Louis T Collection has appointed Chaivaree Chitrakorn as general manager of Mantra Samui Resort in Koh Samui.
Her second posting with the hospitality management company, Chaivaree joined Louis T Collection in June 2017 as hotel manager for Hotel Bocage, a six-room boutique hotel in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin.
The Thai national spent most of her career – as an attendance management executive – with Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong, before relocating back to her homeland in 2017 to join Louis T Collection.
Bedsonline is offering an additional three per cent discount on all accommodation sales worldwide until January 17, 2019.
The deal is valid for all travel agents that work with Bedsonline on a commissionable basis.
This follows news announced in September 2018 that Bedsonline’s sister companies, TravelCube, TravelBound and GTA’s retail brand would all become part of the Bedsonline platform and brand, with customer migration now well underway.
Alistair Rodger, retail travel agents director, said: “Until January 17, all travel agents customers worldwide that work with Bedsonline solely in the discount model will have the opportunity to increase their profits, while benefiting from our global portfolio of more than 170,000 hotels, 18,000 activities and 24,000 transfer routes.”
Vietnam’s Quang Ninh – home to Halong Bay – has welcomed the opening of an airport, a cruise port and a highway, major infrastructural developments expected to boost tourism to the province as well as create new opportunities for international trade and economic cooperation.
After two years of construction, Van Don International Airport opened 50km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay in Quang Ninh province.
The newly opened Van Don International Airport
This is the first international airport in Vietnam to be developed by a private company, namely, Sun Group, a Vietnamese developer of tourism, leisure and entertainment-focused properties and projects.
With a total investment of nearly 7.5 billion Vietnamese dong (US$310 million), the airport was constructed with the assistance of NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants).
As a new gateway for both domestic and international travellers visiting Halong Bay, the airport is expected to receive an estimated 2-2.5 million passengers annually for the next two years and five million per year by 2030.
On the same day, Sun Group officially unveiled the new Halong-Van Don Highway and Halong International Cruise Port in Quang Ninh.
The new four-lane, 60km-long highway is said to reduce travel time from Van Don Airport to Halong city to under 50 minutes.
With total investment of over one billion dong, Halong International Cruise Port is the province’s first cruise port dedicated to receiving international cruise ships.
Located in Bai Chay ward, Halong City, the port can accommodate two cruise ships (up to 225,000 GRT each) at the same time and a total of 8,460 passengers, including crew.
The port terminal, designed by Bill Bensley, is pegged to be a new landmark for the city province.
Karen Yue, group editor CEO to look out for in 2019 There isn’t one in particular but I relish any opportunity to meet with a business leader who goes out of his/her way to grow his/her people and encourages activities that benefit the wider community his/her organisation operates in.
Industry pet topic The legacy of professional associations, which is often unseen by the general public. In a recent interview with the AIDS Society of India’s president, Ishwar Gilada for TTGassociations, I learnt that the association’s intensive promotion of far more affordable AIDS/HIV medication produced by qualified Indian pharmaceutical companies and their export to Africa have allowed more patients from that continent to access life-saving medication.
Karen Yue, Xinyi LIang-Pholsena, Yixin Ng
Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, editor, TTG Asia CEO to look out for in 2019 I’m definitely keeping an eye on Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip, because she’s at the rare confluence of travel, technology and female leadership. Sun is also a vocal proponent of female empowerment and women’s rights, and has introduced female-friendly policies to the Ctrip workplace, including bold ones like reimbursing female executives for egg freezing procedures and breastfeeding mums to bring their babies along for work trips, something that progressive companies should emulate.
Industry pet topic I’m constantly intrigued by the transformative power of technology on the travel and tourism landscape. Technology has enabled travel companies to provide better service and engage with their customers, but yet people and good old service remain at the heart of this travel business. It’s a tightrope connecting people and technology in travel, and discovering the innovation, opportunities as well as challenges – and this space gets me excited.
Yixin Ng, assistant editor, TTG Asia Luxury CEO to look out for in 2019 Anyone who can show how we can champion the democratisation of travel (the more the merrier), minimise impact on communities and the environment, and retain authenticity in the process of brokering experiences – all at the same time.
