Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has appointed Sally Baughen as general manager of Six Senses Bhutan, a property comprising five individual lodges.
Based in Thimphu, the hospitality veteran has over 25 years of experience. In her most recent role, Baughen led development and pre-opening operations for 700,000 Heures in Cambodia. Prior to that, she was a consultant with the Split Apple Retreat in Tasman, New Zealand.
The Kiwi first began her professional career as the F&B of Bali’s Amankila, then moving to roles at Nihiwatu and Como Shambhala Begawan Giri, also in Bali. Returning to Aman Resorts, she relocated to Myanmar as general manager of The Strand in Yangon, a position that she held for five years before leading Amanbagh’s opening in India.
Over the course of her tenure with Aman, she has also served as general manager at Amankila and Amandari, and played a leadership role on the pre-opening team at Amanfayun in Hangzhou. She then moved to Cambodia to helm Amansara in Cambodia from 2011 to 2016.
In the first year of opening up its annual agent incentive trip, Acclaim, to Asian partners, Trafalgar has unveiled South Africa as the destination that top-performing agents will be visiting in 2019.
This year, agents from all of Trafalgar’s sales regions will stand the chance to be part of the trip to South Africa, the brand’s most recently added destination. For Asia, one agent each from Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines will qualify.
Table Mountain, Cape Town; Photo Credit: South Africa Tourism
Trafalgar is offering a 10 per cent early payment discount expiring on February 28.
Starting in Cape Town, winners will experience highlights from the top-selling Essence of South Africa trip, including ascending Table Mountain and exploring Cape Peninsula, from trendy Camps Bay to Cape Point to the penguins of Boulder’s Beach and having a Be My Guest lunch with a family in their 18th Century Cape Dutch home in Cape Winelands.
Trafalgar is also touting a night to remember in its inaugural Gala en Rouge, held in a top secret venue.
“We are ‘Agents First’ and we recognise the importance of providing our partners with an opportunity to experience first-hand the experiences and moments that Trafalgar offers their customers. With our seven brand-new African itineraries now launched and off to an extraordinary start, it was the perfect choice to take Acclaim to South Africa in 2019,” said Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar.
With each Trafalgar booking, agents will be one step closer to securing their spot Acclaim 2019. Agents in the running will receive a monthly maildrop to advise whether they’re in the running or can visit the Trafalgar Tribe Facebook page to keep up to date on how to get in on the action.
Aviation safety at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport in question
The succession of travel advisories recently slapped against the Philippines has neither had a significant impact on inbound business nor triggered many trip cancellations, unlike in the past, according to some industry players.
Travel advisories were issued by the US with regard to Manila airport security not up to par with international standards, and by the UK, Canada and Australia against Mindanao over the terrorist bombing in Cotabato, and other parts of the country due to threats.
Aviation safety at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport in question
Despite these, Boris Travel and Tours general manager Irene Maliwanag said inbound business is increasing, including in Europe, traditionally considered a market sensitive to travel warnings.
She received a group of 17 Italian tourists recently, in addition to a booking made from Germany just a day after announcing her new dive packages to Coron and El Nido, Maliwanag noted.
“There are no sensitive markets anymore. Europe is prone to these kind of incidents,” opined Rajah Tours president Jojo Clemente. “Anywhere in the world, terrorist attacks can happen anytime”.
“The UK issued the travel advisory (against Mindanao) then the next day there were three stabbings in Manchester attributed to terrorist attacks. Can we issue a travel advisory against Manchester now?” Clemente asked.
He further challenged with the example of the US, whose partial government shutdown is causing Transportation Security Agency officers to resign, thereby posing a threat to passenger safety.
The Philippines is not known to issue travel advisories except in case of wars in countries where it has overseas Filipino workers.
Maliwanag said the reasons travel warnings are becoming less of a concern among travellers could be that the Philippine travel trade has become “very security minded” in protecting clients.
“As of today we have not received any negative comments, cancellations, not even questions,” Clemente said, adding that travellers are “very savvy, (and) already know where to go and where not to go” while travel consultants “(err) on the side of caution”, briefing clients to stick to what are considered safe areas.
A travel consultant requesting anonymity said they “don’t take security for granted – customers are advised against visiting places not considered safe, and in some cases they may even be disallowed from participating.
