Princess Cruises and Malaysian agents bond over cooking challenge

August 31, 2018

Princess_hosts_travel_agents_for_cooking_challege_in_Malaysia_1 — Farriek and travel agents pose with their culinary creations

Over 60 travel agents attended a cooking challenge held by Princess Cruises in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to build relationships with the local travel industry community.

Through the fun activities, Farriek Tawfik, director of Southeast Asia says the company hopes to “strengthen bonds with travel agents who play an increasingly important role in booking cruises”, especially when it comes to fly-cruising itineraries.

Farriek and travel agents pose with their culinary creations

“This is also a way for us to reward travel agents who specialise in selling cruises and I was delighted to see the agents enjoying themselves with plenty of laughter and gusto,” he added.

Before the cooking challenge, Princess Cruises gave a presentation on its new 2019 itineraries to Alaska, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, Australia/New Zealand and more. It also highlighted new sailings from Singapore from November 2018 to March 2019 for sailings in the region.

The cruise company hosted a similar challenge for agents in Jakarta last year.
[agents in Jakarta: https://www.ttgasia.com/2017/08/18/photo-of-the-day-princess-cruises-cooks-up-challenge-for-jakarta-agents/]

Second wave of Singapore tourism campaign unleashes local talent

By Yixin Ng

August 30, 2018

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STB-Nathan-Hartono-Kyra-Poh-Jahan-Loh- — Singer Nathan Hartono, indoor skydiving champion Kyra Poh and contemporary artist Jahan Loh will feature in STB's marketing activities

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has kicked off the second wave of its Passion Made Possible campaign with a greater emphasis on co-creation with local talents.

Since taking off last year, the campaign has been launched in 20 markets through marketing activities and industry partnerships. Over the next few months, STB will roll out brand activations in at least 16 overseas markets.

In the campaign’s second wave, STB is introducing three new passion tribes – namely Culture Shaper, Socialiser and Action Seeker – adding to Foodie, Collector, Explorer and Progressor introduced last year.

Singer Nathan Hartono, indoor skydiving champion Kyra Poh and contemporary artist Jahan Loh will feature in STB’s marketing activities (credit: STB)

STB has been partnering local travel operators to launch Passion Tours. One of the three newly added tours in the collection of 27 is The Street Art and Food Tour, meant to appeal to Foodies and Culture Shapers.

“Anecdotally, we have (received) good feedback from the trade. There’s also been a lot of cross collaboration, on tours for example. Some (tour operators) have gone on to get in touch with personalities whose stories we have profiled; they are weaving these into their experiences,” said Lim Shoo Ling, director, brand, STB.

“From a Tribe perspective, overseas trade (players) have found it easier to convey the overall experience of Foodies, Collectors and so on. (Overall) the campaign has been useful in supporting the work being done in the travel trade.”

Thomas Cook (India), for instance, has joined forces with STB to “showcase the hidden gems that are yet unknown to many Indians”, in line with the experiential direction it is taking with the launch of its new My Holiday, My Way line of products, Rajeev Kale, president and country head of leisure travel and MICE of the company, shared in an STB statement.

Moreover, the campaign will this year see more active participation from 80 new local personalities.

Where STB and creative agency TBWA had previously led the creation of videos used in the campaign, this time the tourism board says local filmmakers are helming the conceptualisation and creation of short films.

“This is the first time we are doing (campaign videos this way). Last year we were telling stories on behalf of the Tribes. This year, we want (the ambassadors) to tell the stories from their perspectives, and that of others in their Tribe,” said Lim.

To co-create videos appealing to the Culture Shapers and Socialisers, STB has partnered Viddsee, an online video platform for short content contributed by creatives, along with local filmmakers Wee Li Lin (Culture Shaper) and Jacky Lee (Socialiser).

STB is also working with Khairuddin Hori, curatorial director and partner of Chan+Hori Contemporary, to bring pop-up art showcases to cities including Moscow, Yangon and New Delhi.

