, 2009 |
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October, 2009 |
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Asian cruise alliance pitches for new cruise business
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-18)
THE newly-formed Asia Cruise Services Network (ACSN) plans to tap new cruise accounts from Carnival Group, TUI and Ponant and to cross-refer existing cruise business among its 17 members (TTG Asia e-Daily, December 8).
The alliance, which held its first meeting on Tuesday, was initiated and brokered by Thailand-based SEA Tours over the last six months.
The 17 regional tour operators, hailing from 21 countries in Asia, agreed to sign an MOU by the end of next month. Subsequently, the alliance will launch at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami in March, followed by participation at cruise tradeshows in China, France and Germany.
ACSN chairman and SEA Tours director and inbound manager Krai Panyarachun said while the alliance was created without a fixed financial commitment, members had a mutual understanding and would share all necessary expenses such as the cost of tradeshow participation.
Sri Lanka-based Gemini Tours and Travels managing director Tony Mantara said he hoped ACSN would help draw more cruise business for members.
ACSN is the third agency alliance in Asia, following Asian Connections and Tour Asia Group. Two more alliances - a PCO alliance and an IT agent alliance - are also being formed.
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Leadership rifts continue to plague Malaysian agents association
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-18)
DIVISIONS in the leadership of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) continue to remain unresolved, with the latest eruption occurring in the form of a snap election yesterday.
Despite an election date already set for January 7, 2010, during which a new president is to be chosen, one of the members running for the presidency, Joshua Tan, called for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and an election for December 17. The majority of the 75 members who attended elected him as president.
However, the EGM and election held yesterday was declared illegal by the current executive committee (exco) as the process was not held in accordance with MATTA's constitution. According to the constitution, an EGM has to be called for by the honorary secretary-general with the direction of the exco.
- Read more in TTG Asia
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Asian Connections welcomes 10th member to agency alliance
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Bangkok (2009-12-18)
ASIAN Connections has welcomed Buaya Travel Indonesia as the 10th member of the regional agency alliance.
Launched in April with seven partners, and growing to nine in August, the alliance covers Thailand, Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Japan.
Buaya Travel Indonesia managing director Renato Domini said the company aimed to achieve better business results in terms of sales and marketing options, and to offer clients more multi-stop itineraries throughout the region.
Asia World managing director Stephen McEvoy, one of the alliance's founding members, said the alliance's steady growth proved it was committed to “connect the best of Asia” and become a global brand in the international travel market.
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Indian agency launches Commonwealth Games packages
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Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2009-12-18)
LE PASSAGE to India Tours and Travels has launched travel and tour packages for visitors to the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in India, including air packages that are commissionable for agents.
CWG Delhi 2010 Games Travel Office, Le Passage to India Tours and Travels managing director Arjun Sharma said he was expecting a very good response from the travel fraternity and the public. “The response is expected to pick up from the middle of January after the Christmas and New Year holidays.”
Packages will be in two parts, the first comprising off-site tours of Delhi, day-return and overnight trips, and a selection of holiday experiences that holistically capture the “essence and romance” of travelling in India.
The second part comprises Incredible Air India packages that includes airfare from major Air India hubs in the package cost, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. These are commissionable to agents.
Pre- and post-tours for the games will be sold through the CWG website and the appointed GSA's of various CWG Associations.
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THAI Airways moves forward with Nok Air partnership
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Bangkok (2009-12-18)
THAI Airways International's (THAI) low-cost carrier subsidiary Nok Air will take over some of its parent company's secondary domestic destinations from March 1.
Nok Air will take over Phitsanulok, Ubol Ratchathani and Mae Hong Son services and will provide passengers the same service standards as on THAI, including flight frequencies, standards of aircraft maintenance, and cockpit crew standards, according to THAI president Piyasavasti Amranand.
He said connecting traffic between domestic routes from Nok Air - which operates out of Bangkok's Don Muang Airport - to THAI international flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport had been worked out. “The cooperation will add more connecting points in both secondary domestic and regional destinations to THAI and Star Alliance's global network.”
The THAI-Nok partnership is aimed at battling losses while maintaining competitiveness. THAI reported that over the past five years, it had incurred losses of 86.3 million baht (US$2.6 million) a year on flights to Phitsanulok, 74.9 million baht annually to Ubol Ratchathani and around 49.9 million baht per year to Mae Hong Son.
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Taiwan trade body opens Singapore office
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Singapore (2009-12-18)
THE TAIWAN External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) opened its overseas representative office in Singapore recently - the council's 48th - to promote several MICE venues in addition to its trade development role.
Venues include Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei World Trade Centre and Nangang Exhibition Hall.
TAITRA organises an average of 30 major trade events annually and has secured a well-padded calendar for 2010 that includes shows such as ROBOT TAIWAN, Foodtech & Pharmatech Taipei and Taiwan RFID.
The office also focuses on driving trade flows between Singapore and Taiwan, providing advisory services on investment and trade opportunities in Taiwan, and growing Singapore visitorship at its own trade events.
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Post-swine flu Mexico prepares to welcome back South-east Asia
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-18)
MEXICO is gearing up to market the destination to South-east Asia
again after inbound arrivals collapsed in May following the outbreak
of the A/H1N1 virus in the country's capital.
Marina Medina, deputy chief of mission for the Mexican embassy in
Singapore, said arrivals had "collapsed to zero" earlier in the year
but were now recovering, and efforts will be made next year to promote
Mexico as a tourism destination to the region.
"The Mexican Council for Tourism Promotion only has one office in the region, based in Tokyo, but we are trying to arrange for them to conduct a travel trade seminar in Singapore sometime early next year."
Speaking at the Singapore Art Museum yesterday, Antonio Villegas,
Mexico ambassador to Singapore, said 2010 would be an opportune time
to visit Mexico, as visitors would be able to participate in festivities marking 200 years of independence and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican revolution.
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Jumeirah inks Hangzhou luxury hotel
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Singapore (2009-12-18)
JUMEIRAH Group has been appointed to manage a 250-room luxury hotel in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, the fifth project for the group in China.
Opening in late 2013, the five-star Jumeirah Hangzhou will be located in the CBD of Qianjiang River New Town, situated within easy access of the famed West Lake area, and will offer numerous f&b outlets, a banquet and conference centre and retail facilities.
Architects Skidmore Owings and Merrill have been roped in for the project, which will incorporate water terraces, bamboo groves and canals into the hotel's design.
The property will bring the total number of Jumeirah projects in China to five after Shanghai, Guangzhou, Macau and Sanya.
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Nikko continues China expansion with Xiamen property
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Singapore (2009-12-18)
NIKKO Hotels International will open a 443-room hotel in the south-eastern Chinese city of Xiamen in spring 2011, one of four new properties being built in China by the luxury arm of JAL Hotels.
Upon completion, the Hotel Nikko Xiamen will be the ninth China property for the hotel chain and will span 25 floors of a real estate complex next to Xiamen Software Park and Guanyinshan Business Park, near an international exhibition and conference centre.
Nikko Hotels expects to complete the 388-room Hotel Nikko Shanghai and the 500-room Hotel Nikko Wuxi in 2010, while the 411-room Hotel Nikko Guangzhou is slated to open in 2011.
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SIA increases longhaul frequencies as carrier ‘returns to growth'
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-17)
SINGAPORE Airlines is increasing frequencies for eight destinations on top of previously announced new services to Munich and Tokyo (Haneda), indicating returning demand for longhaul travel.
The latest route reshuffle will see frequencies reinstated to former levels for services to Newark (non-stop), Manchester, Mumbai, Colombo, Seoul and Delhi, while Singapore-Moscow-Houston has been increased to five-times weekly and Dhaka to a daily service.
SIA vice president public affairs Nicholas Ionides said the change in capacity was part of a "gradual return to growth in a measured manner that takes into account prevailing market conditions."
When asked why SIA was not reinstating more Asian routes in 2010 since demand for intra-Asian travel was rising, Ionides said the carrier would make necessary capacity adjustments when the "route economics make business sense."
Frequency cuts will, however, be made to flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City, while Pakistan and Nanjing services will be suspended due to poor passenger demand.
The last service to Karachi and Lahore will be on February 17, while the last Singapore-Nanjing flight will be on March 26. Customers holding bookings made on or before December 16, 2009, for flights beyond the suspension dates, will be re-accommodated on alternative Singapore Airlines flights at the next nearest stations.
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AA offers JAL exclusivity deal in alliance tug-of-war
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Singapore (2009-12-17)
AMERICAN Airlines (AA) will guarantee Japan Airlines (JAL) exclusivity as sole partner in the region if the Japanese carrier renews its oneworld partnership, according to AA CEO Gerard Arpey, who was in Tokyo for talks with Japanese transportation minister Seiji Maehara.
Under the deal sweetener, Arpey said the exclusivity clause would "assure a strong JAL and Tokyo hub for the future".
"AA doesn't have a hub in Japan or in South Korea that would compete for JAL's customers…The competing offer would put JAL at risk of losing customers," added Arpey, referring to Delta Airlines' bid to lure JAL to rival SkyTeam alliance.
Arpey met Maehara on Wednesday to discuss oneworld alliance's US$1.8 billion proposal to keep JAL within its ranks (see TTG Asia e-Daily, December 4), following the finalising of the US-Japan open-skies agreement last week, which paves the way for a possible JAL-AA partnership across the Pacific.
Arpey said time was of the essence. "All Nippon Airways will surely pursue immunity with United Airlines and Continental Airlines, all members of the Star Alliance. JAL must act quickly or risk losing ground as these competitors grow stronger, which could very well derail its restructuring."
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South-east Asia drives Asia-Pacific arrivals up
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Singapore (2009-12-17)
INTERNATIONAL arrivals into Asia-Pacific grew by 0.7 per cent in September year-on-year, propelled by positive growth in South-east Asia and the Pacific, according to the latest Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) figures.
South-east Asia and the Pacific were the two sub-regions that recorded positive growth for the month, growing 14 per cent and nine per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, North-east Asia declined by two per cent, together with the Americas (down three per cent) and South Asia (down one per cent).
Kris Lim, PATA strategic intelligence centre director, said the full-year contraction in arrivals could be as much as five per cent. The prospects for 2010 though appeared "promising", with Asia-Pacific expected to double the global growth rate.
