Sutra Travel says its Umrah portal is a world’s first

September 21, 2017

goumrah — Umrah requirements considered on the new booking engine

Sutra Travel & Tourism Management Group in Malaysia has soft launched a portal targeted at Umrah pilgrims at the 8th Muslim World Biz Exhibition & Conference 2017 held in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Umrah is the non-mandatory lesser pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca, which can be done any time of the year.

Umrah requirements considered on the new booking engine

Sutra’s group managing director, Syed Razif Al-Yahya, billed GoUmrah.travel as the world’s only web portal allowing pilgrims to book their Umrah requirements online.

When the engine goes live on October 18, users will be able to instantly book major components for their Umrah including flights, hotels, transfers, travel insurance, visa processing and visits to holy sites and Islamic attractions, Syed Razif said.

He added: “Users will have the flexibility to choose their travel dates, preferred accommodation and length of stay, transportation for airport and inter-city transfers.

“The online platform saves users’ time and transactions can be made online 24/7. It allows users to choose the services they require and pay for only those services chosen. Traditional Umrah packages sold by agents in Malaysia are mostly not flexible.”

Tickets, visa processing, ground handling and other services related to Umrah are rendered by Sutra and its partners.

SLH invites more loyalty through updated programme

By TTG Asia

September 21, 2017

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is replacing its current loyalty programme, The Club of SLH, with a new one called Invited, which it says responds to research that shows what members value the most are rewards that are directly related to their hotel stay, than to wider promotions and brand affiliations.

As such, Invited offers members exclusive rates, guaranteed benefits and ‘Small Luxuries’ right from their first stay at any of SLH’s 500 hotels worldwide. That includes 10 per cent off Best Available Rate, free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

As SLH’s research also shows that members desire greater clarity, a new marketing technology on its website provides a customised overview of members’ current benefits, existing reservations and what they need to do to progress to the next tier.

Members also asked for both the booking value and number of stays to be taken into account, so SLH altered the old programme such that the highest tier is now based on six or more stays, or a spend of US$6,000 or more per year.

SLH said it will be delivering many of the programme features itself, including rewards ranging from a bottle of a guest’s favourite wine to a yacht trip.

Invited is available for all stays booked via SLH channels; SLH.com, the SLH App, voice centre and through travel agents. All active members will be invited to move across to the new programme and new members simply have to register at www.slh.com/invited.

Startup hopes to drive Chinese tourists to Singapore retailers

By TTG Asia

September 21, 2017

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avantouch-Lee-Kia-Hwee — Lee: hopes of partnering Singaporean retailers

Lee Kia Hwee, a Singaporean entrepreneur based in China, hopes his digital voucher redemption platform in China could one day be used to direct tourist traffic to brick-and-mortar retailers back home.

In 2015, the founder and CEO of technology company Avantouch, rolled out alaDing for the Chinese market, where the prevalence of online shopping was encroaching on physical retail stores.

Lee (second from left): hopes of partnering Singaporean retailers

According to Avantouch, China is the most active user of the mobile and desktop ecommerce. While more than half of Chinese consumers say they shop via mobile daily or weekly, only 46 per cent say they shop at brick-and-mortar stores with the same frequency.

“We noticed two huge markets in China that require linkup,” said Lee. “One is the brick-and-mortar retailers who urgently need online strategies to attract additional customers… The other, enterprises or issuers who need to gain new customers… by rewarding them through promotions and loyalty programmes. We (recognised the gap and seized) the opportunity to start alaDing.”

“Traditional advertisement avenues such as internet search engine, internet, TV, radio, newspaper are… meant to get eyeballs/attention but eyeballs do not guarantee a real sale or transaction. alaDing aims to change all these with the Redemption as a Service (model),” an Avantouch statement read.

This redemption market is huge and is in the hundreds billion market size, it added. “As a result, the retailers gain this market by integrating their point-of-sale with alaDing.”

In Singapore too, prospects for tourist retail activity are dimming (look out for the upcoming TTG Asia October for more on the issue), lending relevance to solutions such as alaDing that can help drive online users to stores.

Early signs that the redemption service can extend beyond China have already emerged. In May 2016, alaDing partnered Spanish multinational retailer DIA to roll out the service in DIA shops, Avantouch announced on its website.