In the industry today, there is no shortage of players working hard to uphold any two of these three values. But to simultaneously champion all three seems an almost impossible, and highly conflictual, undertaking for a travel business.
Industry pet topic Aspirational travel, be it exceptional travel experiences that speak to individual longings and values, or restorative getaways that help people pursue their aspirations back home.
Mimi Hudoyo, S Puvaneswary, Rachel AJ Lee
Mimi Hudoyo, editor, Indonesia CEO to look out for in 2019 Arief Budiman, chairman of the General Elections Commission. In the 2019 election year, Indonesia’s budding democracy and the wide support for the two presidential candidates will need a strong and fair leader to head the elections commission. A conducive election environment is important to keep the country’s tourism sector going. After all, an election is a celebration of democracy and should be a time for festivities, and not keep travellers away.
Industry pet topic The hotel industry. It’s a very dynamic sector with ever-changing, trends. Brands are growing fast – sometimes interestingly confusing, and likewise for the ownership. The hotel industry, especially for Indonesia, never bores me.
S Puvaneswary, editor, Malaysia/Brunei CEO to look out for in 2019 AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes, whom I hope will spearhead the launch of new regional routes to smaller Australian cities. I’m keeping an eye out for direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tasmania – a destination I would love to visit.
Industry pet topic I am concerned about the impact of travel and tourism on climate change. Governments, the private sector and individual travellers should make bigger efforts to drive sustainable development to avoid a bleak future.
Rachel AJ Lee, subeditor CEO to look out for in 2019 Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G Adventures. I like that G Adventures tours go off-the-beaten track, and the introduction of the Ripple Score shows that the company cares for the local communities it visits, and is a great initiative that spreads the tourism dollar. I look forward to see what other tourism initiatives the company will come up with.
Industry pet topic Responsible travel, which is intertwined with overtourism and pollution (think Boracay), and rural tourism. I think governments and stakeholders should do more to better disperse tourists, or perhaps think of feasible ways to proactively drive traffic elsewhere, instead of just paying lip service. If we don’t balance our human and natural resources properly, I fear that tourism may actually ruin destinations instead of helping the economy.
Pamela Chow, Paige Lee Pei Qi, Marissa Carruthers
Pamela Chow, reporter, Singapore CEO to look out for in 2019 Lionel Yeo, who made a noteworthy shift as the chief of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to Singapore’s ride-sharing frontrunner Grab. It will be interesting to monitor how Yeo’s previous tenure in a statutory board will inform his role as CEO advisor in Grab’s development, especially after Indonesian rival Go-Jek enters the game.
Industry pet topic STB’s Passion Made Possible campaign launch has considerably re-invigorated the local tourism scene, spawning a bumper crop of innovative Singapore tours and activities. It is eye-opening to see veterans and new blood alike presenting unique to-dos and must-sees, such as Teochew opera and after-dark neighborhood walks.
Paige Lee Pei Qi, assistant editor, special projects CEO to look out for in 2019 Anthony Tan, CEO & co-founder at Grab. This ride-hailing app has already expanded aggressively into food delivery and mobile payment solutions. I can’t wait to see what else Grab has gotten up their sleeves, especially with keen competitors like Go-Jek coming into Singapore.
Industry pet topic It’s not surprising that artificial intelligence (AI) is the buzzword these days and even more so for the travel industry. I love to watch how AI brings about revolutionary changes in the way we travel – it’s almost shocking to see what can only belong to a dystopian society become a reality today.
Marissa Carruthers, correspondent, Indochina CEO to look out for in 2019 Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat launched his first ocean clean-up in the North Pacific in September this year. By 2020, Boyan hopes a full fleet will be clearing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I hope this reminds the tourism industry of the part it must play in keeping our oceans clean and protecting marine life.
Industry pet topic My passion lies within grassroots and community-based tourism that scratches beneath a country’s surface and delves deeper beyond the usual tourist sights. The environment and nature are also topics close to my heart, especially living in Cambodia where forest and wildlife are dwindling. It is incredible to see more industry players stepping up with innovative tourism products that focus on conservation of wildlife and natural resources.