"There is no quick fix for the travel and tourism industry. All stakeholders must continue to work together to lead the industry out of the crisis," Lim added.
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ASEAN Tourism Conference bags ecotourism expert as keynote speaker
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Singapore (2009-12-17)
THE ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) will feature acclaimed ecotourism authority Hitesh Mehta for its keynote address on January 26, 2010.
Held as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Brunei from January 21 to 28 next year, ATC will be driven by the theme "ASEAN – the heart of green" and has roped in Mehta to deliver a keynote address titled "Sustainable tourism in transboundary conservation areas".
Mehta currently splits his time between his role as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University in the US and running his own landscape architecture and planning firm – HM Design. Mehta previously held the position of vice president and head of the ecotourism and environmental planning market sector at EDSA (Florida), the world's largest landscape architecture and planning firm. During his stint at EDSA, Mehta played a key role in the Ecotourism Product Implementation Programme in Kenya and the Vision Plan for Wailoaloa Ecolodge in Nadi, Fiji.
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Langham affiliate debuts two new brands
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Hong Kong (2009-12-17)
EATON Hotels International is rolling out two new brands, debuting the upscale and mid-level lines in China next year.
The Hong Kong-based affiliate of Langham Hotels International has partnered with China real estate developer Greenland Group, signing three agreements for its first upscale Eaton Luxe and midscale Eaton Smart brands.
The first two Eaton Luxe hotels – part of an ambitious growth strategy to have 10 hotels in Asia within five years – will open in districts in Shanghai.
With rooms and suites ranging from 35 square metres to 101 square metres, the brand will debut with a 204-key property in the industrial and shipping hub of Nanqiao in 2010, followed in 2011 by a 250-room hotel in Xinqiao near Hongqiao airport.
The first Eaton Smart property will debut as a 400-room hotel in Honggutan, Jiangxi province, aimed at business and leisure travellers looking for competitively priced accommodation.
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Ascott debuts Citadines in Malaysia in expansion push
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Singapore (2009-12-17)
THE ASCOTT launched the Citadines Kuching Uplands yesterday as part of its move to expand the brand into Malaysia.
According to Alfred Ong, Ascott managing director for South-east Asia and Australia, the group will grow its Citadines brand further in Malaysia and was looking for opportunities to bring it to Kuala Lumpur. "We will also look at other potential areas for growth such as Penang, Petaling Jaya and the Iskandar region."
The 215-apartment Citadines Kuching Uplands is scheduled for completion by the first half of 2012, and is located near the Borneo Convention Centre in the capital of Sarawak in East Malaysia.
The property will aim to tap the city's MICE industry, project groups from nearby companies and government offices as well as student groups and visiting professors from surrounding universities.
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Indonesia eyes five-per cent surge in regional air traffic for 2010
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Jakarta (2009-12-17)
THE INDONESIA Ministry of Communications is projecting regional air traffic to and from Indonesia to grow by five per cent in 2010, while the domestic sector is expected to grow by 15 per cent.
Director general of communications Herry Bakti Gumay was quoted by Bisnis Indonesia daily as saying the optimistic growth projection was based on the improving economic situation in Asia.
In the domestic sector, Gumay said the national economic growth, expected at 5.5 to six per cent, would foster traffic growth in 2010. Additional factors include improving airport infrastructure in Eastern Indonesia, such as Hasanuddin Airport (Makassar), which has attracted airlines to increase their seat capacities.
Indonesia National Air Carrier Association (INACA) expected domestic traffic to increase by nine per cent this year to 40.8 million passengers.
In the meantime, Central Board of Statistics reported that regional and international traffic from January to October rose by 8.26 per cent to 6.47 million passengers.
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Silversea Cruises debuts 270-suite vessel
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Singapore (2009-12-17)
SILVERSEA Cruises debuted the latest and largest vessel in its fleet, the Silver Spirit, yesterday in a handover ceremony at the Ancona shipyard in Italy.
The 36,000-tonne vessel stretches 195 metres long and can accommodate 540 passengers in 270 suites across eight decks.
The vessel is the sixth for Silversea, which will achieve 70 per cent of its revenue plan for 2010 by year-end, according to Silversea Cruises chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio.
Silver Spirit will enter the port of Monaco on December 19 and set sail on its inaugural cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon on December 23.
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes maiden flight after two-year delay
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Sim Kok Chwee, Singapore (2009-12-16)
THE long-awaited Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Everett, near Seattle in the US state of Washington, yesterday after a delay of more than two years.
Following a comprehensive certification programme, the aircraft's first delivery is expected in the final quarter of 2010 for All Nippon Airways. The airline's CEO Shinichiro Ito said: "The aviation industry has long been waiting for the 787 to take to the blue skies. We look forward to the day when it will make its maiden commercial flight in the skies of Japan and on to the rest of the world."
Branded a "game-changer" by former Qantas CEO Geoffrey Dixon, the B787 is billed as providing a new flying experience with enhanced cabin features and increased fuel-efficiency.
At the time of its maiden flight, the B787 programme enjoyed a record-breaking order for 840 aircraft worth US$140 billion. Of the 56 customers, 22 of them are from Asia-Pacific.
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Regal reshuffles management amid launch of new brand
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-16)
HONG KONG-based Regal Hotels International will roll out a new product line, the Regal iClub Hotel brand, and has reshuffled its management ranks, hinting at ambitious growth plans for the new year.
The group's spokesman said iClub will debut in Hong Kong with a 50-room hotel featuring contemporary design and facilities, including must-have technology, and rates pitched at both the business and leisure market.
Facilities include a restaurant, meeting room and complimentary Internet access in all guestrooms.
Meanwhile, the group has beefed up its management ranks. Apart from hiring John Girard away from the Marco Polo Group as general manager and area director for Regal Kowloon, Regal has also recruited Robert Gerber and Douglas Barber.
Gerber, who returned to the New World Group last year to open the New World Hotel Dalian, has joined Regal Riverside Hotel as vice president for development and general manager, while Barber has returned from Phuket to helm the China operations and Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel.
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Malaysia ropes in Gary Grimmer for MICE ambitions
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-16)
MALAYSIA Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has appointed Gary Grimmer & Company (GGC) to help it position Malaysia as a preferred MICE destination in Asia-Pacific.
MyCEB CEO Zulkefli Sharif said GGC would provide strategic input aimed at strengthening MyCEB's role and destination management planning. "Its primary role is to provide support services for the operational set-up of MyCEB and, to this end, it will focus on areas such as branding, strategic sales and marketing, staff and industry training and the development of a government and industry forum for the development of the Malaysian MICE industry."
Mike Williams, senior consultant with GGC, will be based in Kuala Lumpur. Prior to the setting up of MyCEB in 2008, GGC was commissioned by Tourism Malaysia to work on a feasibility study on the establishment of a dedicated convention and exhibition bureau for Malaysia.
GGC, headquartered in Melbourne, provides expert consulting advice to convention bureaus and specialises in new bureau set-ups as well as the broader aspects of the international meetings industry.
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-16)
THE JAPAN Tourism Agency (JTA) has launched a new logo and tagline to promote Japan as a MICE destination in 2010.
Launched last week at the 19th International Meetings Exhibition (IME 2009) at the Tokyo International Forum, the new logo is meant to portray the destination as an intersection of East and West and an ideal international MICE venue.
The logo consists of a gold-coloured "M", symbolising the shaking of hands, with the Japanese flag placed on top. To the right, the words "JAPAN MICE" are displayed in black, while the tagline "JAPAN, A GLOBAL CROSSROADS" appears below.
The move follows the October decision by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to allocate 700 million yen (US$7.8 million) for MICE projects in fiscal year 2010, including campaigns and site studies.
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IATA forecasts carrier recovery for 2010
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Singapore (2009-12-16)
THE INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast a dramatic improvement for Asia-Pacific carriers in 2010, even as the association revised its global loss forecast upwards.
Asia-Pacific carriers are likely to post losses of US$700 million in 2010 compared to losses of US$3.4 billion in 2009, the biggest improvement out of all regions.
In total, carriers worldwide are expected to suffer US$5.6 billion in losses in 2010, larger than the previously forecast US$3.8 billion, but an improvement from the forecast US$11 billion loss for 2009.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA director general and CEO, said the worst was likely over, but warned of rising fuel costs. "Demand will likely continue to improve and airlines are expected to drive down non-fuel unit costs by 1.3 per cent. But fuel costs are rising and yields are a continuing disaster. Airlines will remain firmly in the red in 2010."
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W Hotels reveals five-year Asia-Pacific lineup
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Singapore (2009-12-16)
W HOTELS Worldwide is plotting a major expansion in its Asia-Pacific lineup, confirming five new hotels for the region between 2010 and 2014.
Next year, the W Retreat & Spa – Koh Samui will land on the Thai resort island in spring, followed by the 232-room W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak in autumn. Rounding off the year, the 320-room W Guangzhou Hotel Residences will launch in Guangzhou's Tianhe CBD district in winter.
Bangkok will welcome the W Bangkok in 2011, located in the Russian Embassy building, while the 600-room W Shanghai – The Bund will open on Shanghai's North Bund in 2014.
Worldwide, W Hotels aims to double its footprint by 2011.
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SIA launches direct Singapore-Munich route
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Singapore (2009-12-16)
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) will launch a direct five-times weekly Singapore-Munich-Manchester service on March 28, 2010.
Using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the Munich route will be SIA's second destination in Germany after its twice-daily service to Frankfurt.
Huang Cheng Eng, SIA executive vice president marketing and the regions, said the flight would help the airline meet demand for Munich, "which also provides a gateway into Austria and the surrounding region".
Munich will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its Oktoberfest folk festival in 2010.
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Sofitel halts construction of Bangkok property
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-15)
SOFITEL Asia Pacific has confirmed construction of the Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok has been halted, due to "differences between the principal shareholders".
Sofitel Asia Pacific senior vice president Markland Blaiklock said: "We remain confident that the hotel will be completed and that Sofitel will continue to be associated with the project once these differences are reconciled.
"We are working with the employees of the hotel to deploy them to other jobs within the Accor network. The circumstances of the Sofitel Sukhumvit are isolated to this hotel and Accor's development pipeline in Thailand remains solid."