TMS Talent buys New Frontiers

By TTG Asia

September 21, 2017

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john-terry — Terry: knowledge exchange to help TMS serve global companies

Continuing its global expansion, TMS Talent, a recruitment firm backed by Bangkok-based investor Steven Hamblin, has purchased UK-based New Frontiers Recruitment.

TMS Talent has grown in Sydney and in the past 12 months opened offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Bangkok.

Terry: knowledge exchange to help TMS serve global companies

Commenting on the purchase, TMS’ managing director John Terry said “the parallels between the two businesses are remarkable”. TMS Talent and New Frontiers were formed within a year of each other in the mid 1990’s and have both been serving the travel and hospitality markets within their own regions for over 20 years.

“The opportunity for us to share knowledge and experiences across the world will not only help to grow our business but also help to serve a number of global companies we currently partner with,” he said.

New Frontiers has been a key travel recruitment firm in the UK for over 24 years. Founder Julia Feuell said the decision to sell was not easy, but with her other company, Online Travel Training (OTT), growing fast, she “has had less time to focus on New Frontiers and the time has come to hand over the reins”.

“The reality is I have been absorbed for the last few years on OTT, which has experienced phenomenal growth and success. TMS Talent was looking for a London operation and I thought the match was perfect. As travel recruitment is increasingly international, a global branch network will be more and more relevant,” she said.

Trump International Hotel & Tower, Vancouver

By Raini Hamdi

September 21, 2017

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Location Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver at West Georgia Street, the hotel is hard to miss, not only because it’s the second tallest building in Vancouver (188m, 69-storey high) but because of its twisting shape, quite a statement made by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. The link to Trump also draws attention as there are always passers-by who can’t resist a photo of themselves with the name Trump behind them.

Room I expected a Trump hotel to be somewhat over the top. In fact, the lobby is small and simple. The hotel has well-trained young front office staff like Sarah, who light up my arrival with their youthful vigour, friendliness and efficiency.

My corner suite 1906 silences my prejudice about a Trump hotel being possibly outlandish. Perhaps it’s the L-shape layout or the warm colours and sleek design, it certainly feels more like the residential unit of someone with very good taste than a standard hotel room. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford views of the city’s gleaming buildings and a bit of the harbour. I love the wide and long balcony, the free-standing V+A bathtub, the Nublado Italian heated marble bathrooms. Quality never fails to shine through, I’m reminded. Then there’s modern comfort – towel warming racks, Crestron touchpad controls for thermostats, lights, shades and blinds, although I wish the work table is a little bigger.

Facilities The hotel’s Asian ownership brings to Vancouver the city’s only fine-dining Chinese restaurant, the award-winning Mott 32 which originates in Hong Kong. The place is packed for dinner, and I’m astonished by the details employed by renowned Hong Kong interior designer Joyce Wang to mesh New York industrial style with Chinese imperial elements. The result is a contemporary East-meets-West fusion, which to me is in character for a destination such as Vancouver. The food, said to be based on traditional recipes passed down from generations, is simply delicious. My favourite is the crab leg pumpkin.

Another F&B concept at the hotel is Drai’s, one of North America’s largest nightlife brands. It is Vancouver’s only poolside lounge and, by night, the indoor pool transforms into a dance floor and there are two bars, an outdoor hot-tub and lounge.

Other facilities worth noting are a Trump Champagne Lounge Bar, The Spa by Ivanka Trump and 1,394m² of meeting and event space, all of which are well-designed.

Service The hotel employs people of many nationalities and picks youthful ones who seem to love interacting with guests. I’m impressed, for example, by a Chinese staff who happens to be cleaning the elevator, chats with me and recommends that I eat at Mott 32, which she says is very good. That’s a great elevator pitch by a staff that’s not from F&B!

Verdict Neither twisted nor presidential, in fact, this Trump hotel is insanely chic and homely.

No of rooms 147
Rates From CAN405 (US$320) + tax
Contact details
Tel: (1-866) 660-9243
Email: info@trumphotels.com
Website: www.trumphotels.com/vancouver

Bobby Zamora football camp and hotel stay package

By TTG Asia

September 21, 2017

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From October 2 to 5, a Kempinski-managed resort on Beijing’s Yanqi island will host football camps run by Premier League striker Bobby Zamora and offer stay packages for the families of young participants.

