Travel advisories put up in wake of Bangkok bombing

August 19, 2015

AS MANY as 23 countries have issued travel advisories to Thailand a day after a bombing at Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist destination in Bangkok, killed at least 20 and injured more than 125 others.

Most advisories are urging caution rather than an outright ban. Issuing level 2 advisories – meaning to take extra care during travel – are 12 countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the US.

Level 3 advisories, meaning to take an even greater level of care during travel, were the next most common with nine nations issuing the order. They include Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia and the UK.

The Netherlands issued a level 1 advisory, urging its citizens to merely be aware of the ongoing situation in Thailand.

Hong Kong on the other hand, issued a high level 4 advisory, the second highest alert possible for the nation, asking its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the kingdom.

The Philippines issued no travel advisories, with the Department of Foreign Affairs saying they needed more time before making a decision.

Safety takes precedence over visitor numbers, says Thai tourism minister

By Greg Lowe

August 19, 2015

ENSURING tourist safety is a key priority for authorities who have strengthened security measures across Bangkok and at key tourist destinations in the wake of Monday’s deadly bombing, said Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thailand’s minister for tourism and sports.

“The first priority is not (ascertaining) whether the number of tourists will drop, but ensuring their safety,” she said. “(Currently), we are not safe and sound.”

The minister added that security has been ramped up at some 80 points across Bangkok including at airports around the country.

However, she was also unable to specify specific measures being taken to prevent a raft of travel advisories and warnings being issued by foreign governments, a key concern for the trade.

Kobkarn acknowledged that the Tourism Authority of Thailand have received confirmed cancellations since the bombing, mostly from families and FITs. No major groups have pulled out though some have postponed their trips.

“The country is bigger than Ratchaprasong and there are plenty of other places for visitors to go,” she said, adding that the governor of Phuket had confirmed no group cancellations there.

The minister also avoided directly answering how a major downturn in arrivals from China would affect the trade and Thailand’s economy, given the fact that some analysts believe the attacks may have specifically targeted Chinese tourists who currently account for more than one-quarter of the country’s international arrivals and expenditure.

She conceded that visitors from Hong Kong however, one of the most lucrative source markets in terms of daily expenditure per head, were unlikely to come to Bangkok in the near term.

It will probably take a few weeks before tourism authorities are able to predict how the blast would affect arrivals in the longer term. “We cannot give a figure now, it is too soon,” said Kobkarn. “However, if you ask me what the arrivals will be for the year, I will say it has to be (at the current target of) 28.2 million.”

Tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore were among the 22 killed with at least 125 more injured.

The Thai government will be compensating the injured and families of those who died through its 200 million baht (US$5.6 million) Tourism Support Fund.

[SPONSORED POST] Dissecting the anatomy of a traveller

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2015

ARE you a fitness junkie? If so, your new best friend is probably a chap called Fitbit. This friend is with you 24/7, knows what you consume on a daily basis, reports on how many steps you have taken and the number of hours of sleep you have clocked. In fact, beyond just tracking, he has a network of friends (in the form of apps) who can take external forces into consideration and recommend alternatives to better your lifestyle. We are now in the new age of wellness – Forbes reported that the body is the new couture ensemble – and you’re either on the fitness treadmill or off it.

Albert Pozo, President Amadeus Asia Pacific

Just like fitness, we are in a new age of travel: the Age of Traveller Power where more people are travelling than ever before, travelling further with more specific reasons and with new channels to express their aspirations. With a smart device in nearly every hand, the traveller is well-informed and demands better service throughout the entire travel lifecycle.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a tracker that allowed the traveller to take their pulse in terms of travel needs and understand how external and internal forces are affecting their well-being, as well as what informs, motivates and inspires them?

Understanding the vital statistics

In fact, Amadeus is doing just that by investing in data and research to better understand and track travellers’ diverse and morphing needs. Data can be incredibly useful, but misleading if interpreted inaccurately. It’s important not only to understand demographic and geographic information, but also the psychographic nuances that influence travel decisions and behaviours.

In our Travel Lounge video series, we spoke to travellers in the Asia Pacific region and filmed their unscripted and uncensored thoughts on travel. What we found was unique and personalised perspectives on use of technology, business travel, ease of planning trips, how travel can make the world a better place and the overall transformation of the industry.

On a more macro scale, the Amadeus “Future Traveller Tribes 2030” paper identifies the different ‘tribes’ or traveller segments that will shape the future of travel through to the end of the next decade. This explores how and why people travel from a behavioural perspective. A “Social Capital Seeker” for example would capture every step of their travel on Instagram. They will have very different habits and consumption patterns compared to an “Obligation Meeter”, who is looking for the best and most efficient travel agenda. Much like the tracking of your daily activities, diet and sleep, both the Travel Lounge video series and Traveller Tribes paper track the behaviours of the traveller in Asia Pacific.

