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1 Science Park Road
#04-07 The Capricorn
Singapore Science Park II
Singapore 117528
Tel: (65) 6395-7575
Fax: (65) 6536-2972
Website: http://www.ttgasia.com
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| Archive |
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July, 2010 |
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June, 2010 |
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May, 2010 |
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April, 2010 |
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March, 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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Winter flights surge heralds Thai tourism recovery
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-11-30)
THE NUMBER of winter flights to Thailand has increased, according to Thai groundhandler LTU Asia, indicating a possible recovery in the Thai tourism sector.
LTU saw an overall growth of five to seven per cent in the number of winter flights from airlines it handles at Phuket and Krabi International Airports.
The company expects to handle 800 scheduled and chartered flights by 10 airlines to Phuket from October 27 to March 27, 2010.
LTU Asia managing director Raymond Honings said all flights would be operating at full load factor, bringing in around 200,000 travellers to Phuket alone for the winter season. These flights were on top of the other scheduled and chartered services to Phuket not handled by the company.
"Thailand is still a value for money destination. The euro and Australian dollar remain strong against the Thai baht so the country has the potential to win back tourists in this high season."
Meanwhile, LTU expects to handle 112 flights to Krabi International Airport during the October to March winter season.
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Hogg Robinson forecasts Asia-led recovery
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-30)
UK-based corporate travel services company, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), expects its Asia-Pacific business to lead a return to "more normal" levels of activity, as signs of recovery emerge in the business travel sector.
According to the group's first-half financial report for 2009, HRG had "seen recent signs of a relaxation of some clients' travel policies".
The group also reorganised its business in Australia to focus on winning new clients, particularly those based in Sydney, and took advantage of Singapore's government programmes to retain staff in the Lion City.
HRG also noted that clients had been trading down to cheaper forms of travel and reducing travel frequency. As the firm operates on a fee-based model, trading down had little impact, but the lowering of travel frequency forced the firm to reduce its capacity. Still, the company managed to maintain a 90 per cent client retention rate.
David Radcliffe, HRG chief executive, said while the group had seen early signs of stabilisation, visibility remained limited. "We believe that we are well positioned to respond as market conditions improve."
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Five-year strategy eyed for ASEAN tourism
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-30)
THE ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015, prepared by the ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement (ACE) Project and Thammasat University in Thailand, will be presented to ASEAN NTOs by November 2010.
The plan aims to help the region achieve a more integrated ASEAN community by 2015 and succeed the ASEAN Roadmap for the Integration of the Tourism Sector, which expires in 2010.
Its recommendations include a wide range of policies and reforms in ASEAN's tourism marketing, branding, product development, human resource development, quality standards, investment strategies, cruise development, crisis management and communications, infrastructure, and border, customs, and immigration policy.
Tran Dong Phuong, infrastructure division head of the ASEAN Economic Community Department, said a good and well implemented plan would create jobs and visitor satisfaction. "We look forward to a plan that identifies priority areas and actions for cooperation and integration across the 10 ASEAN tourism markets. The plan will help boost the quality and quantity of tourism across ASEAN."
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Sarawak convention bureau launches MICE resources
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-30)
SARAWAK Convention Bureau (SCB) will launch a planner's guide and a video for the MICE market at special events in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur over the next two weeks.
The Meeting and Incentive Planner's Guide Volume II and the Meet in Sarawak Video II, titled Recharge in a New World – Changing Perspectives, will be rolled out to DMCs, PCOs and corporate and association invitees at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay on December 1 and in Kuala Lumpur on December 14.
Jill Henry, SCB CEO, said improved and direct air access between Singapore and Kuching meant meetings in Sarawak had become an attractive alternative for corporations and associations with offices in the city-state.
The Meet in Sarawak Video II is a short promotional video, while the Meeting and Incentive Planner's Guide Volume II is a 128-page destination guide with information on the bureau's services for meeting planners, Sarawak's meeting credentials, top incentive ideas and details on 213 potential convention venues and industry service providers.
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Rate hike next year at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-30)
AVERAGE published room rates of the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu in Sabah will increase by 10 to 15 per cent next year on the strength of its new product.
The five-star business hotel recently completed the first phase of its room renovations. The RM44 million (US$13 million) programme covered 79 rooms from Levels 10 to 14.
Work on the rest of the 209 rooms will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2010.
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Singapore (2009-11-30)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza on Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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Hong Kong agents vote for change
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-11-26)
HONG Kong's Travel Industry Council (TIC) voted in its youngest-ever elected director, with 29-year-old Jason Wong from Hong Thai Travel Service taking one of the four director seats up for grabs.
Wong won the votes of 651 out of the 671 voting members taking part in the election, held during TIC's 22nd AGM.
Wong said he was "delighted" with the election. "It's not only a victory but a sign that the trade is looking for change. New blood on the board will help solve their problems and improve our environment."
Wong vowed to fulfil his promises to his voters while working simultaneously with trade partners.
The AGM broke attendance records, with an additional 200 members showing up compared to last year's meeting.
The remaining three director seats were taken by Yiu Si Wing of China Travel (HK & Macau Tour), Tommy Tam of Arrow Travel and Freddy Yip from Goldjoy Travel.
Sources said both Michael Wu of Gray Line Tours and Freddy Yip were keen to run for the TIC chairmanship after Ronnie Ho steps down next month.
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WORLDHOTELS targets agents as business travel bounces back
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-26)
WORLDHOTELS will increase its sales focus on agents and TMCs in 2010 as business travel and GDS bookings stage a recovery.
While the hotel group will continue to maintain its sales focus on the worldhotels.com site, it anticipates slower growth in online bookings, according to the group's vice president, Asia-Pacific Roland Jegge.
"As GDS bookings are bouncing back in full force, we foresee a slower growth of the Internet proportion of business, expanding to 35 per cent of our total revenue generated."
Jegge said the group would focus on re-emerging MICE market opportunities and growing business travel in partnership with TMCs, brick-and-mortar travel agents and OTAs.
This year alone, the share of Internet distribution systems in the business mix of the company increased from 23 per cent in 2008 to 32 per cent, while the hotel group registered a 33 per cent surge in room nights booked through worldhotels.com and 32 per cent growth in bookings through its online booking engine.
WORLDHOTELS also grew its portfolio by 46 properties this year and has enjoyed positive reservations growth for its properties for three months running.
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Travellers forego longhaul: MasterCard
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Singapore (2009-11-26)
ASIA-PACIFIC travellers are increasingly likely to travel within the region as the economy rebounds, according to a MasterCard survey on travel priorities.
Over the next six months, 88 per cent of Asia-Pacific respondents are planning to holiday in regional destinations.
Eight of the top 10 destinations are located in the region, compared to seven in the last survey. The top three are Japan (25 per cent), Australia and China (both with 22 per cent).
The survey also found that Hong Kong respondents were the most likely to travel, with 59 per cent planning air travel within the next six months, followed by Singapore at 42 per cent.
MasterCard Worldwide economic advisor Asia/Pacific, Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, said the fact that Asia was the least affected by the global recession meant travel spend would likely "rebound more strongly" in the coming months.
"With connectivity among key tourist destinations within Asia-Pacific becoming stronger, consumers have become more inclined to explore destinations closer to home."
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Malaysia Airlines boosts capacity despite losses
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-26)
MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) will continue to increase capacity on domestic and ASEAN routes despite posting a net loss of RM300 million (US$89.15 million) in the third quarter.
MAS managing director and CEO, Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, said the airline was seeing signs of recovery and would continue to strengthen its domestic and ASEAN operations.
"We will continue to add capacity for profitable routes such as those flying to domestic and ASEAN destinations. For this quarter alone, we added 10 per cent capacity for domestic operations. At the same time, we are monitoring longhaul performance. Forward bookings for quarter four are looking good."
Zahruddin hinted that fares may rise, saying that the low level of fares was not sustainable. "We will maintain our fare benchmarking and ensure that we continue to offer competitive and compelling fares," he added.
MAS carried 3.3 million passengers during the quarter, the highest number since early 2008. Load factors increased by double digits to 76.7 per cent compared to 65.8 per cent in the second quarter.
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Shangri-La inks Traders Hotel for Malaysian theme park complex
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Singapore (2009-11-26)
SHANGRI-La Hotels and Resorts will open and operate the Traders Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Iskandar, Malaysia in 2012 within an integrated complex comprising a theme park, entertainment centre and retail zone.
Located 15 minutes from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link bridge connecting the two countries, the 292-room property will be the first international hotel in the newly-developed Nusajaya area in the state of Johor, and the only hotel associated with the complex's soon-to-open indoor theme park.
Guestrooms will be a minimum of 36 square metres in size, while a 620 square metre ballroom and several function rooms will cater to MICE guests.
Puteri Harbour will also house a water transport terminal and three marinas.
Nusajaya is being developed over 10,000 hectares as a "fully-integrated city for business living and leisure".
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Accor opens second ibis in Phuket
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Singapore (2009-11-26)
ACCOR will open the ibis Phuket Kata on December 1, the second property for the budget hotel chain in the Thai resort town.
Located near Kata Beach, the 258-room property will offer three-star international service with facilities that include a swimming pool, a designated Internet area, meeting rooms and a car rental service.
The hotel also provides complimentary tuktuk service to the beach and nearby attractions.
Rates start at 850 baht (US$26) for stays between May and September, 1,050 baht in April, and 1,600 baht from December to March.
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Singapore DMC ventures into outbound
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-11-25)
LOTUS Asia Tours Singapore, a Singaporean DMC, has decided to venture into the outbound travel segment.