The response came after TTG Asia e-Daily received a tip-off that the hotel's management announced the construction freeze to staff late last week. The list of the hotel's staff was reportedly sent to Accor's hotel network in Thailand for possible employment.
The 345-room property was scheduled to open next year as a benchmark hotel for Sofitel in terms of look and feel.
Accor has a network of 41 operating properties in Thailand, and has 10 hotels opening by 2011 including Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok.
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Thailand-Cambodia dispute spares longhaul markets
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-15)
THE ongoing political spat between Thailand and Cambodia has had little to no impact on bookings from longhaul markets, according to key players in the region - Asian Trails, Diethelm Travel Group and ICS Travel Group.
Diethelm Travel Group COO Richard Brouwer said: "No flag has been raised yet by our overseas tour operator partners with regard to the political stints between Thailand and Cambodia, either to existing or incoming bookings."
Asian Trails group managing director Laurent Kuenzle said the Thailand-Cambodia political row had not caused any concern for the company's key markets - European travellers. "The international community knows little about (the spats)...But as soon as the issue develops into a military standoff, tourism will then be affected."
ICS Travel Group chief sales officer Sabine Widmann added that travellers generally think of Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) when they think of Cambodia. "If anything happens to Siem Reap, then it will affect tourism."
However, Khiri Travel Group co-founder Willem Niemeijer has reported clients expressing worries, especially those booked on combined Thailand and Cambodia tours, while a Thailand-based tour operator said the rift had caused a drop in the number of outgoing Thai travellers to Cambodia.
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Air China partners Expedia on online hotel booking
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Singapore (2009-12-15)
AIR CHINA customers from 27 markets can now book hotels when they book flights, following the airline's partnership with the Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN).
Over 100,000 EAN products will be available to Air China's customers, with the majority of content localised across global markets, with Expedia providing local language customer support. Markets include the UAE, Australia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Russia, the UK and the US.
Jia Tie Sheng, Air China managing director sales, said the airline chose EAN to ensure efficiency and breadth of choice. "They were able to work with us to create a bespoke interface that best meets the needs of our customers and our business."
Jens Uwe Parkitny, EAN APAC managing director, said the solution could bring a significant increase in customers and revenue. "Ease of integration and usability of our interface is one of our key selling points."
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Amari renews Utell contract
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Singapore (2009-12-15)
AMARI Hotels & Resorts has extended its contract with Utell for GDS representation and global marketing, sales and distribution programmes.
Duncan Webb, Amari chief marketing officer, said the hotel group valued its 25-year partnership with Utell for its strong distribution platform, excellent customer service support and strong and reputable brand the travel trade is familiar with.
Amari currently maintains a network of 11 properties in Thailand and plans to expand to 40 properties in Asia-Pacific by 2018.
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ASEAN Tourism Forum exhibition fully booked
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Singapore (2009-12-15)
ALL 373 booths at the TRAVEX (Travel Exchange) exhibition component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2010 (ATF 2010) have sold out, in a further sign the industry is on the road to recovery.
The three-day TRAVEX, from January 26 to 28, 2010 at the BRIDEX Centre in Brunei, is expected to welcome 1,400 delegates including 400 buyers from around the world.
Brunei Tourism CEO Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed said: "The sell-out reinforces ATF as a great vehicle for networking and trade for the ASEAN tourism industry."
ATF 2010 will also feature the ASEAN Tourism Conference on January 26, 2010, which will feature the theme "ASEAN - The Heart of Green". A keynote speech and panel discussion will cover the topics of ecotourism and how the region can embrace sustainable development principles.
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Skal honours four at 60th milestone
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-15)
SKAL International-Hong Kong, which turns 60 years old, honoured four life members for their long service, namely Dr Jimmy Wu (1954), Dr Hari Harilela (1964), Lincoln Linn (1966) and Felix Bieger (1970).
These legends were singled out for their continued contribution to the industry over the years. Dr Wu, for example, regularly donates and leads counseling and mentoring sessions for Young Skalites.
Skal International-Hong Kong also boasts the largest Young Skal Club in the world with 64 active Young Skals, out of a total of 215 members.
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Andaman Langkawi joins Starwood's Luxury Collection
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Singapore (2009-12-15)
THE ANDAMAN Langkawi has joined The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, following the termination of the hotel's management contract with GHM (see TTG Asia e-Daily, December 4).
The 186-room and suite resort is located on the north-western tip of Langkawi, Malaysia, and offers guests access to Datai Bay on the Andaman Sea.
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YTL to open luxury hotel in Singapore
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Raini Hamdi, Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-14)
MALAYSIA's YTL Corp will redevelop the Westwood Apartments in Singapore into a hotel, not just a residential property, upping the luxury hotel play in the Orchard Boulevard area, where the St Regis and Regent Singapore are located.
The hotel will offer 70 rooms, while the residence will have 45 apartments. YTL Hotels president James McBride told TTG Asia e-Daily that the project is in its design phase and is expected to open in 2013.
Earlier, after winning the bid for the en bloc property sale of Westwood for S$435 million (US$313 million), YTL Group's managing director Francis Yeoh was quoted as saying an iconic development by renowned architects was in the works for the project.
The hotel component to Westwood's redevelopment comes as no surprise as YTL continues to expand in hospitality - a move that is being driven by the launch of its global hospitality REIT (real estate investment trust) last month.
McBride said: "The longterm goal is to put all our stuff in the REIT and make it one of the most profitable hospitality REITs."
- Read YTL's global hospitality REIT gameplan, TTG Asia, January 8, 2010
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STB chief warns Singapore tourism industry on productivity
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-14)
SINGAPORE Tourism Board CEO Aw Kah Peng warned the local tourism industry of challenges ahead, even as the city looked forward to the opening of the two integrated resorts in 2010 to lift its fortunes.
Speaking to more than 530 guests at the biennial Singapore Tourism Industry Ball, held at the Shangri-La Hotel on December 12, Aw said declining productivity was one reason why the local tourism industry could not "let down its guard", even as the opening of the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa integrated resorts in the coming months would provide the local product a major boost.
Aw made the call in light of the Singapore Competitiveness Report 2009, published last month by the Singapore-based Asia Competitiveness Institute, which revealed that labour productivity - measured in terms of GDP per employee - in the local hotels and restaurants sector had been on a three-year slide since 2006.
The industry ball is a highlight of the Singapore tourism industry calendar, and is hosted on rotation by PATA's Singapore chapter, SKAL International, Association of Singapore Attractions, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore and Singapore Hotel Association.
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Indonesia readies five airports for open-skies
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Jakarta (2009-12-14)
INDONESIA will only open five of its 26 airports for the ASEAN open-skies policy, and has asked for a six-month postponement to the signing of the policy to prime its aviation operators for unfettered competition.
Indonesia minister of communications, Freddy Numberi was quoted by Bisnis Indonesia daily as saying: "We (Indonesia) have 26 international airports while Malaysia has six and Singapore only has one…We are not opening all in order to protect the domestic airline industry."
Numberi also said postponing the signing of the open-skies policy until the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, April 2010 would give selected airports and operators more time to gear up for the more competitive aviation environment.
"We want the airports and the airline operators to be ready for unlimited access first, otherwise only (the ASEAN airlines) will benefit," Numberi said.
Four airports have been nominated for the open-skies deal - Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta, Polonia, Medan, Ngurah Rai Bali and Hassanuddin, Makassar. The fifth airport is yet to be announced.
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Open-skies pact paves way for lower Japan-US fares
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Singapore (2009-12-14)
FARES between the US and Japan are poised to fall in the wake of a long-awaited open-skies agreement reached between the two countries on Friday.
Commenting on the deal's expected benefits, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said: "Once this agreement takes effect, American and Japanese consumers, airlines and economies will enjoy the benefits of competitive pricing and more convenient service."
Under the agreement, airlines from both countries would be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limits on the number of carriers or flights that can be operated.
The deal also removes restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides "unlimited opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing" between US and Japanese carriers, according to the US transportation department.
Concluded after five rounds of talks beginning in May, the pact was welcomed by American Airlines (AA), which has been wooing debt-laden Japan Airlines to stay within the oneworld alliance. A spokesman said the deal would provide anti-trust immunity to "pro-competitive joint-ventures".
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Dubai hotel groups eyes Malaysian expansion
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-14)
DUBAI-based ETA Star Hospitality is looking for opportunities to expand its Malaysian management portfolio, following the opening on December 1 of its Kuala Lumpur hotel.
The 137-room StarPoints Hotel Kuala Lumpur - the UAE-based hotel company's first managed property in the country - is running at an average occupancy of 50 per cent and an average rate of RM190 (US$55.70). The hotel aims to boost occupancies to at least 70 per cent in 2010 and average rate by 10 to 12 per cent.
General manager Chen Hon Kit said the hotel would work in collaboration with local and foreign tour operators from its three key markets: West Asia, the Indian sub-continent and the Gulf Commonwealth Countries. It would also work in partnership with more online booking companies.
"Our owners have chosen to invest in Malaysia because of the political and economic stability and good taxation returns. Our next hotel would probably be a four-star property," he said.
ETA is looking at city hotels, island resorts and serviced apartment properties to drive expansion.
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Air China launches direct flights to India's IT hub
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Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2009-12-14)
AIR China will launch direct flights between the south-western Chinese city of Chengdu and Bangalore in India in late February, 2010.
The direct twice-weekly flights will connect Chengdu, a growing regional base for the software industry, with Bangalore, which accounts for a third of India's US$62 billion IT industry, and has since attracted Microsoft and HP subsidiaries to set up base in the city.
Orbitz Tours and Travels managing director Rupen Vikamsey told TTG Asia e-Daily: "Basically it indicates the growing relationship between India and China. This means a new product for travel agents across India.
"Until now, Indians went to China only as buyers. With this new flight, we can expect Indians to go as investors as well."
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Jetstar launches second Singapore-China route
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Singapore (2009-12-14)
JETSTAR will start direct flights from Singapore to Shantou, in southern China, from February 2, 2010 and plans to target the Teochew community at both ends of the service.
The three-times weekly service will operate with an Airbus A320 aircraft, flying to Shantou Waisha Airport in Guangdong province. It will be Jetstar's second China service out of Singapore following the launch of the Singapore-Haikou route on December 16.
