Karen Yue, Singapore (2010-08-31)

NEWLY-APPOINTED chairman of the Association of Singapore Attractions Kevin Cheong believes the city’s attractions underestimate travel agencies’ potential to bring them business and aims to address this.

He said few attractions “truly understand the extent of distribution travel agents can offer” and that a close working relationship between the two was lacking.

“ASA will encourage and facilitate travel agents who have new ways of packaging attractions. City Tours' Singapore City Pass (which pre-packs attraction admission in a Radio-frequency Identification tag) is a good example of how travel agents can help attractions. We hope that when attractions better understand how travel agents work, they will be less intimidated (about partnerships),” he said.

Cheong also points out the need for existing attractions to remain fresh in light of new entries and that while new players have created a more competitive environment, members must not lose sight of the need to work together towards a common goal of injecting vibrancy into Singapore’s tourism sector.

ASA is planning a workshop for the CEOs and top-level management of member attractions this year-end to improve relations between attractions.

It is also encouraging members to attend trade events such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions to “open their eyes to what's available in the world”.

Jakarta (2010-08-31)

THE INDONESIAN government will invest 750 billion (US$83.3 million) on a new air traffic control system to manage flight control in western Indonesia, an area whose airports are managed by the Angkasa Pura II airport authority.

The new navigation equipment will replace the old air traffic control system at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, whose radar crashed for 30 minutes on Sunday (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 30). Ministry of Communications director general of civil aviation Herry Bhakti Gumay told the media the government would build the Jakarta Automated Air Traffic Services at the airport.

At the same time, the Ministry of State Enterprises is seeking private investors to develop and manage the 26-year-old Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The plan is to set up a Soekarno-Hatta management office, which will be a collaboration between the private sector and Angkasa Pura II.

Ollie Quiniquini, Bangalore (2010-08-31)

NEW convention centres are mushrooming in India as the country guns after more congresses.

Recently-opened Lavasa International Convention Centre (LICC) has 3,200m² in available space for nearly 1,000 delegates. The Accor-managed facility is part of the new Lavasa township, which will have around 4,500 rooms in 18 hotels.

LICC general manager Rohit Ahuja admitted access was a challenge – LICC is 90 minutes from Pune and nearly three hours from Mumbai – but said a link was being built to cut travel time from Mumbai down to one-and-a-half hours.

The Pune Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre, opening on November 12, will be the one of the largest convention centres in west India, with a ballroom for 1,700 people and more than 12,000m² of meeting space.

Come December, the new Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, will add a hall for 5,000 people to India's inventory of MICE facilities.

CIM Global vice president Girish Kwatra said: “The situation is improving. HICC (Hyderabad International Convention Centre) can handle conferences of up to 7,000 people. But we're bidding for larger events because in two to three years' time, we'll have bigger centres like a 40,000-pax facility opening in Bangalore by 2014.”

Ollie Quiniquini, Bangalore (2010-08-31)

CIM India rebranded itself over the weekend as CIM Global to reflect its increasingly international nature.

The PCO now has offices in Dubai, Singapore and London. The latter, which opened six months ago, will bid for conventions in Europe and work with local DMCs on operations.

CIM Global vice president Girish Kwatra said international business was expected to comprise 25 to 30 per cent of revenue in the first two years of operation as a global player.

At present, 90 per cent of CIM's business comes from association meetings and 40 per cent of revenue is derived from medical events.

The PCO also launched CME (Continuing Medical Education) Direct in May to serve as a platform between doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

Gracia Chiang, Singapore (2010-08-31)

CITY Tours today launched the Singapore City Pass and already one inbound agency has decided it will stock the sticker-form pass that allows travellers to select and access bundled attractions with tap-and-go technology.

Tour East's group vice president of sales and marketing Judy Lum said: “We are starting off with two attractions but still exploring other opportunities.”

The company will offer the Singapore City Pass for the Captain Explorer DUKw Tour and Funvee Open Top Bus city tour.

Managing director of City Tours Ang Eu Khoon said the Singapore City Pass offers a high degree of “customisation”.

Given to delegates of conventions, the pass can be used not only for granting controlled access to seminar rooms, but also for pre- and post-event leisure activities with its mix of retail and F&B tie-ups. Inbound agencies can choose to pack a themed experience into the pass based on local food, for example.

Lum felt that the pass would have greater appeal for independent travellers as MICE groups usually have limited time for leisure and “generally like to be looked after”. However, she said that the pass could be helpful in planning for post-conference activities especially for those who bring their families along for extended sightseeing.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-30)
 
TOURISM Malaysia is aiming to draw Indian tourists to destinations outside Malaysia's metropolitan cities, thanks to improved accessibility between its capital of Kuala Lumpur and second- and third-tier cities in India.
 
Experiential holidays at places other than those already popular with the Indian market – Penang, Langkawi, Genting Highlands and Kuala Lumpur – are now being promoted.
 
Among them are activities such as cave exploration at UNESCO World Heritage site Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, and scuba diving and snorkelling on the islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and off the coast of East Malaysia.
 
Tourism Malaysia Mumbai director P Manoharan said: “We are targeting savvy middle-income professionals who are in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

“We are using more online media and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to reach this segment of travellers as it is more cost-effective compared to traditional advertising. Online media also has a wider reach.”

Red Apple Travel & Tours managing director Arokia Das Anthony said he had received more travel enquiries for East Malaysia this year and attributed this to awareness created by Tourism Malaysia.

Singapore (2010-08-30)
 
THE NATIONAL Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) ended its Holidays 2010 travel fair on a high note after smashing records for the highest number of visitors and the highest volume of sales achieved in a single show.
 
The three-day fair welcomed 70,469 visitors and generated S$85 million (US$63 million) of sales. Visitor numbers were up by 13.7 per cent and sales volume by 49.1 per cent, compared to last year's show.
 
Topping the list of favourite destinations are China, Europe, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. 
 
NATAS CEO, Robert Khoo said: “ This is the first time in NATAS history that we are crossing the 70,000 mark for visitorship and this is indeed a record-breaking fair in all aspects, marking significance for the travel industry, thanks to pent-up demand and the improving economy.”

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-26)

DESPITE rowdy street demonstrations by Indonesian nationalist group Bendera since mid-August, Indonesia remains a popular destination among Malaysians.

Targeted at the Malaysian Embassy, the protests in Indonesia occurred after the arrest of three Indonesian Maritime and Fisheries Ministry officers by Malaysia. The detainees have since been released.

Indonesia’s deputy chief of mission to Malaysia, Tatang Razak had told reporters that Indonesians were angry at allegations that Malaysian authorities had stripped the three officers of their uniforms and dressed them in detention clothing.

Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister, Anifah Aman said Malaysians may be advised not to travel to Indonesia should the riots escalate.

To date, travel agents have not seen any cancellations and postponements to Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia, and demand to the destination remains strong.

PYO Travel.com senior manager, operations, John Chan reported strong demand to Medan, Lake Toba and Bali from leisure travellers.

Sri Sutra Travel group general manager, KT Foo, said incentive and meeting groups to Indonesia have not postponed or changed their destination. He has an incentive group of 360 people for a five-day/four-night programme in Jakarta and Bandung early next month.

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-08-26)

BANGKOK looks set to attract 20,000 to 25,000 foreign delegates attending nine international golf conferences and exhibitions, including two new events, to be held over the next 18 months.

The organiser, Asia Pacific Golf Development Conference (APGDC) executive director, Georgina Wong, said that it was considering holding several of the annual events permanently in Thailand.

Leading the calendar will be the 2010 Asia Pacific Golf Summit from October 18 to 20. About 600 to 700 foreign delegates, including celebrity speakers – Annika Sorenstam and Greg Norman – are expected.

This will be held concurrently with the Asia Pacific Golf Industry Show, and ahead of the Inaugural Golf Course Superintendents of Asia Summit from October 15 to 17.

