Seera Group taps Klook to drive digital transformation of Saudi tourism
Saudi Arabia-based Seera Group has formed a partnership with Klook to boost the digital transformation and growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.
The partnership, which was announced at the Arabian Travel Market 2021 in Dubai, sees Seera becoming the exclusive partner of Klook in Saudi Arabia. The two entities will work to create a one-stop digital platform with end-to-end content and inventory management solutions that will support tourism and leisure activity providers in Saudi Arabia and provide a range of product offerings to travellers.
With the partnership, activity providers in the Kingdom will be able to connect with global marketplaces and tour distributors, enabling them to build their business, which will not only drive domestic tourism, but also elevate Saudi Arabia’s footprint on the global tourism map. The platform will also showcase tours and activities operated by Discover Saudi, Seera’s integrated DMC.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “For our partners across the Saudi tourism ecosystem, finding smart ways to connect with travellers enhances their ability to offer unique Arabian experiences to everyone eager to explore the destination.
“This platform will empower our innovators, disruptors and new generation of tourism professionals to reach out to the world, tell their stories and build their businesses.”
Majed Alnefaie, acting CEO of Seera Group, said: “Our partnership with Klook builds on the strong leadership commitment to deliver the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to build the Kingdom’s tourism sector, diversify the economy and create long-term economic value.”
He added: “(The partnership) will address current gaps in the tourism supply chain, particularly, in terms of online content for tours and activities, the limited technological strengths of suppliers and low awareness (among) local and global travellers on the Kingdom’s offering.”
Seera will add value to the partnership by leveraging its extensive knowledge of the Saudi market, as well as localised content creation, including Arabic-first content, and will offer valuable guidance to promote the Kingdom among travellers from around the world.
Further, Almosafer, Seera’s flagship consumer travel brand that offers online travel planning, will build a digitally-enabled activities and tour marketplace to serve its Saudi customer base with a seamless booking solution across its omni-channel offering.
On its part, Klook will support tourism operators in Saudi Arabia to digitise their businesses. With Klook’s new merchant Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, tour activity providers in the Kingdom will have the necessary digital tools and knowledge to build, manage, and scale their business.
Saudi travellers will also be able to access Klook’s global network of travel and leisure offerings, said Ethan Lin, CEO and co-founder of Klook.
As part of the Kingdom’s plans to increase inbound tourism in line with Vision 2030, the partnership will also tap into Klook’s audience in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, with Klook’s presence in Malaysia and Indonesia, the company will be able to meet the demands of travellers for Hajj and Umrah as they explore the Kingdom beyond their pilgrimage.
Hong Kong tightens entry rules for arrivals from seven countries
Hong Kong will tighten travel and quarantine restrictions for travellers from seven countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, starting from Friday (May 21).
The government said on Monday that unvaccinated travellers from the three countries, alongside Italy, Argentina, Kenya and the Netherlands, will have to serve a 21-day quarantine at designated hotels and present a negative Covid-19 test result taken 72 hours before departure. They will also be required to undergo four Covid-19 tests during this period.
Vaccinated travellers must serve a 14-day quarantine at government-designated hotels, and undergo three tests during this period. They will also need to self-monitor for another week, with compulsory tests on the 16th and 19th day. They must also show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test result prior to taking off for the city.
Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in these places will not be allowed to enter the city.
Previously, travellers from Singapore to Hong Kong were only required to quarantine for seven days in a designated hotel, with two tests.
Hong Kong has also tightened restrictions for arrivals from Taiwan due to the surge in cases there, according to a South China Morning Post report.
Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble delayed again
The launch of the air travel bubble (ATB) between Singapore and Hong Kong which will allow for quarantine-free travel between the two cities will be deferred for a second time, following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
The decision to delay the ATB 10 days before its launch on May 26 was made during a meeting on Monday (May 17) between Singapore’s transport minister S Iswaran and Hong Kong’s secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Monday.
“Both sides remain strongly committed to launching the ATB safely. However, in the light of the recent increase in unlinked community cases, Singapore is unable to meet the criteria to start the Singapore-Hong Kong ATB,” it said.
MOT added that the two cities will decide on the new launch date of the ATB towards the end of phase two (heightened alert) in Singapore, which is slated to end on June 13.
Both cities had said the ATB would be suspended when the seven-day moving average of unlinked community cases in either Singapore or Hong Kong increases to more than five.
As at Sunday, Singapore reported 38 community cases, bringing the seven-day moving average of unlinked community cases to nearly five.
The ATB was first planned to take off on November 22, but a surge in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong put the plan on hold.
Jan Jansen returns to Conrad Hong Kong as GM
Conrad Hong Kong has hired Jan Jansen as its general manager.
Previously in 2016, Jansen first joined the hotel as the hotel manager, before being recruited as opening general manager of Conrad Hangzhou two years later.
His return this year will play an instrumental role in leading the hotel in adapting to the new normal and creating business opportunities.
Prior to joining Hilton in 2012, Jansen cut his teeth in management at the Rezidor Hotel Group (presently known as the Radisson Hotel Group), particularly in the business development and commercial sectors.