The low-cost carrier is targeting ethnic Teochew descendants based or living in Singapore and Guangdong province, as well as leisure and business travellers for the three-and-a-half hour service.
According to Jetstar Asia CEO Chong Phit Lian, Singapore's Teochew community represents over 600,000 people.
President of the Teochew Association of Singapore Goh Nan Xiang welcomed the services. "Direct flights to Shantou will enable greater ease of access to Jieyang, Chaoyang and Chao'an in the greater Guangdong province."
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Ascott inks third Xian serviced residence
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Singapore (2009-12-14)
SINGAPORE-based The Ascott Limited has signed the Citadines Xi'an Xingqing Palace as its third serviced residence in the Chinese city.
Located in the Beilin district in the heart of Xian, located near Xian Jiaotong University, the 160-studio apartment property will open in
2011.
According to Ascott, the residence is likely to attract visiting academics, exchange students and participants at the more than 200 annual academic meetings and forums organised by the university.
Each of the property's studio apartments comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, an en-suite bathroom and a separate work area.
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Thai government pressed to bid for World Expo 2020
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-11)
THE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is continuing to lobby the Thai government to bid for the World Expo 2020 (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 10).
TCEB president Akapol Sorasuchart said a proposal would be submitted for the Cabinet's approval in early January.
Akapol was confident in Thailand's chances of winning. "We have two years of preparation for the bidding process (slated for late-2011 to early-2012), as well as about 10 years to develop the related infrastructure for the event."
According to Akapol, TCEB will continue to lobby the government, as well as related agencies, in the hope that Thailand can announce its status as a contender at next year's Shanghai World Expo.
Thailand is expected to leverage the country's mega-development projects scheduled between this year and 2019 and its position within ASEAN in its bid. TCEB is also in talks with potential cities – Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai – to partner the bid.
If Thailand is in the running, the country will be up against cities in the US, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Brazil, the UAE and the Philippines.
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Singa steps up sales for World Expo
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-11)
SINGA China Travel Service (SCTS), the second authorised ticketing agent in Singapore for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 after CTC Holidays, is stepping up sales by packaging tours for students, trade associations and Chinese clans.
A four-day student tour will include a day visit to the Expo, a farm-stay, an exchange programme with key schools in Shanghai and a sightseeing tour in Suzhou or Hangzhou.
Seven-day trade missions will focus on visits to the Suzhou Industrial Park and business enclaves in Wuxi or Nanjing, and a day visit to the Expo.
The agency will also sell seven-day tours to Chinese clan associations. It also has FIT and leisure group packages.
The agency's director/general manager Wang Shou Zhi said the company was selected for its strength in handling traffic between China and Singapore. It handles about 20,000 Singaporeans to China each year.
The appointment grants SCTS the right to re-distribute Expo tickets to other travel agencies in Singapore at special agent rates.
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TMIS expands into China, Vietnam
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-11)
THE Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS) will set up schools in China and Vietnam by mid-2010.
The schools will provide tourism, hospitality and business administration courses to students and tourism industry practitioners, and would free TMIS from the "chains of seasonality", according to CEO HP Loi.
"In bad times, employers would send their staff for skills upgrades. In good times, employers would want their staff to work. And good times are returning soon. By providing classes in different markets, TMIS can keep classes filled."
The business model is still being worked out, as the decision for the expansion was only approved by the board this week. Loi said the schools would be funded by TMIS entirely.
Loi added TMIS would "piggyback" on an institution in Vietnam and China, and either engage TMIS' existing pool of trainers and lecturers or tap on experienced industry practitioners within each market to teach.
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2012 Olympics ticketing agent appointed for Singapore
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Singapore (2009-12-11)
SYDNEY-based Kingdom Sports Group (KSG) has been appointed by the Singapore National Olympic Council as the official 2012 Olympic Games ticketing agent for the city-state.
Aside from event tickets, KSG will also offer packages that include event tickets, airport transfers, accommodation and tours.
As tickets for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London will go on sale to the public in 2011, KSG will only accept expressions of interest via its website.
According to VisitBritain, each event ticket will include free travel on public transport in London for the day of the event to encourage spectators to explore festivities occurring throughout the city.
Meanwhile, KSG has also been appointed official ticketing agent for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, both taking place next year. KSG will sell tickets and sports packages.
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Cathay gains November traffic increase
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Hong Kong (2009-12-11)
CATHAY Pacific Airways achieved marginal increase in November's year-on-year traffic, driven by demand for economy travel and against a nearly six per cent cut in the month's capacity.
Cathay and Dragonair carried little over two million passengers, up 1.5 per cent over the same month in 2008. With the month's capacity rollback, the increase lifted the month's load factor by 6.3 per cent to 82 per cent.
Year-to-date traffic traffic, however, remains depressed – down 3.3 per cent against a capacity reduction of 4.7 per cent for the first 11 months.
"Our overall passenger numbers saw a year-on-year rise in November, mainly driven by demand in our economy cabins," said Cathay's general manager, revenue management, Tom Owen. "The rise in passenger numbers was achieved against a fall in capacity, which helped to push up load factors and improve average yields a little off their low base."
Owen was encouraged to see a modest pick-up in premium demand "though still at volumes and yields well below what we were seeing before the economic crash in late 2008".
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Malaysian hotel chain eyes 2010 rate hike
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-11)
MALAYSIA-based Naza Hotel Management aims to lift rates by 20 per cent at each of its three properties early next year through more online distribution marketing partnerships, tactical promotions with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, and more intensive promotions into traditional markets such as Europe and regional markets.
The three-star Naza Talyya Hotel properties currently enjoy an average room rate of RM140 (US$41) and an average occupancy rate of 60 per cent, according to the chain's head of marketing and branding, Johari Mohd Yusof.
The group's properties are located in Johor Baru, Malacca and Penang and are undergoing an RM18 million refurbishment exercise.
The group was also looking to expand with two hotels in Kuala Lumpur within the next three to five years, said its director, Nur Nadia SM Nasimuddin.
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Harbour Plaza rebrands flagship
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Hong Kong (2009-12-11)
HARBOUR Plaza Hotels & Resorts has rebranded its Hong Kong flagship as Harbour Grand Kowloon to reflect its five-star market positioning and differentiate it from the group's growing four-star portfolio.
The rebranding of the group's 14-year-old, 554-room flagship on the Kowloon waterfront comes six months after the opening of sister hotel across the harbour, the Harbour Grand Hong Kong in the island's North Point district.
With the rebranding, the group has two Harbour Grand establishments and four Harbour Plaza properties, its younger, four-star brand, in the city, which includes Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees, which opened in mid-October.
A marketing campaign 'Space and the City', a riff off Sex and the City, and special packages, accompany the rebranding.
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Variety to manage Samui Palm Beach
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Singapore (2009-12-11)
BANGKOK Airways has assigned Variety Hotels to manage its 148-room Samui Palm Beach Resort, located in Bophut, a 15-minute drive from Samui airport.
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Singapore (2009-12-10)
CARLSON Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Freme Travel Services its Brunei partner. Freme will now operate as Carlson Wagonlit Travel Brunei Darussalam.
The Brunei-based agency will remain independently owned and operated and will distribute CWT products and services in Brunei from four offices across the sultanate.
Coenraad Bijlsma, CWT Global Partners Network vice president, said: "As Brunei's leading travel agency, they are a perfect fit for CWT's expanding global network."
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JAL cuts capacity on international routes
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Singapore (2009-12-10)
BELEAGUERED Japan Airlines (JAL) will cut capacity on five international routes from Tokyo between January and end-March 2010.
From January 18 to March 27, JAL will reduce capacity on its Tokyo (Haneda)-Beijing, Tokyo (Narita)-Beijing and Tokyo (Haneda)-Hong Kong routes by downsizing the aircraft used.
From February 1 to March 27, flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Sao Paulo via New York will be cut from thrice-weekly to twice-weekly, while flights from Tokyo (Narita) to Shanghai will be slashed from 28-times weekly to 21-times weekly from January 18 to March 27.
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KLCC holds fort despite neighbouring competition
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-09)
KUALA Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has bagged 28 new conventions, to be held up to year 2014, amid looming competition from Singapore.
The line-up, Including the 22nd Pacific Science Congress 2011 and the 14th Western Pacific Congress on Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases 2014, is expected to bring more than 16,000 delegates to Kuala Lumpur.
KLCC general manager Peter Brokenshire said the centre would defend competition from the upcoming integrated resorts in Singapore by stepping up customised value propositions to clients.
Its TenOnCall programme, for instance, helped it achieve a 50 per cent increase in the number of events to 806 from January through November this year, up from 524 in 2008.
These events drew 1,750,944 delegates to the centre and the Malaysian capital city.
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Aryaduta eyes rate increase amid oversupply
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2009-12-10)
HOTEL Aryaduta Semanggi, Jakarta is eyeing a 10 per cent increase in occupancy and rates for 2010, despite a surge in new hotel rooms in the Indonesian capital.
The hotel's general manager, Erwin Bernhard, said business was growing in Jakarta, especially in the telecommunications, mining and oil and gas sectors.
"Our average occupancy for the year to date is 75 per cent over our 300 units, 45 per cent of whom are long-staying guests from overseas.
"Next year, we are optimistic in achieving a 10 per cent growth, while MICE business will be one of our targets."
The hotel's meeting facilities are modest compared to its five-star competitors in the city. Hotel Aryaduta Semanggi director of sales, Dhaniel Heru Prabowo, said the property would work with surrounding standalone venues, such as Jakarta Convention Centre, Balai Kartini and Balai Sarbini, to accommodate participants attending events in those venues.
The hotel's average room rate for the year to date was 695,000 rupiah (US$73.5), and is expecting to close the year at 700,000 rupiah.
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Abacus equips agents for customer online shift
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Singapore (2009-12-10)
ABACUS International rolled out four solutions today for travel agents in the region, saying these would help agents meet increasing demand for mobile and Internet services.
ButterFly and Web Office will help agents in Taiwan target consumers who are constantly using mobile and Internet channels to look, shop and purchase products and services, according to Abacus Distribution Taiwan chairman David Wu. "ButterFly and Web Office were created to fill these gaping needs in the travel market."