Events to be held next year are the South-east Asia/India Golf Merchandise Exposition, PGA Conference of Asia, Inaugural Global Golf Tourism Forum, Asia Pacific Golf Summit, Asia Pacific Golf Industry Show and Golf Course Superintendents of Asia Summit.

– Read more in TTGmice October issue.

Houston (2010-08-26)

THE NATIONAL Business Travel Association (NBTA) will change its name to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) next year to realign the association's purpose to suit changing business travel trends.

NBTA president and CEO, Craig Banikowski, said: “Our industry continues to evolve, and our jobs are evolving as well. Just as we have all changed our thinking about our jobs in recent years, our association must also shift its thinking. My primary strategic focus is taking NBTA from being a national organisation to being a truly global business group....”

The NBTA network previously included operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the US. Earlier this year, NBTA Europe was formed in partnership with seven groups across the continent, providing NBTA members an expanded network of peers and colleagues in the second-largest business travel market.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-26)

THREE new Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties aimed at attracting the high-end market are expected to open by 2013.

Targeted at well-heeled leisure tourists, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties will only feature 100 rooms at most. Entry-level room rates at Reserve properties are higher than that for Ritz-Carlton properties.

Costa Rica, Abu Dhabi and Thailand have been singled out as ideal locations for the upcoming boutique properties. The last launch by Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company was its December 2009 opening of its first resort in Krabi, Thailand.

The luxury hotel company's spokesperson said that the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will limit the brand to around 25 global properties, of which about 10 will be in Asia. The company would like to see the Reserve brand in Bali, Langkawi, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia.

Singapore (2010-08-26)

JETSTAR will offer Singapore-Guilin flights from November 3.

The twice-weekly service will be the low-cost carrier's third mainland China route from Singapore. Currently, Jetstar flies four times weekly to Haikou and thrice weekly to Shantou.

The new services to Guilin, situated in Guangxi province, will provide unprecedented direct access for travellers from and through Singapore.

Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2010-08-26)

THE NUSA DUA Retreat, a luxury boutique villa resort, is to open its doors at the Bukit Peninsula, Bali with 41 villas on October 1.

The property is one of Aston International group’s luxury properties. All villas have private pools, 23 of which have rooftop sundecks, and one is a three-bedroom residence.

Resort facilities will include a spa, a centre pool, a café overlooking the surrounding hillside country and nearby Indian Ocean, a semi-fine-dining restaurant, a pool lounge and bar and a gym and yoga studio.

Aston International vice president sales and marketing Norbert Vas said: “The new property is different from other villa resorts in that this one is really a ‘retreat’ and privacy is the main focus.”

Guests are provided luxury transportation, butler service, personalised excursions and VIP airport meet and greet.

The Nusa Dua Retreat has been available for private viewings by selected tour operators since August and is currently undergoing a trial opening phase, during which one of the guests was Korean supermodel Jessica Gomez.

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-08-25)

TWENTY thousand delegates from Asia-Pacific are expected at the 103rd Convention of Rotary International, which will be held in Bangkok from May 6 to 9, 2012.

Some 25,000 foreign delegates are expected to attend the convention. The US is expected to supply 5,600 delegates while Europe is expected to account for 2,000 to 3,000 participants.

Rotary International manager – international meetings divisions, L J Williams, said the association hoped attendance figures could rise to 30,000 delegates.

Williams and Rotary International associate division manager – international meetings division, Shari Pontillo, are in Bangkok this week for site inspections, and to select a DMC for transportation arrangements.

TTG Asia e-Daily understands two companies, including a consortium of DMCs, are bidding for the business.

Jakarta (2010-08-25)

SOME 161 flights will be added on regional routes by eight airlines to meet increased demand during the Lebaran (Hari Raya) holiday season in September.

These flights have been approved by the Indonesian Ministry of Communications.

The extra frequencies, which will inject an additional 75,532 seats, have been given to AirAsia Malaysia, Indonesia AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.

The frequency boost will be available for seven days prior to and after Lebaran, which will fall on September 10.

Garuda Indonesia will add 2,200 seats on its Jakarta-Singapore route alone, by switchin to Airbus A330-200 aircraft, from its regular Boeing B737-800. Frequency will, however, stay at six a day.

Indonesia AirAsia will add one flight per day between September 7 and 19.

Singapore (2010-8-25)

TRAVELLERS are choosing Australia and Japan as their top Asia-Pacific holiday destinations, according to a survey by Visa and PATA.

The survey results cement the two countries' rankings in the popularity stakes for the next two years. Forty per cent of 6,714 respondents indicated that they would consider travelling to Australia in the next two years. Seventeen per cent chose Australia as their top destination, while 16 per cent chose Japan.

Respondents were from key Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia, Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the UK and the US.

Singapore (2010-08-25)

ASIA-PACIFIC airlines had a record 17.2 million international passengers in July, an increase of 20.4 per cent from the same month last year.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) attributed the growth to strong demand for regional routes.

AAPA figures showed international passenger traffic by Asia-Pacific airlines growing by 13.6 per cent in July, based on revenue passenger kilometres, surpassing highs achieved prior to last year's economic downturn.

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said: :”During the first seven months of the year, Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 15.6 per cent increase in the number of international passengers carried, reflecting growing consumer confidence across the Asia-Pacific region.”

Data from IATA supported AAPA's growth findings. IATA had Asia-Pacific airlines achieving 10.9 per cent growth in passenger traffic in July, outperforming the industry's average international passenger demand of 9.2 per cent.

According to IATA, the region's airlines is expected to reap a profit of US$2.2 billion, the largest gain in dollar terms in 2010 compared to 2009.

Shanghai (2010-08-25)

HEALTHY indicators for China's MICE market and the destination's rising status from the Shanghai World Expo have set the stage for a stronger IT&CM (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings) China in 2011.

The show has secured four times more booth space bookings to-date. Exhibitors include Chinese suppliers such as the Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing, Dragon Delight International Tours, Samantha Resort & Spa, Chime Long Hotel, Gloria Hotels & Resorts and China Travel Hong Kong (Zhuhai) Ocean Spring Co.

International exhibitors include Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Kempinksi Hotels and WORLDHOTELS.

Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, which co-organises the annual event with MP International, said: “We are positive that the 2011 event will prove to be an even bigger sell-out success. Thanks to our strong buyer hosting programme, we have also attracted considerable new and loyal buyer registrations from across the world, even at this early stage.”

IT&CM China 2011 will be held from April 13 to 15 at ShanghaiMart Expo.

Jakarta (2010-08-25)

BALI has lost one of its senior tourism industry players with the demise of Made Gede Wiyasa, managing director of Tunas Indonesia Tours and Travel, Bali.

Wiyasa had dedicated his life to the development of tourism in Indonesia, particularly Bali, since 1978. Apart from spearheading one of Indonesia’s first travel agencies, he was an active player in tourism associations such as Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies and Bali Village.

Singapore (2010-08-25)

ABACUS Travel Systems has set up the first training laboratory of its kind to train more than 15 lecturers and 200 students in travel reservation solutions by year-end.

Teaming up with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore, Abacus is supporting tourism courses with this dedicated Abacus software laboratory, which will be  located at ITE College West.

Tan Kim Thiam, general manager of Abacus Travel Systems, said: “With the economic recovery, there is an increased demand for skilled manpower in the travel industry. The urgent need to advance the skills and knowledge of travel professionals makes this collaboration even more valuable and timely.”

ITE students in the Nitec (National ITE Certificate) in Service Skills (Tourism) and Higher Nitec in Leisure & Travel Operations modules will be trained in the Abacus Basic Reservations Course, Abacus PowerSuite Course and Abacus ClientBase Course. Students will also have industry attachment opportunities to cement their learning experience.

Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2010-08-24)

HONG KONG'S Security Bureau has issued a black outbound travel alert on the Philippines following the 11-hour hostage stand-off in Manila which ended in bloodshed last night.

Eight out of 15 tourists from Hong Kong were killed by a gunman on a coach bus in Manila (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 23).