The company's general manager Mauro Del Vento explained the move was a sensible one as there was great potential for outbound travel in the Singapore market.
"This is also a logical development for the company as Lotus Asia Tours has offices in Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar, which would provide the necessary support for outbound handling."
The company's expansion into outbound travel follows its umbrella group Lotus Asia Tours' acquisition of Asco International, a DMC with offices in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
Vento said: "Our expertise lies in selling South-east Asian destinations, so we are focusing on outbound FIT and small groups to this region for now. We don't have the expertise yet to sell Europe or the US, but we will grow."
Lotus Asia Tours Singapore's outbound venture is still in the planning stage and Vento expects the agency's first outbound movement to occur "by Christmas".
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Asia-Pacific hotel occupancy ‘stabilising'
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Singapore (2009-11-25)
WHILE hotels in the Asia-Pacific region saw falls in occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and RevPAR for the month of October, declines were stabilising, according to STR Global.
Year-over-year, occupancy in the region fell 0.6 per cent to 67.1 per cent, ADR fell 2.5 per cent to US$128 and RevPAR fell 3.1 per cent to US$86.
"All sub-regions across Asia-Pacific saw occupancy stabilising in the month of October, helping to soften RevPAR decline by only 3.1 per cent overall," said Elizabeth Randall, STR Global managing director.
The highest occupancy increase was reported by New Delhi, which surged 14.7 per cent to 77.5 per cent, followed by Kuala Lumpur which soared 12.4 per cent to 74.1 per cent.
The largest ADR increases were reported by Melbourne (28.5 per cent to US$160.78) and Sydney (28.5 per cent to US$161.24), while Phuket (-22.8 per cent to US$72.72) and Shanghai (-22.2 per cent to US$117.22) saw the largest ADR decreases.
Sydney experienced the largest RevPAR increase, jumping 43.88 per cent to US$141.84.
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Australian demand surges for Asian stopovers
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-25)
MORE Australian travellers are requesting stopovers in Asian cities, fuelled by demand for "shop-over" shopping trips, according to Australian online travel agency travel.com.au.
A spokesperson for the agency said one in three customers now request a stop-over, which is a 30 per cent increase over 2008 when only 18 per cent of Australian travellers booked stop-overs.
The agency's general manager – brand, Lisa Ferrari, said more Australian travellers were becoming travel-savvy with the intention to go for a "shop-over".
"A ‘shop-over' is the ultimate solution when breaking up a long trip. They allow you to pick up some great bargains you can't get at home, and allow travellers to see two destinations for the price of one flight."
Ferrari said with 2009 drawing to an end, Australians were still making the most of bargain airfares and a strong Australian dollar.
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Indonesian developer puts hotel pair for sale
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Jakarta (2009-11-25)
HOTEL Raddin Ancol, Jakarta, and Mercure Resort Sanur, Bali will be sold off by property developer Jakarta Setiabudi International (JSI) to raise funds for other hotel developments.
The fate of the hotels is still not known, but JSI vice president director Purwo Hari Prawiro said both properties were still running profitably. However, Prawiro said they did not provide significant contributions to JSI anymore.
JSI expects to gain 125 billion rupiah (US$13.2 million) from the sales. This will then be reinvested for development of a Formule 1 Hotel on Jalan Thamrin, Jakarta, and a Grand Hyatt Hotel in Jogjakarta next year.
JSI is also looking into the possibility of developing a "superblock" in West Jakarta, which will consist of offices, a hotel and apartments.
JSI also owns the Mercure Convention Centre, Ancol, Jakarta, the Formule 1 Menteng, Formule 1 Cikini, Jakarta and Grand Hyatt Bali.
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F&B conglomerate enters Singapore hotel scene
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-11-25)
HARRY'S Holdings, an established name in Singapore's f&b and nightlife scene, is entering the hotel scene with a boutique hotel opening in the city-state next year.
The 22-room Club by Harry's Hospitality, on Ann Siang Road, will look at a primarily corporate clientele. And keeping to the group's expertise, much of the revenue of the hotel will come from its f&b.
Harry's Holdings CEO, Mohan Mulani, said rooms, at 30 square metres, would be priced at around S$250 (US$180).
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Batavia Air boosts Singapore-Indonesia access
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Singapore (2009-11-25)
INDONESIAN carrier Batavia Air commenced daily services today between Singapore and the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Semarang, boosting air access between the two South-east Asian neighbours.
The two services will use Airbus A319 aircraft with 144 economy class seats.
Batavia Air is the 12th airline to fly the Singapore-Jakarta route, and the first to operate flights to Semarang, the fifth largest city in Indonesia.
While Indonesian arrivals to Singapore have fallen 5.3 per cent in the last 10 months, passenger traffic between Singapore and Indonesia increased 4.3 per cent over the same period last year, to 3.6 million passengers.
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Post-ITB forum to match UK buyers with AP sellers
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Singapore (2009-11-25)
UK agents and buyers can once again meet key sellers from Asia-Pacific at the second PATA Exchange forum on March 15, 2010.
Organised by the UK Chapter of PATA, the forum is timed for the period when large numbers of delegates route through London on their way home from ITB Berlin.
The one-day forum will operate on an appointments system, and will be free for buyers. Sellers will be charged 310 pounds (US$518) per company for PATA members and 350 pounds per company for non-PATA members.
PATA Exchange will take place at Australia House, London.
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Singapore (2009-11-25)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza on Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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eLong sees possible A/H1N1 impact on November travel demand
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-24)
ONLINE Chinese travel service provider, eLong, warned that November travel demand in China could be affected by recent snowstorms and A/H1N1 concerns.
eLong CEO, Guangfu Cui, said: "The flu situation is getting worse versus the previous quarter. How that will impact travel remains to be seen but…November demand is significantly lower than October demand."
The warning came as eLong registered stronger third quarter results year-on-year, with a 13 per cent increase in room nights booked for the quarter and a 24 per cent increase in air segments.
Cui said the summer travel season "turned out to be a strong one for eLong", with a peak in demand for the summer holidays.
The company is focusing on increasing its online bookings, which currently make up one-third of its total bookings, and improving travel destination information on its website.
Overall, eLong's operating income for the third quarter reached RMB5.9 million (US$0.86 million), compared to an operating loss of RMB19.9 million in the prior year period.
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Singapore slips back into decline for October
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Singapore (2009-11-24)
AFTER posting positive growth in monthly arrivals in September, Singapore saw a 0.5 per cent decline in October, despite nine out of its top 15 markets registering growth over October 2008.
Highlights included mainland China recording its first growth since May (8.4 per cent) due to an eight-day Golden Week holiday, Hong Kong (up 27.4 per cent) and Malaysia (up 26.2 per cent).
Meanwhile, hotels registered an average occupancy rate of 82.7 per cent for October, the highest for the year and a 0.8 per cent increase over October 2008. Average room rate was estimated at S$181 (US$130), a decline of 24.2 per cent over October 2008, while RevPAR was down 23.4 per cent to S$150.
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Thailand arrivals pick up steam but ATTA still cautious
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-11-24)
DESPITE a second month of positive growth in arrivals in October, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) maintained its forecast of 11.5 million foreign visitors for the year, less than the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' projection of 14 million arrivals.
Arrivals were up 16.88 per cent in September and 10.47 per cent in October over the same periods in 2008, while the first 10 months of the year registered 11.1 million visitors, a 10.11 per cent drop over the same period last year.
According to ATTA president Surapol Sritrakul, the year was not as bad as ATTA had initially expected. He added it was a good sign that the level of decline in key Asian and European markets had eased up.
Of the top 10 markets between January and October, only India saw positive growth (up 5.56 per cent). Other markets still suffered declines, with the biggest drop recorded by South Korea (down 39.38 per cent), followed by China (down 22.14 per cent) and Japan (down 18.81 per cent). Other markets suffered lower declines, such as Germany (down 0.16 per cent) and the UK (down 1.52 per cent).
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Thailand arrivals pick up steam but ATTA still cautious
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-11-24)
DESPITE a second month of positive growth in arrivals in October, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) maintained its forecast of 11.5 million foreign visitors for the year, less than the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' projection of 14 million arrivals.
Arrivals were up 16.88 per cent in September and 10.47 per cent in October over the same periods in 2008, while the first 10 months of the year registered 11.1 million visitors, a 10.11 per cent drop over the same period last year.
According to ATTA president Surapol Sritrakul, the year was not as bad as ATTA had initially expected. He added it was a good sign that the level of decline in key Asian and European markets had eased up.
Of the top 10 markets between January and October, only India saw positive growth (up 5.56 per cent). Other markets still suffered declines, with the biggest drop recorded by South Korea (down 39.38 per cent), followed by China (down 22.14 per cent) and Japan (down 18.81 per cent). Other markets suffered lower declines, such as Germany (down 0.16 per cent) and the UK (down 1.52 per cent).
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Resorts World Sentosa secures major convention win
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Singapore (2009-11-24)
RESORTS World Sentosa announced its 30th confirmed event booking as the integrated resort gears up for its early-2010 opening.
The 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention will bring 4,000 business leaders from around the world to the resort from October 5 to 7, 2011.
According to a spokesman, the resort is fielding over 150 leads, with May, June and November dates filling up quickly. Expressions of interest have also been made for events up to 2014.
"The strong interest…gives us great confidence in Singapore's meetings and incentive travel sector in the mid to long term", said the resort's director of MICE, Elena Arabadjieva.
