THE INDONESIAN Airline Ticketing Agencies Association (ASTINDO) has inquired about the refund procedure for its members’ deposits in Mandala Airlines after the airline resumes operations following fresh investment.

ASTINDO also raised questions about its members’ share in the company after the airline is revamped, with Indonesia’s Saratoga Group set to take a 51 per cent majority; Tiger Airways, 33 per cent; and Mandala’s creditors, including ASTINDO, 16 per cent.

ASTINDO’s head of ticketing division, Pauline Suharno, said: “ASTINDO members’ portion is considered part of the 16 per cent shares belonging to all 345 of Mandala’s creditors. What will our composition be like?”

She said ASTINDO had never approved the conversion of the airline’s debt into shares. “We want the airline to refund our members in cash rather than shares, especially when the share value is not clear.”

Suharno claimed that the agents’ deposits and claims totalled 42 billion rupiah (US$4.9 million), and that the entry of new investors would not benefit creditors.

“Saratoga has been given low prices to be able to acquire the majority of shares,” she explained. “The value is not equal to the price creditors have to pay to convert the airline’s debt into shares.”

AUSTRALIA-based low-cost carrier Jetstar will implement a 100 per cent self-service check-in system for travellers in Australia and New Zealand starting November 1. The traditional method of checking in at the airport counter will be charged accordingly.

From now till then, however, passengers flying across Jetstar’s 18-port domestic network will be afforded the option of checking-in via the web or self-service kiosks at the airport, and receiving a boarding pass via SMS or email 24 hours before a flight.

Travellers with luggage can scan their SMS boarding pass at the self-service kiosk, collect their boarding passes and bag tags, and drop their luggage at the bag drop before boarding the flight. Customers without bags can bypass the check-in area and head straight to their boarding gate.

Jetstar Group CEO, Bruce Buchanan, said: “The airport experience is rapidly changing, and in an era of more frequent, low-fare travel, our customers are seeking more speed, control and ease when flying. The full implementation of our self-service initiatives is anticipated to boost uptake of self-service options closer to 100 per cent across our network.”

“Delivering a 100 per cent self-service platform will enable more of our customer service team at airports to focus on the customer,” he added. “Our new SMS boarding passes, kiosks and automated check-in options are delivering practical and innovative solutions that will add greater control and save time at increasingly busy airports.”

There are currently no plans to introduce this service on international routes, as mandatory verification of passports and identification documents have to be factored in.

The cost of checking-in at the counter will be announced at a later date.

By Faith Chang

MALAYSIA is anticipating the launch of its first Amanresort in 2014, to be located in Penang.

The new Amancrag resort will be developed on the site of the existing colonial-era Crag Hotel that was built on Penang Hill in 1929.

The Penang state government awarded the 37-million-ringgit (US$12.3 million) redevelopment project to local company Sri Nisuh. “Amanresorts International will be handling the management and marketing of the hotel on a long-term contract tenure,” said Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

Located at an elevation of 833m and covering seven acres (2.8 hectares) of land, Amancrag will offer 20 double-storey villas, each with sweeping views of the island and surrounding greenery. Some villas will have private infinity pools spilling over the hillside.

Project architect, Heah Hock Seng, said: “The original main building will be preserved for its historical and architectural values and will be turned into a lounge bar and restaurant. There will also be an international-class health and spa facility on site.”

The presence of Amancrag is expected to raise Penang’s profile as a luxury destination to woo high-value tourists.

By Ellen Chen

THAILAND is expecting the resumption of turnaround visits by international cruise liners next year, after a few seasons of absence due to political instability in the country.

According to Jumpol Chadavadh, managing director of Princess Cruises’ local ground handler, Regale International Travel, the cruise liner has scheduled its Diamond Princess for turnarounds in Thailand in October and November next year. The other cruise liners are also intending to make turnarounds in Thailand.