Hong Thai Travel Service released the names of the fatalities, youngest of whom was 14 years old. Two of the survivors are seriously injured and five are being monitored in hospital.

Hong Kong has sent two chartered flights to bring victims' family members to Manila. It has also ordered all tour groups in the Philippines to return home as soon as possible and advised Philippine-bound groups to cancel their trips.

Hong Thai has cancelled nine groups, with around 198 people, while Wing On Travel has cancelled three with 51 clients.

Jo Jo Chan, general manager of Wing On, said: “Even for peak summer holidays, we only send a few groups, with the majority setting off to Cebu. Therefore, the impact to our business is not that much. So far, we have one group in Cebu which departed yesterday and clients would like to carry on the itinerary.”

- Read more in TTG Asia, September 3

Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2010-08-24)

YESTERDAY'S hostage crisis has wiped out short-term bookings from Hong Kong, said Manila-based agents handling the market.

Image Travel vice president marketing, Emy Malate, said most of the September bookings from Hong Kong for Manila, Cebu, Boracay and Palawan had been cancelled. “The impact has been immediate. Even one group, which was supposed to arrive tomorrow, cancelled. I only hope the bookings for October to December will still stand.”

Philippine Tour Operators Association president Cesar Cruz said the real impact of the hostage drama would become clear in the next two to three weeks as the knee-jerk reaction to such cases is to cancel bookings. “If cancellations continue in the next few weeks, then it will be a longterm problem. As of now, we are still hoping this will be a temporary setback.”

Pedro Young, tourism services director of Marsman Drysdale Travel, said European bookings were still holding firm. “The high season starts in September and there have been no cancellations so far. Nevertheless, I will be updating all my travel partners on the security situation and stress this was an isolated incident.”

- Read more in TTG Asia, September 3

Karen Yue, Singapore (2010-08-24)

MANILA'S hostage situation on Monday is expected to affect Singaporeans' interest in the Philippines in the immediate future.

Eight hostages were killed in the drama that unfolded after a coach bus of tourists was stopped by a gunman.

CTC Travel and Hong Thai Travel Services expected weak interest in the destination, especially Manila, during the NATAS Holidays travel fair this weekend.

CTC Travel senior vice president (marketing & PR) Alicia Seah said: “We will see a significant decrease in new bookings to the Philippines for the next few weeks. However, the Wow Philippines consortium marketing campaign will probably still proceed during the fair, as there are island destinations besides Manila to be offered.”

Referring to the incident as a “freak anomaly”, Chan Brothers Travel's spokesperson said the company did not expect a residual effect on overall demand to the Philippines and that the destination was increasingly popular among Singaporeans.

These agencies have not seen cancellations for packages to the Philippines.

Travel agents also told TTG Asia e-Daily that the market to the Philippines is very small and cancellations would not create a notable dent in earnings.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-24)

MAYFLOWER Acme Tours is setting its sights on Vietnam and Cambodia next year in its first foray out of Malaysia.

The operator plans to open a retail outlet in Phnom Penh in January 2011 to handle ticketing, inbound and outbound tours. It will be owned and managed by Mayflower, but will not carry the Mayflower brand.

Mayflower director/general manager Chin Ten Hoy said it will have a neutral brand as the company did not want its competitors to shy away.

Mayflower is also looking for a joint-venture partner to set up an inbound office in Vietnam. It expects to either partner an existing inbound travel company or set up a new company with a local who has extensive industry experience.

Mayflower aims to open this new office in the second half of 2011.

Chin said the company had chosen to open retail outlets in Cambodia and Vietnam because of the growth potential in both destinations and their proximity to Malaysia, which allows for easy supervision and the ease of getting the necessary licenses from local authorities.

- Read more in TTG Asia, September 3

Jakarta (2010-08-24)

THE INDONESIAN Ministry of Culture and Tourism is undergoing a top-level shuffle.

Former director of international promotion I Gede Pitana has been promoted to head the Culture and Tourism Resources Development Board, replacing I Gusti Putu Laksaguna, who has been appointed expert staff on inter-departmental relations in the ministry.

Pitana was one of the five first-echelon officials appointed by president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and was sworn in by the minister of culture and tourism, Jero Wacik last weekend.

Pitana's replacement will be announced soon as will the director of international promotion.

Aurora Frida Tambunan, previously Jakarta's deputy governor in charge of culture and tourism, has also been appointed director general of historic and archaeological affairs.

Also heading new posts are Ukus Kuswara as inspector general and Hari Untoro Drajat as expert staff on multicultural affairs.

Wacik said: “Rotation, mutation, and promotion in (this office) are part of our efforts to  improve achievements (based) on the president’s guidelines of pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor and pro-improvement.”

Seoul (2010-08-24)

THE NEW MCI Korea makes its presence felt with an office and a partnership with a local association management company (AMC).

MCI, a global player in association, communications and event management, has entered a joint venture with Kim's Travel, a leading destination management company in the country, to open its first office in South Korea.

Kim's Travel's meetings and events subsidiary, M&C Planners, will be rebranded as MCI Korea. Chun Kim, founder of Kim's Travel, will serve as CEO of MCI Korea.

MCI has also roped in FAMC, the first and only AMC in South Korea, as its Association Management division of MCI Korea. The division will serve international associations that want to have a presence in South Korea and North-east Asia.

Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-24)

AIR Mauritius is looking to grow a bigger share of the MICE market from Singapore and Malaysia in addition to its hold over high-yield niche segments such as honeymoon, golf, diving and eco-tourism.

To do that, the airline is teaming up with travel agent partners to offer attractive airfares and packages during the coming NATAS Holidays travel fair in Singapore and MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur.

Air Mauritius regional manager North-east & South-east Asia, Shiri Prakash Rai, said there will be discounts on airfares and ground packages as well as value-added ground packages.

Air Mauritius will also be taking advantage of the high profile that South Africa has earned from the recent hosting of the World Cup to promote twin destinations, Mauritius and South Africa.

Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2010-08-23)

A DISMISSED Philippine policeman seized a coach bus in Manila this morning carrying a group of Hong Thai Travel Services tourists and is holding them hostage still at press time.

A Hong Kong tour guide and 20 tourists were onboard the bus. The group was on a four-day Manila tour and was schedule to return to Hong Kong tonight when the gunman, armed with an M16 rifle, stopped the bus near Rizal Park.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told reporters this afternoon there were 21 passengers from the tour group, in addition to a few locals. A special task force has been set up within the Security Bureau and two officers from Hong Kong are being sent to Manila to assist.

At press time, seven hostages including three women, three young children and an elderly man had been released.

Hong Thai Travel Services currently has three other tour groups with 53 travellers in Manila. Three more groups with 68 tourists are still scheduled to visit Manila from August 24 to 28, but their itineraries will be amended.

Rahul Khanna, Yangon (2010-08-23)

MYANMAR will cease visa-on-arrival (VOA) facilities for foreign visitors at Yangon and Mandalay International Airports from September 1.

A spokesperson with the Department of Immigration and National Registration told TTG Asia e-Daily the move was needed to allow it to “check the records of tourist arrivals” but did not elaborate.

He said: “Since this system was introduced (on May 1), we have carefully watched how visitors have been using it. After September 1, we will study the system and check the records of tourist arrivals…”

The system was hailed as a “breakthrough” for the country’s tourism industry. Latest data showed that some 4,500 foreign visitors were granted VOA in May and June.

From September 1, all foreign visitors will be required to apply in advance for a visa at Myanmar embassies or use pre-arranged VOA through travel agencies.

Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2010-08-23)

SINGAPORE'S leisure island of Sentosa is looking at a double-digit increase from the Indian market next year and has launched a preferred agent scheme in the market to achieve this.

Make My Trip, Cox and Kings, SOTC/Kuoni, Kesari/Strawberri, Thomas Cook and D'Pauls have been appointed Star Preferred Partners, receiving tiered-up benefits such as differentiated marketing support and price, and preferential support for incentive groups.

