Leung: changing how North Asian travel companies sell
Attracted by the strong growth potential of Asia’s booming leisure travel market, UK-based travel technology specialist Traveltek Group has entered into North Asia with a new regional office in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong office is headed by experienced industry professional Simon Leung, who previously held senior roles with Amadeus and Travelport in Asia and most recently ran his own travel technology consultancy in China.
As Traveltek’s business development manager North Asia, Leung is responsible for raising awareness of the benefits the company’s advanced technology can bring to travel agents, cruise specialists and tour operators in Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
Leung: hoping to revolutionalise how North Asian travel companies sell
“Traveltek has the potential to revolutionise the way in which travel companies in North Asia sell travel,” said Leung. “It is not only the first provider in the region to offer travel agencies the ability to dynamically package cruise with flights, accommodation and other ancillaries, but its API connection is new to the market too, giving travel companies access to multiple global suppliers on a single platform, providing huge cost savings.”
Leung added that Traveltek can also help “to educate the Asian travel industry about the potential of the cruise market” by providing the technology to help them maximise sales.
The company offers the Cruise Super Itineraries solution, which enables agents to select components of a custom cruise itinerary and sell them as one single package.
Traveltek partners can also take advantage of a single API connection to more than 300 global industry suppliers, including consolidated cruise content from 190 of the world’s leading lines.
Multi-channel distribution options that display packages in multiple currencies and languages; a back-office system that produces bookings reports and client documentation; a CRM that manages clients and enquiries; and a tour operating platform that controls pricing and distributes contracts are also part of the travel technology specialist’s portfolio.
Traveltek’s debut in North Asia is part of an ambitious global expansion plan.
Last year the company secured an investment of US$6.8 million from UK-based private equity fund manager YFM to plough into product development and establishing new international operations.
The company launched its first Middle East operation in Dubai last month, and further expansion in other growth markets worldwide will soon be announced.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has inked a management contract with Phu Quoc Tourist Investment & Development JS Company to develop the Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc.
The signing marks the second resort in Vietnam for the group, following Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh Bay, slated to open in 2018.
Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc’s lobby
Scheduled to open in 4Q2017, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc will have 522 rooms and suites, as well as a casino – the first in Vietnam to permit domestic entry. Facilities include an all-day dining and bar option that will serve international cuisine, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, spa and VIP lounge.
Located a 27km drive away from Phu Quoc International Airport, the new-build hotel is also part of an integrated resort that includes a convention centre, safari park, theatre, water park, retail stores, multiple restaurants and a 27-hole golf course.
ITB Asia 2017 has sold out ahead of its 10th anniversary show this October, which organisers attribute to a surge in booth bookings from the global market.
The growth in exhibitor numbers is led by BRICS economies, among which South Africa (+200 per cent), Russia (+183 per cent) and Brazil (+100 per cent) pave the trend, while China also expanded its presence at ITB Asia by 31 per cent this year.
The Finland booth at ITB Asia 2016
In particular, a 25 per cent increase is seen from Africa, with Tunisia and Rwanda set to make their debut at the show this year, joining Kenya Tourism Board and other African exhibitors from Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Sudan.
European exhibitors grew 23 per cent, led by the Greek National Tourism Organisation and Spain Tourism Board, while exhibitors from the Balkan Peninsula are also increasing in numbers.
In addition, Scandinavian markets have marked a 21 per cent growth as leading markets such as Finland and Norway show stronger exhibitor demand.
Promote Iceland will make its ITB Asia debut this year, in addition to other first-time exhibitors such as Brazil’s Rio Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Moscow City Government and an African Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Asian participation remains strong, contributing to 60 per cent of exhibiting companies, with strong showing seen from South Korea (+112 per cent) and Japan (+89 per cent).
Organised by Messe Berlin and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Exhibition Bureau, ITB Asia 2017 will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands from October 25-27.
Christian Westbeld will become the general manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore from October 1 to oversee the hotel restoration and its grand reopening scheduled in mid-2018.
Westbeld was also with Raffles Hotel Singapore from July 2009 to February 2011 as its executive assistant manager. From there, he moved to Raffles Beijing as Raffles Beijing before returning to Raffles Singapore in June 2013 as hotel manager until August 2015.
The veteran brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He was most recently head of hospitality at MGM Macao, and was part of the pre-opening team for MGM Cotai.
The Government of Western Australia (WA) is stepping up efforts to promote the capital city Perth and its surrounds, having identified Singapore as a key market for the state’s tourism.
Paul Papalia, minister for Tourism of WA, said that the state welcomed 100,000 visitors from Singapore in 2016, making the country the third-largest source market of tourism for the region.
Tourism of Western Australia is keen to draw more Singaporean visitors to Perth and its surrounds; Elizabeth Quay pictured
Self-drives through the Margaret River and quokka-spotting in Rottnest Island are top activities that draw Singaporeans to WA, said Papalia.