Meanwhile, Abacus also released Bargain Finder Max to offer low-fare search services to agents' customers and Abacus eServices to provide agents 24/7 access to the GDS's full range of business services and market information.
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Dusit escapes Dubai crisis
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-09)
DUSIT International reported little to no impact on its hotel business in the Middle East from the turmoil unleashed by Dubai World's debt woes.
Dusit senior vice president Octavio Gamarra said the problems at Dubai World might affect Dusit properties that cater to business travellers, but overall, the chain's hotels had been performing well.
Dusit Residence Dubai Marina will conclude the year with 80 per cent occupancy, while another Dusit Residence, Pearl Coast Premier Hotel Apartments, is claiming 75 per cent occupancy.
Gamarra said: "We see (next year) as a much better year for Dusit in the Middle East…We feel that the Dubai World situation will be short term and believe that Dubai will do well again soon."
According to Gamarra, hotels located in the financial district of Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai are most affected as they depend on the banking sector.
Dusit currently manages four hotels and residences in Dubai, and has scheduled a fifth property to open in Abu Dhabi in 2011.
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Phuket welcomes expansion of Australian access
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Bangkok/Phuket (2009-12-09)
PHUKET is poised to welcome more Australian beach holiday-makers following increased direct air access between the southern Thai island and Australia.
Over the last month, Phuket has seen boutique airline V Australia debut its first Asian connection with the launch of a twice-weekly Phuket-Brisbane service and a weekly Phuket-Melbourne route (TTG Asia, December 4), while sister carrier Pacific Blue introduced a twice-weekly Phuket-Perth route on November 14. Combined, the five flights are projected to bring around 1,300 passengers weekly year-round.
From December 15, Jetstar Australia will boost its Phuket-Sydney service from thrice-weekly to five-weekly flights until end-January 2010. Meanwhile, Jetstar Asia will offer Australians access via Singapore with new twice-daily Phuket-Singapore services. Combined, the two airlines will bring more than 6,200 seats to Phuket per week.
Movenpick Report & Spa Karon Beach Phuket sales and marketing director Craig Fong was not surprised by the launch of direct services to Phuket from Australia, adding it would have started sooner if not for the global economic crisis and the domestic political issues.
According to Fong, the situation is now much more stable and demand is returning to pre-crisis levels.
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French NTO appoints new regional director
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-09)
ATOUT France has appointed Frank Artiges its new director for South-east Asia.
Artiges started work on December 7 and replaces Frederic Meyer who moves on as director of Atout France Japan.
Artiges was formerly director of Loire Valley Tourism Board and joined Atout France two weeks ago.
Artiges said: "I read a lot about the Far East before coming. I am very excited and enthusiastic to meet the travel trade and people of South-east Asia and to see what we can share."
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VisitBritain appoints new country representative for Malaysia and Brunei
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-09)
VISITBRITAIN has appointed Shamila Othman as country representative for Malaysia and Brunei to serve as a direct contact for the travel trade and the media.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Shamila will report to VisitBritain manager, South-east Asia, Sumathi Ramanathan.
Sumathi said Malaysia was an emerging market and the fastest growing in South-east Asia, with 55,000 Malaysian arrivals to the UK in the first half of the year alone - a 60 per cent increase over the same period in 2008.
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WORLDHOTELS adds Seoul property to portfolio
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Singapore (2009-12-09)
THE SEOUL Palace Hotel will join WORLDHOTELS as a First Class Collection affiliate from January 1 next year.
Located near the COEX exhibition and convention venue in Gangnam, Seoul's business and financial hub, the property will refurbish all 280 guestrooms and suites from next year until 2012.
The hotel also provides 11 private dining rooms and banquet halls that accommodate from 10 to 1,000 guests.
WORLDHOTELS vice president, Asia-Pacific, Roland Jegge said rates were highly competitive and banqueting facilities for the MICE market were "extremely flexible and impressive".
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Marriott eyes 2013 opening for Vietnam beach-town property
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Singapore (2009-12-09)
MARRIOTT International will open the Nha Trang Marriott Hotel in 2013, the hotel chain's fifth property in Vietnam.
The 250-room property will be located in the heart of Nha Trang City, a popular beach town famous for scuba diving and water sports.
In addition to recreational amenities, the hotel will offer 670 square metres of conference and social event space, including a 500-square metre ballroom, two meeting rooms and a 40-square metre boardroom.
According to the hotel chain, major source markets for Nha Trang include Russia, Germany, the UK, the US, Australia, China and Japan.
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Regional tour operator alliance ready to go
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-08)
SEVENTEEN regional tour operators from as many countries have banded together to form the Asia Groundhandlers' Alliance (AGA), creating the third agency alliance for the region (TTG Asia, November 20).
Initiated and brokered by Thailand-based SEA Tours, the alliance comprises Japan's JTB, South Korea's Aju Incentive Tours, Hong Kong's PC Tours and Travel, Taiwan's Golden Foundation Tours, the Philippines' Rajah Tours, Vietnam's Saigontourist, Indonesia's Bali Triloka Candra, Brunei's Sunshine Borneo, Malaysia's Asian Overland Services, Cambodia's First Travel, Singapore's Anglo-French, Myanmar's Myanmar Voyages, India's Micato, Sri Lanka's Gemini Tours, the Maldives' Indian Ocean Charters and Pakistan's Travel Walji.
SEA Tours director and inbound manager Krai Panyarachun told TTG Asia e-Daily all the groundwork for AGA had gained preliminary agreement from all members, and a full-day meeting on December 15 will achieve final consensus on terms and conditions, financial commitment and marketing strategies.
Krai has been appointed AGA's founding chairman; SEA Tours PR and sales manager Chris Tan, secretary-general. SEA Tours events specialist Waiwit Srijaroen holds the combined post of secretary, coordinator and marketer. The three key positions will rotate among AGA members every two years.
Initially focusing on cruise traffic, AGA will launch at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami in March and will have a corporate booth at the regional Seatrade show in Shanghai in June.
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Malaysian agents struggle with Sentosa IR packages
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2009-12-08)
MALAYSIAN outbound agents expect strong demand for Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) next year but are unable to create packages, with contractual rates still unavailable and an opening date yet to be announced.
Bestour & Travel operation manager Terence Chew said Universal Studios Singapore would be a key attraction for Malaysians. "The question would be the number of Malaysians who are willing to spend over S$200 (US$144) a night to stay at a property in RWS."
Asian Overland Services group managing director Anthony Wong said the company was looking to add RWS as a new attraction in Singapore and market it to agents in the Middle East, Europe, South-east Asia and Hong Kong. Asian Overland Services will provide flight and overland services from any point in Malaysia to the integrated resort.
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Agent focus pays off for Club Med Singapore
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-08)
CLUB Med Singapore (CMS) is reaping the benefits from its travel agent channel, with its top 10 agents accounting for 50 per cent of indirect bookings from the Singapore market. The top 25 contributed 84 per cent.
In total, the top 10 agents in Singapore contributed S$6 million (US$4.3 million) to the resort chain's revenue, up from S$5 million last year.
Club Med Singapore general manager Kenny Lim said travel agents were motivated to make it to the top 10, as they would gain one per cent more commission.
To help travel agents acquire more bookings in 2010, CMS will keep to its pull strategy to drive interested consumers to agencies and, at the same time, keep agents engaged through product training.
Overall, the resort recorded a 21 per cent increase in room nights sold and a 3.4 per cent increase in business volume from the Singapore market during the winter and summer seasons this year.
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Air Pacific targets China market with direct Fiji-Hong Kong route
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-08)
AIR Pacific inaugurated direct Fiji-Hong Kong flights yesterday, in a move to tap the growing China tourism market.
The twice-weekly service will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays, providing passengers a full-service 10-hour flight between Hong Kong International Airport and Fiji International Airport in the city of Nadi.
Passengers on the route will come predominantly from mainland China, according to Air Pacific general manager, Asia, Watson Seeto.
"Our traffic forecast (for the new route) is 20 per cent from the UK/Europe, 10 per cent Hong Kong, 65 per cent China and the rest, a combination of India and other Asian countries."
To support the airline's expansion, the carrier recently opened an office in Hong Kong to manage marketing and sales partnerships in Hong Kong, China and South-east Asia.
According to Seeto, the airline has had a good response from travel agents and wholesalers. "Previously, people wanting to visit Fiji had to travel via Australia or New Zealand."
The carrier has planned extensive marketing campaigns aimed at families, weddings and honeymooners, conferences and incentive groups, adventure travellers and retirees.
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Fujian park destination slated for early-2010 opening
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Singapore (2009-12-08)
YUNDING Park, billed as the largest leisure tourism destination in Fuzhou in the Chinese province of Fujian, will open in the second quarter of 2010.
Located 30km from Fuzhou, the national park is spread over 48 square kilometres with five major scenic spots developed within the "main scenic zone".
Developed by China Yida, a leading tourism management company, the park will feature a parking lot with capacity for 8,000 tourists, three 100m-high observation elevators, and a 910m-long cable-car attraction.
China Yida recently reported it had spent US$23.1 million on developing Yunding Park over the first nine months of this year alone.
The company forecasts rapid growth in consumer spending on leisure activities in China. In a recent statement, China Yida CEO Minhua Chen said the company was looking into opportunities to acquire management rights to new tourist destinations in other provinces.
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Etihad schedules daily flights to Kathmandu
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Singapore (2009-12-08)
ETIHAD Airways will fly a daily Abu Dhabi-Kathmandu service from January 2010.
The boost in frequency from the previous four-times weekly service comes as the airline reports average load factors of between 80 and 90 per cent on both inbound and outbound flights. The airline attributes the popularity of the route to a growth in corporate travel and inbound tourism into Nepal.
Etihad launched its Kathmandu service in December 2008.
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Indonesia looking to shave EU carrier blacklist
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Jakarta (2009-12-07)
THE INDONESIAN government is aiming to remove another 23 airlines from an EU blacklist by February 2010 after the carriers were recertified and secured an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), one of the requirements the EU has in place.
The 23 airlines are among 47 Indonesian carriers still banned by the EU, and include four major carriers - Lion Air, Batavia Air, Indonesia AirAsia and Travira Air - with more than 10 aircraft in their fleet.