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Eurail eyes growing China market
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Singapore (2009-11-24)
THE NUMBER of Chinese travellers who purchased the Eurail Pass surged by 25 per cent surge in 2008, according to the Eurail Group, which is holding two travel trade seminars in Beijing and Shanghai on November 23 and 24.
The Eurail Group is promoting rail travel as "a cleaner, less expensive and more enjoyable choice" for travelling in Europe.
In addition to advocating its green benefits, the group is also eyeing students with a special offer for the segment.
Ana Dias e Seixas, Eurail Group's marketing director, said China was one of the company's most important new markets. "In the coming year, we will concentrate on offering additional customer benefits to make the product range more attractive."
According to the group, its Eurail passes cover 160,000 miles of track on the European railway system, and 430,000 international Eurail pass holders used the network across Europe in 2008.
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Malaysia Airlines boosts Brisbane frequency
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-24)
MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) will boost its Kuala Lumpur-Brisbane frequency to seven-times weekly from March 28, 2010, up from the current five-times weekly.
The two flights will depart Kuala Lumpur on Friday and Sunday at 09.00, arriving in Brisbane at 18.55 the same day. Flights will leave Brisbane at 23.20, arriving in Kuala Lumpur the next morning at 05.45.
MAS offers 46 weekly services to Australia spanning five destinations – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Surcharges in the offingSharon Desker Shaw, Raini Hamdi and Karen Yue, Kunming (2009-11-23)
SHANGHAI'S hotels have yet to release rates for the 2010 World Expo, which is just five months away, but buyers have indicated that double-digit room surcharges could be on the cards.
"It is very hard for us to plan now because hotels have yet to release their rates for the Shanghai World Expo 2010. What I've heard so far is that hotels will impose a surcharge of 10 to 50 per cent of room rates," said Henry Ou, president of Hawaii China Travel Service, of plans for post-Expo tour extensions to other parts of China.
Even if sizeable surcharges, such as the 50 per cent Ou mentioned, are applied, Shanghai's explosive room growth is expected to ensure hotel rate hikes will not match Beijing's outsized 2008 Olympic increase, a strategy that left hotels high and dry when bookings failed to materialise.
Mindful of Beijing's Olympic experience – the result of both pricey hotel rooms and a visa clampdown – Shanghai tourism authorities have cautioned hotels against sharp rate rises.
- Read more in TTG Asia, December 4 issue
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Morakot's punchKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-23)
MAINLAND China arrivals to Taiwan's Alishan National Park suffered after Typhoon Morakot destroyed Highway 18, the main road link to the island's scenic southern destination, in August.
Tour operators noted mainland China arrivals slumping in the months after the typhoon's arrival. Taichung's Tung Yuan Travel Service China inbound sales and planning manager Huang Yan Ze lamented the dive, which came after first half growth of 40 per cent. "Only small coaches that carry no more than 20 passengers can access the highway now. And when they learn that they are not able to visit Alishan, they would choose not to visit Taiwan at all."
Taiwanese agents are, however, confident traffic will rebound in 2010, once the highway is repaired, and consumer confidence begins growing post-recession.
Added to these factors, a recent trade agreement between Jiangsu province and Taiwan has promised to bring at least 10,000 mainland China leisure and business visitors to the island.
- Read more in TTG Asia, December 4 issue
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Japan draws with new visaSharon Desker Shaw, Kunming (2009-11-23)
JAPAN'S visa scheme for independent Chinese travellers delivered 5,000 visitors to the country in the four months after it was introduced in July.
Japan National Tourism Organization's Shanghai office director Katsuaki Suzuki said the numbers were based on just three of Japan's six embassies in mainland China processing visas for independent travellers. Its Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou embassy offices currently process the visas, but Suzuki believes the remaining three could begin doing the same by the end of the scheme's first year.
"China is a very important market for us," said Suzuki of a market which is expected to deliver close to one million arrivals this year, including 400,000 group travellers and about 10,000 MICE visitors. "The financial crisis has not influenced China outbound travel to Japan."
With Visit Japan Year in 2010, Suzuki is looking to grow Chinese arrival numbers by another 400,000, a target he is confident of reaching as independent travel gains ground and MICE volumes grow with economic recovery.
Eighty per cent of Chinese FITs headed to Tokyo, followed by Osaka and Hokkaido.
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Genting chases for top yuanMimi Hudoyo, Kunming (2009-11-23)
HAVING upgraded and refurbished its six hotels and other facilities, Resorts World Genting is now aiming for high-yield business from China, including the golf, wedding and MICE markets.
Its flagship Genting Hotel has been upgraded to Maxims Genting Hotel with 244 suites and 24-hour butler service.
Resort Hotel and Theme Park Hotel have also been refurbished, while work on the Chin Swee Caves Temples & Residence Hall has been completed.
Chinese MICE groups are on the rise, along with individual travellers and tour groups. The introduction of a Genting International Convention Centre WorldCard in March has been designed to draw more MICE groups from China to the Malaysian highlands.
- Read more in TTG Asia, December 4 issue
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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India targets China with Bollywood, train toursKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-23)
INDIA's ministry of tourism is planning to grow arrivals from mainland China with Bollywood themed tours and railway tours that cover Buddhist sites.
Indiatourism Beijing director Shoeb Samad explained that Indian films were gaining a strong following in China with many Chinese drawn to the Indian destinations featured in the films.
"We will be working with TV stations in China to promote Indian films, and market film studio and destination tours romanticised by popular films."
Meanwhile, the Mahaparinirvan Express, offered by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation, will enhance Buddhist circuit tours that have been popular among the Chinese.
The seven-day journey will include stops at Bodhgaya, Varanasi and Agra. Time-strapped passengers may purchase three-night journeys, with ticket prices ranging from US$105 per person per day for a third-tier cabin to US$150 for a first-class cabin.
S K Singh, managing director of Elite Holidays Tour & Travels, the GSA in China for the product, said familiarisation trips, volume-based commissions and sales materials for Chinese travel agents would help push the product.
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Indian agents make commission cuts top priority
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Ahir Bhairab Borthakur, Bangalore (2009-11-23)
A FAVOURABLE solution to the commission cut issue would be the topmost priority of the Travel Agent Association of India's (TAAI) new national committee of 2009-10, said TAAI president Rajinder Rai.
Following Rai's re-election last week, the 2009-2010 TAAI committee, along with representatives of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) met P N Sukul, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation on November 19, to press for an immediate solution to the commission cut issue.
"The transaction fee model has failed and ticketing agents in India will no longer work for free for the foreign airlines without any commission," said Rai, adding he was hopeful of a breakthrough within the next two weeks.
Rai said the Ministry of Civil Aviation had decided to refer the issue to the Ministry of Law.
Apart from the issue of commission cuts, the new committee will focus on training agents to turn them into total travel solution providers. According to Rai, TAAI will soon tie up with Kuoni Academy of Travel to train senior-level agents on various aspects of the travel business.
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IAPCO slams EU move to curb business trips
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Singapore (2009-11-23)
THE INTERNATIONAL Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) warned of dire consequences if the EU proceeded to replace business trips with telecommunication and web-based alternatives.
The EU recently made a decision to encourage firms to reduce business trips by 20 per cent which would save more than 22 million tons of CO2 per year.
According to IAPCO, the move would harm both delegates and countries which hosted meetings, conferences and events.
For instance, countries without the technical infrastructure to participate in online meetings would lose out in addition to losing financial contributions from delegate spend, while delegates would lose out on human interaction and inspiration, and networking opportunities.
"Reducing (face-to-face meetings) will have no impact on world gas emissions but will have a strong negative effect on the world economy and the wellbeing of humanity," said IAPCO in a statement.
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Singapore (2009-11-23)
THE INTERCONTINENTAL Hua Hin Resort will open on December 1, adding 119 rooms to the Thai resort town of Hua Hin.
Located on a beachfront plot along Petchakasem Road, the resort includes 11 deluxe ocean-view suites, six executive suites, three beachfront villas with private plunge pools and one presidential suite.
All rooms feature individual master bedrooms, living and dining areas in addition to large bathrooms.
Room rates start from US$154 per night.
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Emirates adds fourth Bangkok daily flight
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Bangkok (2009-11-23)
EMIRATES will launch a fourth daily Dubai-Bangkok service from December 2.
The additional frequency comes after a 30 per cent capacity boost for the route in June with the introduction of its 488-seat Airbus A380 aircraft.
The airline was the first to fly the "superjumbo" to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
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Singapore (2009-11-23)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza on Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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US makes a strong play for China travel marketMimi Hudoyo, Kunming (2009-11-20)
THE US is poised to boost its tourism investment in China after its Approved Destination Status (ADS) two years ago helped trigger an expansion of airline capacity and led to states flocking to target the market.
The US National Tour Association (NTA) is working with the US Department of Commerce to open a Visit USA Centre in Shanghai in Spring 2010, according to NTA director, industry and government relations, Matt Grayson.
Next year's launch comes as more US state tourism authorities make inroads in China, prompted by expanded airline capacity and the introduction of more in-depth travel products from tour operators who focus on different regions in place of generic East and West Coast itineraries.
One of the more aggressive states making a play for Chinese travel dollars, Hawaii, opened its second mainland China office in Shanghai this year after establishing a presence in Beijing last year.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Minor gains foothold in ChinaRaini Hamdi, Kunming (2009-11-20)
THAILAND'S Minor International has signed a deal with Yunnan Tourism Investment, sealing its second hotel management contract in China and a foothold to its planned expansion in Yunnan.