To further drive up tourism numbers from Singapore, the state government is developing partnerships with SilkAir and Singapore Turf Club.
For the former, Tourism of WA is looking at introducing direct flights between Singapore and Broome.
Perth Racing, the government arm overseeing thoroughbred racing and hospitality, has established reciprocal membership and information and resource exchange with Singapore Turf Club.
Horse racing festivals, including the annual TABtouch Masters Series each year-end, will be promoted as carnival attractions for travellers.
In addition to racing, sports tourism is poised for growth with the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium due to open in March 2018.
The city will also see more than A$1 billion (US$796 million) in redevelopment efforts for Fremantle, a A$100 million foreshore development for Scarborough Beach in early-2018 and a new marina and walking trails on Rottnest Island.
In the next four years, Perth will see a further 16 new or redeveloped hotels, adding 2,800 new rooms to its inventory.
Papalia added that room rates in Perth have been at a low due to “an over-supply of quality hotels”. The average room rate has fallen from A$222.72 in 2012 to A$169.38, as of June 2017.
Chang's way millennial hearts: mobile-led digital strategy, context-based data, machine-learning technology
Criteo’s executive managing director, Asia-Pacific Yvonne Chang takes a look at how travel brands can tap and grow the millennial market
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” This couldn’t be a more accurate description of the motivations and expectations of millennial travellers. This cohort has a unique way of seeing the world (both literally and figuratively).
Fifty-five per cent of them believe that travel is all about discovery and adventure. Seventy per cent want to explore and learn from the cultures and communities they visit. When these young travellers take flight, they don’t see themselves as just tourists – they consider themselves to be ‘experience pioneers.’
It is therefore no surprise that the top places on millennials’ travel bucket list are not just ‘destinations’ – these experiences include bathing in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza and walking the Great Wall of China, just to name a few.
Chang’s way to millennial hearts: mobile-led digital strategy, context-based data, machine-learning technology
By 2020, millennials in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to spend US$340 billion on international travel. Eighty per cent aim to visit places they have not been to before, with 61 per cent preferring a customised sightseeing experience over a packaged tour.
To avoid missing out on the opportunity presented by today’s globetrotting millennial generation, travel brands must find ways to resonate with them and deliver exactly what they seek (even if they themselves don’t know it yet). On that note, here are two things you need to know to engineer ‘pioneer experiences’ with millennials.
1. Millennials research and book travel on mobile – and on the fly
As a start, you need to be where millennials are – essentially, anywhere and on smartphones. More than any other demographic, millennials in Asia-Pacific turn to smartphones when searching for and booking travel. The prime reasons for smartphone use are “the ability to browse on-the-go”, “convenience over using desktops or laptops” and “ease of comparing travel products and services.” This means that a mobile-led digital strategy cannot be up in the air – it is now a prerequisite for initiating engagement.
During a visit to Hanoi, a millennial might Google transport options and end up skipping taxis in favour of GrabBike bookings – for convenience and to enjoy the experience of riding through the bustling streets on a motorcycle. He or she might then research the limestone caves at Halong Bay, discover a promotion for a day trip and make an impromptu booking out of the city to visit the heritage site.
Unlike their predecessors, millennials are less likely to plan their travel itineraries to a tee. They constantly consume online information and are open to altering their plans in-destination if they find better options. Apart from booking in-destination activities in the spur of the moment, millennials are also attracted by app-specific perks like exclusive products and services that point to unique experiences, as well as promotions and discounts.
In response, it is imperative that you invest in apps that have an intuitive interface and are populated with relevant products and services for millennials to discover – all while including allowances for flexibility and change.
Intuitive app interface a worthwhile investment
2. Engineer discovery through context-based data and machine-learning technology
Millennials only spend a small portion of their time on mobile visiting your travel site or app. In fact, they check an average of 10 sources before eventually settling on a travel purchase. This means that if you’re not going beyond the walled gardens of your mobile assets to actively engage millennials at their precise moment of want or need, you could very well be missing out on travel sales.
Eighty-six per cent of millennials have been inspired to respond and book a trip based on a piece of content they happened to view online. You would want to be part of that instantaneous event that triggers a purchasing decision. To do so, you will need to supercharge your mobile-led digital strategy with context-based data and machine-learning technology.
When a millennial visits your mobile website or app, their browsing journeys and patterns already leave strong indications of their personal preferences. Using machine-learning technology that automatically aggregates and analyses context-based data from the country’s travel seasonality, the individual’s navigation patterns on mobile devices, likely destination and pre-booking window, you would have a strong understanding of what he or she would need or want the most.