Named Atypical Singapore, the showcase presents work that deviate from what is expected of conventional “museum art” into the realm of “street art that (reflect the social) undercurrents”, said Khairuddin.

Other pop-ups include speakeasy-style bars targeting Socialisers and exhibits that showcase the stories and achievements of Action Seekers.

Indonesia comes on radar of Royal Caribbean Cruises

By Mimi Hudoyo

August 30, 2018

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voyager-of-the-seas-port-klang — Voyager of the Seas at Port Klang, Malaysia

As cruise tourism gains steam among Indonesian travellers, Royal Caribbean Cruises sees strong growth potential for this emerging market that is likely to play a bigger role in regional cruising in the coming years.

“Cruise passengers from Indonesia in 2017 grew by 40 per cent over 2016, a total of 46,500 passengers, said Angie Stephen, managing director, Asia-Pacific of Royal Caribbean Cruises, citing figures from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “For Royal Caribbean, the number of passengers from Indonesia last year grew by 25 per cent compared to 2016.”

Voyager of the Seas at Port Klang, Malaysia

Despite the stellar growth posted by Indonesia in recent years, the country contributes only over one per cent of the total number of cruise passengers in Asia in 2017, which according to CLIA reached four million.

With only less than one per cent of Indonesia’s population having cruised before, coupled with the rapid expansion of the middle class and the desire of travellers to explore new things, Indonesia presents immense opportunities for cruising.

Ivan Soetikno, general manager of Multi Alam Bahari International, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ international representative in Indonesia, said: “Data from the Indonesian immigration shows that there are around 10 million Indonesian passport holders. Looking at arrivals to Singapore – the embarkation point of cruises for the Indonesians – there were around eight million arrivals. This market represents a huge potential for us.”

This year, Ivan expects the cruise line to achieve a 20 per cent year-on-year growth in cruise passengers from Indonesia.

Within the leisure segment, Ivan saw growing interest from families and millennials. “They enjoy the facilities and activities on board. There are many Instagramable spots that we have on board,” he said, adding that millennials were becoming increasingly important decision makers in family cruise travel.

Stephen was in Jakarta yesterday to promote the return of the Voyager of the Seas in South-east Asia next month, which is expected to appeal to vacationers in the region, including Indonesians, with its mix of short and long sailings from Singapore.

Voyager of the Seas’ South-east Asia season runs from September 2018 to June 2019, with over 70 sailings of three to seven nights from Singapore.

Stephen said: “In 2017, the majority of travellers (70 per cent) from Indonesia took the Asia sailings, with the 4D3N trips being the most popular one.”

At the same time, the company is also promoting the newly launched Symphony of the Seas offering sailings in the Caribbean from Miami to entice travellers to cruise beyond Asia.

Miki Travel invests in online booking systems for groups

By S Puvaneswary

August 30, 2018

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Miki_Travel_s_managers_and_KL_office_staff — Miki Travel managers from around the world and staff from its Kuala Lumpur office

Miki Travel recently invested in two online booking systems to facilitate ease of doing business and enhance confirmation speed, as the company plots its expansion in Asia.

In January, the company’s online group hotel booking system went live, enabling its 14 markets in Asia to communicate and deal directly with hotel suppliers in Europe.

Olivier Moeschler, CEO Asia Division at Miki Travel, said: “The online hotel booking system is doing very well with more than 3,000 hotels in Europe using the system. Our sourcing team is continuously educating suppliers in Europe on the needs and requirements of Asian travellers and how to generally work with Asians, and vice versa.

Miki Travel managers from around the world and staff from its Kuala Lumpur office

“The big difference between Europe and Asia is that in Europe there are more independent owned small hotels, thus the education process takes longer. In Asia, there are more chain hotels.”

In addition, an online booking system for group bookings to restaurants and food outlets in Europe is in the works. Set to go live in 2019, this will work the same way as the group hotel booking system, enabling Miki’s representatives in Asia to deal directly with restaurant and food outlet suppliers without having to go through Miki’s staff in Europe.