The contract is for an Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa, set along the river, close to the ancient Dai village in Menglun.
Minor's senior vice president development Michel van der Hoeven said the deal was significant as the group saw great potential for "a circuit" of Anantara hotels in Yunnan in complementary locations such as Dali, Lijiang and Kunming.
"To that extent, our first Yunnan property with the provincial tourism company is very significant," said van der Hoeven.
China, in particular Yunnan, is a major focus of Minor because of its inbound and outbound market growth and for the positioning of Anantara, a brand that has expanded beyond Thailand.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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India grows carrots for Greater China agentsKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-20)
INDIA has lined up monetary support for travel agents in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan in the destination's latest promotional drive.
Travel agents are required to submit details of itineraries developed for India, and marketing plans and budgets to promote their India products. Upon approval, the ministry will cover 50 per cent of the cost of advertisements, production of marketing and sales collaterals, and road shows.
Indiatourism Beijing director Shoeb Samad said: "We will try our best to support the travel agents in these markets, whether their promotional plan spans a month or six months in line with our aim to strengthen arrivals from these markets."
India received 100,000 visitors from the four markets last year. Samad expects the numbers to grow in 2010 with new products such as the Mahaparinirvan Express, an eight-day rail tour covering major Buddhist, historical and cultural locations such as Bodhgaya, Varanasi and Sravasti.
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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New rich spend on costly breaksKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-20)
CHINESE travellers are showing new patterns of travel, the result of greater travel experience, higher education and stronger purchasing power.
Group tours are increasingly being ditched in favour of customised and independent options, which offer travellers greater freedom.
China Travel Service (Hong Kong) director and deputy general manager Chen Wen Jie said: "If they do buy packaged tours, it would consist of air fare and accommodation with an option to add on a half-day or full-day tour. Being more educated and well-travelled now, Chinese consumers know exactly what they want for their holidays."
China Environment International Travel Service general manager Zhong Hui said cruises and thematic tours also offered growth opportunities.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Xinjiang rebound hopes riseSharon Desker Shaw, Kunming (2009-11-20)
XINJIANG - a key link in the historic Silk Route - is looking to recoup tourism losses next year now that calm has returned to China's restive north-western province.
Tourism to the destination, which welcomed 17 million arrivals in 2006, the latest available figures, fell by more than 50 per cent with the outbreak of violence in the capital Urumqi in July, smack in the middle of the traditional June to September high season for overseas visitors.
Domestic and international travellers cancelled Xinjiang travel plans in the thousands during the high season. Despite hopes of a Golden Week rebound during October's lengthy national holiday break, domestic arrivals were estimated to have fallen by nearly 27 per cent for the first 10 months. Once packed properties such as the five-star Mirage Hotel emptied out, losing as much as 40 per cent of its business during the rioting that claimed nearly 200 lives, according to general manager Cindy Jiao.
But the last few months of calm - aided by a heavy paramilitary police presence - paved the way for a gradual recovery.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Mainland focus triggers Tourism Australia restructureRaini Hamdi, Kunming (2009-11-20)
TOURISM Australia has restructured its North Asia office from a country-based approach to a Greater China approach, in order to respond to changes in the market.
Regional general manager North Asia, Johnny Nee, said the restructure was designed to maximise the combined resources of the three markets - Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. Rather than a country-based approach, a more integrated Greater China strategy would see Tourism Australia better able to harness the China growth while not neglecting Hong Kong and Taiwan.
China is expected to grow eight to 10 per cent per year in the next two years, and is already one of Australia's top five markets with about 350,000 arrivals. Hong Kong's growth is milder, at two to four per cent, contributing about 150,000 a year, while Taiwan is expected to grow at five per cent each year, with some 100,000 arrivals. The gap between Chinese travellers and the more mature Hong Kong/Taiwan travellers is also closing, enabling Tourism Australia to go for a Greater China approach, according to Nee.
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Philippines back in the ASEAN circuit through marketing representatives
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-11-20)
THE PHILIPPINES, which has been without a presence in ASEAN since the closure of its regional office in Singapore on September 30, has just appointed three marketing representatives to champion its tourism interests in the region.
Charles Leong of Pacific Leisure Group has been appointed Philippine marketing representative in Singapore, while Melissa Ong will take care of the Philippine account in Malaysia.
Draftfcb, headed by Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh, will fly the Philippine flag in Vietnam, with Miriam Melgar assuming responsibility for the account.
Having signed a six-month renewable contract with the Philippine Department of Tourism, the new marketing representatives will assume their responsibilities on December 1.
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Consultancy pitches Japanese special-needs market to Thailand
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-11-20)
THAILAND can welcome more Japanese visitors, particularly the elderly and handicapped, if it boosts its facilities for the disabled, according to Tokyo-based consultancy Barrier Free.
Makoto Nakazawa, president of the consultancy firm that focuses on the needs of the disabled, said elderly and handicapped people make up around a quarter of the Japanese population. About 30 to 40 per cent of Japanese outbound travellers come from this segment, which also tended to stay longer than average.
Nakazawa said the high level of service in the Thai hospitality sector worked to the destination's advantage in tapping the special-needs market. He plans to submit his recommendations to the Tourism Authority of Thailand on how the country could improve facilities for travellers with disabilities.
Barrier Free will be organising training and education sessions in January and March next year at the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok. The 525-room hotel claims to be the only one in Thailand to provide rooms for disabled people at a 5:100 room ratio, higher than the international standard of 1:100.
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KLM resumes Singapore-Bali flights
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Singapore (2009-11-20)
KLM will resume flights from Singapore to Denpasar, Bali from December 7 as part of its new Amsterdam-Bali service.
The thrice-weekly Amsterdam-Bali service will land in Singapore before making its final stop in Denpasar.
KLM will operate a Boeing 777-300 on the route with capacity for 425 passengers, carrying 35 in business class and 390 in economy.
To commemorate the launch, KLM will offer a S$140 return (US$100) fare for the Singapore-Bali leg, valid only for departures on December 7, 9 and 12.
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One hotel a week for Westin till year-end
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Singapore (2009-11-20)
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts will open six more hotels throughout the last six weeks of the year, including four in Asia.
India will welcome the 269-room Westin Mumbai Garden City, the 428-room Westin Hyderabad Mindspace and the 277-room Westin Pune Koregaon Park, while China will land the 275-room Westin Tianjin.
In the US, the 314-room Westin Washington Dulles Airport and the 253-room Westin Lake Mary, Orlando North will make their debut.
The predominance of Asian hotels marks a shift in focus for the brand, according to Westin's vice president Nancy London. "Today, 111 of our 163 hotels are in North America, but looking ahead, we will see a seismic shift in this number with 70 per cent of the pipeline located…throughout Asia and the Middle East."
Westin will open another 12 hotels in 2010, spanning Canada, China, Greece, Japan, India, Mexico and the US.
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British Airways boosts Shanghai service
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Singapore (2009-11-20)
BRITISH Airways (BA) will add an additional flight on its London-Shanghai service from December 4, bringing its frequency on the route to six times a week,
BA regional manager Far East, Kevin McQuillan, said the boost in frequency was made for the comfort of passengers. "We need to make travel as comfortable and convenient as possible. That's the reason we are adding the new flight to Shanghai."
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Shangri-La opens third property in China's Zhejiang province
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Hong Kong (2009-11-20)
SHANGRI-LA Hotels and Resorts has fully opened the Shangri-La Wenzhou, its third property in China's southern Zhejiang province following previous openings in Hangzhou and Ningbo.
The 409-room hotel is located next to the Wenzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre, a 25-minute drive from Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport.
Meeting facilities include a 1,700 square-metre pillarless grand ballroom with capacity for 2,000 guests for cocktails or 1,200 for banquets, 11 function rooms and a junior ballroom.
To celebrate the opening, the hotel is offering a special rate of RMB888 (US$130) per night for a deluxe room, valid until February 28, 2010.
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KL Holiday Inn eyes profit surge with relaunch
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-20)
HOLIDAY Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie is eyeing higher profits following its relaunch as part of the brand's global US$1 billion exercise.
With a predominantly corporate mix, the hotel expects to see a seven per cent increase in gross operating profit with a four per cent growth in RevPAR this year, said its general manager Anil Pathak.
Updated with a new contemporary style, Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie now features a redesigned logo, improved signage and outdoor lighting, a redesigned lobby and new signature scents and sounds.
In addition, the hotel has spent RM16.5 million (US$4.9 million) over the last two years on refurbishments.
The guest experience has been improved with signature "comfort" bedding and enhanced showers.
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PATA/UNWTO forum finds permanent home in Guilin
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Bangkok (2009-11-20)
THE PACIFIC Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the UNWTO will hold an annual tourism research forum permanently in the southern Chinese city of Guilin in Guangxi province.
Comprising a two-day conference and a technical tour, the forum will aim to "provide an opportunity for policymakers, senior officials, researchers and industry representatives to take stock of the global and regional trends in tourism and the broader environment impacting upon tourism", according to a PATA statement.
Themes of the forum will vary annually and will be decided jointly by UNWTO, PATA, the city of Guilin and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
PATA CEO Greg Duffell said Guilin enhanced the value and importance of the forum. "(The forum) attracts high-ranking delegates and an impressive cross-section of speakers from the public and private sectors as well as from academia."
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Singapore (2009-11-20)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza on Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Road-and-rail rollRaini Hamdi, Kunming (2009-11-19)
CHINA's relentless rail and road infrastructure development is directly benefiting the regional tourism industry, helping spawn new tours and opening new source markets.