Rosa Ocampo, correspondent, Philippines CEO to look out for in 2019 Warren Buffett, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway. Will Buffett up his investment portfolio in the airline industry? His Berkshire Hathaway already partly owns United, American, Delta and Southwest airlines. And with the continuing growth in the hospitality industry, might he be tempted to own mega-hotel, mega-travel corporations and mega-technology providers?
Industry pet topic Urbanisation continues to uglify a growing number of Philippine destinations – metro Manila, Tagaytay, Baguio, Mactan Island and Cebu are already casualties, and Iloilo is getting there. More and more destinations are suffering from overpopulation, traffic congestion, pollution and flooding. We know we need town planning and to follow existing rules and regulations, but political will is lacking.
Prudence Lui, Rohit Kaul, Feizal Samath
Prudence Lui, correspondent, Hong Kong CEO to look out for in 2019 The helmsman of the soon-to-established Travel Industry Authority, which will replace Travel Industry Council as a statuary body to enhance the quality and promote sustainable, long-term development of the travel industry. I’m interested to know why he’s willing to take up this hot seat, his vision and how he plans to walk the trade into a comprehensive licensing regime for travel agents, tourist guides or tour escorts.
Industry pet topic Merger and acquisitions of travel agent business. As many family-run, homegrown agents have been acquired by investors, there are only a few operators left in the marketplace so it will be interesting to see how they stand on their own feet amid the competition. This year the 61-year Lotus Tours was acquired by Corporate Travel Management; who’s next?
Rohit Kaul, correspondent, India CEO to look out for in 2019 Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO of Indian e-commerce payment system and digital wallet company, Paytm. The company has emerged as the strongest player in this digital payment segment. It will be interesting to see how Paytm is working with Indian travel agents and hotels to popularise its digital payment platform.
Industry pet topic The health of Indian inbound sector because the current status of Indian inbound arrivals doesn’t justify the true tourism potential of India. Apathy from the government sector as well as lack of innovation from private players have been major stumbling blocks in the growth of Indian inbound tourism.
Feizal Samath, correspondent, Sri Lanka/Maldives CEO to look out for in 2019 Dileep Mudadeniya, head of brand marketing, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. He’s been a game changer not only at Cinnamon but also the country at large, conceptualising innovative ideas to take the company and country brands forward by bringing in high-profile events (think beauty pagents and West End musicals) and attracting tourists from the region.
Industry pet topic Without a doubt, it’s the struggle to get Sri Lanka’s long-awaited, global destination marketing on track. The project has struggled for the past three years, bogged down by bureaucracy and cumbersome procedures, frustrating an industry which has been waiting patiently for a new country marketing blitz to tell the world that Sri Lanka is back in business!
Julian Ryall, Tiara Maharani
Julian Ryall, correspondent, Japan CEO to look out for in 2019 I hope to see radical changes in many of Japan’s traditionally run business sectors. In the airline sector, All Nippon Airways is best positioned to lead that sort of change and I hope that president and CEO Yuji Hirako has what it takes to see that sort of evolution through. Asia needs the open skies and cheap flights that travellers in Europe and North America now take for granted.
Industry pet topic There has been so much growth in Japan’s hotels sector, from the budget category all the way up to the luxury end of the spectrum, that it can be hard to keep up with the changes. But this country really needs to up its game on the accommodation front, and the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the anticipated arrival of 40 million sports fans and regular tourists has revolutionised the hospitality sector.
Tiara Maharani, correspondent, Indonesia CEO to look out for in 2019 Bambang Brodjonegoro, Indonesia’s minister for national development planning (Bappenas). During a speech at the National Tourism Ministry Meeting, Bambang said that he is developing a strategy for tourism to be a pillar of the Indonesian economy, and that a quick win for Indonesia’s economy is through tourism and business events. I am curious to know what makes Bambang confident about the tourism sector and how he would convince president Joko Widodo to implement the pro-tourism policies.