Kids aged five to 18 years may apply for a place in the camps, which comprises four sessions led by Zamora and two professional UK coaches. The camps can also be packaged with a three-day villa stay for the whole family.

Zamora played in the Premier League with clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Fulham

The camp was conceived by Brice Pean, general manager of Yanqi Island, managed by Kempinski, who explained: “Most VIP personal appearances are short, media focussed affairs, but what we’re aiming to do is to offer the players and parents the opportunity to genuinely interact and connect with Bobby.”

Interested parties may call (69)-61-8888-3611/7/8 or visit https://www.kempinski.com/en/beijing-yanqi-lake/yanqi-island-boutique-hotels-managed-by-kempinski/special-offers/football/.

Mild itinerary jitters ahead of King’s cremation

By S Puvaneswary

September 20, 2017

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thai-mourners-outside-royal-palace — Thai mourners waiting outside the Royal Palace to pay tribute in August

The cremation ceremony for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, taking place in Bangkok from October 25 to 29, is expected to see business closures and traffic disruption in central Bangkok.

DMC Destination Asia Thailand, for example, notified partners that it will not operate its Royal Palace and City and Temple tours over the period. It added that traffic disruption is expected as it was likely that roads would be closed and crowded with people during the ceremony.

Thai mourners waiting outside the Royal Palace to pay tribute in August

Bob Daniel, manager – product development, individual and group tours at the New South Wales-based Guidepost, said: “We are wary of October 26, as we expect many businesses in Bangkok especially to be closed. We will (try to) avoid Bangkok on this day.”

The agency will be relying on partners in Bangkok to advise on any disruption that may warrant itinerary adjustments, Daniel added.

However, Malinee Nitikaset Sunthorn, director, the Americas division, Tourism Authority of Thailand, stressed: “Thailand will be open to all tourists during the five-day period. There is misconception… that it is compulsory for foreign tourists to wear black during the period. We, Thais, will be wearing black to mourn (but) we don’t think tourist arrivals will be affected.”

Buyers interviewed at last week’s PATA Travel Mart 2017 were also doubtful that travellers will be deterred from visiting, while being mindful about conveying the solemnity of the occasion to clients.

Manila-based Shroff Travel managing director, Arjun P Shroff, said: “We have a small incentive group combining Bangkok and Chiang Mai during this period. We will inform them about the late King’s cremation ceremony and advise them to dress respectfully. Our ground operator partner in Bangkok will know which roads will be closed and how to get to places using alternative roads.”

John Ching, COO of Singapore-based Albatross World, added that the ceremony may even bring tourists with special interests and Thai expatriates living in Singapore to Bangkok.

China initiates the formation of a new international tourism body

By TTG Asia

September 20, 2017

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China has initiated the formation of a new international tourism organisation which it says will complement the UNWTO in driving global tourism exchange and cooperation at the governmental and non-governmental levels.

The new grouping, World Tourism Alliance (WTA), is the first China-initiated, global, comprehensive, non-governmental, not-for-profit international tourism organisation, a statement on the website of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) said.

Alliance initiated by the China Tourism Association

It was kicked off on September 11, with CNTA chairman Li Jinzao, who is director of the organising committee for the establishment of the WTA, attending and addressing the first general assembly.

According to the statement, there are 89 members in its first general assembly, from the US, France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Brazil. Among them are NTOs, tourism companies, think-tanks, international organisations, retired tourism officials and noted scholars.

Li said: “Amid the complex international political and economic landscape, WTA rises in response to the soaring global tourism development and expectations of countries and the global tourism community.

“Believing that tourism makes the world a better place, the alliance is aimed to promote development, poverty reduction and peace through tourism by extending consensus, sharing experience and deepening cooperation in driving the sustainable, inclusive development of the global tourism industry.”

The goal is for WTA to grow into a platform for developing and issuing international tourism standards, facilitating international tourism investment and cooperation, promoting international tourism products, studying the development of global industry, and offering membership services.