Sal Tours, JTB, TUI, Mercury Travels, Yatra.com and Jagadish Tours are Preferred Partners, and will get differentiated, exclusive support from Sentosa.

The appointments run from August 1 to July 31, 2011.

Sentosa Development Corporation COO, Mike Barclay, said: “Partners will be invited to work with Sentosa on familiarisation trips... and regular update sessions in India will be organised. We will put in international marketing support in various channels, including online. Our plan is to make two trips a year to India, in February and July/August. We are also looking to move into smaller cities like Pune and Ahmedabad.”

Indians spent around S$38.50 (US$28) per person at Sentosa in 2009 and accounted for about half a million visitors or nine per cent of the island's total visitor tally for that year.

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-08-23)

THAILAND'S Prime Minister Abhisit Vijjajiva is waiting for Cabinet approval tomorrow before announcing the country's readiness to bid for the World Expo 2020.

If approved, Thailand will make the announcement in Shanghai on September 5.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has shortlisted three provinces – Ayuthaya, Chonburi and Chiang Mai – out of six proposed host cities. The event will have as theme “Balanced Life…Sustainable Living”.

TCEB president Akapol Sorasuchart said if the Cabinet approves the proposal, an official host city would be determined within three months. Thailand will then contend as an official bidder three months later or by the bidding deadline year in 2011.

The Bureau International des Expositions will announce the host city for World Expo 2020 in 2014.

But even without the Cabinet’s green light, TCEB has already activated its www.thailandexpo2020 .com website, reiterating its intention to move forward with this ambition.

To date, 15 cities in nine countries – Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Thailand, South Africa, the Philippines and the US – have expressed their intentions to bid for World Expo 2020.

Bangkok (2010-08-23)

THE SUVARNABHUMI Airport Rail Link opens for commercial operations today, after much delay.

The 28km rail link connects commuters between the airport and the City Air Terminal at Makkasan Station in Bangkok city centre.

It operates daily from 06.00 to 24.00 with two train systems. The Express Line takes 15 minutes and costs 100 baht (US$3) per person for a non-stop trip between Makkasan and the airport. The fare will rise to 150 baht from January 1.

The City Line takes 30 minutes, and is running at a promotional fare of 15 baht. It starts from Phaya Thai Station and ends at the airport, with stops at six stations in between. Fares will range from 15 baht to 45 baht from January 1.

Flight and luggage check-in services will be available at a later stage.

Bangkok (2010-08-23)

AIRASIA'S new daily flight between Hat Yai and Kuala Lumpur enjoyed a 90 per cent load factor on its inaugural run on August 19.

Regional commercial head Kathleen Tan said the new service brings to 140 the number of AirAsia's weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to five Thai cities – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket and Hat Yai.

She said the route was “another significant milestone as AirAsia’s final connection to South Thailand”.

AirAsia now has a network that reaches all 10 ASEAN countries from Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, AirAsia’s Thai affiliate, Thai AirAsia, also flies four times a day to Hat Yai from Bangkok.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-20)

LONGHAUL budget carrier, AirAsia X is aiming for an initial public offering late next year, subject to market conditions.

Its CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, said raising equity capital will facilitate funding of new aircraft.

The airline will take delivery of 18 A330s in stages up to 2016 and 10 A350s from 2017 onwards.

The A330s will be used for new routes between Kuala Lumpur and Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, India and the Middle East. The A350s will be used for new routes in four or five European cities and one or two North American cities, said Azran.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-20)

AIRASIA achieved a profit after tax of RM199 million (US$63.3 million) for the second quarter.

AirAsia group CEO, Tony Fernandes, said the company’s revenue for the quarter ending June 30 had gone up by 26 per cent year-on-year, from RM748 million to RM941 million.

Load factor in the second quarter of 2010 increased to 77 per cent, compared to 75 per cent in the same period last year.

AirAsia will defer deliveries of its seven A320 orders for 2011 to 2015.

Rahul Khanna, Yangon (2010-08-20)

FOREIGN arrivals in Myanmar between January and July shot up by 37 per cent,  compared to the same period last year.

During this period, 161,322 international visitors passed through Yangon and Mandalay International Airports and border checkpoints.

Around 110,000 visitors, some 67 per cent of the total figure, were from Asian countries. Thailand ranked as the largest arrival market with 31,795 visitors, followed by China with 19,580 and South Korea with 10,206.

There were 33,953 visitors from Europe, representing a 19 per cent share of the total figure. France topped European arrivals with 7,380 visitors, followed by Germany with 5,678 and Italy with 3,925.

Last year, Myanmar welcomed 227,400 visitor arrivals, a 33 per cent increase over the 170,812 recorded in 2008.

Hong Kong (2010-08-20)

CATHAY Pacific Airways and Travelport have renewed their partnership with a five-year marketing deal that will give the latter's customers worldwide access to the carrier's fares and flight inventory.

The renewed agreement ensures “unprecedented access” to Cathay's fares for all Travelport-connected agents and “seal parity for travel agent users in Asia and worldwide”, said Travelport GDS managing director Asia-Pacific, Simon Nowroz.

Other recent airline renewals inked by Travelport include British Airways, Emirates and Etihad.

Singapore (2010-8-20)

JETSTAR makes it quick and easy for passengers with its in-town check-in at MTR Airport Express stations in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

From August, Jetstar passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Singapore will be able to access the service alongside passengers of full-service carriers. Jetstar will be the first low-cost carrier to provide such a service.

Jetstar Asia CEO, Chong Phit Lian, said the service will benefit business travellers and travellers on short leisure breaks.

Karen Yue, Singapore (2010-08-20)

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) goes green with its US$3 million commitment to the Harapan Rainforest Initiative, a project to conserve a 100,000 hectare plot of land in Sumatra.

Representatives from the carrier, Yayasan KEHI and BirdLife International sealed the partnership agreement this morning. BirdLife International was granted forest concession for Harapan by the Indonesian government, while Yayasan is an Indonesian not-for-profit foundation charged by the BirdLife consortium to manage the project.

The rainforest initiative is a collaboration between international non-governmental organisations.

Bey Soo Khiang, SIA senior executive vice president marketing and corporate services, said the company had seen a growing number of requests from corporate and individual clients for the airline to detail its green commitments.

When asked if SIA's donation was an effort to raise the airline's profile among a growing segment of environmentally-conscious clientele, Bey said: “This is only a minor contribution. As a big corporation, we see ourselves as having the responsibility to protect (the environment).”

Yayasan chairman Sir Graham Wynne said the Harapan Rainforest Initiative runs on US$2 million a year on average. Bey said SIA may consider further contributions “if the need is dire”.

Sirima Eamtako, Siem Reap (2010-08-19)

SIEM REAP International Airport will have two per cent more weekly flights in the coming October 2010-March 2011 winter timetable, mainly from regional destinations such as China, South Korea and Singapore.

SilkAir's additional flight will bring its services from Singapore to nine a week.

China Southern Airlines will increase its Canton-Siem Reap services from two to five weekly flights. Meanwhile, Yunnan Airlines has requested for slots for daily flights between Kunming and Siem Reap.

Asiana Airlines will up its Incheon-Siem Reap flights to six a week, from the previous four. Korean Air will have 17 flights a week through eight additional services – one from Pusan and seven from Incheon.

Airport operator Société Concessionnaire des Aéroports (SCA) has held two fam trips this year for South Korean agents and media. A similar fam will be held in Japan next week to spur interest in charter or regular flights into SCA’s three airports in Cambodia, including Phnom Penh International Airport and Sihanoukville Airport.

Airport manager Etienne Lefort said Siem Reap Airport International, in particular, will receive more charter flights in the winter season. This month alone, the airport will have hosted 60 charters from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and South Korea.

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-08-19)

INDIA will, for the first time, head the list of international buyers at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region (TTM Plus), in Bangkok from September 8 to 10.