A personal health guru

Tracking data is but one step of the overall fitness regime. More often than not, most people will engage the wider ecosystem, for example by engaging their own personal trainer or nutritionist to help them understand and navigate their fitness data; to motivate and inspire them. This is much like the travel ecosystem – airlines, travel agents, rail providers, hotels and airports – that supports the traveller at every step of the journey.

The fight to be the fittest is not a sprint but a marathon. Having a coach that understands the nuances of how your body ticks, and making tailored recommendations based on your needs, is vital. Likewise, travel agents and travellers need a trusted partner that truly understands the travel landscape in Asia to stay ahead of the competition.

From our leadership position sitting across the entire travel ecosystem in Asia Pacific, Amadeus continues to drive the industry forward by working with customers and partners to deliver technology that creates an increasingly personalised, connected and sustainable travel experience. Amadeus recently launched its Customer Experience Management system to move the industry even closer to the coveted end-to-end travel experience. With more than 30 of Asia Pacific’s leading airlines powered by Amadeus Altéa, we are perfectly positioned to help carriers move deeper into the travel experience space.

We are invested in the long term health of the ecosystem and the traveller. We are all pumped up for a workout. Are you?

To learn more about Future Traveller Tribes 2030 – and to find out which Tribe you belong to – visit amadeus.com/tribes2030. Or for more insights into the global travel industry visit amadeus.com/blog.

By Albert Pozo, President Amadeus Asia Pacific

Frasers Hospitality appoints new CIO

By TTG Asia

August 18, 2015

MAK Hoe Kit has been appointed by Frasers Hospitality as its new CIO, responsible for overseeing the investment and acquisition strategy of its hospitality assets.

Prior to Frasers Hospitality, Mak was the executive director (real estate) for the South-east region at private equity fund manager Northstar Group.

His other experiences include taking on roles as executive director and co-leader for real estate deals at Ernst & Young, senior vice president of direct investments and private equity at Pacific Star as well as director of business development and asset management for IndoChina at The Ascott Group.

He spent the early part of his career at NatSteel Group where he rose from an executive to the role of vice president of corporate development within seven years.

Dusk till dawn in Bangkok

By TTG Asia

August 18, 2015

Bangkok city at twilight. Credit: 123rf

LAST night I was three blocks away from where the tragic bomb blast exploded at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok.

Like so many nights when I am in the capital city, I stay at a nearby hotel and often walk around that same corner to capture the unique flavor of a truly special place. Call it routine or a beckoning call to the heart of Thailand’s great city.

I had opted for an early dinner at Central Embassy’s EatThai. Sitting with a friend and chatting over some wonderful food, messages started coming in on my iPhone about a bombing nearby. Looking around the eatery, dozens of faces were staring into the luminescent glow of smartphones and an eerie silence seemed to grasp the moment.

With more details of the event starting to roll in, my next move had to be contemplated given the nearest path back to the hotel was directly through ground zero. Roadways were being closed and my friend figured a quick trip home was our best move. I saw no other option but a walk up the street and play it by ear on how to best get through the chaotic maze.

The streets were somewhat quiet, yet bizarrely, tourists who were unaware of the nearby incident were wandering about, toting fast food bags and chattering about sights along the avenues. Nearing Amarin Plaza and the Rajprasong intersections, sirens howled, police blew whistles, traffic was redirected and the bright lights of camera phones nearly blinded me.

Getting near to the bomb site out of sheer necessity, the cordoned-off area was crowded and a helpful security officer guided me through a parking lot shortcut which led me safely back to my hotel. The general manager was in the lobby, surrounded by security staff, marshaling instructions and dealing with angst-ridden guests.

Riding up the elevator, as dashes of chill music set the mood, I thought back to the reality that in another thirty minutes, I would most likely have been walking right past the Erawan Shrine, returning back to the hotel after dinner as I so often do, taking in the street flavor. Was it luck, timing or the sheer randomness of life that took me out of harms way?

Travel for me is a true passion. Certainly it’s my work, but in reality, I love the exploration, experiences and diversity of discovery. It’s remained a constant my entire life. I often think that the inability to move about the world to new places and people would be the ultimate prison or confinement of my soul.

It’s far too early to explain or understand what is behind the Bangkok bomb except one clear motive – that killjoy known as terrorism. Terrorists would have us live in fear behind closed doors, hovering about in cramped corners, unwilling to leave the known for the unknown.

As I sit on a plane this morning typing out my feelings in the light of day, after a long dark night, I can only vow that I will continue to visit Bangkok as often as I can. I will still stay in the same hotel which has been my home away from home so many times for the past eight years and that I will still walk past the Erawan Shrine and the Rajprasong intersection as part of my travels.

Travel is by nature a trip into the unknown, where terror attacks, plane crashes, shark bites and bad airplane food are just a few of the many dangers hanging over the heads of those who embark on journeys.