Clemente said: “Security is a subjective thing. How much security is enough security? In areas that are secure, incidents can happen and in areas without security, no untoward incidents happen. Travel entails courage and it is a choice.”
With manpower shortage continuing to be a pertinent challenge in Singapore’s hospitality sector, Skal International Singapore is ramping up its outreach via Young Skal initiatives.
“Young Skal is a category of Skal International specially for students and young professionals directly related to the travel and tourism industry. The idea behind Young Skal is to ensure that clubs (around the world) attract new and young professionals training for or working in the industry who, when qualified, will automatically graduate to Active membership, thus ensuring a continuous supply of new and younger members,” said Tony Cousens, president, Skal International Singapore.
Kicking off networking events targeting young professionals
Cousens – who is also general manager of Wyndham Hotel Group’s Ramada and Days Hotels Singapore – shared that as the hospitality industry is “scraping the bottom of the barrel” when it comes to manpower in Singapore, such initiatives are particularly important.
Last month, the association kicked off the first in a series of events targeting young career professionals, and announced that it was setting up a Young Skal executive committee in the city state.
The inaugural Young Skal mixer in Singapore was a casual affair that enticed participation from young career professionals with opportunities “to learn the art of making cocktails”, as well as for “networking and mentoring”.
More of such events will take place over 2019. “The Young Skal committee will organise their own events for the year and generate more members. These shall be after-office fun events at trendy and hip venues, (and act as) a platform for networking opportunities in a more relaxed manner,” Cousens shared.
Young Skal members will also be invited to the association’s traditional monthly luncheons and dinners, and be paired with senior members as mentors, he added.
Within the Skal Singapore executive committee, team Young Skal is made up of Michelle Sandhu, HMC Asia Pacific director; Andrew Chan, founder & CEO of ACI HR; Andrew Jeffery, co-founder and CMO of InsiderTV; and Angeline Tang, regional director for leisure travel & partnerships at Avis Budget Group, Asia.
According to Cousens, the team will strive to move Young Skal forward this year, firstly by identifying capable candidates for a Young Skal committee, which would comprise a president, secretary, treasurer and a couple of committee members.
Oyo, which is facing threats of boycotts from certain hotel owners, has hit back with a warning of its own, saying it will take legal action against those who breach their contract.
The budget hotel chain, one of the most watched unicorns in India that up until recent days was the country’s second most valuable startup, says the boycott threats were made by “small groups of people, most of whom have no property associated with Oyo”.
Oyo Rooms facing booking boycott threats
Oyo Hotels & Homes’ head of supply, Ayush Mathur, remarked: “Some individuals have been threatening to ignore the agreements and not accept online bookings, which will be a default of the contractual arrangements, and will lead to legal liabilities on these individuals as we cannot and will not let anyone hamper the customer experience. We will take strict legal action, and drag such people to the court.
“We have not received any formal communication from any of our asset owners… Most of the boycott claims are being made by small vested interest groups with no property franchised with or leased to Oyo Hotels. As franchisors, we continue to engage with our franchisee hotel owners on a one-to-one basis to resolve issues and in case, we don’t reach a mutually acceptable solution, part ways amicably.”
According to a local media report, the Budget Hotel Association of Mumbai formed a pan-India collective, the Hotel Association Confederation of India (HACI), to stop partnering the startup.
Quoting Ashraf Ali, joint convenor at HACI, The Economic Times report wrote that starting January 15, about 50-60 Oyo-listed partners in Jaipur will stop accepting bookings, and the boycott will extend to other cities including Mysore, Shirdi and Mumbai.
Among the allegations against Oyo are “deep discounting, mismanagement of operations, and arbitrary contract changes”, in addition to payments being held up and hidden additional charges.
Oyo has hit back at boycotters in a statement, saying they are using anti-competitive means to “artificially jack up prices against market dynamics and charge customers exorbitant prices”.
In the same statement, Oyo countered allegations that it charges 40 per cent franchise fees, saying that its franchise fees do not go over 25 per cent.
Ayush further refuted claims that it was charging high commission. “This is absolutely incorrect. We have on the contrary, invested over thousands of crores in capex, appointed hundreds of general managers to oversee operations and customer experience, and introduced technology driven innovations in the hospitality sector that has greatly transformed the standard of service delivered by a once unbranded hotel, now part of the Oyo chain.”