From the 341 registered buyers from 49 countries, 70 are from India, followed by the US (26), the UK (24), Russia (22) and South Korea (16). There are also new buyers from Brazil, Mexico, the UAE, Turkey, Lithuania and Kazakhstan.

The event organiser, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), had sought to ensure quality buyers by requiring them to pay a nominal registration fee of US$200. Domestic buyers will be charged US$50.

The buyers will meet 428 registered sellers from various tourism business categories such as hotels, tour operators, golf courses and airlines.

TAT governor, Suraphon Svetasreni, said: “This year’s TTM Plus is very important for us because it comes as part of our recovery programme from the recent political unrest.”

He added the event was also part of TAT’s strategy to diversify the sources of visitor arrivals and expose Thailand and the GMS region to new buyers from countries and regions which could deliver promising results in the future.

Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2010-08-19)

LOMBOK, Indonesia will host the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo (TIME) 2010 for the second time in the show's 16-year history from October 12 to 15.

TIME 2010 steering committee chairman Meity Robot said Lombok was chosen to “promote the destination and West Nusa Tenggara to the international market and speed up the development and improvement of tourism infrastructure, facilities and attractions in the region to become an international destination”.

“Moreover, with the new international airport expected to be ready this year, more tourists will be attracted to the island and…more hotel and tourist attraction investors will be encouraged to come,” she added.

To be held at Santosa Villa & Resort Lombok, TIME 2010 is targeting an attendance of 150 international buyers and 150 sellers from all over Indonesia.

The show attracted 127 buyers from 25 countries and 250 sellers from 15 provinces last year. Robot said the number of buyers attending TIME for seven consecutive years has been relatively steady.

Singapore (2010-08-19)

SEOUL Convention Bureau is handing out a new welcome kit to foreign meeting and convention delegates to promote the city's leisure and MICE appeal.

The Seoul Welcome Kit comprises a 150-page book packed with tips on exploring the city, a coupon booklet for discounts on 17 key attractions and services, an electromagnetic wave-blocking sticker for mobile phones and a map of Seoul.

Notable privileges include free admission to Deoksugung Palace, discounts of up to 30 per cent on tickets to performances, discounts on the city's international taxi service, which has drivers who speak English, Chinese or Japanese, and discounts on duty-free shopping.

The kit is provided to attendees of conventions with at least 30 foreign participants who stay in Seoul for at least two nights. Organisers of conventions that include only one night in Seoul before or after an event may apply for the kit.

Karen Yue, Singapore (2010-08-19)

THE NATIONAL Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) is expecting a good showing for its Holidays 2010 travel fair from August 27 to 19, buoyed by expectations of a stronger Singapore economy.

The association also drew its confidence from a MasterCard's survey in June that found stronger travel intentions voiced by almost half of the 400 Singaporeans polled ¬– respondents planned to travel abroad in the next six months.

The fair at Singapore Expo is expected to attract 67,000 visitors.

While CTC Travel has forecasted sales revenue from the three-day fair to match that of 2008's revenue at S$10 million (US$7.4 million), senior vice president (marketing & PR) Alicia Seah said year-end travellers will find it difficult to secure airfares to popular destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Australia due to strong global travel demand, which had caused airfares to rise since the start of the year.

“As most of the seats are either taken up by leisure or corporate travel agents, FIT customers will find it difficult to get seats to hot spots. (We) can expect airfares to increase further. Year-end fares will increase...by 10 per cent for China, 20 to 30 per cent for Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and 40 to 50 per cent for Europe,” Seah said.

Sirima Eamtako, Siem Reap (2010-08-19)

SOFITEL Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort will be sprucing up its image and product offerings with a soft refurbishment next month.

From October, the 238-room hotel will open a newly-built kid’s club, acquire new equipment for the fitness centre and facelift the swimming pool area. All guestrooms will receive new 37-inch LCD television sets.

General manager Charles-Henri Chevet said along with the kid’s club opening, there would be a range of special packages for parents travelling with children from a month old to 18 years of age. Details are being finalised.

In May, the hotel opened its US$2 million 400m² Phokeethra Ballroom, the largest in Siem Reap.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s Phokeethra Country Club will host the Johnnie Walker Cambodia Open from December 9 to 12 for the fourth consecutive year. Cambodia's first professional golf tournament started in December 2007.

- See “Checking In” in TTG Asia, September 17

Sirima Eamtako, Siem Reap (2010-08-18)

SIEM REAP International Airport is pressing ahead with its improvement plan as traffic figures in the first seven months point to signs of recovery.

Airport manager Etienne Lefort said passenger traffic between January and July rose 27 per cent year-on-year. “The statistics beat our forecast and we are at the level of 2008 when the crisis did not hit as hard as it did in 2009.”

Should this upward trend continue, overall passenger traffic is expected to reach 1.5 million or more by year-end. The airport’s record year was 2007 when passenger traffic reached 1.8 million.

Despite last year's crisis, Lefort said the airport’s operator, Société Concessionnaire des Aéroports (SCA), continued investing as it anticipated future growth.

Last year, SCA invested in a new landing system to allow aircraft to land even during adverse weather conditions. It also re-opened a refurbished domestic terminal.

From now till 2011, SCA will implement a facelift of the airport’s international boarding lounge, add two boarding gates in an extended 1,000m² area, add a new VIP terminal and improve aeronautical capacity.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-18)

HIGH-YIELD Indian tourists are integral to Tourism Malaysia's plan to grow market share.

New market segments such as weddings and honeymoon, golf, scuba diving and MICE have been identified.

The weddings and honeymoon segment is seen as a lucrative market. A typical Indian wedding in Malaysia lasts about five days, and the total spend usually exceeds RM1 million (US$316,300).

Tourism Malaysia is exploring this segment’s potential. In April, the NTO organised its first fam trip for wedding planners from India. Potential wedding sites in Selangor, Penang and Langkawi were covered. Fam trips for wedding planners in India are set to become an annual event.

Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general (marketing) Amirrudin Abu said it was also promoting destinations beyond traditional staples such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Genting Highlands and Langkawi.

“We have diverse attractions. We have islands, caves, beaches, mountains and hill resorts for tourists to experience. With a bit of imagination, wedding planners can organise an underwater wedding or a wedding in the rainforest.”

This year, Tourism Malaysia is targeting 650,000 arrivals from India. Last year, tourist arrivals from India totalled 589,838.

Thailand (2010-08-18)

STRONG demand for Phuket has been driving Thailand’s tourism revival.

Passenger traffic through Phuket International Airport shot up by 28 per cent in the first half of 2010 as compared to 2009's figure.

The swift recovery hinted to a return to the boom year of 2007. According to C9 Hotelworks’ Phuket Market Update, higher hotel occupancies and a “game-changing” shift in tourist profile are driving growth.

Statistics showed that 2009 arrivals registered a 1.74 million jump, reflecting a volume similar to that of 2007's figure when comparing year-on-year data for the past five years.

C9 Hotelworks's managing director Bill Barnett said: “Market dynamics are evolving with a game-changing shift in tourist profile from a historical Eurocentric dependence on longhaul European visitors to shorthaul Asian travellers.”

He noted that the trend was driven by a weakening euro and pound sterling, which have affected market sentiments and changed travel preferences to the resort island.

Bill Heinecke, chairman and CEO of Minor Group International, was bullish about prospects for Phuket's hospitality industry. “The latter part of this year's third quarter is seeing positive pick-up in the market, which is a good sign given that it is traditionally low season on the island.”

Sirima Eamtako, Siem Reap (2010-08-18)

HELISTAR Cambodia wants to woo high-end visitors with its helicopter services. 

General manager Sam Hin said that of about two million visitor arrivals into Cambodia, about 15 per cent could afford to ride helicopters. “We aim to capture around 10 per cent of this high-end segment.”

The company offers scenic flights such as the eight-minute Angkor Wat circuit for US$90 per person and 48-minute aerial tours for US$430. Explorer flights such as a combination of 36-minute flight and hour-long ground sightseeing tours costs from US$300 per person.