Bangkok remains one of the world’s greatest cities and it joins the ranks of New York and London and so many other places that have felt the blow of terror. Do I avoid those great metropolises of the West? No. So why should I avoid Bangkok?

I have no death wish of course. Syria and Yemen are not high on my travel plans and thrillseekers to war-torn areas are pure and simple idiots in my mind. There is no nicer term. But for me, Thailand does not belong in the same category, nor should it. My heart goes out to the dead and wounded tourists and nearby workers and innocent bystanders.

All I can say to Bangkok in this dark time is that you are not alone. I will be back again, standing next you in admiration and joy just like I always have. See you soon. My passion for travel remains undaunted, unflinching and absolute.

By Bill Barnett

Shocked industry members brace for fallout of Bangkok bomb attack

By Raini Hamdi

August 18, 2015

Security personnel at the site of the bomb blast. Credit: Andrew Wood

BANGKOK city is calm but turbulence reigns in the minds of industry members as to how much damage yesterday’s blast – the first directly aimed at tourists – will affect tourism.

Though it’s still early days, when asked to assess the impact, players believe huge markets for Thailand, such as MICE and China, would be among the first flashpoints.

“The real danger to the Thailand travel industry is the MICE sector,” said James Reed, CEO/group managing director of Destination Asia.

“Our MICE clientele is 85 per cent Fortune 500 corporations or top 50 companies in the US, the UK, continental Europe, Australia and ASEAN, and this is a very sensitive market segment as the participants are the corporations’ best sales executives. Few corporations will take the risk of sending their best employees to an incentive or corporate meeting if there is any possibility of a terrorist attack.”

Reed expects the immediate reaction to be not only cancellations of MICE programmes, but no new RFPs for corporate events in the future. “The effect of a terrorist attack can linger for up to 12 months, if not longer, and in my career I have seen many similar ‘risk/go or no go’ scenarios.”

On the China market, Bill Barnett, managing director of Phuket-based C9 Hotelworks, said: “The Chinese element in the story and how it plays to the social media in the mainland are crucial.”

Tourism from Asia would likely be impacted, agreed Andrew Wood, tourism lecturer in Thailand and immediate past president of Skal International Thailand.

“How will this affect Thai tourism? We expect to attract 29 million tourists in 2015. Will our resilience hold steadfast yet again? I believe so, but tourism from Asia will likely be impacted. China and Japan for sure. Maybe 27 million would now be more realistic, up from 24.8 million last year.

“The total contribution of travel and tourism to Thailand’s GDP was 2.3 billion baht (US$64.6 million) or 19.3 per cent of GDP in 2014, and was forecasted to rise by 3.2 per cent in 2015 prior to last night’s bombing. Two million fewer tourists should not be noticeable at the end of the day on GDP,” said Wood.

As of today, all DMCs interviewed said their clients were accounted for but were unsure whether the phones would start ringing for cancellations in the next few days.

Laurent Kuenzle, CEO of Asian Trails, said: “We worked throughout the night to contact as many of our clients as possible and to account for all our staff, including drivers and guides. All are safe. We have not faced panicked clients so far who wanted to take the next plane home. The situation this morning is calm, we are informing our clients on the latest developments and make sure that they feel well taken care of.

“Today and in the next few days we will see what the imminent impact will be and how the booking status develops, including cancellations and a slow down of new bookings.”

Ensuring the safety and comfort of clients who are in the city is paramount, agreed members.

Hamish Keith, COO of Exo Travel Group, said: “We have spoken to all clients in Bangkok and will take extra care with all tours in Bangkok and will be briefing guides and ensuring pick-ups are earlier than scheduled. We have not had any cancellations so far and we hope this terrible event is a one-off and that the city will quickly return to normal.”

Added Chris Bailey, COO of Centara Hotels & Resorts: “Our main objective in the coming days is to ensure the safety and of course comfort of our in-house guests as they continue their visit to Thailand. As the dust settles we will get some clarity on the fallout, if any, and due to our history and past varying experiences, we will start to work on the journey back if needed.

“This is a terrible situation and more information is very much needed, but we have to stay focused. Thailand needs its visitors and we have many thousands of associates here that need their positions within this vital industry,” added Bailey.

Bangkok hotels cautious in wake of deadly bomb blast

By Michael Mackey

August 18, 2015

HOTELS in Bangkok responded quickly after a bomb attack in the Thai capital which saw at least 21 dead and over 120 injured.

Among the dead and injured are locals and tourists from countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

No stranger to political violence, Thailand was however stunned by the scale, timing and location of the bombing, which was caused by a large explosive device left in the Erawan Shrine, one of Bangkok’s busiest tourist attractions, at the peak of the evening rush hour.