Responding to those saying it is offering deep discounts, Ayush pointed out: “Oyo Hotels and Homes is a chain of franchised and leased hotels, homes and living spaces – not an aggregator or an OTA. As per our agreement with our hotel owners, like many of our peers as well other brands operating franchising model, prices are determined by Oyo. We have 100 per cent inventory, and determine price using dynamic pricing mechanism… Since the room rates are decided by us so the question of discounts doesn’t arise.”
In December, the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) reportedly complaint against certain online hotel booking portals to the Commission of India and Ministry of Tourism. After taking action against MakeMyTrip and GoIbibo in November, the FHRAI had warned Oyo that protests may ensue if the latter refused to negotiate with the hotel owners’ body.
Commenting on FHRAI developments, Ayush added: “We have been engaging with the FHRAI, the apex body that represents all hoteliers and its respected executives, and are open to creating a platform for potential discussions, and invite all other hotel chains in the country who operate leased or franchised assets to participate in the same.”
The concept for the Hard Rock Japan proposed to open in Tomakomai city, Hokkaido, has been unveiled.
Key elements of the design include monorail access from Chitose International Airport, Hard Rock’s signature guitar-shaped hotel, a Four Seasons Resort, a Hard Rock Live venue, multipurpose Broadway-style theatres, a state-of-the-art wellness centre and about two hectares of retail and dining space.
Hard Rock Japan rendering
The design also features an Ainu village experience, designed to help raise awareness for the local indigenous Ainu people.
Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International, shared plans to expand on a 12-year relationship with the New York Yankees to bring the NYY Steak concept and New York Yankee experience to the Tomakomai integrated resort.
Hard Rock also intends to bring a Broadway theatre to the Japan resort – along with exclusive rights to their latest debut, King Kong – through a partnership with Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment.
Other partnerships are with HPL Hotel and Resorts in Asia for a Four Seasons hotel, and with NEC for a facial recognition and security services.
In addition, Hard Rock International has plans to have a Music Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in the resort to highlight the musical accomplishments of Japanese, Asian and global artists.
Signing ceremony between Hilton and Crown Advanced Construction representatives
The Hilton brand will make its first appearance in Yangon after earlier plans to launch the Hilton Yangon in Kyauktada Township with LP Holding failed to materialise.
The US hotel group yesterday signed a management agreement with Crown Advanced Construction to open Hilton Times City Yangon in 2022.
Signing ceremony between Hilton and Crown Advanced Construction representatives
The 308-key hotel is located a 20-minute drive from the airport and 15-minute drive from downtown Yangon. Forming part of a mixed-use development, the hotel will comprise suites and a serviced apartment and sit alongside an office tower, residences and a retail mall.
Hilton Times City Yangon will feature five dining outlets, including an all-day dining restaurant, one specialty restaurant, two bars and a Grab and Go outlet.
Guests can hold meetings and events at the hotel’s event spaces spanning nearly 1,250m2, including a ballroom of over 550m2. There will also be a business center, fitness centre, spa as well as a pool.
“As the commercial and financial capital of the country Yangon holds much of the potential for growth, we are delighted to be bringing our Hilton brand into Myanmar’s largest city to cater to the projected travel boom,” said Paul Hutton, vice president, operations, South-east Asia, Hilton.
Hilton currently operates three hotels in Myanmar: Hilton Nay Pyi Taw, Hilton Mandalay and Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa. In addition to Hilton Times City Yangon, the company has two hotels in the development pipeline which will open in Inle Lake and Bagan over the coming years.
More visitors from mainland China are travelling to Hong Kong via coach or train in 2018, on the back of growing land connections thanks to the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, Nielsen’s Mainland Tourist Study revealed.
The number of mainland tourists who visited Hong Kong in November 2018 surpassed the same period in 2017 with a 26% leap, according to Hong Kong’s Immigration Department – Visitor Arrival Statistics November 2018.
The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
With the ongoing initiatives in the Greater Bay Area and the convenience brought by the new gateway access to Hong Kong, the visitor influx momentum is expected to continue and bring new market potentials for tourism-related industries, especially retail.
