Ageing Thai tourism industry due for a check-up, says industry veteran

December 18, 2019

As Thailand’s tourism industry gears up to mark its 60th anniversary in 2020, it is an ageing sector in need of a few nips and tucks for its own long-term interest, cautioned industry veteran Imtiaz Muqbil.

“In the past years, Thailand has been hit by every kind of disaster known to mankind but its tourism figures have grown exponentially – this, to me, is what makes Thailand the greatest story in tourism history. These things don’t happen because of a fluke, but because of people,” Imtiaz said.

Imtiaz Muqbil (seventh from right), alongside diplomats, academics and Thailand’s tourism representatives at the recent Thailand: The Greatest Story in Global Tourism History forum (Photo Credit: Anne Somanas)

“Today, Thailand’s tourism industry is an ageing industry that needs a complete check-up, and health and wellness survival plan. We need to look at sustainability. We did not listen to a word King Rama IX said on the sufficiency economy philosophy – it’s the best advice that the world has ever known for economic development. But in the tourism industry, nobody cares. It’s all about numbers and growth.”

Imtiaz, who is the executive editor of PR Travel Newswire and one of Thailand’s longest serving travel trade journalists, was speaking at the seventh instalment of the Thailand: The Greatest Story in Global Tourism forum series, where he recounted the epiphanies, turning points and key figures in history that has played a significant role in industry growth.

Organised by Imtiaz alongside Thailand’s tourism industry leaders, the seminar is part of a series spotlighting Thailand’s storied tourism history, in the lead up to the 60th anniversary of both the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Airways in 2020.

Hosted on December 16, 2019 at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was attended by diplomats from numerous embassies, academics from prominent Thai universities and industry experts, including representatives from Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Tourism Council of Thailand, and the Professional Tourist Guide Association of Thailand.

Pointing out the importance of hindsight, Imtiaz said: “As we approach the turn of the decade, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways are both (approaching) their 60th anniversaries. Yet, not a single Thai university has a proper course on Thai, ASEAN or Asia-Pacific tourism history.”

“Globally, tourism is a sunrise industry going forward – it’s the only industry that meets all the UN Sustainable Development goals. Thailand has a lead start in this. We just need to fix some of our deficiencies (with) more behavioural change and cost benefit analysis. (We need to change) the parameters of measuring success from just numbers, because sometimes the actual cost is more than the benefits. Prevention is key – there’s an importance in heeding early warnings.”

Imtiaz’s upcoming book, 110 Factors that Shaped Thai Travel & Tourism, will be self-published in 2020.

New GM for Eastin Hotel Makkasan Bangkok

By TTG Asia

December 17, 2019

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Pauline has been appointed the new general manager of Eastin Hotel Makkasan Bangkok.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality sector, Pauline started her career as the public relations manager at a four-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, before moving into the general manager role at The Naviti Resort in Fiji.

Twin sales appointments at Outrigger

By TTG Asia

December 16, 2019

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Outrigger Hospitality Group has appointed two new additions to its sales team at the all-new Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger.

Marcus Ito has been named director of sales and marketing, where he will be responsible for driving revenue to the Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger through sales and promotional activities by maximising prospective business opportunities from various business channels.

Ito will also work closely with key property partners, including Maui Brewing Company, Hawaii’s largest craft brewery; Hawaiian Aroma Caffe, one of Hawaii’s most Instagrammable coffee shops; and Magic of Polynesia. He will further drive brand fame with promotions surrounding the Beachcomber Originals, a collection of local artists and tastemakers who have helped shape Outrigger’s first lifestyle hotel.

Before joining Outrigger, Ito served at various properties such as G.Lion Hawaii; Trump International Hotel Waikiki; Wyndham Vacation Resorts; PacRim Marketing Group; and The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

Meanwhile, Taro Sawabe has been appointed assistant director-market development with a focus on Asia and Japan.

In his new role, Sawabe is tasked with developing and facilitating progressive business flow with Outrigger’s Asia and Japan accounts through effective communication and account management.

Previously, Sawabe has held positions at Kahala Resort, Ritz Carlton Okinawa, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, and Westin Resort Guam.

Asian travellers to find joy of missing out in 2020

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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Travellers are focusing on slow travel and sustainable tourism going into the year 2020, with Vietnam topping the list of emerging destinations, according to the new Skyscanner APAC Travel Trends 2020 Report.