A new rail line from Kunming to Lijiang via Dali, currently under trial, has sent German specialist tour operator Eurasia scurrying to launch a train charter from Beijing to Yunnan. In another instance, the completion of the R3a highway, linking Kunming to Chiang Rai in Thailand, is catalyst for Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to open a new China office in Kunming by April next year, according to TAT executive director East Asia, Sansern Ngaorungsi.
Eurasia has been chartering trains from China's railways ministry since 1983, providing German travellers – and now Europeans – the equivalent of an Orient Express experience in China. Its popular charters include the Silk Route and a trans-Siberian service linking Moscow to Beijing. Director Helmut Mochel said he was now planning a Yunnan journey as a result of the Kunming-Lijiang line and "is 100 per cent confident" about launching it.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Jakarta mulls bigger investment in ChinaMimi Hudoyo, Kunming (2009-11-19)
DOUBLE-digit arrivals from China amid a devastating global recession have prompted Indonesian tourism authorities to consider a bigger investment in mainland China.
Indonesia Ministry of Culture and Tourism is looking into opening an Indonesia Tourism Promotion Office (ITPO) in China, deeming the current set-up of a representative office – the Visit Indonesia Tourism Office (VITO) in Beijing – insufficient for a market the size of China and the limitations of VITO's assignment.
The ministry's director-general of marketing Sapta Nirwandar noted that arrivals from China had been growing by about 20 per cent each month amid one of the worst recessions in decades. Bali has been a major beneficiary, welcoming 61 per cent more Chinese travellers in the first nine months over the same period last month.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Yunnan wins Indian fansKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-19)
DIRECT air access from Calcutta, India to Kunming, launched two years ago, has helped bring a new Chinese mainland destination to the Indian travel market.
Travels & Rentals managing director Devendra Parekh said traffic to Yunnan's provincial capital was almost negligible before the flight's launch. "Few wanted to visit Yunnan because it was costly to fly via Bangkok and Singapore. Because it now takes only two hours to reach Kunming, more consumers in Calcutta are choosing to have their holiday in Yunnan instead of somewhere within India. They would spend an average of five days in Yunnan. If they add Shanghai and Beijing to their programme, it would be an additional five days."
Parekh intends to begin marketing Yunnan as a single destination in 2010 and is confident of seeing a 40 per cent growth in bookings next year.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Gloria to unload its three starsSharon Desker Shaw, Kunming (2009-11-19)
CHINA-based Gloria Hotels & Resorts plans to unload its three-star properties next year in a move to take its brand to a higher trading level.
Group director of sales and marketing Fiona Shi said the 15-property chain intended to sell off three three-star hotels. "We only have three three-star properties and this can affect our image. We want to improve our brand image, and focus on our four- and five-star hotels."
Gloria will add 1,500 keys to its 4,400-room network in the next two years. Five are slated to open in 2010 and the sixth in 2011 in Sanya's Haitang Bay.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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A date with Gran Melia at lastKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-19)
AFTER several delays to its opening, the 686-room Gran Melia Hotel Shanghai will finally soft-open on November 28.
The hotel's director of sales Jason Wang claims to have secured a string of corporate events, meetings and conferences for this year-end and throughout 2010. Clients include TNT, Daikin and Deutsche Bank.
"It helps that we enjoy a strategic location in Pudong, with international banks and companies as neighbours," he said.
Gran Melia Hotel Shanghai will also be the only five-star international hotel in the second phase of the development of the Lujiazui financial district.
The hotel has been chosen to house participants from the Spanish pavilion during the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
The hotel's general manager and Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts area vice president Asia, Alfonso Romero, said the Spanish pavilion would contribute over 1,000 room nights throughout the six-month long Expo.
The hotel is also courting delegations from Spanish-speaking markets and Latin America, as well as high-ranking officials from consulates and embassies who will attend the Expo.
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Jordan eyes Chinese yuanKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-19)
JORDAN Tourism Board has been allocated a budget of US$500,000 for the first time to study the travel consumption patterns and market potential of the Chinese market.
The budget is on top of dollars allocated for CITM participation, and the roll-out of a Chinese website earlier this year. Those efforts are already yielding results. "We recorded almost 10,000 arrivals in 2008 even without any conscious marketing effort on our part," the board's regional marketing coordinator Ahmad Alhmoud said.
There is not even a direct flight from China to Jordan. Chinese travellers have to fly via Hong Kong on Royal Jordanian.
Alhmoud said: "We did not expect to achieve a huge growth in Chinese arrivals because Jordan is a small country with only 22,000 rooms."
The board has set its eyes on the middle- to high-income class who appreciates Jordan's offerings including the ancient city of Petra and Jerash, the Dead Sea and hot springs in Ma'an, the top attractions for Chinese travellers. The average length of stay is 4.5 days this year, up from three days last year.
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Malaysia hits 2009 arrivals target early
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Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-19)
THE MALAYSIA tourism ministry expects to hit 22 million arrivals this year, and will revise upward its target for 2010.
The current 2009 target of 19 million was surpassed in October.
Cumulatively, tourist arrivals from January to October stood at 19.5 million, a 7.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2008 which recorded 18.1 million tourist arrivals.
October saw a total of 2.1 million visitor arrivals, an improvement of 14.3 per cent over October 2008.
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Universal Studios Singapore unveils ‘value' rates
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-19)
RESORTS World Sentosa (RWS) released ticket pricing for its Universal Studios Singapore theme park and rates for three of its hotels yesterday (November 18), stressing value for money as the region pulls out of recession.
One-day passes for adults will cost S$66 (US$47) and S$72 on weekdays and weekends respectively, while the one-day pass for children goes for S$48 and S$52.
Comparable one-day passes for an adult cost JPY5,800 (US$65) at Universal Studios Japan and US$73 at Universal Studios Florida, US.
The Singapore park will also offer two-day passes as well as discounts for seniors. In addition, express passes can be purchased to gain priority access to any of the park's 24 attractions.
Adrian Wong, Hotelbeds destination manager, Singapore and Bintan, found the entry rates competitive. "(The Singapore park) is cheaper than the ones in Japan and possibly the US...so the rates are acceptable for tourists but locals may have a different opinion."
Starting deluxe room rates for three hotels were also announced: Festive Hotel (S$400), Hard Rock Hotel (S$450) and Hotel Michael (S$500). A spokesperson for RWS said the resort would roll out packages combining hotel rates and park tickets at a later date.
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Malaysian medical tourism council eyes Gulf region, CIS
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-19)
A NEW Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council being set up next month will promote medical tourism and serve as a one-stop centre for the sector, with CIS and Gulf countries seen as potential markets.
Headed by CEO Ooi Say Chuan, the council will also serve as a mediation platform for medical tourism issues while aiming to strengthen collaboration between the private and public sectors, and formulating short- and long-term strategies.
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Jacob Thomas said markets such as Russia, the CIS countries and the Gulf Commonwealth Countries (GCC) in the Middle East showed potential and would be further tapped through sales missions abroad.
Prince Court Medical Centre manager, international business development, Junaidi Ismail agreed. "Malaysia is known as a regional halal hub, and is a preferred destination for tourism. Now we just have to sell healthcare to them."
While affordable healthcare services are one of the key draws, Junaidi said the sector faced a challenge in promoting itself abroad due to regulations that prevented hospitals from publishing their rates on their websites.
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InterContinental debuts meeting initiative in Hong Kong
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-19)
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group (IHG) has launched a comprehensive meeting service for planners at its Hong Kong property that facilitates booking of meeting space and off-site activities.
The InterContinental Meetings initiative will introduce online tools such as virtual tours and interactive floor plans that will help meeting planners.
Off-site activities, billed as "Insider Experiences", will aim to inspire and engage delegates. The experiences will vary in length and could range from an hour-long Tai Chi class to a dim sum and noodle-making class and lunch that might last two to three hours. Various off-site venues will be used, and all programmes can be tailormade for each meeting group according to their needs and requests.
Stella Wong, InterContinental Hong Kong director of events, said pricing would depend on the activity. Some activities would even be complimentary.
"We can organise an event for an InterContinental meeting group in which delegates can organise activities for the children of Po Leung Kuk (orphanage)... the only costs would be the transportation to and from (the orphanage) plus the costs for the hotel to prepare and cater lunch or snacks for the kids."
IHG will roll out the initiative to other properties worldwide at a later date.
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East Hotel looks East; Swire to move into China
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-11-19)
EAST, Swire's business hotel that opens in Hong Kong's eastern district of Quarry Bay in January 2010, will be the prototype for the company's expansion.
The hotel's director of sales and marketing Jennifer Cheung said Swire Hotels intends to open East hotels in Beijing and Shanghai by 2011 as well as a property in Guangzhou, likely to fall under the company's House Collection. Swire has also acquired small hotels in the UK with the hope of developing a luxury boutique brand in the country's outlying areas such as Bristol and Essex.
Cheung said: "Swire will expand into the hotel business conservatively. The primary focus is still property and real estate. The hotel strategy follows the property strategy – our hotels are often part of a Swire mixed-use development."
Meanwhile, Cheung is targeting 60 per cent occupancy at HK$1,000 (US$129) in East's first year of operation, with corporate clients providing 80 to 90 per cent of the business.
East will open with an introductory rate of HK$999. Cheung plans to eventually launch HK$888 packages for the leisure market to fill up rooms during weekends. Rates are inclusive of Internet access.