The company is also developing a Michelin-star restaurant programme for restaurants that can serve tour groups. Clients can be seated at smaller tables and enjoy a more intimate dining experience while also benefiting from reduced group rates, shared Moeschler.

The programme is the result of a growing trend among Asians seeking local dining experiences on their holidays in Europe. Other trends the company has seen over the last few years is the growing interest for newer destinations for repeat Asian visitors to Europe.

“We see growing demand for requests to visit smaller cities outside of the capital. The length of tours to Europe has also gotten shorter over the past five years. The average is currently between 7 to 10 days, whereas in the past it was between 10 days and two weeks,” said Moeschler, adding that travellers also tend to make more trips to Europe annually as compared with five years ago.

He said requests for private tours, of up to six people are also on the rise. “With incentive travel, Europe has also regained its popularity and there are more groups travelling there as compared with two years ago, when Asian companies tend to avoid travelling to Europe due to fear of terrorist attacks,” shared Moeschler.

Over the last two years, Miki Travel had expanded to four new Asian markets, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, India and South Korea and the company has hired more than 200 full-time staff for its various Asian markets.

St Regis to make Australia debut in Melbourne

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2018

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The St Regis Melbourne will rise in 2022 as the luxury brand’s first in Australia, adding to the growing crop of new hotels that are opening in the city.

Owned by Century Group Aus, this new-build hotel will be located in the luxury mixed-use precinct Flinders Bank on the corner of Spencer and Flinders Streets. Guests will also be within walking distance of Collins Street and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

St Regis Melbourne

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The 33-storey Flinders Bank will house the St Regis Melbourne across levels two to 11 and include 168 guestrooms and suites, offering views of either the Yarra River or city skyline.

F&B offerings will include a speciality restaurant in addition to a sophisticated Drawing Room space and the St Regis Bar, which will serve up the local rendition of the brand’s signature cocktail, the Bloody Mary.

The hotel will also feature a fitness and wellness centre with a 25m indoor swimming pool, spa and beauty salon.

In Gangwon, a tourism sector fuelled by Olympic fire

By Pamela Chow

August 30, 2018

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The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and recent international affairs have launched the Gangwon province into a momentum of growth, with tourism stakeholders rolling out programmes and infrastructure expansion for the region.

Most notably, the games brought the high-speed rail (KTX) to the quiet seaside city of Gangneung. Travellers can now commute to and from Seoul in just 1.5 hours, compared to the previous 4.5 hours.

Gangwon is popular for ski tourism; Vivaldi Park ski resort pictured

Chung Man Ho, vice governor of the Gangwon Provincial Government, told TTG Asia that transportation accessibility for the province has “improved dramatically”.

Some 2.4 trillion won (US$2.1 billion) was spent for the Pyeongchang Olympics, and of that 1.5 trillion won went towards social overhaul – including the construction of highways and cleaning up of streets – which “had a huge benefit for Gangwon as a whole”, he described.

The area has also seen a slateol of hospitality developments, among them Ramada Gangwon Sokcho by Wyndham Hotel Group, Lakai Sandpine Resort, St John’s Hotel and Gangneung Tourist Hotel.

Michael Kim, director franchise operations, South Korea, Wyndham Hotel Asia-Pacific, shared: “Sokcho and the whole of Gangwon have received huge benefits from the Olympic Games. Ramada Sokcho saw 100 per cent occupancy during the Olympic Games, and now reports an average of over 80 or 90 per cent. Tourism is booming in the Gangneung area too, so we have opened properties… such as in Chuncheon.”

More is still to come. Leanne Harwood, InterContinental Hotel Group’s vice president operations, South-east Asia and Korea, hinted that the group is eyeing developments that can “cater to guests (such as) winter sports enthusiasts” visiting Alpensia Pyeongchang.

Beyond the Winter Olympics, stakeholders believe that the improving North-South political climate has also instilled confidence in tourism to Gangwon, which lies along the border with North Korea.