After the consumer inevitably leaves your platform, you can then engineer serendipitous discovery by automatically delivering personalised travel recommendations on the other sites and apps that the individual spends most of his or her time on. If the individual is planning to spend time at the Great Wall of China, your brand can be the one that introduces him or her to the possibility of leaping off the edge of the Simatai wall section and paragliding 300m into the valley below, or trekking off the beaten path to the nearby rice paddy fields implemented in Chinese farming for centuries.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” This classic quote reinforces the desire for wanderlust and its ability to broaden one’s world view. For travel brands, the struggle is not about getting millennials to proverbially read more pages, but to get themselves on the same page as millennials.
For a better read on millennials’ specific travel preferences and expectations, there’s no better time than now to supplement mobile-led digital strategies with context-based data and machine learning capabilities. This approach will truly allow you to upsell and cross-sell millennials on exactly the kind of memorable and pioneer experiences they truly desire.
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas’ first property in India will open its doors in Rajasthan in late 2018.
Situated 110km south-east of Jaipur, the 48-suite Six Senses Fort Barwara is located in the village of Chauth ka Barwara on the site of a 700-year-old fort.
Six Senses will soon welcome its first property in India
Six Senses Fort Barwara will mark the second heritage property under the the brand’s portfolio, following Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal, according to president Bernhard Bohnenberger.
The Bangkok-based hospitality company is currently working with Espire Group to restore the fort to its former glory. Panika, a design consultancy led by Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri who are known for their conservation work, will oversee the architectural design.
Focus will be placed on reinterpreting the regal ambience of Rajasthan’s royal forts and places in the property’s landscape concept. The design will include traditional gardens, water features and Shekhavati art to reflect the fort’s storied history.
The property will feature a Six Senses Spa, located in the original women’s palace, in addition to two restaurants, bar and lounge, fitness centre, two swimming pools, banquet space, retail boutique and kids club.
It will also offer daily safari drives to the 1,400km2 Ranthambhore National Park, a sanctuary famed for its tiger population located 30 minutes away.
Frasers Hospitality is refreshing its Modena by Fraser serviced residence brand with an emphasis on wellness and sustainability.
At the heart of the revamped brand is holistic wellness, which Frasers is enhancing through the provision of a sleeping pack consisting of camomile tea, eye masks and a pillow menu. Guests are also offered a range of recreational amenities such as a 24-hour gym, steam and sauna facilities, and all-day dining options.
Frasers is freshening up its Modena brand; Modena By Fraser Bangkok pictured
“We recognise the pressures that travellers often experience in this fast-paced world, which is why Modena by Fraser has been designed to create a private sanctuary for our guests,” said Choe Peng Sum, CEO of Frasers Hospitality.
Stressing a commitment to sustainability, Modena by Fraser says it leverages energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting, electronic check-In and e-concierge services to minimise usage of paper materials and locally-sourced produce to minimise carbon footprint while supporting local farmers.
Frasers is also highlighting locality in its Modena by Fraser properties, which offer trips allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and showcase works of local artisans.
Launched in 2010 with a Shanghai debut, the Modena by Fraser brand has since opened in Jiangsu, Wuhan and Changsha in China, and Bangkok.
PATA Youth Symposium will take place on the first day of PATA Travel Mart (September 13) under the theme of Enabling Travel and Managing a Complex Future, featuring plenary talks on artificial intelligence and automation in tourism; responsible travel; and the low-cost revolution.
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes is set to take the stage as a speaker at the symposium, which is organised PATA’s human capital development committee and hosted by the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT).
Hardy: focus placed on improving the knowledge base of students
The event will also feature an informal chat with Fernandes as well as interactive roundtable discussions on the opportunities and challenges that come with enabling greater travel volume.
Mario Hardy, PATA CEO, said: “The association has placed special focus upon the Young Tourism Professional this year and the PATA Youth Symposium highlights our continued dedication to enhancing the knowledge and skills of students seeking careers in travel and tourism.”
The programme will also include a field visit to the Macao Museum followed by a bus tour to learn about Macao’s tourism development and challenges.
Apart from Hardy and Fernandes, confirmed speakers include Fanny Vong, president of IFT; Chris Bottrill, PATA vice chairman and dean, faculty of global and community studies at Capilano University; Rika Jean-François – commissioner ITB corporate social responsibility, competence centre travel & logistics, ITB Berlin; and JC Wong, PATA Young Tourism Professional ambassador.
Genting Cruise Lines has floated out the World Dream from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germanny’s Papenburg, at the same time unveiling the new hull artwork by renowned Shanghainese artist Jacky Tsai.
World Dream will this month begin sailing across the Ems River to the North Sea and then onward to Asia. The ship will make her debut in Asia out of Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Nansha) homeports.
World Dream joins Genting Dream in APAC
Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines, said: “World Dream will effectively double Dream Cruises’ capacity in Asia-Pacific to cater to the high-end and fly/cruise markets in the region.”
Entitled A Tale of Two Dreams, the hull artwork by Tsai plays on age-old themes and Chinese mythical characters. Tsai had also provided artwork for Dream Cruises’ inaugural ship, the Genting Dream.
Six Senses will soon welcome its first property in India