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New Trident to open mid-December in Mumbai
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Singapore (2009-11-19)
THE OBEROI Group will open the five-star Trident Bandra Kurla, Mumbai, on December 17 at the heart of North Mumbai's financial and commercial district.
Located 20 minutes from the airport, the 436-room property will be the only hotel within the Bandra Kurla commercial complex.
Meeting and conference facilities will cater for up to 500 people. The hotel will also have three restaurants, a live sushi bar, a swimming pool and a spa and fitness centre.
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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China-ASEAN open marketRaini Hamdi and Mimi Hudoyo, Kunming (2009-11-18)
A CHINA-ASEAN Tourism Cooperation Forum at the Empark Grand Hotel tomorrow morning (November 19) will eye a more open tourism market between the two.
But an initial draft for a "Kunming declaration" to be signed by the end of the forum has been scrapped. It proposed a "China-ASEAN 10 + 1" as the "mechanism" to achieve a more open tourism market, and the setting up of a China-ASEAN Tourism Coordination Office in Yunnan.
ASEAN tourism officials interviewed today, including Brunei Tourism's project officer MICE Faten Salwati Mahmud Shahrani and Indonesia Ministry of Culture and Tourism director for marketing development Syamsul Lussa said it would have been premature to sign such a declaration, as the draft came out of the blue.
Besides, in the tourism sector, there already exists an ASEAN + 3 (China, Japan and South Korea) dialogue to foster tourism cooperation between ASEAN and each of the three countries.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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China ready to aid tourism rebound: ShaoKunming (2009-11-18)
AGAINST the backdrop of an incipient global economic recovery, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) chairman Shao Qiwei pointed to the crucial role of the China International Travel Mart (CITM) in his welcome remarks to delegates.
"Coming at a special time when the financial crisis is still going on, CITM 2009 has an important mission to boost confidence, overcome difficulties and seek development in the industry," he said, and evaluated the strength of China's three major tourism sectors.
Domestic tourism was by far the most resilient, growing 9.4 per cent in the first three quarters over the same period last year to 1.43 billion visitors, and generating revenues of RMB767.3 billion (US$112.4 billion), up 15.4 per cent.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Visit year take twoRaini Hamdi, Kunming (2009-11-18)
A DECADE after Laos took tentative steps to open its doors to tourism with a visit year, South-east Asia's hermitical nation is ready for more and has announced a second visit year in 2012.
Arrivals climbed from 700,000 in 2000 to 1.82 million last year, and a target of 2.2 million to 2.5 million visitors is being eyed for Visit Laos Year 2012.
Chairman of Lao National Tourism Administration Somphong Mongkhonvilay however said the country had not detracted from its focus on attracting quality tourism.
About 75 per cent of arrivals to Laos are from Thailand but mainland China is emerging as the fastest-growing source, with visitor numbers doubling to 110,000 in 2008. Even with the global financial crisis and A/H1N1 scare, he said mainland China arrivals would easily be up 20 per cent this year over last year.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Cruise group sells out China sailingsKaren Yue, Kunming (2009-11-18)
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises has reported selling out a number of its 2010 sailings from Shanghai and Tianjin next year, highlighting China's burgeoning appetite for cruise vacations.
Mainland China travellers have snapped up cruises to new destinations such as Hualian in Taiwan, Miyazaki, Nagoya, Otaru and Hakodate in Japan, and Vladivostok in Russia, during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and October National Day Golden Week holidays. "China has become one of the most important markets for us, with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chengdu being our key markets," said Royal Caribbean Cruises China managing director Dr Zinan Liu.
Royal Caribbean was the first international cruise line approved by the Chinese government to sail from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan in 2009. Amway China chartered all six sailings.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Reporting live from CITM, Kunming
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Hangzhou's luxe appealSharon Desker Shaw, Kunming (2009-11-18)
TWO Asian hospitality chains synonymous with understated luxury are poised to make their debut in two historic locations in Hangzhou, China.
First off the block, Banyan Tree will open on December 1 and will be followed by Amanresorts, with its second property in China after Beijing, in January.
Banyan Tree's fourth China property is part of a mixed-use development arising at the entrance to the Xixi National Wetlands Park, a site with a 2,000-year-old history and the birthplace of the Dragon Boat races. Sister brand Angsana has also broken ground for a 59-key resort within the development opening in 2012. "This is a typical Banyan Tree, which is small in size but has a huge land area," said general manager Reinhold Johann of the low-rise resort's 71 water terraces and villas.
Like its Beijing property – the Aman at Summer Palace in the Forbidden City – Amanfayun also occupies a historic site on the outskirts of the city. Adjacent to the Lingyin and Yongfu temples, Amanfayun comprises 47 dwellings, the former homes of residents of a Tang Dynasty village that once occupied the site.
- Full report in TTG Asia, December 4
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Tourism Authority of Thailand finally gets new governor
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2009-11-19)
SURAPHON Svetasreni has been appointed the new governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), nearly eight months after the post was vacated in April following the departure of Phornsiri Manoharn.
Suraphon previously served TAT as deputy governor in various departments, most recently doubling in roles for marketing communications and policy and planning.
According to a TAT board member, Suraphon was the most suitable among the top three candidates - the other two were outsiders. His appointment is expected to put an end to the internal dispute over the recent restructuring of high-ranking personnel, which TAT staff attacked as non-transparent.
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Chinese to travel and spend more: study
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Hong Kong (2009-11-18)
BUSINESS and leisure travellers from tier one and tier two cities across China will travel more and spend more in 2009 and 2010, according to a study by TNS research agency.
According to the study, 90 per cent of business and leisure travellers claimed to travel more in 2009 over 2008, while 80 per cent of both business and leisure travellers said their shopping budget in 2009 had increased or stayed the same, despite the recession.
The study also found that 60 per cent of respondents combined business and leisure, while less than 10 per cent travelled purely on business.
Neel Banerjee, head of the TNS travel and leisure practice in Hong Kong, said this suggested business travellers could be persuaded to extend their trip for a few days of leisure, perhaps including their family or friends.
Meanwhile, the leisure market was being driven primarily by bargain hunting, with travellers taking advantage of attractive packages, low airfares and budget airlines and hotels.
Australia ranked highest in terms of destination experience satisfaction, followed by Singapore, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
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Movenpick targets tight budgets with US$1 deal
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-18)
MOVENPICK Hotels & Resorts is aiming its new US$1 meeting package at organisations with tighter budgets, to boost meetings at its three Asian properties.
Valid for planners who book 10 or more rooms at qualifying contract corporate rate or the Movenpick best available rate, the US$1 package is valid for meetings finalised by March 31, 2010, and held from January 1 to September 30, 2010.
The package was launched in response to organisations becoming "more protective of their budgets", said Christina Bartz, Movenpick vice president sales and marketing Asia.
"By offering value-driven event and meeting packages, we are confident that we can attract new business and retain existing clients."
Available at Movenpick's Phuket, Hanoi and Saigon properties, the package includes use of a venue such as the meeting room or ballroom, lunch, two coffee breaks, standard equipment and a room upgrade for the organiser.
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Uplift to bring dividends to Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-11-18)
THE HOLIDAY Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre is gunning for a three to seven per cent increase in RevPAR following the unveiling of its fresh new look today.
A S$25 million (US$18 million) refurbishment over 15 months brought the former Holiday Inn Park View up to the new standards of Holiday Inn's US$1 billion global relaunch programme that overhauls more than 3,200 hotels under the brand (TTG Asia e-Daily, October 16).
General manager Shantha de Silva, who is also InterContinental Hotels Group area manager - Singapore and Batam, said the hotel had been enjoying average occupancy in the mid-80s at an average rate of "lower S$200s" prior to the uplift.
"We have enhanced the product but will continue to cater to the same customer. We are happy with our current market mix where business travellers account for 70 per cent of our guests. We will reposition ourselves as an even better four-star hotel than we were before," de Silva told TTG Asia e-Daily.
Sharon Ang, the hotel's director of business development, said rates had been adjusted by five to eight per cent to reflect the new product.
– Read more in TTG Asia, November 20
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Cebu Pacific names Macau.com official travel agency
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Singapore (2009-11-18)
CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) has named Macau.com its local travel agency for the SAR.
The Philippine low-cost carrier operates a daily Macau-Manila flight and four weekly Macau-Clark services.
The agency offers CEB flight ticketing services and air-plus-hotel vacation packages.
Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution, said Macau.com was a "logical sales avenue" due to its established presence in the local tourism industry.
Iyog added the carrier was offering a 30kg free-baggage allowance for Macau-Clark flights until December 31.
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Singapore (2009-11-04)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza on Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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Ollie Quiniquini, Singapore (2009-11-17)
YTL Hotels and Properties is embarking on an ambitious expansion programme that will see it turn into an international hotel chain.
The first YTL property outside Malaysia and Indonesia will open in St Tropez, France in late May 2010, followed by a hotel in Shanghai in late May or early June. The chain will also plant its flag in Los Angeles and two locations in Borneo, and is eyeing a ski resort in Japan.
A YTL spokesperson told TTG Asia e-Daily that the chain would expand globally through acquisitions and new builds, and is looking to develop an umbrella brand for all its hotels by early next year.
YTL Hotels and Properties presently has four properties in Malaysia, namely the Tanjong Jara Resort, Pangkor Laut Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort and The Majestic Malacca.
It also owns the Spa Village Resort Tembok in Bali, the JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur and the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur.