Helistar Cambodia operates a fleet of five helicopters – a three-seat Robinson R44 raven II and four Eurocopters (a four-seat EC120, a five-seat AS350 BA and two six-seat AS350 B2 and B3). Each chopper is insured under a US$10 million liability with Australia’s QBE Insurance and Allianz.

Cambodia (2010-08-18)

AMBITIOUS plans are on the horizon to transform Koh Rong into the next 'Asian Riviera'.

The Royal Group (TRG) has unveiled a masterplan to develop the island into Asia's first environmental resort destination.

Focusing on high-quality sustainable tourism, the plan covers infrastructural development of an airport, a marina, a port and roads to resorts, hotels, golf courses, shopping restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

TRG's chairman Kith Meng said: “Tourism to Siem Reap is well developed with the world-famous Angkor Wat, but the potential of the country's beautiful coastline is the missing link in the overall development of Cambodia's tourism.”

The masterplan is currently being distributed to international investors, developers and leading hotel and resort operators to establish partnerships. It has a five-year schedule for the first phase, with completion in 25 years. Interest from top resort operators and five-star hotel groups has been forthcoming.

A Cambodia corporation in property and infrastructure development, TRG has been granted a 99-year lease by the Cambodian government to develop Koh Rong.

Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2010-08-18)

HOTEL Borobudur is offering residential meeting packages to boost slow business during the Ramadan and Lebaran (end of fasting month) seasons.

Targeted at regional and overseas corporate travellers, the packages are valid till September 20. Lebaran falls on September 10.

Meeting packages start at 565,000 rupiah (US$62.70) for half-day meetings, which include Classic Room accommodation.

Hotel Borobudur Jakarta director of sales and marketing Rosy Whitehead said: “Ramadan and Lebaran are traditionally low season for Jakarta, especially for meetings. Therefore, we are offering packages to overseas clients to have their meetings in our hotel.”

The property is working with regional travel agents to promote the packages and is expecting a 10 per cent increase in business.

Bangkok (2010-08-18)

TRAVEL agents can now access more independent and mid-range China hotels, following Amadeus' partnership with DerbySoft.

Agents can book DerbySoft’s three-star independent hotels in China on the Amadeus system. This direct connection allows DerbySoft's hotels to swiftly add content and rates, implement new features and develop special offers.

DerbySoft CEO, Ted Zhang, said: “Amadeus’ strong market share across Asia-Pacific ensures our hotels are connected to the largest travel agency booking network. China is one of the world's most-visited countries and with Expo 2010 taking place this year in Shanghai, this partnership will bring significant value for travel agents and their customers.”

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-17)

RED Apple Travel & Tours, a Malaysia-based wholesaler specialising in the Indian inbound market, is expanding in South-east Asia to capitalise on the growing popularity of Bali and Indochina among Indian travellers.

Managing director Arokia Das Anthony said the company would open an office in Bali in June 2011 and another in Phnom Penh in 2012 to handle groups from the Indian subcontinent. Both offices would be joint ventures with a local partner and Mumbai-based Suneet Goenka, who heads Red Apple Travel India.

Arokia Das said: “We are in the process of shortlisting candidates. We are looking at either a new set-up or a joint venture with an existing company that is already handling Indian groups to the destination.

“In the last few years, there have been a lot of enquiries from Indian agents for Bali and Indochina. I have had to decline business as I could not guarantee the quality of service. With our own operational offices, we will be able to control and maintain high service standards.”

Red Apple Travel & Tours has offices in Colombo, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore. Its clients include MakeMyTrip.com, Thomas Cook India, Cox & Kings India and TUI India.

Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-17)

TOURISM Malaysia’s director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and two former top officers of Tourism Malaysia’s wholly-owned subsidiary Pempena were charged with criminal breach of trust (CBT) yesterday.

Mirza and former Pempena COO, Mohammad Rosly Selamat, were accused of approving payment of RM888,000 (US$280,309) in February 2007 to LCL Interior LCL Dubai for the construction of the Malaysia Dubai restaurant in the emirate although project requirements were not met. They pleaded not guilty.

Earlier yesterday, in another court, Mohammad Rosly was slapped with another CBT charge. He and former Pempena financial controller Lim Khing Tai had allegedly paid Ummi Hafilda Ali RM169,770 in 2006 as sponsorship fee to organise a concert by Amr Diab although Pempena’s board of directors did not authorise payment. They pleaded not guilty.

Last year, Mirza was acquitted on a charge of accepting a sponsored implant treatment worth RM13,860.

Singapore (2010-08-17)

SWITZERLAND is looking to grow Singapore arrivals to destinations beyond Zurich, Lucern, Interlaken and Geneva and tap a growing interest in winter holidays among Singaporean travellers.

Singapore is now Switzerland's fifth biggest Asian source market, growing by 122.6 per cent between 2005 and 2009. Arrival growth was reported to have persisted during the recent financial crisis, making Singapore one of Switzerland Tourism's few growth markets last year.

The tourism bureau said the strong skew of Singaporean visitors to only four Swiss destinations indicated there was room to promote other Swiss regions to the market. The bureau also noted a growing interest in winter holidays, as 53.2 per cent of Singapore arrivals last year visited the country in winter.

Switzerland Tourism said the “rising importance of winter holidays is an indication of a more exclusive approach of Singaporeans visiting Switzerland”, and a one-stop-shop system – one that sees the travel agent organising the full ski trip as a package, from renting equipment to hotel booking – is needed to grow the market.

Singapore (2010-08-17)

TIGER Airways has been awarded rights to serve Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Singapore, and will commence daily services from October 31.

The new service will come on top of the low-cost carrier's current nine-weekly flights to Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

While both airports serve the metropolis of Manila, NAIA also serves as a major gateway to the rest of the Philippines.

An additional five flights per week will likely be introduced from December 1.

Berlin (2010-08-17)

DESIGN Hotels is offering a 15 per cent travel agent commission, up from its usual 10 per cent, for bookings on best available rates made through the GDS throughout autumn until December 16.

This travel agent promotion is applicable for selected Design Hotels members worldwide, including a number of properties in Asia-Pacific, such as Alila Villas Soori, Metropolitan Bangkok and The Park Bangalore.

The list of participating hotels will vary over the months.

Hong Kong (2010-08-17)

AMARI Residences Bangkok, adjacent to the Bangkok Hospital, will start welcoming guests in October. .

The 128-room development will feature 24 studios, 92 one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units.

Specialised services and facilities include medical services, a special wellness menu from the hotel restaurant, convalescence packages offering full board, and complimentary shuttle service to Bangkok's Airport Link and the city's shopping district.

Anand and Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2010-08-16)

SIXTEEN airlines that have not restored commissions to travel agents could be rapped on the knuckles by India's Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) if they do not comply.

DGCA is reviewing measures to get the airlines to comply following their cool response to its July 23 letter. The airlines had implemented zero commission in India in late 2008.

In the letter, R K Maheshwari, joint director general of civil aviation, said: “There is no way to implement the DGCA Order dated March 5, 2010, except to go back to the commission system.”

The letter further stated that airlines could discuss commission levels with the representatives of  Air Transport Association agents in India.

“This is an important situation and we would like to resolve it. We will soon be having an internal meeting to decide on this and will now take the Ministry (of Civil Aviation) into confidence,” Maheshwari told TTG India.

Biji Eapen, president of the IATA Agents Association of India, said: “We hope erring airlines would respond proactively. In case they choose a different course, it would be a blunt disregard of our law enforcement systems, which should not go unpunished.”

- Read more in TTG India September/October issue

Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2010-08-16)

LE PASSAGE to India (LPTI) plans to acquire local inbound and outbound companies over the next 18 months.

Managing director Arjun Sharma said this would be the first time LPTI would be venturing into acquisitions. “We studied the models and created our own model. The companies will be Indian ones as there are enough opportunities here.”