“Bangkok is the hub due to direct air access with all geographic regions,” said Jumpol, adding that over the past few years, international cruise liners were forced to re-route their turnaround visits to neighbouring countries, due to Bangkok’s airport closure in end-2008 and political turmoil last May.

However, cruise liners either retained or increased their callings at Thai ports, which explained the double-digit growth in the number of cruise passengers handled by Regale during this year and last (TTG Asia e-Daily, 29 March 2011).

Cruise turnaround visits are significant, as each consists of both a pre- and post-passenger boarding of one- to three-nights stay in the country. The majority of clients for turnaround cruises in Thailand are from Europe, Australia and the US.

– Read the full report in TTG Asia, June 24 issue

By Sirima Eamtako

SRI LANKA will withdraw the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility currently extended to citizens of 79 countries, including India, starting September 30. An online visa application process, to be availed prior to departure, will replace the VOA.

The VOA will continue to be extended to countries that offer a reciprocal privilege to Sri Lankan nationals, like Singapore and the Maldives.

“We really hope the government will not introduce this scheme,” said Hiran Cooray, chairman of Jetwing and PATA. “If they do, we have to make it as hassle-free as possible, so that the impact is minimised.”

To promote tourism, Sri Lanka has been granting a 30-day VOA to Western tourists, as well as those from developed nations, since the 1970s. The scheme was extended to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations in the mid-90s to tap the region’s potential.

Initially mooted in August last year, the VOA withdrawal was put on hold because of large-scale representations by the Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality industry, which feared a drop in tourist arrivals.

Chulananda Perera, Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration controller-general, said the new online visa application system would be implemented in about 80 days. After submission of application and payment of fees, visitors would get their visas within one to three days.

Perera insisted that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry would not be affected by the new system, and that the switch would in fact make it easier for tourists.

Nagsri Prasad Sashidhar of Mumbai-based Mercury Travels was less optimistic. “ Sri Lanka was very attractive for us given the VOA facility. We would recommend it as a good option to tourists who were going to Maldives,” he said. “The withdrawal will cause numbers to fall and make the destination less appealing to our clients.”

OMAN Air will boost its Muscat-Colombo service from five-weekly to daily from June 1 to meet increasing demand, according to the airline’s country manager, Gihan Karunaratne.

Having commenced four-weekly flights to Colombo as its 32nd international destination in November 2009, Oman Air’s load factor surged from 50 per cent to 80 per cent within a year, said Karunaratne.

The airline flies mainly from Europe (Germany, Paris and the UK) and the Middle East to Colombo, with some passengers flying onward to Male in the Maldives.

THE INDONESIAN government has decided to meet the challenge of accommodating larger cruise ships at its ports, following growing demand from international cruise liners to call on its shores.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism director general of tourism marketing, Sapta Nirwandar, said: “It takes all stakeholders’ efforts to develop the market, including port authorities. Therefore, we are going to organise an international seminar for the stakeholders on developing cruises in Indonesia, inviting international experts to talk about it next week.”

The ministry’s director of international promotion, Noviendi Makalam, said: “The number of arrivals (on cruises) has grown since 2009, but with many international cruise liners now operating bigger ships – with a capacity of 1,200 and above – Indonesia is facing a challenge to meet the requirements for ports.”

“In Bali, which is the major port of call here, we have four cruise ports, but each is facing its own challenges. Not to mention other ports in Indonesia, which do not even have a dedicated port for cruise ships.”

Makalam said Indonesia received 68,598 passengers through 135 calls in 2009, which rose to 94,228 passengers from 189 calls last year.

Although the number of calls booked for Indonesian ports this year has dropped to 178, the expected number of passengers has swelled to 113,875, as the capacity of ships that are visiting are up. Forward bookings for 2012 show that there will be 215 calls with 137,200 passengers expected to arrive on Indonesian shores.

Nirwandar said: “The number of port of calls is also increasing, in line with the number of destinations. There is a growing interest to call on Probolinggo (East Java), for example, as more travellers want to visit Mount Bromo. Some ships do call there despite the lack of cruise facilities, but it would be better if we can get proper facilities.”