Li also hopes the alliance would adhere to China’s Tourism Plus strategy and drive the integration of tourism and related industries, as well as contribute to its Belt and Road Initiative.

WTA comprises the general assembly, a board of directors and a secretariat to be headquartered in China in an unspecified city. Its working languages are Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic and Spanish, the statement said.

Nepal’s marketing plays up other appeals than just trekking

By S Puvaneswary

September 20, 2017

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nepal-kathmandu — Nepal arrivals expected to cross the million mark this year

With Nepal already well established as a destination for trekking and mountaineering expeditions, the NTO is now moving on to promote the destination for culture, soft adventures and corporate incentives to widen its market and achieve less seasonal footfalls.

Nepal Tourism Board’s CEO, Deepak Raj Joshi, said: “Our aim is to promote Nepal as a very high value, unique experiential destination. We also want to grow tourist arrivals in line with the new National Tourism Strategy 2016–2025 which targets 2.52 million tourists annually by 2025.”

Nepal arrivals expected to cross the million mark this year

This year, Deepak expects Nepal to breach its one-million arrival mark for the first time in the country’s history.

From January to June 2017, arrivals rose by 41.5 per cent to 460,237 tourists.
Deepak said: “Tourism in Nepal has completely recovered from the earthquake of 2015. Part of the reason for the strong growth is that tourists who had held back their holiday plans to Nepal after the earthquake were finally back this year.”

In line with its new vision, Nepal Tourism Board is conducting more promotions towards niche interest groups such as bird watchers, photographers and pious Buddhists.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is also attracting Buddhists from around the world who begin their religious circuit from Nepal to India.

Marketing efforts will also play up Nepal’s culture, its national parks and local cuisine.
Sanjay Mathema, president at Travel World Experiences, a DMC, believes that Nepal Tourism Board is on the right track.

He said: “Nepal has always been associated with mountaineering because of Mt Everest. It is the right move to change the perception of people and to make known other products that the destination can offer.”

Travel World Experiences has seen growing interest from the silver-hair markets of Japan, the US, the UK and France. These travellers are interested in soft adventures and unique, luxurious experiences in Nepal.

Nanda Kumar, managing director, Hidden Asia Travel & Tours based in Kuala Lumpur, is also seeing keener interest in Nepal among his Malaysian corporate clients.

Kumar said: “We see clients increasingly asking for exotic destinations to incentivise their top achievers, and Nepal falls into this category. A popular activity is a helicopter tour to see Mt Everest up close and the surrounding mountains. This is symbolic, as the client’s top achievers have been to the tallest mountain in the world. The sky is the limit for their future achievements.”

Former Disney Cruise Line SVP named Crystal’s CEO

By TTG Asia

September 20, 2017

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Tom Wolber has succeeded Edie Rodriguez as president and CEO of Crystal Cruises.

Wolber brings to Crystal over three decades of experience in general management, operations, new-build construction and business development as the company undergoes its most significant expansion since its founding in 1988.

“Tom’s proven leadership skills will be invaluable to Crystal as the line takes delivery of four river ships in 2017 and 2018 as well as the first of the ‘Endeavor Class’ expedition yachts in 2019,” said Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Genting Hong Kong and Crystal Cruises. “His leadership will be key to the finalisation of specifications and design for the new ‘Exclusive Class’ oceangoing vessels.”

Wolber was most recently from the Walt Disney Company, where he served in various executive roles for 28 years, 10 of which as senior vice president of operations at Disney Cruise Line.

Wolber was involved in the transformation of Disney Cruise Line from a Port Canaveral based vacation provider to a global cruise line with itineraries covering North America, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. During his time at Disney, Wolber also assisted with the design and launch of new builds including Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Sutra Travel says its Umrah portal is a world’s first

SLH invites more loyalty through updated programme

Startup hopes to drive Chinese tourists to Singapore retailers

TMS Talent buys New Frontiers

Trump International Hotel & Tower, Vancouver

Bobby Zamora football camp and hotel stay package

Mild itinerary jitters ahead of King’s cremation

China initiates the formation of a new international tourism body

Nepal’s marketing plays up other appeals than just trekking

Former Disney Cruise Line SVP named Crystal’s CEO

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Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

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