Creative Travel is likewise, for the first time, sniffing around for niche players to add to its portfolio. Joint managing director Rajeev Kohli said Creative had identified two potential specialist companies and was in talks with their management on partnerships.

“We do not want to fully acquire companies. We plan to keep the ownership engaged but not necessarily keep the brand. There is no need to reinvent the wheel as they are good at what they do. We will just add value,” Kohli explained.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-16)

OUTBOUND agents are all smiles over the enthusiastic demand for longhaul destinations this year-end. The improved economy and pent-up demand have spurred bookings from those who had shelved travel plans last year due to economic uncertainties.

Malaysian Harmony Tours & Travel CEO, Cooper Huang, said demand for high-end tour packages, such as the nine-day New Zealand full-board package from RM7,188 (US$2,269) and nine-day Tunisia tour from RM6,488, were moving beyond his expectations. He expected sales volumes this year to surpass last year’s by at least 10 per cent.

Echoing similar sentiments was Mayflower Acme Tours deputy general manager of channel management, Abdul Rahman Mohamed, who noted that Malaysians were looking for value add-ons. He said the company’s Europe combo deal packages, combining air tickets, taxes and travel vouchers worth RM500, were well received. He added that popular outbound destinations for year-end travel were London, Paris and Amsterdam.

Huang and Abdul Rahman were among 50 exhibitors at the three-day Malaysia International Travel Mart in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association with Malaysia Airlines as the main sponsor. The travel fair ended yesterday.

Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2010-08-16)

CHANGING gears to go from domestic to regional, Indonesia AirAsia (IAA) is closing its Jakarta-Medan and Jakarta-Surabaya routes on October 1 to focus on new routes.

IAA spokesman Audrey Progastama Petriny was quoted by Tempo Daily as saying: “This is in line with our business strategy, to change from a domestic to an international player.”

IAA is planning to operate from Medan to Malaysian cities such as Kota Kinabalu and Penang, and Hong Kong. Another new route is from Surabaya to Kuala Lumpur.

The airline, however, has not announced when the new regional routes will start.

Jakarta-Medan and Jakarta-Surabaya are ‘fat routes’ for the airline with last July’s average load factor reaching 89 per cent and 78 per cent respectively.

Singapore (2010-08-16)

TRAVEL agents connected with Abacus can now look forward to a whole new playing field of seamless and personalised ground travel and airport services. Abacus' partnership with Ground Asia opens up connections to 500 airports and cities in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.

Abacus agents are now able to offer high-demand personalised services such as post-paid chauffeurs, fixed-price airport transfers and fast-track immigration assistance.

According to research by Ground Asia, an estimated 15.7 million Asian corporate and high-end leisure travellers spend S$3.1 billion (US$2.3 billion) a year on ad hoc ground transfers.

Brett Henry, vice president - marketing of Abacus International, said the partnership will greatly benefit business and frequent travellers who place a premium on swift, efficient and hassle-free travel arrangements.

Ground Asia is a Singapore-based groundhandling company that offers a fast-tracked airport meet-and-assist service that ensures travellers are met at the aircraft door, promptly zipped through immigration and escorted to a chauffeured car, and vice versa.

Manila (2010-08-16)

BERJAYA Manila Hotel is being renovated extensively to secure a four-star position in Makati City. The renovations are expected to boost its launch profile later in the year.

According to Rudy Romulo, general manager of Berjaya Manila, the hotel's 212 rooms and suites will be overhauled in phases, starting with 45 upper-floor rooms. Other improvements include Internet infrastructure upgrade, new products, new F&B menus and staff retraining.

When the renovations are completed, Berjaya Manila Hotel (formerly Astor Hotel) will be one of the few four-star hotels on the northern end of Makati Avenue.

Romulo added that the hotel's pricing structure may also be reviewed.

The hotel is a newly-acquired venture by Kuala Lumpur-based Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, which manages a portfolio of 17 luxury hotels in Malaysia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the UK.

Hong Kong (2010-08-13)

MARRIOTT International's top ranks have been reshuffled as part of its global strategy to establish continental divisions in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

Simon Cooper, who was president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton for nine years, has been appointed president & managing director, Asia-Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Cooper will lead the group's regional portfolio of more than 130 properties and 70 hotels under development.

Herve Humler will replace Cooper. Based at The Ritz-Carlton headquarters in the US, Humler will lead the brand's operations, global growth strategy and oversee Bulgari Hotels & Resorts.

Edwin Fuller will lead operations and growth in the Middle East and Africa in his continued role as president & managing director, lodging international. He will also provide counsel on the company’s global growth strategy.

Bangkok  (2010-08-13)

THAI Airways International (THAI) will add a new route to Japan and increase frequencies on seven international routes this coming winter, from October 31 to March 26, 2011.

The flag carrier will launch a new daily service between Bangkok and Tokyo (Haneda Airport), and increase frequencies on the Bangkok-Nagoya route from seven to 10 flights per week and the Bangkok-Fukuoka route from five to seven flights per week.

Frequencies on the Bangkok-Kolkata route will be increased from five to seven flights and the Bangkok-Mumbai route from seven to 14 flights.

For mid- to longhaul-routes, THAI will increase the Bangkok-Sydney service from 14 to 18 flights a week, the Bangkok-Moscow service from three to four flights a week and the Bangkok-Oslo service from five to seven flights a week.

Meanwhile, THAI has ordered seven Airbus A330-300 aircraft that will be delivered from end-2011. This is part of its five-year fleet expansion plan, ending 2014. It will have 15 additional aircraft on top of an existing order for eight A330-300s and six A380s.

Rahul Khanna, Yangon (2010-08-13)

NEW hotels await Inle Lake in October and Ngapali Beach next year. Built by the Max Myanmar Hotels Group, work on the 66-key Inle Lake Max Hotel started last month.

It will offer three room types, comprising suites, executive suites and presidential suites. Facilities will include a swimming pool, a restaurant, a business centre and a meeting room.

The Ngapali Beach hotel, currently unnamed, will have 70 rooms.

The two new hotels will join the group's current three – Hotel Max at Chaung Tha Beach, Royal Kumudra Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital city and Royal Orchid Hotel at Inle Lake.

Rahul Khanna, Yangon  (2010-08-13)

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) ramps up flights to Yangon, Myanmar from Kuala Lumpur from September 2. Facing off with AirAsia, MAS will have daily flights, up from its current five weekly flights. 

The increase in service frequency follows low-cost carrier AirAsia's new daily flights on the same route on July 20. The latter is offering fares from as low as US$9 per way.

MAS is offering a return fare of US$206 nett to mark the start of the improved frequency.  Regular fares, excluding surcharges and taxes, will start from US$279.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s move to stop issuing visa-on-arrival (VOA) to tourists from seven countries, including Myanmar, from August 15 is believed to have no impact on Myanmar travellers, said an officer at the Malaysian embassy in Yangon.

He explained that the majority of Myanmar travellers preferred to arrange their visa in advance at the embassy as it is cheaper. VOA at Kuala Lumpur Airport costs RM100 (US$31.40) while a visa obtained from the embassy in Yangon is US$6.

Bangkok  (2010-08-13)

NEW international hotlines will provide convenient 24-hour assistance to tourists. Set up by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the initiative is an extension of the Bangkok-based TAT Call Centre at 1672.

TAT governor Suraphon Svetsreni said providing global numbers would help foreign tourists access Thai tourism information conveniently, quickly and at a lower cost.

More than 80 per cent of calls received by the centre are domestic and foreign tourists are charged international calling fees.

The move to set up global numbers was a result of the recent political unrest, which clearly showed that there was a need to help tourists during emergency situations. Tourists may also call the centre for regular enquiries.

TAT will first introduce hotline numbers to the UK, US, Japan, Sweden and Australia, providing 24-hour assistance in English and Japanese. The calls will be charged at a local rate regardless of whether the call was made from a landline or mobile phone.

It expects to receive more than 3,000 calls per month.

