Agents win big at Sabre, Malaysia Airlines bash

March 5, 2018

A travel agent was gifted with a car at the Sabre & Malaysia Airlines Gala Dinner last week, an event celebrating Sabre’s over 20-year partnership with the Malaysian national carrier while rewarding the contribution of top agents across the country.

“From the time when Malaysia Airlines was a founding shareholder of Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific (formerly known as Abacus) to today, Malaysia Airlines and Sabre have built a strong, strategic partnership based on a common vision, and by working together to provide the best services to agencies and travellers in a competitive and evolving market,” said Jorge Vilches, senior vice president, air line of business, Sabre Travel Network.

The gala also marked the culmination of a agency reward programme called the 2017 MAB & Sabre Awesome 10-Month promotion, which kicked off in March 2017 and generated “significant business growth” for Malaysia Airlines on the Sabre platform.

During the event, which brought together 250 industry stakeholders, Sabre agents with the most ticketed bookings for Malaysia Airlines were rewarded with prizes, with the top agent bringing home the grand prize, a Nissan Grand Livina.

Additionally, Sabre is pursuing new projects with Malaysia Airlines and is the first to launch Malaysia Airlines Government Travel Services this year. This service will accelerate the digitisation of the booking experience for government official travel on Malaysia Airlines through the Sabre platform.

Hyatt seals deal with Tianfu Minyoun amid China push

By TTG Asia

March 5, 2018

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Hyatt Hotels and Tianfu Minyoun Hospitality have partnered to bring 50 Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels to China, with franchise agreements for the first three hotels under the agreement already signed.

Under the strategic development agreement, Tianfu Minyoun will develop the 50 hotels in cooperation with Chinese investors over the next five years, the first three being Hyatt Place Nanchong Gaoping, Hyatt Place Changchun Jingyue and Hyatt House Changchun Jingyue.

More Hyatt-branded properties will be opening in China over the next few years

The Chinese hospitality company will operate and manage the three hotels.

Additionally, Tianfu Minyoun is planning to develop hotels under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and Hyatt Centric brands in “unique and attractive” destinations across China.

President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said: “Hyatt continues to seek innovative ways to build a diversified brand portfolio by collaborating with owners and developers who share our values and our commitment to expanding our brand growth in a country with such significant growth potential.”

Tianfu Minyoun is the first authorised third-party management company for franchised Hyatt hotels in China, distinct from exclusive franchise and brand agency models, added Hyatt’s Asia Pacific group president David Udell.

Testament to the capacity of the partnership, Tianfu Minyoun has secured a credit line of RMB30 billion (US$4.7 billion) from Sinhuan Tianfu Bank, which would go towards the construction and renovation loans for hotel owners of the projects contemplated by the strategic development agreement.

Tianfu Minyoun has also teamed up with Road King Investment Group to establish a RMB10 billion industrial fund to support the agreement.

Merainer joins Rosewood as VP of development in APAC

By TTG Asia

March 5, 2018

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Luxury hospitality company Rosewood Hotel Group has appointed Noel Merainer as vice president – development, Asia-Pacific to lead the group’s expansion in the region.

In his new role, he will be responsible for the development of the company’s four distinct brands, including ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, deluxe New World Hotels & Resorts, neighbourhood lifestyle pentahotels, and the newly launched business and lifestyle hotel brand KHOS.

Merainer has 17 years of experience in the hospitality sector, having held various positions at Marriott International for eight years including vice president, development planning and feasibility for Asia-Pacific. He was also regional director of revenue management at Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, following six years in operations with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

Panorama Destination establishes Malaysian outfit

By S Puvaneswary

March 2, 2018

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Indonesia-headquartered Panorama Destination will from April 1 officially commence its Malaysian operations, led by general manager Noor Ismail.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, the Panorama Destination Malaysia office will take care of FIT and group bookings for inbound leisure and incentive travel, covering both Malaysia and Singapore, revealed Noor.

Panorama to sell cover Malaysia and Singapore from its new office

Most recently head of sales and marketing at Malaysian DMC Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, Noor will report directly to Panorama Destination’s CEO Renato Domini.

Noor further shared that Panorama’s Malaysian outfit will include teams for operations and logistics, data management and product development, while Noor himself will take care of sales and business development for the time being.

Overall, operations in Malaysia will be kept lean, with a team of 10 full-time staff by the end of the year, Noor said.

“We have started responding to enquiries and bookings for this summer, mainly from markets in Europe, South Africa, India and regional neighbours. We have received positive interest for FIT bookings for Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore,” Noor told TTG Asia.