Yoon Seung Hwan, Korean Tourism Organization’s (KTO) director of Singapore office, said the impression of North Korea as a safe destination is “getting better”, and that KTO is working to incorporate the Korean Demilitarized Zone into more tour itineraries.

He added that KTO is also promoting Gangwon as an outdoor destination through “complementary activities to skiing and more experiences using the new facilities”.

To support an anticipated visitor influx, Gangwon is working on expanding tourism infrastructure, said Chung. This includes facilities in the mountainous regions, a marine tourist complex on the east coast and Legoland Korea in Chuncheon.

Of the 100 million visitors to Gangwon annually, three million are foreigners. The province hopes to grow this to four million this year, and five million by 2020.

With the help of the upcoming international events, Chung is confident that arrival numbers will grow “beyond expectations”.

Thailand visitor arrivals, spending see double-digit growth

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2018

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View of Wat Arun in Bangkok from across the river

Thailand welcomed nearly 22.7 million visitor arrivals in the January-July period this year, up 11% over the same period of 2017, according to preliminary figures tabulated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Estimated visitor expenditure also rose significantly, up 14.4 % to 1.2 trillion baht (US$36 billion).

The top 10 source markets of visitors were in order China (6.9 million, 21.4%); Malaysia (2.1 million, +6.8%); South Korea (1 million, +5.8%); Laos (991,679, +9.3%); India (919,130, +5.6%); Japan (908,059, +5.6%); Russia (900,712, +16.2%); the US (656,327, +5.8%); Vietnam (630,526, +7.8%) and Singapore (579,677, +3%).

Nok Air CEO resigns

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2018

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Thai LCC Nok Air has announced the resignation of its CEO, Piya Yodmani, barely a year since he was appointed to the post.

Piya also steps down from the board and other committees of the company.

Pravej Ongartsittigul, director and chairman of the executive committee, has stepped into the role of acting CEO since August 27.

The Thai LCC will proceed to appoint the new board director and CEO at a later date.

Aviation roundup: Wow air, Hainan Airlines and more

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2018

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Wow air to connect US with New Delhi
Icelandic LCC Wow air will commence flights from the US to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi via Iceland beginning December 5, 2018.

At the end of 2018, the airline will offer service to New Delhi from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, St Louis, and Washington DC/Baltimore.

The Icelandic LCC will use brand new Airbus A330neo aircraft on the Delhi route, which are outfitted with Wow premium seats offering at least 37 inches of legroom.

Hainan Airlines launches Shenzhen-Zurich service
On August 27, Hainan Airlines launched a twice-weekly service between Shenzhen and Zurich, the first non-stop flight connecting China’s Guangzhou-Shenzhen area with Switzerland.

Operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flights take off from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 01.20 and land at Zurich Airport at 07.55. On the return sector, flights depart Zurich at 11.40 and arrives back in Shenzhen at 05.00 the following day.

Cebu Pacific beefs up Clark hub with new routes
Starting November 9, 2018, Cebu Pacific will mount daily flights between its Clark and Davao hubs; as well as between Clark and Tagbilaran (Bohol).

Flight 5J613, bound for Tagbilaran, departs Clark at 09.55 daily for arrival at 11.20. The return flight, 5J614, departs Tagbilaran at 11.50 and arrives in Clark at 23.5pm. Meantime, Flight 5J985 departs from Clark to Davao daily at 13.45, with scheduled arrival at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao at 15.40. The return flight, 5J986, departs Davao at 16.10, for arrival at the Clark International Airport at 18.05.

On top of the new routes, Cebu Pacific will also add an additional daily flight between Clark and Cebu starting October 28, 2019. From once daily, Cebu Pacific will fly between Clark and Cebu once in the morning and another in the afternoon.

JAL unveils new frequency, fleet plans
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced revisions to the flight frequency and fleet plans for FY2018 and on select international routes for FY2019.