Industry pet topic Sustainable tourism. Indonesia is endowed with extraordinary natural resources and that must be preserved. Both the natural environment (such as beaches, forests, waterways) as well as the built environment (such as historic buildings and ruins) must be preserved for an area to be environmentally sustainable. This can usually be achieved by getting the locals involved in the tourism industry.
Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant are names that have recently become familiar to many people throughout the world. Many of us call upon them from time to time to help us with mundane tasks such as web browsing and Internet searches, making phone calls, checking weather information or playing music.
They are voice-activated digital assistants that reside in our mobile phones and have lately started to appear in other devices such as home speakers, cars, kitchen appliances and watches, to name a few.
Mario Hardy
Digital assistants are not to be confused with virtual assistants, which are people who work remotely and can handle a variety of tasks. They are technology-based and can be taught (programmed) ‘skills’, which can be downloaded from directories or by simply writing ‘shortcuts’ that help accomplish simple tasks. This is currently how most digital assistants operate.
Adoption of the usage of voice-activated digital assistants has been slow, as we have become conditioned to pressing keys on a typewriter for more than a hundred years. Specialists working in this field will tell you that one of the biggest challenges in the adoption of voice-activated digital assistants is the lack of a display screen. People are accustomed to receiving visual confirmation to ensure that instructions are clearly understood, however I do believe this can be easily overcome.
For example, I have been experimenting with voice-activated digital assistants at work and home for such simple tasks as switching lights on and off, setting up reminders, taking notes, playing music, Internet searches and reading emails. The more times I have used the assistant, the more natural it has become.
Voice assistants can help with tasks such as Internet searches and restaurant bookings
The questions that many of us ask is “what is the future of voice-activated digital assistants” and “what is its impact on the travel and tourism industry?”
I believe that in the not too distant future the use of digital assistants will become the norm. Through improvements in artificial intelligence (AI), machines will become more personal and responsive, knowing an individual’s personal habits and eventually anticipating their needs. I am confident that each of us in the future will have their very own digital assistant that will be available to us at anytime and anywhere – think Jarvis in the Iron Man movies.
In the travel and tourism industry, many travel brands have already begun experimenting with Alexa, the digital assistant developed by Amazon, first used in the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot smart speakers. With Alexa, you can search for flights using the ‘Skyscanner skills’ and, through other built in ‘skills’, search for hotels, information on shows, and check the weather in the destination you plan to travel to. By the time this article is published, there will already be over 30,000 ‘skills’ available on Alexa. Other digital assistants are also building their own portfolio of ‘skills’ and ‘shortcuts’.
For people born in the last 15 years, digital assistants are likely to become part of their daily lives. Therefore, my advice to travel brands is to start experimenting with voice-activated digital assistants. Creating ‘skills’, apps and additional functionality for voice-activated digital assistants is relatively easy and can be set up in a matter of minutes.
Hardware, software and AI are improving daily and talking to a digital assistant will become a common and natural activity. At the beginning, it may feel as odd as the first time we all saw someone with an earpiece appearing to talk to themselves, however over time we will all become accustomed to it.
Qatar Airways' Akbar Al Baker and China Southern Airlines' Wang Changshun
Qatar Airways has acquired a five per cent stake in China Southern Airlines, as part of its strategy to invest in “strongest” airlines around the world and enhancing its network connectivity.
This latest investment marks an important part of Qatar Airways’ strategic investment in “the largest airline in one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets”, stated Ali Shareef Al Emadi, chairman of the Gulf carrier.
Qatar Airways’ Akbar Al Baker and China Southern Airlines’ Wang Changshun
Qatar Airways’ group chief executive Akbar Al Baker added: “China Southern Airlines is one of the most prestigious airlines in the Chinese domestic market and an important market player in the world, with massive potential for cooperation in the future.”
According to a Bloomberg report, this investment makes Qatar Airways the fourth largest shareholder of the Chinese carrier.
The latest development further supports Qatar Airways’ investment strategy, including its 20 per cent investment in International Airlines Group, its 10 per cent investment in LATAM Airlines Group, its 49 per cent investment in Air Italy and its 9.99 per cent investment in Cathay Pacific.