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Stalled Cotai Strip resorts to open in 2011
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Singapore (2009-11-17)
LAS Vegas Sands Corp (LVSC) and Galaxy Entertainment Group will both resume work on their stalled projects on Macau's Cotai Strip, with an eye to open these by 2011.
LVSC aims to resume work in January on the first phase of a US$2 billion project that includes casino space, a Shangri-La hotel and the world's largest Sheraton property, with completion estimated for June 2011. Subsequent phases on two additional plots of land will bring the hotel room count to 20,000.
Meanwhile, Galaxy aims to complete the Galaxy Macau integrated resort by the first quarter of 2011. Housing 2,200 hotel rooms spread out over the five-star Galaxy Hotel, Okura Hotel and Banyan Tree suite and villa complex, the HK$14.1 billion (US$1.8 billion) development aims to create "an authentic Asian customer experience".
The two projects were suspended due to the onset of the financial downturn in 2008 and resulting financing difficulties.
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Brunei eyes broader appeal with diving, medical tourism
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S Puvaneswary, Bandar Seri Begawan (2009-11-17)
BRUNEI Tourism (BT) has identified new niche products for promotion such as medical tourism and diving.
The medical tourism thrust, focusing on Jerudong Park Medical Centre, targets visitors from Sabah and Sarawak, said BT CEO, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed.
Arrival figures up to May show the sultanate receiving 66,586 air arrivals, with the top five source markets being Malaysia (15,089), China (7,171), Australia (6,206), the Philippines (6,056) and Singapore (5,907).
BT has not set a target for 2009 arrivals due to the impact of the economic crisis and A/H1N1 pandemic. However, for 2010, it is targeting a seven per cent increase in air arrivals over this year.
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Agoda.com partners Japanese hotel group
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Singapore (2009-11-17)
AGODA.com will distribute properties represented by Japan's Ishin Hotel Group across its websites worldwide.
Ishin owns 23 hotels and operates 20 properties across a number of brands that include Hilton and the boutique "b" hotel brand. Key properties include the Hilton Narita, Sunroute Kanku, Sunroute Akasaka and the Kagoshima Tokyu Hotel.
According to Wildfred Fan, Agoda vice president of business development, Agoda's rewards system, global membership base and multilingual websites will help Ishin expand beyond Japan into international and Asian markets.
"Ishin Hotels Group can access more than one million Agoda members, as well as market its properties on our site," Fan said.
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Emirates eyes slow pick up in air travel
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Bangkok (2009-11-16)
EMIRATES predicted air travel demand to pick up again only after another year or two, as the airline posted a 165 per cent increase in profit for the first half of its current financial year ending September 30.
The US$205 million profit came as the airline carried 13 million passengers during the period, up 18 per cent over last year.
Apart from investing over 40 million dirhams (US$10.8 million) on two campaigns to promote travel to and via Dubai, which included hosted programmes for 2,000 international travel and media personnel, Emirates also expanded its fleet with eight new aircraft.
The airline recently announced plans to expand its Asian network, enhancing capacity to Bangkok, Sydney, Manila and Jakarta (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 11).
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Hilton opens second NZ property
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-17)
HILTON Worldwide has opened the first stage of its second property in New Zealand, the Hilton Lake Taupo development on the North Island.
Overlooking Lake Taupo and Mount Ruapehu, the 113-room hotel is three hours' driving distance from Auckland, and is pitched at the MICE, leisure and corporate markets as an upscale full-service hotel, according to Hilton Hotels Australasia vice president Ashley Spencer.
The first phase comprises the newly-refurbished Terraces Hotel, originally built in 1889, and a new 100-room wing. Facilities include a cellar ballroom for 120 people, thermally-heated outdoor pools and flood-lit tennis courts.
The hotel's second phase in late 2010 will add a conference centre featuring a ballroom, breakout rooms and an outdoor terrace.
Chris Partridge is general manager of the new hotel and the Hilton Auckland.
Opening rates start at NZ$180 (US$135) per room.
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Singapore (2009-11-17)
PREFERRED Hotel Group (PHG) has signed two properties from the Zuri Hotels & Resorts chain in the Indian state of Goa.
The 154-room Zuri White Sands Goa Resort & Casino joins PHG's Summit Hotels & Resorts grouping, and is pitched at the leisure and business segments. Facilities include a lagoon pool and private beachfront along with meeting facilities for up to 450 people.
The 106-suite Retreat by Zuri joins PHG's Sterling Hotels brand and aims to provide an "authentic Portuguese lifestyle", with courtyards, gardens and patios for relaxation and three restaurants.
The addition of the two hotels brings the total number of PHG members in India to 23 properties.
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New services lift twinning hopes
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Prudence Lui, Hong Kong (2009-11-16)
HONG KONG Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways have increased flights between the SAR and Hainan, an increase that is expected to help officials on both sides sharpen their destination-twinning strategies.
The Hong Kong-Haikou service has become a double-daily operation and Hong Kong-Sanya has climbed from four to seven flights a week.
Hong Kong Tourism Association chairman James Tien said the flight increases had lifted air capacity between the two destinations by 120 per cent, a timely boost for the NTO’s twinning strategy to tap Russian arrivals.
"The visa-free policy between Hong Kong and Russia that began in July boosted (Russian arrivals) by more than 50 per cent between July and October. The expanded service may open up new opportunities for both destinations as more than 150,000 Russian travellers descend on Hainan each year. About 140,000 Hong Kong visitors went last year," said Tien.
DMCs however are divided on the impact of the additional frequencies. One saw potential for inbound MICE development for Hainan but MV Destination’s general manager Clemson Lo thought otherwise.
"From my experience (Sanya) is a city that tries to make good money from tourists but does not know how to provide quality service," said Lo.
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Millennium & Copthorne launches "affordable five-star" brand
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Jonathan Yap, Singapore (2009-11-16)
SINGAPORE-based Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C) has launched a new hotel brand named Studio M, positioned between a boutique and a normal business offering.
The brand’s first property will open in Singapore in the second quarter of 2010 on Nanson Road, within the Robertson Quay and Mohamed Sultan entertainment district.
According to the hotel group’s COO Asia, Ng Chee Theam, the brand will provide "a five-star service without costing its guests a bomb".
Theam added that rates could start from about S$200++ (US$144), while the hotel would be offering an "opening special at S$180++ for three months".
The 365-room hotel will feature rooms that provide both "style and functionality", with most rooms varying between 22 and 25 square metres in size, and a few rooms at about 44 square metres.
While lacking large-scale meeting facilities, the hotel will provide business booths to allow companies or groups of businessmen to meet.
M&C plans to take the brand to China, India, the Middle East and even the UK.
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AirAsia boosts inbound traffic to Brunei
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S Puvaneswary, Bandar Seri Begawan (2009-11-16)
LOW fares from AirAsia have boosted traffic from price-sensitive Asian markets to the Brunei capital, despite the lack of direct connections, according to Brunei inbound agents.
Visitors from markets such as India and South Korea are flying in to the Malaysian cities of Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur and flying AirAsia into Bandar Seri Begawan, the Brunei capital.
Hasa Incentives managing director Leslie Cheung saw a slight increase in FIT travellers from South Korea since AirAsia started flights from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei last month. Next year, the company is aiming for a 10 per cent increase in business from South Korea through the introduction of new ecotourism packages.
MegaBorneo Tour Planner managing director Khirul Zainie said he was tapping the Indian market through Kuala Lumpur and saw 10 per cent growth compared to last year. "We are telling travellers they can visit a new destination for about the same price as a domestic destination in Malaysia."
Bonasia Holiday Management Services managing director Caroline Ang stressed the need for more four- and three-star beach hotels in Brunei as AirAsia had created a new middle-income segment of travellers to the destination.
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Inner Mongolia eyes Chinese Las Vegas
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Beijing/Las Vegas (2009-11-16)
A 500-hectare Las Vegas-style resort complex is being developed as the city centre for a 10,000-hectare development project in Inner Mongolia.
Termed China Vegas - The New World Resort City, the project will be spearheaded by China Holdings, an asset holding company based in China that also owns the designated land.
The city centre will be home to five-star hotels and themed casinos linked by pedestrian skyways, boutiques, restaurants, theatres showcasing Broadway and Las Vegas-style performances, traditional Chinese acts and movies.
The development will also feature an exhibition hall and sports facilities like golf courses, Olympic-sized stadiums, tennis courts, an equestrian centre and horse racing track, and a racing circuit for cars and motorcycles.
New York-based architecture firm Perkins Eastman has been tasked with drawing up the master plan for China Vegas, which is expected to be completed within 10 months.
China Holdings plans to break ground for the development in 2010/2011 and the city centre is expected to be in operation between 2014 and 2018.
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Travelport reaches full-content deal with BA
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London (2009-11-16)
BRITISH Airways (BA) will provide all its published fares and inventory to Galileo and Worldspan-connected travel agents worldwide until April 2013, following the completion of an agreement with Travelport.
Travelport, operator of the Galileo and Worldspan platforms, claims to be the first GDS provider to reach a new longterm global full content agreement with BA.
John Mornement, head of selling and distribution for BA, said the agreement would reduce the airline’s distribution costs and ensure agents would have access to its full published content, including lowest fares.
The two parties will be working in the coming months to provide Galileo and Worldspan-connected agents with the ability to book extras such as seating through the GDS.
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SIA targets Australasia in marketing tie ups
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-11-16)
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has inked three-year-long joint marketing campaigns with Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) and Tourism New South Wales (TNSW) to boost traffic on its Australasian routes.