Director-general of air communications, Herry Bakti Gumay, told the media his office was preparing to submit the necessary papers for the EU to review the airlines.
At mid-year, the EU had removed Garuda Indonesia, Mandala Airlines, Airfast and Premiair from its blacklist, paving the way for Garuda to resume flights to the continent (see TTG Asia e-daily, July 15, 2009).
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NATAS booth sales underscore agents' rebound expectations
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-07)
NEXT February's NATAS Travel Fair in Singapore has broken booth sales records, underscoring the market's expectations of an outbound rebound.
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) reported that some 95 per cent of booth space was snapped up within an hour despite the withdrawal of a 10 per cent discount on offer this year to tide exhibitors over a difficult 2009.
NATAS CEO Robert Khoo said the first day sales have overshot the average of 80 per cent for most years, underscoring "a greater confidence in the outbound potential of the Singapore market in 2010".
NATAS will also raise the entrance fee from S$3 (US$2.20) to S$4 next year, the first increase in 20 years, for the February 26 to 28 fair at the Singapore Expo.
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Marina Bay Sands builds momentum
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-07)
MARINA Bay Sands has inked an estimated 30 contracts with travel agents and wholesalers since October (see TTG Asia e-daily October 20, 2009), and put together a strong calendar of premier MICE events for 2010.
Industries across a wide spectrum are putting events into the integrated resort, which opens in 2010. These events such as Gaming Expo Asia, Singapore Gifts & Stationery Show 2010 and World Engineering Education Forum are expected to deliver more than 150,000 attendees.
Marina Bay Sands executive director of sales Paul Stocker said: "As of now, we have events lined up every month from opening to 2012 and have received expressions of interest up to 2016. Markets such as Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia will offer us the biggest business potential because of their proximity to Singapore and the ease of air access."
Stocker said the resort would open its first phase in the first quarter, which would include up to 1,000 rooms, the casino, 50 per cent of retail and f&b outlets and two floors of MICE space, including its massive grand ballroom that can accommodate 11,000 persons for an auditorium-style lecture. Phase two and three would open "within a matter of months" of the first phase.
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Canada prepares for surge in Chinese tourists
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-07)
CANADA could see a 50 per cent boost in annual Chinese visitors after the destination secured Approved Destination Status (ADS) from the Chinese government.
ADS is key to a destination making inroads in the burgeoning China outbound market as it helps facilitate group travel.
In 2008, 159,000 Chinese citizens visited Canada, staying the longest (28 nights) and spending the most (US$1,558) out of all source markets. According to a Conference Board of Canada survey, ADS should boost the annual rate of travel to Canada by up to 50 per cent by 2015.
China-based travel search engine Qunar.com's CEO Fritz Demopoulos said the company had seen pent-up demand for Canada, as well as for other destinations. "All things equal, we think travel to Canada may grow faster as a percentage than other destinations."
Meanwhile, the Chinese government posted guidelines on its website encouraging local authorities to encourage overseas investment in the domestic tourism market. Government departments have also been urged to simplify approval procedures for tourism enterprises, supporting the development of small and medium-sized companies.
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Cathay readies new Milan service for spring
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Hong Kong (2009-12-07)
CATHAY Pacific has longhaul service expansions on the cards from spring 2010, including the launch of flights to Milan, in contrast to the cutbacks the carrier was making early this year.
The four-times weekly Milan service, featuring a three-class inflight product on the ultra-longhaul Boeing 777-300ER, is the only direct service between the two major commercial centres, according to the airline.
Milan will become the airline's 47th international destination and will bring Cathay's services to Italy to 11 passenger flights a week, including a daily service to Rome.
Cathay will also add three flights a week to Los Angeles on May 1, increasing its frequency to 17 each week.
The planned expansions follow the launch of services to Jeddah last month. "While we have seen a noticeable, and very welcome, pick-up in business over the past couple of months, we still don't know whether the current upturn will continue into next year. We still can't say that we're out of the woods just yet," said a Cathay spokesperson.
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Viva Macau expands winter schedule
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-07)
MACAU'S low-cost carrier Viva Macau is expanding its route map with the launch of Melbourne and Sapporo services in its winter schedule.
Flights to Melbourne will launch on December 9, making it Viva Macau's second service to Australia after Sydney, while Sapporo's start-up is scheduled between December 19 and March 2010. Both services will be operated twice-weekly with Boeing 767 aircraft.
The airline's general manager for marketing Glady Tung declined to be drawn into compensation for agents selling the new services. "We will work with our travel trade partners to promote our flights in different countries. Each country is unique. I won't be able to disclose our commission structure. All I can tell you is that we have an incentive scheme with our trade partners and they are very important to our business."
Viva Macau CEO, Reg Macdonald told the Macau Post Daily that the Macau-Melbourne flights are selling well, reaching near capacity for the next three months.
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Luxe group adds hotel trio to Asia network
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Hong Kong (2009-12-07)
LUXE Worldwide Hotels has expanded its regional footprint with the addition of three new member hotels in Asia-Pacific.
New to the group are the 702-room Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in Hong Kong, which opened in mid-October, the 301-room L'Arc New World Hotel in Macau, which opened in September, and the 598-room New World Hotel Makati in the Philippine capital.
The marketing network represents more than 200 independently owned and operated hotels around the world.
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THAI mulls quitting IATA BSP
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-04)
THAI Airways International is mulling a plan to quit IATA's billing and settlement plan (BSP) and set up a direct payment system for travel agents, a proposal that has left agents cold.
A THAI director said the plan to leave IATA's BSP was still in its infancy. "If the idea is accepted by all concerned, it will probably go into effect from some time next year."
The airline did not provide a reason for wanting to quit BSP but allegations of IATA inefficiency in dealing with default cases have emerged, prompting an IATA spokesman to address the issue.
IATA corporate communications manager Albert Tjoeng said the default rate for BSP Thailand had improved this year over previous years, and was "actually lower than the global default rate". Tjoeng, however, declined to reveal actual rates.
Tjoeng was aware the airline was looking at a pilot programme for direct agency settlement but insisted the BSP structure offered greater efficiency in selling, reporting and payment for ticket sales between participating travel agents and airlines.
Agents who contacted TTG Asia e-daily anonymously opposed THAI's plan, insisting that a third-party regulator was necessary even if allegations of IATA inefficiency were true.
"If IATA was inefficient in dealing with billing and settlement and default cases, as claimed by THAI, then issues should be raised and rightly addressed by all parties concerned," said agents.
- Full report in TTG Asia, January 8, 2010
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oneworld raises stakes in battle for JAL
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-04)
THE ONEWORLD alliance has counter-offered rival SkyTeam's offer to Japan Airlines (JAL) with a US$1.8 billion deal to keep the loss-making carrier within its ranks.
Delta Airlines had earlier put a US$1 billion aid proposal, including US$500 million in new capital, on the table to persuade JAL to defect. Leaders of JAL's oneworld partners counter-offered with a package to underscore the "total alliance value proposition" of investment and additional revenue, including US$1.1 billion of funding through the TPG investment group.
The proposition also includes a possible joint venture with American Airlines, which oneworld claims would bring in a further US$700 million over a 10-year period to JAL, which is struggling with debt of US$15 billion and falling passenger demand.
Responding to TTG Asia e-daily, a JAL spokesperson declined comment on its course of action except to say the carrier was in the midst of formulating a restructuring plan, and would "have to review every single aspect of it, not excluding our alliance strategy".
Gerard Arpey, oneworld governing board chairman and American Airlines CEO, said acceptance of the offer would allow JAL to "produce significant benefits for…the Japanese tourism and aviation industries".
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Wu triumphs in fierce TIC chairmanship fight
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-04)
MICHAEL Wu fought off a fierce challenge from fellow travel industry veteran Freddy Yip for the three-year chairmanship of Hong Kong's umbrella travel agency body, the Travel Industry Council (TIC).
Wu, who had earlier resigned his chairmanship of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents (HATA), one of TIC's eight members, won the election in a landslide, reeling in 18 votes to Yip's eight.
Wu takes over from Ronnie Ho of the Jetour Group, who had served two terms since 2003.
Paul Leung has taken over as HATA's acting chairman and will serve until mid-December when the association holds its AGM.
Wu, who has been in the industry for 18 years, said after his victory: "I hope to be a facilitator to push for more dialogue within the industry (especially on issues such as) the recent commission cut by Cathay Pacific. Zero commission has become a global trend but we hope it won't be a one-off cut. Instead, we want to work with airlines on a progressive approach with grace periods of one to two years."
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Games deliver occupancy boost to Hong Kong hosts
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-11-04)
HONG Kong hotels have gone from famine to feasting, with East Asian Games host properties looking to close December with occupancies above 90 per cent, despite worries of a lukewarm audience response to the sporting event that kicks off tomorrow.
Some of EAG's 11 official hotels expect to reap an occupancy windfall in what is traditionally a shoulder season.
Among them, the Charterhouse Causeway Bay, which has seen its average rate hover around US$80, is banking on the games pushing occupancies to 95 per cent during its two-week run, according to general manager Bernard Rodrigues.
"We are hosting the athletes and officials and this generated approximately 35 per cent of our daily occupancy rate," he said. "December is traditionally a shoulder season thus the extra business from EAG is an added bonus.
"We are looking at closing December at around 93 per cent, which is close to December 2008 and at an average rate of around US$80, or 15 per cent behind the same month last year."
Regal Riverside in Shatin is also expecting a full house until mid-month at 90 per cent occupancy or above. EAG is expected to produce an extra 5,000 room nights for the hotel.
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Langham rides budding recovery with whole-resort package
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-04)
IN A possible sign the leisure market is poised to bounce back, the Langham Place Samui at Lamai Beach on Koh Samui, Thailand has launched a one-night all-inclusive package for the entire 77-villa resort.
The US$82,000 Own Me! package is available year-round and grants an "owner" and their guests access to the resort, a dinner buffet, a private party for up to 150 people, free-flow of drinks from 21.00 to midnight, and breakfast the next morning.
Bob van den Oord, vice president - sales and marketing for Langham Hotels International, said the package was launched in response to a trend where "like-minded affluent friends" would travel to resort destinations to relax together as a group.