The shrine is connected to the Grand Hyatt Erawan and surrounded by some of the city’s major hotels and shopping malls. Nearby establishments kindly opened their doors to help emergency services and provided support to the public in the aftermath.

Meanwhile, hotels and airlines are stepping up safety precautions.

Gilles Cretallaz, vice president of operations for AccorHotels in upper South-east Asia, told TTG Asia e-Daily: “AccorHotels in Bangkok have heightened security and precautionary measures with emergency procedures in place to protect our guests and employees. We have also advised them to avoid the Ratchaprasong intersection and crowded areas.”

AccorHotels also established a crisis management committee as part of its security protocol and is monitoring the situation closely alongside Thai authorities. It will update its properties on the latest development regularly, Cretallaz added.

Opinions differ as to the bombing’s impact on the tourism industry.

Demonstrations and a military coup last year dented improving visitor arrivals and Thailand’s turbulent politics, which saw troops battle demonstrators next to the Erawan Shrine in May 2015, may have emptied hotels across the city, but only initially.

“Regarding tourism, it is too early to tell. We hope it doesn’t affect (tourism) much as it was bouncing back well compared to last year,” said Olivier Berrivin, managing director of international operations at Best Western International.

Cretallaz acknowledged the group was anticipating “some cancellations” but declined to specify how many.

India to develop desert and coastal circuits in two states

By Imran Khan

August 18, 2015

THE states of Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh will be the likely beneficiaries of a tourism development initiative by India’s Ministry of Tourism.

The government recently revealed plans to sanction US$13.3 million for developing a desert tourism circuit in Rajasthan. The circuit will boast components such as a railway dining attraction, salt complex, caravan park, cycling track and night safari, among other things.

An additional US$9.5 million will also be spent on developing the town of Pushkar in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The area is well-known for its religious and cultural sites.

Bhim Singh, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Rajasthan chapter, said: “We are further requesting help to increase the air connectivity within the state by asking international and domestic airlines to fly to destinations like Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.”

Vasundhra Raje, chief minister of Rajasthan, also urged the government to fund tourist infrastructure projects that are yet to be completed due to the disruption caused by state and national elections in 2014.

Another US$10.7 million has also been earmarked for the development of Hope Island in Andhra Pradesh as a coastal and ecotourism circuit.

Ranga Reddy, chairman of IATO’s Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chapter, said: “The (allocation) of financial aid to develop this area is a good gesture, but we also need to employ and train staff who can protect the biodiversity and to attract visitors at same time.”

Vietnam eyes more American visitors with one-year visas

By TTG Asia

August 18, 2015

THE Vietnamese government has announced plans to offer one-year tourist visas to US citizens. Currently, the longest tourist visa available to Americans is three months.

The extended visa proposal is Vietnam’s latest move to bolster its sagging tourism numbers. Last month, the country began offering visa-free entry to citizens from six European nations.

No specific time frame has been unveiled, but according to the state-run Vietnam News Agency, tourism minister Hoang Tuan Anh told the US State Department last week that he hoped Vietnam would see one million American visitors annually by 2017, more than double the number in 2014.

Suzanne Chater, project manager at Exo Travel Vietnam, called the proposal “a step in the right direction” although it is unlikely that visitors will stay for a year. American visitors, in particular, tend to have limited leave and visit Vietnam for one to two weeks.

And neither does Tran Hoang Gia, manager of An An Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, think that longer visas would have a significant impact on hotel bookings. Tourists usually opt for an apartment if they are staying for extended periods, he said.

Reporting by Dave Fox

Park Hotel Group takes first step into Australia

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

August 18, 2015

SINGAPORE’S Park Hotel Group has ventured out of Asia to manage Park Hotel Adelaide, its first hotel in Australia which is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2018.

Speaking during the hotel management contract signing ceremony between the hotel group and Pirie Investments yesterday, Allen Law, CEO of Park Hotel Group, said: “We have been looking to expand into Australia for a while and this collaboration presents an exciting opportunity for us to do just that.”

Explaining the choice of Adelaide, Law said: “Increased flight connectivity, a strong event calendar, and continued growth of the Chinese and Asian markets would also drive record visitorship.”

Raymond Chia, CEO and chairman of LGB Corporation, which owns Pirie Investments, said: “We are excited about this partnership and confident that with Park Hotel Group’s track record and expertise, the new hotel is well-poised to elevate the standards of quality upscale accommodation in Adelaide.”

The 250-key Park Hotel Adelaide, located a stone’s throw away from the Adelaide railway station and central bus station in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD area, is a 20 minutes’ drive from Adelaide International Airport.

A concept café and bar as well as recreational facilities including a gymnasium and swimming pool will be part of the new property.

Park Hotel Group is also looking to expand the brand into cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, revealed Law. The group currently owns a portfolio comprising 12 properties across five countries, namely Singapore, China, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and now, Australia.