In addition, the survey found that spending has increased across all sectors, with each traveller spending HK$21,000 (US$2,678) per trip, a 3% growth versus 2017.
Shopping leads as the highest spend sector (45%), while accommodation, dining and entertainment each contribute evenly on their overall expenses. Overall, spending across all four sectors recorded positive uplifts.
Over 90% of mainland visitors said they will return to Hong Kong again within the next 12 months, with a 4% growth in planned spending for the next trip.
Though spending power is increasing year-on-year, the study found that travel appetite to Hong Kong is facing challenges in that products are perceived to be similar with other mainland cities, hence it is key that Hong Kong steer its focus beyond product offering to service, advised the Nielsen study.
“Transforming each trip from a shopping mission to an inspiring travel experience can drive repeat visitation and such experience can best be offered through the brick and mortar channel in Hong Kong,” said Michael Lee, managing director of Nielsen Hong Kong and Macau.
“Unlike other destinations with abundant cultural attractions, developing an inspired travel experience in Hong Kong would require a seamless, cross-industries (shopping, accommodation, food and entertainment) collaboration. This helps to turn our cultural similarities with Mainland visitors to an advantage for making the experiential retail a true success,” Lee suggested.
The study also reported that almost 30% of mainland visitors make online purchases in overseas e-commerce platforms. Cross-border online shopping has started showing its impact on mainland visitors’ shopping behaviour during their trips to Hong Kong, with more claiming spending in the brick and mortars shop during their trip would be lowered as a product is available online.
“An integrated omni-channel strategy can help Hong Kong retailers to address the change of traveller purchase behaviour as they convert part of their purchase to online,” said Lee.
Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts has appointed Thipwimon Chatchavansilachai as the resident manager of the upcoming Twinpalms MontAzure, and Paritchawan Kraiponrak as the director of sales and revenue.
Thipwimon now heads Twinpalms MontAzure, an upscale hotel and residences slated to open along Phuket’s Kamala Beach in July 2019.
Thipwimon (left) and Paritchawan
She has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has held various management roles in leading companies such as Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Minor Group, Compass Hospitality and Deevana Group.
Making a comeback to the Twinpalms group is Paritchawan, who during her seven ways away led the sales departments at Angsana Laguna Phuket and Centara Hotels & Resorts Phuket. She has over two decades of work experience within Phuket’s hospitality industry.
An intense discussion between Garuda Indonesia and travel agencies associations in Indonesia over a new commissioning model last week came to an amicable conclusion, according to a statement from The Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO) made available to TTG Asia.
Pauline Suharno, secretary general of ASTINDO said in the statement: “ASTINDO and ASITA (Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies), together with Garuda, had an intense discussion and come up with decisions to improve the business ecosystem between Garuda and agents.”
Agents and Garuda have come to an amicable conclusion regarding the change in service fees
The discussion last week resulted in Garuda maintaining it would pay agents their service fee in the form of Agency Debit Memo (ADM), but increase the percentage to seven per cent instead of five per cent.
Pauline explained to TTG Asia that a three per cent service fee on international ticket sales had so far been given to agents but it was deductible upon ticket issuance. Initially, Garuda wanted to increase this to five per cent although the airline had intended for it to be paid to agents in the form of ADM per issuance period.
In other words, service fees earned in IATA’s Bank Settlement Plan (BSP) period one was to be paid in BSP 3 period.
“On top of that, (the earlier plan stipulated that) sales of a minimum of 50 million rupiah (US$3,450), the agents would get another three per cent sales fee (in the form of incentives) payable after the segment is flown.
“Garuda will instead grant payment (the following month) after the issuance of tickets.” Pauline said. The same will apply to domestic tickets.
Pauline said: “What is (now hanging) is our request for Garuda not to impose a minimum sales of 50 million rupiah for domestic ticket sales to be eligible for a three per cent sales fee.
“After all, it does not matter how small an agency’s sales performance is, it still has the right to a commission,” she opined.
The Garuda negotiating team, led by Garuda vice president coordinator international sales, distribution & charter Pikri Ilham Kurniansyah, has agreed to discuss the matter further with the airline’s board of directors. The new policy, which was planned for implementation on January 21, will be postponed awaiting the result.
