WITH a bumper crop of new hotel owners signing up with Best Western Australasia in the last year, the chain of hotels has launched a new website to serve as an information hub.

The website joinbestwestern.com features a contemporary design and is meant to educate regional and international hoteliers, owners and developers on the benefits of Best Western branding in Australasia.

Best Western’s general manager of development, Barry Fleischmann, said: “We’ve built the web and mobile site to share localised information about branding with Best Western in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania…We’re pleased that joinbestwestern.com offers a deep look into the value of brand membership.”

Best Western Australasia’s chief executive, Rob Anderson, observed that 2013/2014’s new member signings were the most positive in 20 years. “Business is up, results are up, and we’re seeing excellent growth in our midscale and upscale hotel types, driven by the successful expansion of Best Western Plus.”

The chain signed 21 hotels and launched 14 last year.

MALAYSIA Airlines’ (MAS) crashed MH17 flight was an “isolated” incident and air travel remains safe, said industry players as investigators continue to determine the cause and liability.

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) expressed condolence to the victims and their families, as well as support for MAS. “MATTA fully stands behind MAS in this crucial period of time and will support MAS despite this very unfortunate incident of MH17.”

MATTA stated that the shooting down of MH17 is an “isolated and very unfortunate” incident. “MATTA with its 3,000 members sells a lot of MAS seats; more than half of their tickets sold are on MAS. MATTA members will continue to push hard and sells MAS to the customers,” it said.

IATA director general and CEO, Tony Tyler, added in another statement yesterday: “This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer.

“Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made. And the industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead.”

Tyler also called for the bodies of victims to be returned to their next-of-kin with immediate effect, and for total freedom and access to be given to investigators.

The MH17 tragedy comes months after the baffling disappearance of another MAS flight, MH370, during what was supposed to be a key year for Malaysian tourism.

In the meantime, Malaysia will continue to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014 in Europe via in-market and online campaigns.

Minister of tourism and culture, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia and fellow Malaysians, our sympathies, sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences go to each and every one affected by this unfortunate tragedy.”

The NTO said in a statement last week that it has not received information on any cancellations of tour packages but will continue to monitor reactions (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 18, 2014).

INDIAN arrivals to Australia surged 19 per cent year-on-year for the period between January and May, with agencies reporting a growing preference for holidays Down Under due to flight connectivity and other reasons.

During this period, a total of 82,500 Indian visitors arrived in Australia. May itself registered 39 per cent growth, chalking up 21,700 arrivals.

Arvind Tandon, managing director, Faraway Places Marketing Mumbai, pointed to the increasing desire for experiential travel as a factor. Tourism Australia’s There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign and tie-ups with trade partners have also made Australia a more viable destination.

“Flight connectivity is good on this longhaul sector and Indian cuisine is largely available. There are multiple activity options for FIT, groups and families,” he explained.

Sushil Wadhwa, chairman, Platinum World Mumbai, agreed. “Other than Melbourne and Sydney, there are interesting destinations like Cairns, Hobart, Gold Coast and Brisbane that Indians have begun exploring. I believe this will be a great Indian travel migration, from the West to Down Under,” he noted.

Nishant Kashikar, country manager, India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said: “Tourism Australia is optimistic that the impending launch of our food and wine-centric Restaurant Australia campaign (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 9, 2014), and the mega sporting event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will bring further growth in Indian visitor arrivals (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 2, 2013).”

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has set aside a solid sum of money to fund a number of initiatives announced last Friday that seek to boost Changi Airport’s competitiveness.

Under one initiative, CAAS will absorb S$50 million (US$40.3 million) of air navigation services charges billed to Changi Airport Group (CAG) for financial years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.

The relief will be passed on to airlines operating at Changi Airport in the form of a 10 per cent rebate on landing charges between September 1, 2014 and March 31, 2016.

The second initiative will see CAAS join hands with the National Trades Union Congress, Singapore Workforce Development Agency, and the Employment and Employability Institute in an MoU to enhance aviation manpower development efforts and set up a one-stop shop to address manpower challenges.

Dnata CEO, Mark Edwards, commented: “This multi-agency collaboration will help ease confusion as we now have a single point of contact who can look into the manpower challenges that we are facing…This programme will have a positive effect in the long run.”

The third initiative is the S$100 million Airport Productivity Package, which comprises two programmes.

The first will see airport stakeholders such as groundhandlers, line maintenance companies and airlines adopt off-the-shelf technology to wean them off relying on manpower and so improve operational efficiency. Companies may also receive funding for pilot trials of new equipment.

The second calls on industry partners, academia and others to develop solutions to two challenges the airport faces: the need to automate baggage loading and unloading for narrow-body aircraft, and the need to automate consolidation of cargo into larger pallets for transport, and the reverse process of dismantling. A call for proposal for the first challenge went out on Friday, with interested parties to submit proposals by December 31, 2014. Submissions will open for the second challenge later this year.

Alex Hungate, president and CEO of SATS, called the Airport Productivity Package “timely” in an environment of continued manpower shortage and rising manpower costs.

CAG had also announced in June that it was rolling out a wide-ranging Growth and Assistance Incentive (GAIN) programme to be implemented over the coming year, committing S$100 million to lowering costs for airlines, boosting passenger traffic and improving operational efficiency at the airport through various initiatives (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 13, 2014).