"The Own Me! Package is designed for an adventurous individual who would want to throw a once-in-a-lifetime party for a birthday, anniversary or celebration."
According to van den Oord, the package is unique in Asia and will appeal to travellers living within two or three hours' fly-time of the resort.
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Indonesia's Prime Plaza Hotels readies facelift for brand
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2009-12-04)
INDONESIA-based Prime Plaza Hotels & Resorts will introduce a new look for both its corporate identity and individual properties as it fine-tunes its position in the Indonesian hospitality industry.
The new corporate identity is slated to be ready by January 2010 and will cover promotional materials, including the website, collateral, advertising, and billboards.
Elements of flowers and leaves will feature in the new corporate design to reflect efforts by the group's properties to become "green hotels". Each property will also run its own tagline to highlight its strengths. For example, Kota Bukit Indah Plaza Hotel, Purwakarta's tagline is "Naturally Inspiring", according to its general manager Ivan Yuwono, while Surabaya Plaza Hotel has chosen "More than just a Room" to reflect its all-suite offer and its status as Indonesia's first non-smoking hotel.
When asked why the group chose to highlight differences when other chains sought impact in showcasing similarities in facilities and services, Yuwono said the group "dared to be different", as each property offered a "different experience" to guests.
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GHM drops Andaman, Langkawi
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Singapore (2009-12-04)
GENERAL Hotel Management (GHM) has ended its management contract with The Andaman, Langkawi, effective December 9.
A GHM spokesperson said the decision regarding the property's management was made by the owners of the resort, who will subsequently be appointing a new operator.
GHM operated the resort since 2002, and will continue to operate sister-property The Datai in Langkawi.
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Cathay cut blindsides Hong Kong agents
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-03)
CATHAY Pacific and sister airline Dragonair plan to cut agency commissions from seven to five per cent in March next year, blindsiding Hong Kong agents who have been focused on escalating their battle with two other carriers that are moving to zero commissions in 2010.
A spokesperson for Cathay said Hong Kong agents had been advised of the change even as the carrier awaited approval from the Civil Aviation Department.
"If approved, the revised five per cent commission still compares very favourably with commission rates paid by some other airlines in Hong Kong," said the spokesperson. "The modest reduction in commissions proposed by Cathay is in line with industry trends."
Cathay made its move as agents were focused on fighting Air France and KLM's introduction of zero commissions in April.
The airline blamed the hit to its premium business from the downturn for the new compensation plan. "The new agency commission rate should have a limited impact on the majority of agency sales," said the spokesperson.
Responding to the planned cuts, Travel Industry Council ticketing committee convener Tommy Tam said: "Frankly, we are worried that most of the carriers offering seven per cent agency commission will follow Cathay's lead."
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-03)
V AUSTRALIA's and Pacific Blue's five weekly flights provide Phuket with the chance to diversify its market from a predominantly European focus.
Raymond Honings, managing director of LTU Asia, the airlines' GSA in Thailand, said their parent company, Virgin Blue Airlines Group, chose Phuket to inaugurate V Australia's operations in the region as it was seeking a new resort destination for its passengers, the majority of whom seek beach holidays.
V Australia began its twice-weekly Phuket-Brisbane service from November 29 and a weekly Phuket-Melbourne service will start from December 4. Sister airline Pacific Blue launched a twice-weekly Phuket-Perth service on November 14. The flights are expected to bring around 1,300 passengers a week year-round.
Phuket hoteliers welcomed the capacity boost, with Holiday Inn Resort Phuket sales and marketing director Ittivudh Sumongkol saying Australia was the only market that still produced substantial business for the island.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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THAI strengthens China operations
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-12-03)
THAI Airways International (THAI) will add more routes and increase its frequencies to China.
At press time, it has earmarked Beijing-Phuket as an upcoming new route, but has yet to set the launch date.
On December 1, the Thai flag carrier launched a first class service on its Bangkok-Dubai flight, using a 267-seat Airbus 340-600 aircraft, offering eight first class, 60 business and 199 economy class seats.
Meanwhile, the carrier's five-year strategic plan (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 11) moved one step closer to approval after receiving a principal endorsement on Tuesday.
Slated to receive final approval from THAI's board of directors on December 18, the plan is scheduled for implementation from next year to 2014.
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Macau anticipates drop in Singapore demand
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-03)
SINGAPORE arrivals to Macau are likely to dip in 2010 following the opening of the Lion City's two integrated resorts, despite a relatively healthy performance this year.
In the first 10 months of 2009, Singapore arrivals fell only one per cent over the same period last year, compared to double-digit drops in arrivals from Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, the US and the UK.
Macau Government Tourist Office representative in Singapore general manager Charles Leong said the leisure segment performed stronger than the MICE segment this year, helped by factors such as easier and cheaper air access.
Singapore traffic may, however, slow down in the first eight months of 2010 as Singaporeans "revelled in the novelty" of the integrated resorts, said Leong.
"Once the excitement wears off, Singaporeans will return to Macau. There is so much more to see and do in Macau other than its casinos. Moreover, Singaporeans feel more pride in telling friends that they went to Macau for the weekend instead of Sentosa."
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Training programme stretches NTO budget
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-03)
VISITBRITAIN intends to expand its BritAgent training programme to the Americas, Europe, Australasia and other Asian markets by spring 2010.
Aimed at equipping travel agents with the skills and knowledge to market Britain, the programme is a good investment in the absence of funds for consumer campaigns, said VisitBritain overseas network director, Keith Beecham.
"VisitBritain does not receive huge amounts of funding like other NTOs, so we cannot do fancy consumer campaigns. But our investment in the BritAgent programme is a good one. It costs us tens of thousands of pounds, which is not a huge sum and would not buy us much ad space, but it enhances our travel agent partners' ability to sell Britain better."
The programme's first run in the region awarded BritAgent status to 140 travel agents in Singapore and Malaysia. Of these, 24 agencies were granted Preferred Agency status. The second batch of agents from both markets will graduate next July.
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Fast train to Wuhan on track for trials
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Hong Kong (2009-12-03)
TRIAL runs for a high-speed train operation between Guangzhou and Wuhan will start on December 20. The service will more than halve journey time to central China's industrial heartland.
With the train reaching speeds of 350km per hour, travel time on the estimated 1,069km route will be cut from seven to three hours. The train will pass through 25 stations in Guangdong, Hunan and Hubei provinces when it begins operations next year.
Hoteliers in Hubei welcome the service, which is expected to cost under HK$500 (US$65), seeing the link to Guangzhou as another boost for the business travel market.
"Execellent value, it will clearly drive more business from Chinese guests," said John Sartain, the new general manager of the 380-room Marco Polo Wuhan, the Hong Kong hotel group's flagship China property.
Sartain also saw benefits for leisure travel. "Equally, both types of guests will see this as an immense benefit. Railway travel is exciting, will not be at the ‘whim' of delays or the weather. There is the added benefit of a journey with a view."
Hubei's provincial capital attracts a large business travel market as it is home to a number of multinationals and domestic corporations, and supports a sizeable automotive manufacturing sector.
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India standardises monument ticketing
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Singapore (2009-12-03)
COMMON entry tickets for Archaeological Survey of India monuments, including the Taj Mahal, are now available as the country moves to facilitate ticketing for tourists and travel agents.
Foreign tourists are charged 250 rupees (US$5.40) for a common entry ticket for World Heritage sites, excluding the Taj Mahal, and 100 rupees for other ticketed monuments. Entry to the Taj Mahal costs foreign tourists 750 rupees.
Hotels, travel agents and tour operators can purchase bulk tickets in advance, while tourists can buy them from 250 designated outlets.
India secretary, ministry of culture Jawahar Sircar said the tourism ministry had been pressing for the initiative.
"If it takes off, then our next step would be e-ticketing," Sircar added.
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Sentosa acquires cable-car operations
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-03)
SENTOSA Development Corporation (SDC) has purchased all remaining shares of Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG), the operator of the cable-car system from the Singapore mainland to the island.
With MFLG now a fully owned subsidiary, SDC would now be able to enhance its control of the various modes of transport into Sentosa, according to SDC CEO, Mike Barclay.
MFLG's entire cable car system is undergoing a S$36 million (US$26 million) transformation project, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2010.
Barclay told TTG Asia e-Daily there were no plans for personnel changes at MFLG. "The MFLG management has been doing a great job over the years, and SDC is intent on supporting MFLG's growth plans over the coming years."
He added all MFLG's existing business partners and vendor relationships would not be affected by the acquisition, which comes as Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort prepares to open early next year.
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Leading adds three Asia-Pacific members
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Singapore (2009-12-03)
THE LEADING Hotels of the World has added three properties from China, Australia and Singapore to its ranks.
The 205-room Chateau Star River in Guangzhou, China boasts European-inspired architecture and offers meeting and conference facilities for up to 950 people.
Australia's Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area has 40 private suites and meeting and conference rooms for up to 50 people.
Capella Singapore offers 112 guestrooms, including two colonial manors, on Singapore's Sentosa Island.
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Japan mulls further easing of limits on Chinese entry
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Singapore (2009-12-02)
THE JAPANESE government may further relax its visa regulations on Chinese visitors to tap its neighbour's growing tourism spend.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Japan Tourism Agency commissioner Yoshiaki Hompo stated his agency's intention to attract nine million Chinese visitors by 2019.
Hompo also said the government may double the budget for the agency and boost overseas advertising to triple total visitor numbers to 25 million over the next decade.
Since the government began issuing individual visas to Chinese tourists in July, China has become the fastest growing source of visitors to Japan, with arrivals jumping 25 per cent in October to 108,300 visitors over the same month in 2008.
Meanwhile, Hompo blamed the high value of the Japanese yen for declines in arrivals from the country's two largest markets, South Korea and Taiwan, down 31 per cent and 22.5 per cent respectively in October.
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Western Australia appoints marketing partner for Singapore and Malaysia
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-02)
TOURISM Western Australia (TWA) has named Singapore-based Xzodus its marketing representation company in Singapore and Malaysia.
Xzodus replaces TWA's office in Singapore, which was traditionally run by two employees.
This follows TWA's move to sharpen its focus on tapping shorthaul markets with the support of a significantly increased marketing budget for both markets.