On top of “classic products” such as round trips combining Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, Penang, Langkawi and Borneo Island, the DMC will also offer experiential travel focused on multi-destination trips combining Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

“We are also capable of cross-selling and cross-referral among our offices,” added Noor.

Part of Panorama Leisure Group, Panorama Destination was founded in 1999, while the group itself was established in 1972.

In addition to the new office in Malaysia, Panorama Destination opened its first office in Thailand last year and also acquired a Singapore company to launch Panorama Destination Singapore.

Abandoned factory in Solo turns into heritage centre

By Mimi Hudoyo

March 2, 2018

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Dejolo — The full 21ha project will open in phases over an estimated 10-year period

The city of Solo in Indonesia’s Central Java Province will soon welcome a new heritage attraction and cultural centre, named De Tjolomadoe, as buzz steadily builds around its March 24 launch after Canadian musician and songwriter David Foster christened its concert hall with a performance earlier this week.

De Tjolomadoe was reborn from a building previously occupied by a sugar factory of the same Dutch name (its Bahasa Indonesia name is Colomadu). The factory, which was built in 1861, had been abandoned since its closure in 1998.

The full 21ha project will open in phases over an estimated 10-year period

Developed and managed by Sinergi Colomadu, a consortium of state-owned companies, Pembangunan Perumahan (PP), Taman Wisata Candi and Jasa Marga, the project has taken up 200 billion rupiah (US$15.4 million) in investment on a 30-year BOT term with the land owner, National Plantation 9.

Linda Gustina, director of commercial and hospitality of developer PP Properti, a consortium member of Sinergi Colomadu, said: “Solo is well-known for its culture and De Tjolomadoe will become a (new) cultural centre. We are inviting artists and art curators to take a role in (bringing this) attraction (to life).”

She added: “With an international standard concert hall, Solo now not only can attract major Indonesian performers but also international artists of David Foster’s calibre, who will in turn draw visitors, at least from the neighbouring countries.”

Standing on 6.4ha of land in Colomadu, Karanganyar Regency, the main building houses a concert hall, multi-purpose hall, cultural centre and commercial area. The site also has two outdoor venues for open-air events such as carnivals, music and dance performances.

Preserved elements from the old factory preserved include machines, the chimney tower and even part of an old banyan tree, which serve as exhibits and windows into the past for visitors to the new attraction.

Edison Suardi, general manager construction of Sinergi Colomadu, said: “The whole building serves as a Sugar Factory Museum, where travellers can walk around and learn about its history. Although each room now has a different function, visitors can still find traces of the past. The steel planks in the repair room, for example, now become the base of the restaurant’s tables.”

This will be the first of six stages of the De Tjolomadu project, which covers a total area of 21ha. Later phases will include construction of a convention and exhibition centre, themed shopping mall and four-star hotel.

Worldhotels reclassifies portfolio, debuts instant loyalty benefits

By TTG Asia

March 2, 2018

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worldhotels-hotel-fort-canning — New vision for the brand involves three collections, new loyalty programme

Following its acquisition by Associated Luxury Hotels last year, WorldHotels is now set for a relaunch its hotel classification system as well as a new loyalty programme.

At the company’s Global Annual Conference in Shanghai, CEO Geoff Andrew outlined a major rebrand to focus on three new WorldHotels Collections – WorldHotels Distinctive, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Luxury.

New vision with three collections, new loyalty programme

He also presented WorldHotels’ new CRM/loyalty platform, named The List, which aims to give WorldHotels guests instant loyalty benefits including an arrival ritual and upgrades on availability. The platform will also harness the collective marketing resources of all participating hotels.

“WorldHotels is making significant investments to enhance its service offerings for independent hotels including the expansion of its already extensive global sales and e-commerce force along with new additions to its development team,’ said Andrew.

Since acquiring WorldHotels at the beginning of 2017, ALHI has already generated sales leads to WorldHotels worth over US$16 million, according to a statement from the company.

Singapore, Japan topple Germany to lead passport index

By TTG Asia

March 2, 2018

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japan-passport — Japan and Singapore passports now leading on Henley index

The dominance of European passports in mobility indexes has been markedly challenged, as two separate rankings, within weeks, saw Germany’s top position usurped and filled by not one but two Asian nations.

After South Korea pulled into the lead with Singapore on the Passport Power Index, Singapore has now knocked Germany off the top spot of the 2018 Henley Passport Index. The city-state is joined by Japan, with citizens of both Asian nations now enjoying visa-free access to a record 180 destinations.