THE number of Chinese visitors to Singapore continues to decline in 1Q2014 but at a reduced pace than in the previous quarter, though overall international visitor arrivals held steady at 3.9 million. Four out of the country’s top five markets registered negative growth.

According to Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) Tourism Sector Performance Q1 2014 Report released today, Chinese arrivals registered a 14 per cent dive year-on-year to 557,000 as the effects of China’s new tourism law implemented last October (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 21, 2013) continues to be felt.

Nevertheless, the rate of decline has slowed from 31 per cent in 4Q2013.

Tourism receipts generated by the Chinese, however, did not see as huge a drop, dipping only by one per cent in 1Q2014. Chinese visitors spent 48 per cent of travel expense on shopping, the highest among Singapore’s top 10 markets.

Chinese travellers also spent 21 per cent on accommodation, eight per cent on F&B and 23 per cent on other components.

Despite the fewer visitor numbers, China dominates in terms of tourism receipts excluding expenditure on sightseeing, entertainment and gaming. It generated S$800 million (US$644.7 million), compared to Indonesia’s S$658 million and India’s S$284 million.

Given the significance of Chinese tourists to Singapore’s tourism revenues, STB this year launched a dedicated campaign to woo Chinese visitors with the slogan Rediscover Singapore From Your Heart (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 24, 2014).

For 1Q2014, Indonesia was Singapore’s top source market as it grew six per cent to 749,000 arrivals. China came in second, followed by Malaysia that fell one per cent to 288,000 arrivals, Australia weakening two per cent to 270,000 arrivals and Japan, also dropping two per cent to 215,000 arrivals.

Of Singapore’s 15 biggest source markets, South Korea and Vietnam notched the strongest improvement in arrivals at 17 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

Despite these challenges, Singapore’s hotel industry posted a strong performance for the quarter with a 12 per cent rise in gazetted hotel room revenue at S$800 million. Average room rate crept up 2.7 per cent to S$261, driven by growth in the luxury segment.

Average occupancy inched up 0.4 percentage points to 86 per cent, while RevPAR rose 2.2 per cent to S$224. The luxury tier recorded the strongest growth rate at 11.9 per cent.

MOST heritage hotels in Rajasthan will pay less value-added tax (VAT) this summer season as part of plans to boost tourism and encourage further growth of such accommodation, announced the state’s chief minister Vasundhara Raje last week.

Taxes on the basic category of heritage hotels, offering between 10 and 15 rooms, are down from 14 to five per cent with immediate effect, while higher category heritage hotels, with 20 to 30 rooms, will pay four per cent instead of five.

There are more than a hundred heritage hotels that fall within the basic category, which are also priced lower than the large royal palaces that have been converted into ultra luxury hotels.

Taxes will also be waived for guesthouses and hostels with fewer than five rooms.

Heritage hotels falling in the grand category that come with 50 to 100 rooms, however, will pay 10 instead of eight per cent luxury tax.

Randhir Mandawa, general secretary of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, observed that average occupancies for heritage hotels stood somewhere between 35 and 40 per cent, as compared to 55 per cent for contemporary hotels. “The reduction in VAT is expected to benefit a large number of heritage hotels in the state and boost tourism.”

Minar Travels Jaipur’s director, Madan Kak, predicted more storied properties would be converted to heritage hotels as a result. “Tax breaks will always help, but the assurance of minimum service and infrastructure delivery has to be guaranteed by the owner before he can turn such properties into hotels.”

Separately, Raje also announced a slash in VAT on turbine fuel from 20 to five per cent, which would be helpful in attracting more flights to the state.

IATA director general and CEO, Tony Tyler, has spoken out strongly on the loss of Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH17, which experts believe was gunned down by a surface-to-air missile as it flew over Ukrainian airspace (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 18, 2014).

In a statement, Tyler said: “I share the shock and sadness expressed by so many around the world on the terrible loss of MH17. At this time, it is important we are very clear: safety is the top priority. No airline will risk the safety of their passengers, crew and aircraft for the sake of fuel savings. Airlines depend on governments and air traffic control authorities to advise which air space is available for flight, and they plan within those limits.

“It is very similar to driving a car. If the road is open, you assume that it is safe. If it’s closed you find an alternate route.

“Civil aircraft are not military targets. Governments agreed that in the Chicago Convention. And what happened with MH17 is a tragedy for 298 souls that should not have happened in any airspace.”

The route in question had been deemed safe by ICAO and was used by major international carriers including Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines that have since switched to alternative flight paths, as aviation bodies step in to ban operations in Ukrainian airspace (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 18, 2014).

International governments are putting pressure on pro-Russian separatists to clear a safe corridor to let investigative teams through to the crash site and Malaysia, whose team arrived in Ukrainian capital Kiev on Saturday, has demanded unrestricted access. Pro-Russian rebels have already surrendered MH17’s black boxes to Russian authorities as reports of interference with the crash site make their way through global headlines.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is scheduled to convene this morning to discuss on a resolution that would condemn the downing of MH17, and Emirates president Tim Clark has called for a meeting of international airlines to agree on a response to the tragedy.