Charter flights take travellers beyond Bali; tourists drawn to unique spectacles at Kawah Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi (pictured)
Mount Ijen, located in the East Java regencies of Banyuwangi and Bondowoso, will from January 2019 onwards close every first Friday of the month.
The Ijen crater, which draws hordes of visitors eager to witness the blue flame phenomenon resulting from dense sulphur concentrations, had seen intermittent closures over the years due to heightened seismic activity or phreatic eruptions. The most recent closure was last April, when some were reported to have taken ill after exposure to thick clouds of sulphur gas at Ijen.
Kawah Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi
With the imposition of a monthly closure, the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency hopes to allow “nature to rest”, the Jakarta Post reported.
According to some media reports, the attraction’s closure will be for cleaning and environmental management work, including facilities and infrastructural improvements, with the aim of stabilising the ecosystem around Mount Ijen.
Asian Trails DMC on Wednesday issued a circular announcing that visitors to the landmark will be offered alternative sightseeing in the region on days the crater is closed.
“Programmes and itineraries including visits to Mount Ijen will be adjusted in line with these regulations, either on the spot or in advance with our Indonesia team,” the notice read.
The Jakarta Post also reported that starting this year, entry to Mount Ijen will be ticketed, through online travel agents, to facilitate the management of visitor numbers.
As of last month, the estimated visitor cap was 1,000 a day, subject to change as planning and discussion progress.
Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern China’s Shandong province, has rolled out incentive policies with the aim of accelerating the growth of the China Cruise Tourism Development Experimental Zone in Qingdao and the city’s transition into an international tourism destination.
Last month, the Qingdao Municipal Tourism Development Committee and Shibei District People’s Government jointly released the Detailed Implementation of Policies in Support of Cruise Tourism in Qingdao.
Qingdao is an open coastal city in China’s Shandong province
In the document, Qingdao’s municipal government outlined plans to provide incentive subsidies of up to three million yuan (US$435,000) to cruise firms that include the city as a port of call in their itineraries and travel agencies that organise sightseeing tours in the city, as well as for outbound travel agencies and ticket agents that operate rented and chartered cruises in Qingdao.
Qualified cruise firms and travel agencies will be able to enjoy subsidies amounting to 100,000 to 500,000 yuan per voyage.
Those offering departures from Qingdao will receive 100,000 to 400,000 yuan per voyage, while cruise firms with formal operations in Qingdao may enjoy 500,000 yuan per every ten voyages.
For companies sailing 50 voyages or more, subsidies of three million yuan are available.
In addition, the Shibei District government, the Qingdao International Cruise Port Services Administration and Qingdao Port Group have jointly issued a notice announcing that outbound travel agencies and ticket agents that rent or charter cruise ships with the base of operations in Qingdao, and who succeed in boarding 5,000 or more passengers per year who then travel abroad, would be entitled to a subsidy of 200 yuan per passenger.
The cruise sector represents huge revenue potential for the city and its economy, The Qingdao Municipal Tourism Development Committee said in a statement.
The committee added that Qingdao – an open coastal city – boasts rich tourism resources, a favourable climate and a deep-water port.
Giving Qingdao the makings of a preferred destination for cruisegoers, the city’s docking facilities for cruise ships are located in proximity to a railway station and downtown area. The city is also recognised for its urban coastlines, and offers opportunities for onshore tours in addition to Qingdao beer and sailing tours.
Kapil Chopra left Oberoi in December 2017 to focus on his entrepreneurial journey
Former president of The Oberoi Group Kapil Chopra has unveiled his latest hospitality venture, The Postcard Hotel, a luxury brand aimed at leisure travellers seeking accommodation by the sea, mountains or in wildlife-dense areas.
The brand debut was marked by three openings, spread across neighbourhoods in Goa. The Postcard Moira, nestled in one of the four heritage villages of Goa; The Postcard Velha, surrounded by 300 acres of virgin coconut plantations in old Goa; and further south, in keeping with its proposition of taking travellers back in time, The Postcard Cuelim, which houses a 350-year-old chapel.