Slow and JOMO travel among top 2020 travel trends in Asia-Pacific: Skyscanner

From solo to slow and JOMO (joy of missing out) travel

The report, which compared data from the October 2017 to September 2018 period with that from October 2018 to September 2019, found that slow travel have replaced solo trips as the most popular form of travel among Asia-Pacific travellers.

Some 24% of respondents cited slow travel as the type of trip they would most likely take in 2020, as compared to 22% of travellers who chose solo travel in 2019.

Also gaining traction is JOMO travel, which saw a jump from 10% in 2019 to 14% in 2020, as tourists seek out quieter destinations that are more about serenity and authenticity than famous landmarks or world-class shopping scenes.

This means that lesser-known destinations are likely to enjoy a strong 2020, including Tashkent in Uzbekistan, predicts the report. Other destinations that showed strong double-digit growth in 2019 and look set for a positive 2020 include Busan, South Korea; Nairobi, Kenya; Kathmandu, Nepal; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands; and Yangon, Myanmar.

Sustainable tourism commands attention

The fastest growing travel trend for 2020 is sustainable tourism, with 6% of trips in the coming year likely to prioritise eco-friendliness – an 82% increase from 2019. Sustainable travel includes everything from buying Greener Choice flights and offsetting carbon emissions to visiting only destinations that are serious about their cultural and environmental responsibilities.

Travellers with a focus on sustainable tourism opt for eco-friendly travel products, stay at establishments that uphold green practices and use public transport where they can’t cycle or walk.

South Korea is leading the way, with 11% of its travellers due to opt for sustainable tourism in 2020, followed closely by India with 9% of its travellers going green, and then Australia at 8%.

The rise of premium economy

A further trend that Skyscanner’s data identified was a significant rise in interest in cabin class in 2019. Premium economy rose in popularity by 25%, supported by an average 7% drop in fares for this class of travel. Business class also saw a rise of 9%, emphasising travellers’ increasing focus on travelling in comfort.

The highest growth in premium economy bookings was for flights to Taiwan, which saw a 52% increase, along with a 17% decrease in the cost of the average fare. Singapore, which saw a 9% drop in fares, experienced a 43% increase in bookings, while Japan’s fares fell by an average of 6%, contributing to a 41% increase in bookings. The driver behind this is Asia-Pacific travellers’ push for more luxury, particularly when flying greater distances, such as to the US.

Surge of interest in Asia destinations in 2020

In 2020, Asia-Pacific travellers will be focusing on exploring closer to home, said the report. While European destinations were popular in last year’s report, Asian countries are now back in, making up more than 75% of 2019’s top destinations. This rising interest in Asia is expected to continue throughout 2020.

As well, the popularity of Vietnam looks set to continue into 2020, due to the provision of more routes, affordable airfares and more frequent flights. Phu Quoc is Skyscanner’s top emerging destination for 2020, followed by Kalibo; and then Takamatsu, Japan; and finally, Budapest in Hungary – Europe’s first entry in 2020’s top travel destinations.

South Korean travellers are driving growth, particularly in Vietnam, where interest in beach destinations have increased vastly year on year. Phu Quoc has seen a 360% increase in interest; Nha Trang, a 105% increase; and Da Nang, a 17% increase. The Philippines has also seen significant growth, with Kalibo enjoying a 100% year on year increase in 2019.

Brighter 2020 on the horizon for global airline industry: IATA

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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Despite a challenging year for the global airline industry owing to global economic slowdown, trade tensions and social unrest in Hong Kong, the outlook is brighter for next year, said IATA.

The global airline industry is expected to produce a net profit of US$29.3 billion in 2020, up 13% from a revised forecast of US$25.9 billion expected in 2019, IATA predicts.

Global airline industry flies into a brighter 2020: IATA

If achieved, 2020 will mark the industry’s 11th consecutive year in the black, it said.

Overall industry revenues are forecasted to rise 4% to US$872 billion in 2020, from US$838 billion in 2019; while passenger numbers are expected to increase 4% to 4.7 billion, from 4.5 billion in 2019.

Stronger economic growth should support passenger traffic growth of 4.1%, similar to 2019 (4.2%), but below historical trends.

“Slowing economic growth, trade wars, geopolitical tensions and social unrest, plus continuing uncertainty over Brexit all came together to create a tougher than anticipated business environment for airlines. Yet the industry managed to achieve a decade in the black, as restructuring and cost-cutting continued to pay dividends. It appears that 2019 will be the bottom of the current economic cycle and the forecast for 2020 is somewhat brighter,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.