SIA and TNZ will each commit NZ$2 million (US$1.5 million) to fund marketing and tourism campaigns, and familiarisation programmes for media and travel agents from Singapore, China, India, the UK, Germany and France. This will be in addition to existing promotions by Singapore Airlines and TNZ, and will be more extensive.
The airline’s agreement with TNSW will see each party commit A$300,000 (US$280,000) per year to fund marketing programmes. SIA already has an umbrella agreement with Tourism Australia to develop strategic programmes and market Australia. It has also signed individual marketing agreements with the tourism promotion agencies of Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.
SIA vice president public affairs Nicholas Ionides explained that these markets were singled out because of the extensive connections the carrier provides the destinations.
The airline currently operates four daily flights to New South Wales capital, Sydney, and daily services to Christchurch. By the end of the month, SIA will boost its 12-times weekly service to Auckland to a double-daily service.
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Business as usual at Carlson Marketing AP after takeover
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-11-16)
CARLSON Marketing’s operations in Asia-Pacific will not be affected by Groupe Aeroplan Inc acquiring the company from Carlson Companies.
Nik Laming, Carlson Marketing managing director - Singapore/Malaysia and senior vice president Asia-Pacific told TTG Asia e-Daily that Groupe Aeroplan wanted Carlson Marketing to "operate separately and independently".
"Through our new relationship with Groupe Aeroplan we will be poised to expand our services, enhance our already strong data analytics capabilities and further grow our global footprint. We will continue to expand our regional presence, such as with our imminent office opening in Mumbai, India by mid-December this year."
The Mumbai office will have a headcount of 10 people and will take over management of the Indian market from the Singapore office.
Groupe Aeroplan’s migration of technology infrastructure at a cost of US$15 million will also not impact Carlson Marketing Asia-Pacific.
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V Australia launches Phuket services from Australia
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Bangkok (2009-11-16)
V AUSTRALIA will launch a twice-weekly Phuket-Brisbane service on November 29 and a weekly Phuket-Melbourne service on December 4, making it the only airline to operate direct flights on both routes.
The airline’s Thailand general sales agent LTU Asia activated ticketing on Friday (November 13), with prices starting from 8,400 baht (US$252.80) nett one-way on economy class.
The carrier uses a Boeing777-300ER with 33 business, 40 premium economy and 288 economy class seats.
V Australia’s flights follow sister airline Pacific Blue’s brand new twice-weekly Phuket-Perth service, which launched on November 14.
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Regal opens third Shanghai property
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Singapore (2009-11-16)
REGAL Hotels International has opened the Regal Jinfeng Hotel in Shanghai, its third property in the city.
Located in the Pudong area of Shanghai, the 380-room hotel is a 30-minute drive from the Pudong International Airport, a 10-minute drive from the Long Yang Road Maglev station and a 10-minute drive from the Shanghai New International Expo Center.
The property boasts a 400-square metre ballroom and 13 function rooms, while five f&b outlets offer international cuisine.
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Bali airport gets expansion nod
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Jakarta (2009-11-16)
BALI’s Ngurah Rai International Airport will start work on a terminal building expansion from January next year.
The programme is expected to cost 1.6 trillion rupiah (US$172,000) and will expand the terminal building from the current 15,000 square metres to 120,000 square metres.
The development will take about 30 months and will enable the airport to accommodate up to 20 million passengers a year, according to Angkasa Pura I Bali airport authority general manager Heru Legowo.
Legowo told local media, while the terminal was suitable for only four million passengers a year, it was catering to up to nine million at the moment.
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Singapore (2009-11-16)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza at Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza at Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: tradeinfo.sg@franceguide.com with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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Budget slash forces revision of Malaysia’s 2010 marketing plans
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2009-11-13)
TOURISM Malaysia has revised its marketing strategies and activities for 2010, following a reduction in advertising and promotional budget from RM200 million (US$ 59 million) to RM150 million for next year.
To utilise funds more effectively, Tourism Malaysia will tap technology and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to promote Malaysia to the world, said Amiruddin Abu, Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general (marketing).
The Tourism Ministry will also launch a web TV later this year as a new channel to promote Malaysia and encourage online bookings.
Participation at trade shows will also be scaled down.
Amirrudin said: “We are thinking of substituting some of these business-to-business shows with other promotional activities, such as sales calls, that could be more effective. We might intensify promotions at business-to-consumer shows since demand for FIT travel seems to be on the rise while demand for series tours is declining. However, the final decision rests with the tourism ministry.” |
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Banyan Tree trials an all-inclusive offer
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Raini Hamdi, Singapore (2009-11-13)
AS luxury consumers turn value conscious, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is trialling an all-inclusive offer at its Phuket property, offering three-night villa accommodation, daily spa treatment, three meals daily and a choice of leisure activities daily.
Good response thus far will see the concept, called Retreat of the Senses, being introduced to Banyan Tree properties in Hangzhou, Maldives and Bintan soon.
Wholesalers and agents earn more as the package price is higher (from US$580 per person per night in the high season), while their clients see value in a tailored package that will cost a lot more if the components are consumed a la carte, according to Banyan Tree Spa managing director Ravi Chandran.
While rooms usually drive spa sales, the programme sees Banyan Tree Spa driving room sales, with the division having its own room allocation for the programme and being in charge of its promotions and of every sale made.
– Full report, TTG Asia, November 20 |
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Royal Caribbean assists in Shanghai’s cruise efforts
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Shanghai (2009-11-13)
ROYAL Caribbean Cruises and Shanghai International Port (Group) (SIPG) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Chinese cruise market through combined efforts.
SIPG will enhance the variety of cruise-relevant retail outlets at the Shanghai International Passenger Terminal, step up market promotions, and provide services as a ticket agent and one-stop boarding and clearance service for Royal Caribbean guests.
Royal Caribbean will draw on its operational experience in managing international cruise terminals to help improve the terminal’s software and infrastructure.
The cooperation is expected to enhance Shanghai’s position as a cruising gateway for overseas visitors.
Cruising growth is fast gaining momentum in China. Passenger volume at the terminal grew by 258 per cent between February 14 and October 11 this year. Some 600,000 international cruise passengers are expected to pass through Chinese seaports in 2010.
Royal Caribbean reported that key cruises for Chinese port-based itineraries during peak holiday periods in 2010 are sold out. |
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Centara to grow through managed properties
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Karen Yue, Singapore (2009-11-13)
CENTARA Hotels & Resorts is turning to management contracts to speed up expansion plans.
The Thailand-based chain will add 10 managed properties in Thailand, India, China and other Asian destinations to its portfolio next year, bringing its pool of management contracts to 20.
The 60-room Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort at the foot of the Himalayan range will open in the next two weeks, followed by a 218-key leisure hotel in Sokna, Egypt on January 15, 2010. These mark Centara’s entry in India and Egypt.
The chain’s president Gerd Steeb told TTG Asia e-Daily that the Egypt property was only signed a few days ago, and the owners were interested in inking more management contracts with Centara.
Over the next five years, the chain is expected to change its present 20:80 ratio of managed properties to owned properties to 40:60.
Steeb said: “We want to expand at a certain speed, but we cannot look at building new hotels on our own all the time because it would strain our finances. Hence, growth through management contract makes sense.”
Centara also aims to increase its total number of properties to 65, from its current 23, within the next five years. |
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Sarawak bags major medical conference for 2012
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Sarawak (2009-11-13)
SARAWAK will host the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists International Scientific Meeting in June 2012.
The three-day event at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching is expected to attract 1,500 local and international delegates and generate revenues of over RM2.7 million (US$800,000) for the local hospitality and tourism sectors.
The bid was organised by the Sarawak Convention Bureau and the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia. |
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More premium seats on Korean Air
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Hong Kong (2009-11-13)
NINE longhaul and midhaul routes out of Incheon will now offer next-generation premium seats, following Korean Air’s receipt of three B777-300ER aircraft and a refurbished B777-200ER aircraft.
The new seats will be offered on routes to Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Seattle, as well as Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Jakarta.
Four more B777-200ERs are scheduled to enter into service by March 2010.
Korean Air aims to operate 96 premium aircraft by 2014, including environmentally-friendly next generation aircraft that are scheduled for delivery from 2010. |
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Singapore (2009-11-13)
TRAVEL industry members who have registered for the Singapore Marathon (all categories) are invited to a pasta party on December 5 with lots of lucky draws to be won, including the grand prize of a return air ticket to France plus accommodation and an entry pass to the one-of-a-kind Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux in September 2010.
The party is a joint collaboration between Atout France, Air France/KLM and TTG Asia, designed to pull industry members together in a spirit of friendship, to raise awareness of France as a destination and to celebrate TTG Asia's 35th anniversary this year.
There are no charges, and all industry members - hoteliers, travel agents, airline and NTO reps, and not just from Singapore but the region - and their supporters are welcome.
Sponsoring the party, which will be held at the Ultra Heat Lounge, Royal Plaza at Scotts Singapore, is the hotel, along with SKAL Singapore. Air France/KLM and the Bordeaux Tourist Office sponsor the grand prize - an incredible spectacle of a marathon with runners donning colourful costumes and running through the wine valleys of Bordeaux - with wine served along the way. The grand draw is open only to those who are running the Singapore Marathon on December 6 this year.
The party does not end there. A post-run celebration for industry members at The Padang following the Singapore Marathon await industry members. A Royal Plaza at Scotts team of chefs and service staff will be there to cheer runners with rousing performances - and fresh croissant.
Please register by emailing: with full name, title, company's name, race category and race ID. Supporters can register with the same information (except race category and ID).
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