On its international network, JAL will increase capacity on its Hawaii and East Asia routes. The airline will seasonally operate the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft during the year-end and New Year period on the Tokyo (Narita)-Honolulu route, which was provided during the same period last year. Additionally, JAL will continue to expand the operation of the JAL Sky Suite-configured Boeing 787-9 aircraft on routes between Japan and Hawaii.

In FY2019, JAL will seasonally increase flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Chicago (O’Hare) from June 8 to September 3, 2019, featuring 11 flights per week. On flights between Osaka (Kansai) and Los Angeles, JAL will now feature full-flat seats in business class, in addition to the introduction of premium economy class service with the JAL Sky Suite 787-9 aircraft. Meanwhile, the airline will decrease the flight frequency between Kansai and Taipei (Taoyuan) from March 31, 2019.

On domestic routes in Japan, JAL will increase the flight frequency on the Tokyo (Haneda)-Sapporo (New Chitose) and Tokyo (Haneda)-Okinawa (Naha) routes. On Kagoshima routes, the carrier will feature the new ATR 72-600 aircraft from December 2018. Additionally, the airline will start broadcasting Live TV Service as a new in-flight service from October 2018 on Japan domestic flights.

Thai tourism sector works to soften impact of Phuket boat tragedy

By Siriarpa Kamjan

August 29, 2018

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coral-island-phuket — The cause of the accident off the coast of Phuket's Coral Island is still yet to be determined

Hopeful that the impact from the Phuket boat accident in July will eventually tide over, Thai tour operators and hotels specialised in the Chinese market are working hard to overcome business declines in the meantime.

Even though the recent disaster will likely take the shine off Chinese arrivals in 2H2018, the Thai Ministry of Tourism & Sports still expects the number of Chinese tourists to the country to reach its forecasted 10 million for the year.

From January to July, nearly 6.9 million Chinese visitors arrived in Thailand, marking a year-on-year increase of 21.4 per cent, although July’s figure was actually a drop of 0.9 per cent.

Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and president of Golden Discovery Express, said that the number of Chinese arrivals to Bangkok from July to August has dropped 30 per cent since the Phuket boat tragedy.

However, he expects Chinese arrivals will increase during the Chinese Golden Week holidays this October, albeit to a lower number than was recorded last year.

To woo back Chinese travellers, ATTA will conduct roadshows in China’s Tianjin, Qingdao, Hefei, and Nanjing from September 16 to 21 to promote quality and safe tourism in Thailand.

“This is part of a strategy to stimulate the Chinese market in the last season of this year. The selected cities have a total population of 250 million, (and hence represent huge potential),” Adith explained.

Meanwhile, Kongsak Khoopongsakorn, president of Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter, told TTG Asia that the number of Chinese groups has decreased by 50 per cent, based on feedback from hotels in Phuket that mainly welcome Chinese groups.

It remains to be seen if the Chinese market will rebound during the Golden Week peak, but Kongsak is positive FIT demand will remain strong.

In the short term, Kongsak recommends that hotel suppliers targeting Chinese tourists to promote their products in other markets at the same time to make up for any loss from the Chinese market.

He is confident that Chinese tourists will eventually return to Phuket as steps are being taken to beef up safety measures.

“The government and private sectors are cooperating to build trust among Chinese tourists by enforcing stricter laws and approving a budget to improve the Phuket port,” he shared.

“The Digital Economy Promotion Agency is now responsible for developing a system to check tourist information at the Phuket port. In doing so, officials will know the number and names of tourists before (boarding).”

Princess Cruises and Malaysian agents bond over cooking challenge

Second wave of Singapore tourism campaign unleashes local talent

Indonesia comes on radar of Royal Caribbean Cruises

Miki Travel invests in online booking systems for groups

St Regis to make Australia debut in Melbourne

In Gangwon, a tourism sector fuelled by Olympic fire

Thailand visitor arrivals, spending see double-digit growth

Nok Air CEO resigns

Aviation roundup: Wow air, Hainan Airlines and more

Thai tourism sector works to soften impact of Phuket boat tragedy

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