MAS, Ethiopian Airlines ink codeshare

January 6, 2014

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) and Ethiopian Airlines kicked off a codeshare arrangement on January 1, giving Malaysia’s national carrier access to Addis Ababa, the capital and largest city of Ethiopia.

Under the agreement, Ethiopian’s services from Addis Ababa to Kuala Lumpur via Bangkok, and vice versa, will now carry MAS’ flight code.

According to a media release from MAS, flights will depart Kuala Lumpur at 23.25 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in the Ethiopian capital at 06.45 the following day.

Return flights leave Addis Ababa at 00.40 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and touch down in Kuala Lumpur at 18.00.

Said MAS’ CEO, Ahmad Jauhari: “Through this partnership we can expand our reach in Africa without operating our own flights. As one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, we are confident that more tourists from the African region will use this codeshare and visit Malaysia.”

Best Western opens Yangon hotel

By TTG Asia

January 6, 2014

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BEST Western International has officially established a foothold in Myanmar with the opening of the Best Western Green Hill Hotel, Yangon.

Launched late last month, the 189-key midscale hotel is located in the heart of Yangon with views of Shwedagon Pagoda. The hotel offers a restaurant serving Asian and international cuisine, three meeting rooms collectively providing over 200m² of function space and free in-room Wi-Fi.

Glenn de Souza, vice president of international operations for Asia and the Middle East, Best Western International, said: “With the incredible growth and development currently being seen in Myanmar, and incredibly bright forecasts for the future, I am extremely confident that Best Western Green Hill Hotel will be a huge success.

“Best Western International sees huge potential in Myanmar, and we intend to be here for the long term, helping to grow the country’s tourism industry.”

The company will continue its Myanmar expansion with the opening of its first hotel in the country’s capital, Naypyidaw, later this year.

Affluent Singapore travellers prioritise food, shopping

By TTG Asia

January 6, 2014

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GOOD food and excellent shopping opportunities are two of the biggest draws for affluent Singapore travellers, a group that plans to spend even more on travel in the year ahead.

According to the Visa Global Intentions Study 2013, commissioned by Visa to Millward Brown, travellers with household incomes of S$11,000 (US$8,669) or higher are classified as affluent.

For this group, good food (45 per cent) and good shopping (37 per cent) were the most important reasons for destination choice. Given this, it is unsurprising that affluent Singaporeans spend heavily on retail (28 per cent), dining (26 per cent) and activities (19 per cent).

Affluent Singapore travellers spend above the global average at medium and large retailers, high-end restaurants and on entertainment and nightlife.

While 71 per cent of Singaporeans travel with relatives compared to the global average of 69 per cent, 16 per cent of affluent Singaporean travellers make trips alone as compared to eight per cent of other Singaporeans.

This group is also more likely to travel further and stay longer, with 24 per cent taking flights of more than nine hours for holidays and 37 per cent staying seven nights or more.

High expenditure destinations are increasingly popular for this group, who also have plans to travel as far as the US.

According to the report, affluent Singaporeans are expected to double their travel expenditure with an average spend of US$5,501, or more than twice the global average of US$2,501.

Fieldwork for the study was conducted between November and December 2012 and based on online and offline surveys with travellers aged 15 and above across 25 markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and the Americas.

Franck LaFourcade returns to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

By TTG Asia

January 6, 2014

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FRENCHMAN Franck LaFourcade is returning to the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel for a second stint as general manager.

Previously general manager of the hotel between 2000 and 2005, LaFourcade’s homecoming follows nine years managing Sofitel properties in Shanghai as general manager and area general manager.

LaFourcade first ascended to the general manager position in Phnom Penh in 1993, and moved on to work in Singapore, Busan, Jakarta, Hanoi and Shanghai through the years.

Wyndham appoints Leo Liu managing director for China

By TTG Asia

January 6, 2014

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WYNDHAM Hotel Group has named Leo Liu its managing director for China, a newly created role designed to support the company’s growth in the country.