Japan and Singapore passports now leading on Henley index

The German passport is now the second most powerful globally, providing its citizens with access to 179 destinations worldwide.

Both Singapore and Japan rose to the top of the index after, among other developments, Uzbekistan lifted visa requirements for nationals of both countries in early February.

“The improvement in ranking for both Singapore and Japan highlight that the region has become recognised as a dominant player and that traditional power has shifted. The uncertainty of the EU market may encourage more focus on countries such as Singapore and Japan given their increasing economic stability and global mobility,” commented Dominic Volek, managing partner of Henley & Partners Singapore and head of Southeast Asia.

In general, the Asian and Middle East regions have in recent months seen high levels of visa-policy activity compared with their European and American counterparts, where the signing of new cross-border agreements on short-term travel has been far less frequent, a Henley Partners statement pointed out.

Over the past year, China and Indonesia have also made great strides, each gaining access to 13 additional destinations and climbing 11 and 10 positions on the index respectively.

Parag Khanna, senior fellow at the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at the National University of Singapore, further observed: “The most recent rankings also show promising gains for South Korea and Malaysia. South Korea has edged ahead of Australia and New Zealand, reflecting its pattern of international commercial prowess in the mould of Japan. Malaysia has gained ground on most EU members, with its businesses now reaching across Asia and Africa.”

Parag says the power of Asian nations is growing steadily, and predicts that the region’s powers will “use the combination of commercial expansion and reciprocal entry policies” to ascend the Henley Passport Index.

Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan sit at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, each still only able to access 30 or fewer destinations visa-free.

Arabian Travel Market upbeat amid booming Chinese interest

By TTG Asia

March 2, 2018

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dubai-world-trade-centre — ATM2018 takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre this April

Chinese arrivals to the GCC will surge 21 per cent to reach 2.5 million visitors annually by 2021, Reed Travel Exhibitions said ahead of its Arabian Travel Market (ATM) show this year, citing data published by Colliers International.

The data predicts Saudi Arabia will experience the highest proportionate increase in arrivals from China, up 35 per cent on 2016 figures. The UAE will follow at 20 per cent, with Oman at 12 per cent and Bahrain and Kuwait at seven per cent.

ATM2018 takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre this April

GCC countries currently attract 1.9 per cent of China’s total outbound market, up from 1.3 per cent in 2012, however positive trends are expected to continue as 154 million Chinese tourists prepare to go abroad in 2018 and a predicted 244 million follow in 2022.

Moreover, the number of Chinese Muslims visiting the two Holy Cities is expected to increase from the current 15,000 annually, as China’s Muslim population grows to account for 2.1 per cent of the total population by 2030.

Further enhancing awareness of Arab culture in China, in 2017 Saudi Arabia loaned Arab artefacts from the pre-historic, pre-Islamic and Islamic periods to Chinese museums.

Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said: “Owing to its many business opportunities and new leisure attractions, figures show the GCC is poised to further capitalise on these trends over the coming years as millions of Chinese make their first international trip.

“Over the years, sentiment at ATM has reflected the growth in Chinese tourists to the GCC and today we have seen more businesses than ever before eager to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Chinese market.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions shares figures from ATM 2017, which show the number of delegates, exhibitors and attendees interested in doing business with China had increased 63 per cent on the previous year. The number of delegates arriving from China was up 28 per cent.

This year’s ATM, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 to 25, will host a discussion in the in the Showcase Theatre exploring the opportunities surrounding China’s 500 million millennials, with a presentation hosted by Chloé Reuter, founder of Reuter Communications.

On day two of the exhibition, the Travel Tech Theatre will host the panel discussion “What Middle East Businesses can do to capture the attention (and wallets) of Chinese luxury travelers”. The panel will be chaired by Reuter and consist of representatives from Dubai Tourism, Tencent’s WeChat and Emaar Hospitality.

Chinese exhibitors at ATM 2018 will include Guizhou Province and Fuijan Province, Zumata, XML Holiday, DidaTravel, Toursworld, DLC and Bonotel Exclusive.

ATM welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2017 event, including 2,661 exhibiting companies, signing business deals worth more than US$2.5 billion over the four days.

New hotels: akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok, MGM Cotai and more

By TTG Asia

March 2, 2018

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akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok
When open in May, akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok is set to be the first in Asia to operate without single-use plastic in its rooms and F&B outlets. At the 50-key hotel, guests will be given stainless steel water bottles on arrival, which they can refill throughout their stay. Self-service drinking water will be dispensed on every floor. In addition, bathroom amenities will be presented in locally manufactured “celadon” pottery containers, bio-degradable bin bags will be used in all rooms and shopping bags will be available to encourage guests to refuse plastic bags when out shopping. The hotel is already taking advance bookings.