Package prices for cruises, which are now between US$50 and US$100, are also set to increase, according to Nirwandar.

INDIA’S first-ever home-grown cruise line, AMET Cruises, was launched on May 19.

The company’s luxury cruise ship, AMET Majesty, will operate out of Chennai and will sail to destinations such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Nearly 80,000 Indians go on cruises annually.

The AMET Majesty has 254 cabins that can accommodate 680 passengers. The ship has facilities such as a spa, sauna, swimming pool, discotheque, casino and three restaurants (with a la carte, buffet and vegetarian offerings), spread across its nine decks.

Prices start from 3,900 rupees (US$86) plus taxes per person, per night, and includes all meals. Distribution is currently done through live booking engines at Preferred Sales Agents across India. Online bookings can also be done on the company’s website.

AMET Majesty’s maiden Chennai High Sea voyage will depart from Chennai on June 9.

Currently, published June and July schedules also include short trips to Vizag (Vishakapatnam) and Port Blair, and long trips covering international destinations such as Trincomalee and Karaikal in Sri Lanka, Phuket and Langkawi.

By Anand & Madhura Katti

IN RESPONSE to growing demand, professional exhibition and conference organiser Reed Tradex inked a three-year contract with the Bangkok International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre (BITEC) to secure space for its annual Manufacturing Expo, to be held between this year and 2013.

Reed Tradex deputy managing director for commercial Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee said that the 20 per cent annual growth of the country’s exhibition industry over the last few years, coupled with a number of forward bookings from exhibitors prompted the company to secure space at BITEC in advance.

This year’s B2B fair will cover 37,500m2 of exhibition space for 1,600 brands from 30 countries, up from last year’s 25,000m2 of utilised area by 1,300 brands from 25 countries. Some 42,000 buyers, including 2,500 from overseas, are expected to attend the event. Some 32,000 visitors came last year.

Duangdej said the lack of on-site accommodation at BITEC was not an issue because the company believes visitors and exhibitors should be encouraged to stay at the many hotels available in Bangkok. He explained that transportation to and from the venue was convenient.

BITEC marketing and sales director Panittha Buri said the centre was investing 250 million baht (US$8.2 million) on the development of a welcome hall and a walkway, linking it with the extended BTS Skytrain Onnut-Barings Line that is slated to open in August. It earmarked another 400 million baht for the renovation of six exhibition halls and a grand hall, with work to start next year.

By Sirima Eamtako

ASCOTT is extending its operations in Malaysia, having signed a management contract for the 200-unit Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya, opening in 2016.

This positions the company as the largest serviced residence owner-operator in Malaysia, with over 1,500 apartment units across 10 properties. It has just opened the Somerset Jalan Ampang, while its other properties, comprising brands such as Ascott, Somerset, Citadines, Marc Serviced Suites, Seri Bukit Ceylon and Tiffani by I-Zen, are spread across Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya and Kuching.

Alfred Ong, Ascott’s managing director for South-east Asia & Australia, said: “As foreign investments continue to increase in Malaysia, we expect strong demand for our serviced residences. By securing our 10th property, we are able to reap greater economies of scale and position Ascott for further growth.”

The upcoming property in Petaling Jaya will be part of an integrated development that includes a 36,800m2 retail mall and five commercial blocks housing multinational corporations, including Deloitte, FedEx, L’Oreal, Lenovo, Symantec and Unisys. Its location is also nearby the upmarket Damansara Heights and Bandar Utama areas hosting various Fortune 500 firms.

The property will offer fully-furnished studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments, with shared facilities that include a swimming pool, restaurant, gymnasium, lounge, business centre and meeting facilities able to accommodate up to 900 pax.

Aside from Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya, Ascott has three properties in the pipeline in Malaysia – Citadines Uplands Kuching opening next year, Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur opening in 2013, and Citadines D’Pulze Cyberjaya opening in 2014.

By Ellen Chen