“The big question for 2020 is how capacity will develop, particularly when, as expected, the grounded 737 MAX aircraft return to service and delayed deliveries arrive,” he added.

Jet kerosene prices are also expected to dip in 2020, averaging US$75.60 per barrel versus US$77 per barrel in 2019. The expected industry fuel bill of US$182 billion will represent 22.1% of expenses, down from $188 billion or 23.7% of expenses in 2019.

Passenger demand is expected to grow 4.1% in 2020, in line with 4.2% growth in 2019. However, while passenger capacity rose 3.5% in 2019, it is forecasted to grow 4.7% in 2020, as aircraft deliveries rise significantly, causing load factors to slide to 82% from 82.4% in 2019. Passenger revenues, excluding ancillaries, are expected to rise 2.5% to US$581 billion, from US$567 billion in 2019.

Asia-Pacific carriers will be helped by the modest recovery in world trade and air cargo, showing a US$6 billion net profit in 2020 (up from US$4.9 billion in 2019) for a 2.2% net margin, according to IATA.

Asia remains the manufacturing centre of the world and revenues from transporting many of those goods are a significant proportion of sales for many of the region’s airlines. But the trade war is assumed just to be on hold; trade tariffs are not reversed, it said.

Taiwan’s newest airline StarLux set to take to the skies

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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StarLux Airlines has officially become Taiwan’s seventh international carrier following the approval of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, according to a report by Taipei Times.

The airline has received its air operator’s certificate from the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) following the ministry’s approval, said the report.

Taiwan’s new StarLux Airlines set to take off in 2020

But StarLux still has to apply for an airline call sign from the ICAO, as well as an airline code from the IATA, which is used to label the flight number in the ticket-booking system, it added.

The company has plans to simultaneously launch flights to Macau, Danang in Vietnam, and Penang in Malaysia, on January 23, after obtaining air route certificates from the CAA, according to the report.

The company has leased 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft, with the first one having arrived in October. It expects to take delivery of its second and third aircraft this and next month, respectively.

Deliveries of all 10 aircraft is set to complete by 2022.

StarLux has also signed a contract to purchase 17 Airbus A350 aircraft, which are to be delivered between 2021 and 2024.

It plans to start flying to the US using the A350 aircraft come 2022.

Philippines Airlines owner Lucio Tan’s wife named as vice chair

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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Philippine Airlines (PAL) has appointed the wife of majority owner Lucio Tan as its new vice chairman, said a report by The Philippine Star.

A stock exchange filing issued on Wednesday by Philippine Airlines’ parent company PAL Holdings showed that the airline’s board of directors has approved the appointment of Carmen Tan as vice chairman of PAL, it added.

Philippine Airlines has named the wife of majority owner Lucio Tan as its new vice chairman

Carmen will take over the position previously held by her son, Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr, who passed away last month.

Additionally, PAL Holdings said the airline’s board has also approved the resignation of two of its members: former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza and former Bangko Sentral governor Amando Tetangco Jr.

Radisson signs trio of properties in Vietnam

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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Radisson Hotel Group has entered into agreements to open three new hotels in Vietnam’s emerging destinations of Quy Nhon, Dong Hoi, and Danang.

In 2Q2020, Radisson Hotel Danang will open in the city’s central Phuoc My Ward, offering 182 rooms and suites, a restaurant, lounge, spa, fitness centre, a swimming pool with pool bar, and meeting spaces.

Radisson to open three new hotels in Vietnam’s emerging destinations of Quy Nhon, Dong Hoi, and Danang; aerial view of Danang city and the Han River pictured

Situated on the seafront city of Dong Hoi, Radisson Hotel Quang Binh will open in 1Q2021, featuring a restaurant, lobby lounge, swimming pool, fitness centre, ballroom and meeting spaces.

Slated to open in 2023, Radisson Blu Resort, Quy Nhon will be nestled on Vietnam’s south-central coast in Binh Dinh province. The resort will offer 120 rooms and suites, and 160 standalone villas, as well as an array of leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and function spaces.

Sri Lanka doubles down on efforts to spur tourist arrivals from China

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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Sigiriya-Lion-Rock — A tour including Sigiriya Lion Rock is popular with tourists from China

Sri Lanka is looking to China as a key market in its recovery efforts following the Easter Sunday bombings, with trade players rolling out specially tailored tours for Chinese travellers at the recent China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2019.