MGM Cotai
MGM Cotai has opened in Macau featuring 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, as well as the first international MGM Mansion, an extra luxurious and exclusive resort. Hotel facilities include meeting space, spa, retail offerings and F&B outlets. There is also a theatre on-property, where guests can choose from resident shows including The Experience, a 10-minute “technological symphony” inspired by the destination; the Destiny theatrical production, inspired by the concept of TV game shows and video games.

Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City’s Grand Tower
Sedona Suites Ho Chi Minh City’s Grand Tower has commenced operations at the Saigon Centre mixed-use development, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s CBD in District 1 along Le Loi Boulevard. The Grand Tower offers 195 serviced suites – from studio to three-bedroom – spread across levels 28 to 42 of Saigon Centre Tower 2. Guests enjoy access to a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, residents lounge and the California Centuryon fitness centre on level six. Services such as 24-hour concierge and security, laundry and dry-cleaning, room service and airport transfers are also available. Guests will also be given preferential rates to use a serviced co-office on level 21.

Ann Siang House
Ann Siang House, formerly known as The Club Hotel, will reopen in March. A conservation property restored from a 1920s shophouse, the hotel will feature 20 guestrooms, some of which come with fully equipped kitchenettes and balconies. The revamp will bring additional common areas, new furniture and artwork and a refreshed façade, while the Blue Label Pizza & Wine by Travis Masiero Restaurant Group has already opened on the basement level. The second phase of Ann Siang House is set to be unveiled in 1H2018.

IATA wants billionth passenger on sustainable fuel flights by 2025

By TTG Asia

March 2, 2018

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Ten years since the first flight took off on a mix of jet and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), IATA is aiming for one billion passengers to be carried by flights powered by SAF blends by 2025.

“The momentum for sustainable aviation fuels is now unstoppable. From one flight in 2008, we passed the threshold of 100,000 flights in 2017, and we expect to hit one million flights during 2020. But that is still just a drop in the ocean compared to what we want to achieve,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.

On February 24, 2008, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 flew from London to Amsterdam with sustainable aviation fuel in one of its engines. The flight demonstrated the viability of drop-in biofuels, which can be blended with traditional jet fuel, using existing airport infrastructure.

Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Qantas, and United have forward-purchased 1.5 billion gallons of SAF

A flight completely powered by sustainable fuel has the potential to reduce the carbon emissions of that flight by up to 80 per cent, according to IATA.

The push to increase uptake of SAF is being driven by the airline industry’s commitment to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and to cut net carbon emissions by 50 per cent compared to 2005.

A number of airlines, including Cathay Pacific, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Qantas, and United, have made significant investments by forward-purchasing 1.5 billion gallons of SAF. Moreover, airports in Oslo, Stockholm, Brisbane and Los Angeles are already mixing SAF with the general fuel supply.

On the present uptake trajectory, it is anticipated that half a billion passengers will have flown on a SAF-blend powered flight by 2025.

“We want one billion passengers to have flown on a SAF-blend flight by 2025. That won’t be easy to achieve. We need governments to set a framework to incentivise production of SAF and ensure it is as attractive to produce as automotive biofuels,” de Juniac said.

For the billionth passenger to be carried on an SAF-blend powered flight by 2025, IATA says the following needs to happen: allow SAF to compete with automotive biofuels through equivalent or magnified incentives; provide loan guarantees and capital grants for production facilities; support SAF demonstration plants and supply chain research and development; harmonised transport and energy policies, coordinated with the involvement of agriculture and military departments.

Acknowledging that some sources of land transport biofuels have been criticised for their environmental credentials, de Juniac emphasised the determination of the industry to only use truly sustainable sources for its alternative fuels.

Agents win big at Sabre, Malaysia Airlines bash

Hyatt seals deal with Tianfu Minyoun amid China push

Merainer joins Rosewood as VP of development in APAC

Panorama Destination establishes Malaysian outfit

Abandoned factory in Solo turns into heritage centre

Worldhotels reclassifies portfolio, debuts instant loyalty benefits

Singapore, Japan topple Germany to lead passport index

Arabian Travel Market upbeat amid booming Chinese interest

New hotels: akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok, MGM Cotai and more

IATA wants billionth passenger on sustainable fuel flights by 2025

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