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Kapil Chopra left Oberoi in December 2017 to focus on his entrepreneurial journey
The Postcard Cuelim
The brand plans on building and operating 50 hotels in the next five years. In the next 12 to 18 months, The Postcard Hotel will be present in seven more destinations across the country:
• The Postcard, Uttarakhand
• The Postcard on the Arabian Sea, Karnataka
• The Postcard, Dhauladhar Mountain Range
• The Postcard Ravangla, Sikkim
• The Postcard, Darjeeling
• The Postcard, Sundarbans
• The Postcard, Kanha
Each hotel will offer experiences that give a sense of its surroundings. In place of fixed breakfast hours, buffets, and sugary welcome drinks, the new brand says it will offer local experiences, from food, to design, to artisanal welcome cocktails. Guests will also get to decide on check-in and check-out hours as well as experience community and cultural immersions.
Wellness will also be a key part of the experience, with the brand naming Coimbatore-based Purnarnava Ayurveda its Ayurveda partner.
“What I wanted to do with The Postcard Hotel is make luxury hotels for the modern audience but bring back the romance and charm of sun-kissed holidays. We wanted it to be rich in experience but also simple,” Kapil said.
Carlton Hotel Singapore is an upscale business hotel that offers 940 elegantly designed spacious rooms right in the heart of the city. Modern facilities such as the Executive Lounge, Premier Club Lounge, three restaurants, a patisserie, bar, gym and swimming pool offer a stay experience suited for the discerning traveller.
Strategically located at the heart of Singapore, Carlton Hotel is just minutes away from Singapore’s busiest financial and convention centres, the arts, culture and shopping haven. These include Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore National Museum and major shopping belts in the Marina area and along Orchard Road. Just five minutes’ walk from the hotel are several train (MRT) stations – City Hall interchange, Bugis, Bras Basah, Esplanade, Rochor and Bencoolen. Public bus stops can also be found at multiple locales around the hotel.
Stay in comfort in the guest rooms and suites from 30sqm in the Main Tower and Executive Wing. For more upscale accommodation, relax in the Premier Rooms from 34sqm, and Premier Club Rooms with full access to the Premier Club Lounge. Every guest room is equipped with a personalised handy smartphone to enhance your stay in Singapore. Enjoy seamless connectivity and convenience at all times with complimentary unlimited 4G mobile internet, local and international calls to selected countries as well as complimentary e-news, PressReader, that offers access to thousands of publications.
Hold successful business meetings and events in any of the fully-equipped 13 meeting and event spaces. The Empress Ballroom, located on Level 2, has thickset walls re-upholstered and elegant floral carpets lining the magnificent ballroom. With an extension of high-ceiling and pillarless rooms, the Empress Ballroom caters up to 590 persons in a round table setting. Istana Rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and natural daylight, making it conducive for smaller meetings.
There has never been a better opportunity to stay with us for less! Enjoy savings of up to 30% off Best Flexible Rates with complimentary buffet breakfast and high-speed Wi-Fi for direct bookings made
30 days in advance. Valid for stays from now to 31 August 2019.
Stay in comfort in the guest rooms and suites from 30sqm in the Main Tower and Executive Wing. For more upscale accommodation, relax in the Premier Rooms from 34sqm, and Premier Club Rooms with full access to the Premier Club Lounge. Every guest room is equipped with a personalised handy smartphone to enhance your stay in Singapore. Enjoy seamless connectivity and convenience at all times with complimentary unlimited 4G mobile internet, local and international calls to selected countries as well as complimentary e-news, PressReader, that offers access to thousands of publications.
Hold successful business meetings and events in any of the fully-equipped 13 meeting and event spaces. The Empress Ballroom, located on Level 2, has thickset walls re-upholstered and elegant floral carpets lining the magnificent ballroom. With an extension of high-ceiling and pillarless rooms, the Empress Ballroom caters up to 590 persons in a round table setting. Istana Rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and natural daylight, making it conducive for smaller meetings.
There has never been a better opportunity to stay with us for less! Enjoy savings of up to 30% off Best Flexible Rates with complimentary buffet breakfast and high-speed Wi-Fi for direct bookings made