In his new role, Liu will be based in Shanghai and be responsible for Wyndham Hotel Group’s operations and development functions as well as the coordination and execution of cross-functional brand initiatives.

Liu brings with him over 15 years of hospitality experience and was last founder and CEO of Envy Fine Art China.

Triways Travel Network, Kuala Lumpur

By S Puvaneswary

January 2, 2014

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Fashion, coffee and travel go hand in hand at the spacious and inviting Triways Travel Network head office

PRESENCE Triways Travel Network head office and retail front moved to its present location in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in December 2012. It is in the heart of the busy commercial and business centre at Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

I was impressed when I walked in and saw that the ground floor comprised a customer service centre for customers to make travel enquiries and bookings, and a café. Known as Triways Coffee, the café sells cakes, snacks as well as heavy meals such as spaghetti, mendy rice and roast chicken.

There was also a very cosy reading corner with various local papers and travel magazines. And if that is not enough, there was a flight of stairs leading to Triways Boutique, selling mainly contemporary Muslim fashion clothing for women, halal cosmetics and travel-related items such as luggage bags.

APPEARANCE The travel section had four customer service terminals manned by staff in uniforms. I was told the crowd comprises mainly walk-in customers who either work, shop or stay in the Taman Tun Dr Ismail vicinity. Due to its central location, working adults in the vicinity can easily make a quick dash to the store during lunch time or after work.

The service staff entertaining me was friendly and she knew her business well. I asked her where I should go while on holiday in Singapore and she rattled off a number of must-see attractions and how I could get there by public transport.

The café section with tables and chairs were also very clean. Every table had a seating arrangement for four, and the furniture could be easily moved to combine tables for larger crowds should there be a need to.

EASE There was an open air car park within walking distance of the shop, thus I didn’t have problems with parking. The shop was also easy to locate with its huge signage.

I had called for directions earlier, and the customer service told me it was right next to the Mazda showroom. This landmark was useful in helping me find the place.

On the whole, I found the store very spacious and inviting. There were television screens running showing travel destinations as well as a fashion show depicting new styles in Muslim women fashion.

SUGGESTIONS If there was an area for further improvement, I suggest that Triways Travel also include more promotional brochures and collaterals for visitors to take home. After all, some walk-in customers may just be shopping, with no concrete clue on where their next holiday destination would be.

Giving away collaterals such as bookmarks, keychains and pens with the company logo imprinted would help visitors remember Triways in the future, when they need the services of a travel agency.

Dorsett takes 18 per cent off rates for New Year

By TTG Asia

December 27, 2013

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DORSETT Hospitality International has launched a New Year Deal for all properties in its portfolio across China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, with an 18 per cent discount off best available rates.

To take up the offer, bookings must be made between January 2 to February 9, 2014 for stays anytime throughout 2014. The promo code CNY2014 must be quoted at the time of reservation online.

Free add-ons are also available at the various hotels, including complimentary room upgrades, late check-out until 15.00 and F&B discounts at Dorsett Kwun Tong, Hong Kong; as well as F&B discounts for Dorsett Delight Food & Beverage Programme and late check-out until 15.00 at Dorsett Singapore.

Reservations can be made at www.dorsett.com.

Regent Singapore tags on air miles in winter promotion

By TTG Asia

December 27, 2013

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REGENT Singapore is partnering a host of international airline carriers for the roll out of its Winter to Remember promotion that guarantees air miles per qualifying stay.

Under the terms of the promotion, guests who stay a minimum of two consecutive nights will be entitled to 1,000 air miles per qualifying stay, a 10 per cent discount on best available rates, breakfast and the hotel’s Standard Internet Package.

Regent Singapore will also present guests with macarons in three seasonal flavours: chestnut, cranberry and cream cheese, and chocolate and spices.