According to a Tourism Research Australia International Visitor Survey, arrivals from Singapore and Malaysia hit 68,700 and 50,200, respectively, for the year ended June 2009.
Over the past three years, arrivals from Singapore grew at an annual average of 5.3 per cent, while the city's visitor spend grew an average 5.7 per cent.
Malaysia registered 16.2 per cent and 9.5 per cent growth rates respectively for visitor numbers and visitor spend over the same period.
Reporting to TWA's director of international marketing Rebecca Nicol, Xzodus will be responsible for implementing all marketing activities in Singapore and Malaysia. It will also participate in strategic planning with TWA's international marketing team.
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British travel guild makes Asian foray
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Singapore (2009-12-02)
THE UK-based Guild of Travel and Tourism will establish its first international chapter in Hong Kong in March next year in a move to "internationalise" the guild.
Established in 1994, the Guild acts as a networking resource and a lobbying force for the industry, with membership open to all aspects of the travel and tourism sector, including suppliers.
The guild's international business development director Steven Ballantyne will spearhead the initiative to expand membership outside the UK.
Several new benefits and services were also announced for members, including access to a regular Guild exhibition stand at trade shows such as WTM, ITB Berlin and ITB Asia, and PATA; themed events based on membership requirements; and workshops and open days for purchasers and suppliers within the industry.
Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, the guild's president, said the move was a step forward. "(Hong Kong's) strategic location in the heart of Asia makes it the ideal location for The Guild of Travel and Tourism's first foray into the global arena."
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Ascott opens fifth serviced residence in Beijing
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Singapore (2009-12-02)
SINGAPORE-based Ascott Limited has opened its fifth serviced residence in the Chinese capital, located in a lifestyle development in the Dongcheng district.
The 162-unit Ascott Raffles City serviced residence joins a retail mall and an office tower as part of the Raffles City complex, located a 16-minute train ride from Beijing Capital International Airport, while embassies and Fortune 500 companies are located nearby in the Second Embassy District.
Units range from one- to three-bedrooms apartments, while a meeting room and fitness corner are available at the property.
Lee Chee Koon, Ascott North Asia managing director, said the company was working on opening more serviced residences within Raffles City complexes in Hangzhou and Ningbo.
Opening rates start from RMB888 (US$130) per day for a one-bedroom premier apartment to RMB1,588 for a two-bedroom executive apartment.
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Preferred adds Hong Kong hotel to new design brand
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Singapore (2009-12-02)
PREFERRED Hotel Group has added The Fleming Hotel, Hong Kong to its new Sterling Design brand designation.
Sterling Design has been launched within the existing Sterling Hotels brand, and features design-led properties aimed to appeal to the "savvy holiday planner" as well as the "discerning business traveller".
Key features include contemporary architecture, guestrooms featuring the latest technology, a "hip" bar, lounge or restaurant and high standards of service.
The Fleming is the only Asian hotel under the Sterling Design brand so far. Other members include: the Mon Hotel, Paris; Hotel Urbano, Miami; and Royal Palm Tower, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Singapore agent branches into wellness resort
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-01)
SINGAPORE-based travel agency and wholesaler GTMC Holdings expects its first foray in the hotel business to boost revenues by 50 per cent.
Together with two other partners, GTMC will open The Wardon - A TCM Wellness Resort in Chengdu, China next June.
The 200-room resort property will have a TCM (traditional chinese medicine) centre with more than 10 treatment rooms, a 19-room TCM massage spa and a TCM café. Rates at the 200-room property will range from RMB 238 (US$35) for a standard room to RMB638 for a 65 square-metre suite.
GTMC Holdings CEO, Samson Tan, told TTG Asia e-Daily: "The margin of running a successful resort will definitely be better than our present core wholesale business. As this product is so specialised, we will work with selected travel agents and provide product training."
The agency will target executives and retirees from the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia with packages for four-day basic treatments to 28-day long-stay treatments as well as golf packages that include consultations with renowned TCM physicians.
Tan said landowners in Sanya, Beihai, Xiamen and Lijiang have already approached him on building TCM resorts. He also intends to export the concept to other parts of Asia.
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Thomas Cook to enter Russia and China markets
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-01)
UK-based travel company, Thomas Cook, will enter the Russian and Chinese markets "within the next few years" to capitalise on rapid tourism growth in the two markets.
Manny Fontenia-Novoa, Thomas Cook chief executive, said the group was looking at limited investment in partnership and joint-venture structures in the two markets to manage risks, with an "opportunity to take majority or full control" over time. While the group would establish a strong presence in Russia early on, Fontenia-Novoa said it was "essential to first establish a foothold to gain experience" in China.
The decision came as the group announced full-year results for financial year 2009 ahead of market expectations, with profits from operations growing 13 per cent to 414.9 million pounds (US$682 million).
Fontenia-Novoa said the late booking trend was still evident but winter 2009/10 trading continued to improve.
The group also forecast UK consumers would "remain intent" on taking their holidays abroad next summer with strong growth in medium-haul destinations such as Turkey and Egypt.
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Amadeus targets Indonesian expansion
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Jakarta (2009-12-01)
AMADEUS will expand its Indonesian presence and embark on more partnerships with the industry amid continued growth in bookings from the destination.
Amadeus Indonesia general manager Irman Imawan said the company would open a Medan office next year and launch more partnerships in Indonesia with airlines, hotels and travel agents in 2010.
Imawan said: "Amadeus enjoyed strong growth in Indonesia this year. Bookings with AirAsia Indonesia through Amadeus have also been increasing since we put them in our system in August."
Amadeus managed to increase bookings from Indonesia by 29 per cent this year, while its market share of Asia-Pacific travel agent ticket reservations grew to 33 per cent. On-line bookings grew by 18.8 per cent, giving Amadeus a 51 per cent market share of Asia-Pacific on-line travel agents.
The company said growth in market share was fostered by the Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India and Australia markets.
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Spain pushes gastronomy, road-trips to Asians
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-12-01)
SPAIN is banking on gastronomy and fly-drive programmes to court the Singapore market in 2010.
Angela Castaño, director and tourism counsellor of the National Tourist Office of Spain S.E.A said: "Feedback from car rental companies reflects an uptake in self-drive holidays in Spain among Singaporeans. These travellers tend to stay longer - 10 days instead of the usual seven or eight days. There has also been a surge in interest for wine and gastronomy in Spain."
The NTO will showcase Spain’s appeal for gastronomic travel, with familiarisation trips highlighting both traditional and new Spanish cuisine, introducing agents to restaurants and top wineries as new ideas for itineraries.
Hertz Asia Pacific director of marketing Lo Li Wen said there was money to be made in promoting self-drive holidays in Spain.
"Our top three source markets to Spain are Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, with 80 per cent of rentals for leisure. Equipping the trade to sell and nudging consumers to go on their very first self-drive holiday in Spain will be a major focus for 2010."
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American-owned agency pushes Taiwanese medical tourism
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-12-01)
FORMOSA Medical Travel (FMT), billed as the first medical tourism agency in Taiwan owned and operated by Americans, is working with travel agents to bring up to 250 US patients to Taiwan in 2010.
FMT has signed agreements with three of Taiwan's major hospitals. Currently targeting only US visitors, FMT estimates average patient spend for single knee or hip-replacement surgery to come up to US$15,000, inclusive of surgery and roundtrip airfare.
FMT executive vice president Tom Griffith said the company would recommend patients stay in Taiwan for about two weeks, while some "may choose to stay longer for sightseeing and other tourist activities".
Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) welcomed the agency’s arrival, saying it would help the country emerge as a premier medical tourism destination.
TAITRA is currently cooperating with about 10 travel agencies, including Lion Travel, Dragon Tours and Goldsun Holiday, to promote Taiwan's medical tourism industry.
According to a TAITRA spokesperson, 62,576 medical tourists visited Taiwan from January to September this year.
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Hong Kong travellers snap up luxury cruise deals
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-12-01)
IN a further sign that Hong Kong’s outbound market is on the mend, Hong Thai Travel Services saw 110 places snapped up quickly for an 11-day luxury Bahamas cruise on the new Oasis of the Sea’s Chinese New Year sailing.
The response could be due in part to a clever campaign the company waged for the 220,000-tonne vessel, which was fronted by managing director Jackie Wong in cruise captain regalia. Wong will double up as tour leader on the cruise, which departs Miami’s Fort Lauderdale on February 12.
The agency had offered an instant discount of HK$3,800 (US$490) on the HK$31,999 price tag for early birds.
"The launch of Oasis of the Seas in December will mark the launch of the world’s biggest cruise vessel and we hope to ride on this novelty to capture more traffic.
Wong cautioned that because cruises were all-inclusive, it would be hard to rely on this segment for profit.
"Still, I expect the cruise market to grow given the plan for the new cruise terminal in Hong Kong."
Hong Thai has already started training cruise agents and set up its own cruise counter last year.
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Regional passenger demand edges up
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Singapore (2009-12-01)
ASIA-Pacific carriers continued to experience year-on-year growth in passenger demand in October, enjoying a 0.9 per cent rise, according to the latest IATA monthly scheduled traffic results.
Although growth was down from the 2.1 per cent surge in September, carriers in the region, together with European carriers, have seen demand rise the most among all the regions.
Globally, passenger demand was up 0.5 per cent over October 2008, while load factors for passenger traffic continued at pre-recession levels of 78 per cent, thanks largely to a reduction in passenger capacity, down 3.3 per cent over the same period last year.
According to the IATA report, it remains about 20 per cent less expensive to fly in real terms today compared to a year ago.
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Malaysia Airlines offers Myanmar agents e-ticketing
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Singapore (2009-12-01)
MALAYSIA Airlines has launched electronic ticketing for travel agents in Myanmar through the Abacus electronic transitional automated ticketing platform (eTAT).
The airline is also is discussion with Amadeus regarding the use of their rival e-Ticket Direct solution, according to an Amadeus spokesperson.
Myanmar is a non-BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) country and the eTAT platform will benefit agents with greater convenience in issuing electronic tickets, according to Malaysia Airlines network and rev management senior general manager Amin Khan.
The airline’s adoption of eTAT follows a similar rollout with Bangkok Airways in Myanmar in September. Abacus is rolling out eTAT in countries throughout the region including China, the Phillipines and Vietnam.
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