Speaking to TTG Asia, Nawawini Travels’ managing director Rasika Rajapaksa said: “China was a strong market for us, but it has been a bit slow in recent months. We hope it will pick back up soon, so at CITM, we will be selling special packages targeting the Chinese market.”

A tour including Sigiriya Lion Rock (pictured) is popular with tourists from China

These include tours featuring visits to an elephant orphanage, Sigiriya Lion Rock, and a beach resort stay. “Our tours include one to two nights at the beach, which is a must-have for many Chinese travellers. We see this (demand) especially for groups from Kunming, Chengdu and Xi’an,” elaborated Rajapaksa.

To extend its reach in China, Nawawini Travels has hired a dedicated manager for the Chinese market based in Wuhan, and also has staff based in Kunming.

“We want to share the message that Sri Lanka is very safe and that travel here would not be a problem. China is a very important market to us and we hope that our tourism numbers will be able to come back soon.”

Also representing Sri Lanka at CITM 2019 along with Nawamini Travels was the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

New hotels: Best Western Plus The IvyWall Resort-Panglao, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and more

By TTG Asia

December 13, 2019

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JJJJJ Plus The IvyWall Resort-Panglao, Philippines
The first internationally-branded resort in Panglao, an island in the central province of Bohol, Best Western Plus The IvyWall Resort-Panglao offers 80 rooms overlooking the pool, gardens or sea. Some rooms lead directly to the resort’s freeform outdoor swimming pool, and a selection of sea-facing suites even boast private balconies with Jacuzzis.

Resort amenities include a pool bar, seaside garden, children’s playground and fitness centre. There are MICE facilities as well, comprising three meeting rooms, a business centre, and outdoor spaces such as the beachfront or Tereza Rooftop Deck.

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Malaysia
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has made its debut in Malaysia with this opening. The property offers 123 keys comprising 90 deluxe guestrooms in low-rise buildings that overlook the gardens, lagoon and ocean; 13 standalone luxury one- and two-bedroom pool villas; and 20 expansive three- and four-bedroom residences with its own an infinity pool, full kitchen, and chef and butler service.

Facilities on-site include multiple dining options offering local Malay, Asian and international fare; an observatory bar; two swimming pools; the signature Anantara Spa; dedicated kids and teens clubs; and a conference centre.

Novotel Christchurch Airport, New Zealand
Standing just next to the terminal, there are 200 guestrooms – including 10 suites and 10 accessible rooms – within this six-storey new-build. Facilities include the Food Exchange restaurant on the top floor, lobby bar, and fully-equipped gymnasium. Event planners may avail the 10 conference and function spaces, which range from the rooftop Tekapo room with views of the Southern Alps accommodating up to 260 guests, to boardrooms with natural light.

Agora Kanazawa, Japan
Japanese hospitality company Agora Hotel Alliance’s brand-new hotel in Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, features 200 keys spanning Japanese-esque modern rooms and standard twins or doubles. Amenities on-site include the SohZa restaurant which serves breakfast and dinner; lounge; gym; spa, as well as a large communal bath.

Mercure & ibis Bangkok Sukhumvit 24, Thailand
Accor has opened two brands under one hotel roof – Mercure & ibis – on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 24, 100m from the BTS SkyTrain Phrom Phong station.

The midscale Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 24 will feature 201 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre and meeting facilities. Guests staying on the executive floor will enjoy access to the Executive Lounge for complimentary refreshments throughout the day.

Economy brand ibis Bangkok Sukhumvit 24 has 300 rooms, and offer the ibis ‘Mission 15’ promise, which provides guests with prompt service and support by the hotel team within 15 minutes at any time during their stay.

Ageing Thai tourism industry due for a check-up, says industry veteran

New GM for Eastin Hotel Makkasan Bangkok

Twin sales appointments at Outrigger

Asian travellers to find joy of missing out in 2020

Brighter 2020 on the horizon for global airline industry: IATA

Taiwan’s newest airline StarLux set to take to the skies

Philippines Airlines owner Lucio Tan’s wife named as vice chair

Radisson signs trio of properties in Vietnam

Sri Lanka doubles down on efforts to spur tourist arrivals from China

New hotels: Best Western Plus The IvyWall Resort-Panglao, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and more

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