Partnering airlines include Cathay Pacific Airways, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, KLM, Air France, Eva Air, Singapore Airlines, Air China and China Airlines.

The promotion is valid from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014, but blackout dates apply.

Bookings can be made online at www.regenthotels.com/singapore.

Taipei sees largest price hike in hotel prices for New Year’s Eve

By TTG Asia

December 23, 2013

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TRAVELLERS ushering in the New Year in Taipei can expect to shell out 217 per cent more than usual for a hotel room or an estimated S$564 (US$446), making the city one of the more expensive destinations to celebrate 2014 in Asia-Pacific.

Based on German hotel search and price comparison site Trivago’s Hotel Price Index, Taipei has recorded the largest difference between December 31 and regular room prices of the 10 Asia-Pacific destinations ranked.

Following Taipei are Sydney, which has seen a 162 per cent increase over its monthly average; Pattaya, 104 per cent; Hong Kong, 82 per cent, Bali (Kuta), 80 per cent; Tokyo, 72 per cent; Singapore, 39 per cent and Shanghai, 13 per cent.

Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur were the only cities out of 10 to have rates decrease over the New Year period, with Bangkok prices dropping seven per cent and Kuala Lumpur, 21 per cent.

Comparisons were based on average price per night in Singapore dollars for a standard double room.

However, Taipei cedes its top position to Sydney in terms of absolute room rates for New Year’s Eve. While a room in Taipei costs an average of S$564, travellers to Sydney can expect an average of S$676.

Right behind second-place Taipei is Hong Kong, with a price tag of S$507 a night. Meanwhile, pricey Singapore is charging S$338 a night.

“Hotel price increases over this New Year’s Eve are not too marked in Singapore and its neighbouring cities – an ideal situation for Singaporeans looking for a short getaway or a staycation to ring in 2014,” said Haryati Afendy, spokesperson for Trivago in South-east Asia.

Mimi Hudoyo receives lifetime achievement award

By TTG Asia

December 20, 2013

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TTG Asia’s editor – Indonesia, Mimi Hudoyo, was yesterday conferred The Special Award: Life Time Achievement by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy for her contributions and dedication to the nation’s tourism sector.

The Indonesia Tourism Journalistic Awards 2013 took place at the Ministry’s office yesterday afternoon, where Mimi was celebrated for her achievements in the travel sector.

Award recipients were chosen by panel of judges comprising representatives from the Ministry, travel industry associations, the media and tourism observers.

Elly Hutabarat, president of the Association of Air Ticketing Companies in Indonesia and chairwoman of the panel, said: “(Mimi) has produced so many journalistic works on tourism from the time of the legendary magazine Travel Indonesia, then the Media Indonesia daily and now with TTG Asia, an Asia-Pacific title. She has been dedicating her career of almost 30 years without fail to writing about Indonesian tourism.

“She, in fact, has not just been observing and reporting on tourism, but she has also been involved in national tourism development efforts by consistently taking part in various tourism events by becoming a host, speaker and also co-founder of the Tourism Dialogue Forum (about 20 years ago).”

Deputy minister of tourism and creative economy, Sapta Nirwandar, in his speech on the importance of media to the development tourism, said: “Journalists are ‘influencers’. When a journalist like the one whose surname is Hudoyo…for example, writes a story, it will have an impact on the readers.”

Mimi joined the TTG Asia family in 1998 and was promoted to editor-Indonesia in 2011.

MAS, Ethiopian Airlines ink codeshare

Best Western opens Yangon hotel

Affluent Singapore travellers prioritise food, shopping

Franck LaFourcade returns to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel

Wyndham appoints Leo Liu managing director for China

Triways Travel Network, Kuala Lumpur

Dorsett takes 18 per cent off rates for New Year

Regent Singapore tags on air miles in winter promotion

Taipei sees largest price hike in hotel prices for New Year’s Eve

Mimi Hudoyo receives lifetime achievement award

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