Jakarta (2010-08-13)

A new Jakarta airport will help Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to welcome more arrivals. Spinning the plan is Indonesia's Ministry of Communications, which has roped in  the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to help.

JICA is currently studying suitable locations for the new air hub.

Ministry of Communications director of airports Ignatius Bambang Tjahjono said the ministry expected JICA to finalise the study by year-end, after which construction will begin.

Tjahjono said the new airport would most probably be run privately to allow competition with state-owned airport authority Angkasa Pura II.

Soekarno-Hatta International airport was in the spotlight following a blackout last weekend that caused severe airline delays, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The ministry has also been mulling over the addition of more airports in Indonesia that will be run by the private sector.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-12)

MALAYSIA'S Reliance Group has been strengthening its online presence in three new markets – Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines – since April through its wholly owned subsidiary, PYOTravel.com.

Dedicated portals have been set up for each of these markets and the company has invested in online advertising to drive traffic, said Tan Sin Chong, managing director (travel division) of Reliance Pacific.

PYOTravel.com will launch a flight aggregator on its Hong Kong and Singapore portals next month to allow consumers to compare airfares and book flights direct on the site. The feature will be added to the Taiwan and Australian portals in October.

In the financial year ending March 31, PYOTravel.com contributed 15 per cent of total sales in the travel division.

Tan noted that online travel agencies were poised to gain a stronger foothold in Asia in the next three to five years.

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-08-12)

ACCOR will add 12 to 13 new hotels and more than 3,000 rooms to its portfolio of 42 hotels and 10,044 rooms in Thailand in the next few years. The chain is also clinching more management deals.

Four of the new hotels, offering 1,030 rooms, will open in Bangkok within the next few months. These are the 216-room Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom, 380-room Novotel Bangkok Fenix Ploenchit, 272-room ibis Bangkok Riverside and 162-room all seasons Bangkok Victory Monument.

Paul Stevens, operations director for Accor Thailand, said Novotel Fenix Silom and ibis Riverside, whose reservation systems had been activated, were getting bookings from overseas markets, especially from Europe.

“Bangkok is seeing a return of tourists and a slow recovery in the corporate segment,” he said, referring to the decline during the Thai political crisis in the second quarter when seven of Accor's 21 hotels in the Thai capital had to close temporarily.

Barring further crises, Accor expects performance at all its Thai hotels in the coming high season, from October to March 2011, to eclipse last season’s results or surpass that of 2008.

Bangkok (2010-08-12)

DUSIT Thani Laguna Phuket, formerly owned by Laguna Resorts & Hotels, is now owned by Dusit International.

Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit International, said the group beat “a strong field of competitive bidders” to bag the 226-room hotel. “(It) has been one of our best managed hotels for over two decades, and its performance (never declined) despite the many challenges over this period.”

He added that the resort grew RevPAR by 16.5 per cent over the last 12 months, compared to the 9.8 per cent market average of luxury and upscale properties in Phuket.

Rahul Khanna, Yangon (2010-08-12)

MYANMAR-BASED Air Bagan plans to introduce direct flights between Yangon and regional cities when it takes delivery of two Airbus A320 aircraft this October.

The airline has earmarked Siem Reap, Bangkok, Phuket, Kunming, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for its route expansion plan.

It will also take delivery of ATR72-500 aircraft to expand its domestic route network, which now comprises flights to 17 cities.

Further, Air Bagan will resume the twice-weekly service on the Yangon-Pathein route from November. The service has been temporarily suspended for the ongoing low season.

Jakarta (2010-08-12)

GARUDA Indonesia will commence its Jakarta-Tokyo daily direct flights on August 31, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering 222 seats in two classes.

The service, which will target business travellers, will offer immigration on board on the Tokyo-Jakarta leg.

Flight GA884 will leave Jakarta at 23.50 and arrive in Tokyo at 09.00 the next morning, while return flight GA885 will leave Tokyo at 12.00 and arrive in Jakarta at 17.45.

Garuda now flies from Denpasar to Nagoya three times a week, to Osaka five times a weekly and to Tokyo daily.

Hua Hin (2010-08-12)

INTERCONTINENTAL Hua Hin Resort has started a private air service to shuttle guests from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muang Airport to the beachside city.

The resort is said to be the only one in Hua Hin to offer a private air service.

General manager Pattama Yoshimura said the eight-seat Cessna Grand Caravan, painted in InterContinental livery and with a full-time crew on permanent standby, would raise the bar in Thailand on opulent, yet convenient, services.

Yoshimura added: “(The service) has been in demand from discerning guests who prefer the privacy of a quick transfer to Hua Hin from Bangkok. We have had a range of customers, from Bangkok residents to longhaul visitors...”

Encouraged by the strong demand, the resort plans to develop accommodation and flight packages.

S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-08-11)

JOINT efforts by the travel trade to encourage Middle Eastern travellers to stay on in Malaysia and experience the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts today, and the big Aidulfitri celebration at the end of the holy month, have yielded poor results.

Inbound tour operators have seen negligible new bookings during the fasting month, while Middle East tourists who arrived in late July for their summer holidays have left.

World Avenues executive director Ally Bhoonee said: “As a wholesaler specialising only in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) market, this trend is worrisome. It is an indication of what is to come for the next five years as Ramadan will continue to coincide with the summer holidays.”

It is still too early to gauge how bookings will fare post-Aidulfitri as travellers from the Middle East tend to book last minute.

– Full story, TTG Asia, August 20

Bangkok (2010-08-11)

EXOTISSIMO Travel Thailand has reported a 46 per cent year-on-year increase in sales revenue in the first half of the year.

General manager Michael Lynden-Bell said despite slow sales in May, the 40 per cent year-on-year growth in July had given the destination management company a great first-half, and “left us feeling confident that business will continue to increase for the rest of the year”.

Forward bookings are reportedly looking good, and barring further problems in Thailand, Exotissimo expects a very good year and a busy high season.

Lynden-Bell attributed the achievement to active sales teams in the core markets France, Germany, the UK, Australia and the US, and new contracts from existing agents of other Exotissimo destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia.

A number of new niche itineraries and experiential-style of travel in South-east Asia are expected to attract more first-time and repeat visitors.

Exotissimo handled about 25,000 passengers to Thailand last year. It has projected a 10 to 20 per cent growth this year.

TTGmice, Singapore (2010-08-11)

BARELY two months since the inception of Suntec International, the company has been appointed the exclusive sales and marketing representative for Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) in Canada.

Suntec International will spearhead efforts to draw more meetings and events from Asia to Vancouver.

“This representation agreement is one of VCC’s strategies to expand its global footprint and tap into new areas of potential growth, particularly in Asia,” said Claire Smith, vice president of sales and marketing of VCC.

Singapore (2010-08-11)

STA Travel Group has acquired Bridge the World brand from Stella Travel Services UK.

The brand was originally founded in 1989 by Jerry Bridge, and brings with it a heritage of longhaul travel, particularly to Australia/New Zealand. STA said there was an opportunity to revive the name in the UK. It will launch in September.

STA Travel has appointed James Herbert commercial director for Bridge the World reporting to John Constable, group managing director.

TTGmice, Sydney (2010-08-11)

BUSINESS Events Sydney (BESydney) has opened a new office in Shanghai to expand its sales and marketing reach in China.

BESydney CEO, Jon Hutchison, said: “Asia is a key growth area for us, especially China, where we have seen strong interest in Sydney for outbound corporate incentive groups.

“Since opening the BESydney office in Hong Kong in 2003, we have confirmed an estimated A$373 million (US$339 million) worth of business from Asia for Sydney, of which 77 per cent originated from China."

Some 69 business events out of Asia were secured in 2009/10, compared to 47 wins in 2002/3. These events will deliver an estimated A$179 million to the New South Wales economy.

Shu Ping Chen will sit at the Shanghai office as business development manager. She was business development manager of Experience Tours Australia, a division of the Australian Outbound Travel group. She will report to Sinead Yeo, business development director Asia.