Skydive into the tropics at Niyama Private Islands
Skydiving has been introduced in the Maldives and can now be experienced by guests at Niyama Private Islands in the country’s southern Dhaalu Atoll.
Launched this month, the new tandem skydiving experience takes place from Dhaalu Airport just a short speedboat ride from the resort.
Tandem skydiving is the best way for first-timers to experience this thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled sport in the safest of environments, with the opportunity to descend over the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean. Guests play an active part in the jump, descending by freefall and parachute, with the seasoned instructor connected from the leap to the landing.
The experience begins with a seven-minute speedboat ride to Dhaalu Airport on a neighbouring island, followed by a short briefing before boarding the plane for a 20-minute ascent to 12,000 feet. The jump involves a one-minute freefall at the extreme speed of 200km/hour before the parachute opens for a five-minute ‘flight’ down to the white sand beaches, where guests can enjoy spectacular birds-eye views of the resort and the wider atoll.
The tandem sky-dive costs from US$639 per person (based on two people skydiving) including the roundtrip transfers to Dhaalu Airport. The dive can be captured by a hand camera for a small additional charge. For those wishing to document their full dare-devil experience, an outside camera can also be arranged with a separate skydiver.
Malaysia Airlines teams up with ReveMax to drive revenue growth
Malaysia Airlines has entered into a partnership with ReveMax to implement the Airline Revenue Maximization Solution (ARMS) to enhance and strengthen the airline’s commercial decision-making and business processes.
Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, the platform provides predictive and prescriptive intelligence, connecting different airline departments and guiding them in making smarter strategic decisions with the aim of profitability and sustained financial good health of the organisation.
The partnership allows ReveMAX to leverage its innovative ARMS Solution, a strategic decision support platform (SDSP), to provide a complete and comprehensive picture of the airline’s revenue and cost ecosystem. The system also enables airline personnel to see a transparent and comprehensive view of their airline’s day-to-day health and make an immediate revenue decision based on fact-based data.
Group CEO of Malaysia Airlines, Izham Ismail, said in a press release: “One year into the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen the importance of having a business that is robust and sustainable, built upon a foundation of digitalisation which has allowed the business to operate as efficiently as possible given the circumstances.”
He added that the airline’s partnership with ReveMax will “create agility in maximising revenue and optimising cost with standardisation and transparency across all related departments”.
Hyatt’s Alila to make China debut in Shanghai
Hyatt will develop a 188-room Alila hotel in the Jing’an District of Shanghai, which is expected to debut in 2023.
A high-profile conversion project, Alila Shanghai will be the first Alila branded urban hotel in China, and located in a mixed-use development that will also feature premium offices and retail space. The property is the result of a management agreement between the affiliates of Hyatt and Fungseng Prosperity Holdings.
Designed as an “urban utopia,” Alila Shanghai will feature natural materials, earth tones and charming city views, with spacious studios and suites. F&B venues will include a rooftop Chinese restaurant, an organic restaurant, Tea Bar and a rooftop bar overlooking the Old Shanghai Zhang Garden. Other facilities will include a spa, an indoor pool, gym, meeting space and a private garden for events and functions.
The hotel’s central location is adjacent to Nanjing West Road, one of Shanghai’s most established high-end shopping thoroughfares, offering premium retail, dining and lifestyle destination.
Gold Coast splurges on US$1.35m campaign to springboard recovery
The Gold Coast is being promoted in a new marketing blitz rolled out in cities across Australia, aimed at boosting visitor numbers in the lead up to winter.
Launched on Sunday (May 16), the campaign sees the Gold Coast call on Aussies to flee the cooler Southern temperatures for sunshine, beautiful beaches, untouched hinterland and a playground of experiences and attractions.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the campaign springboards recovery for Gold Coast’s tourism sector as the marketing body remains focused on stimulating visitor demand and expenditure for its 4,600 tourism operators.
“This A$1.75 million (US$1.35 million) campaign will support Gold Coast’s visitor economy in the lead up to and during winter, which we know is traditionally a softer travel period, to safeguard our status as a preferred holiday destination,” O’Callaghan said.
“We know through our insights that there is more than just a pent-up desire to travel – there is pent-up demand to play, and reconnecting with family and friends is so important for our well-being.”
Targeting families and over-50s, the campaign is supported by more than 100 accommodation, tour and attraction deals, she added.
“Most-loved experiences from these key traveller segments feature throughout the campaign including going to the beach, relaxing by the pool, eating local produce and exploring natural scenery,” she said.
“The campaign invites our southern neighbours to ‘come and play’ in the sunshine state and swap a cold commute to work for a memorable holiday in Australia’s favourite playground.”
The seven-week campaign will be promoted across outdoor placements, television, tactical aviation and online booking platform partnerships, as well as digital and social media in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Hobart, Perth and Adelaide.
By extension, a two-day activation at Sydney’s Westfield Paramatta Centre Court later this month will see 10 Gold Coast tourism operators showcase their products, holiday deals and the destination to capitalise on high foot traffic in the key interstate market.
O’Callaghan said a multi-pronged approach to recovery is critical for the Gold Coast’s tourism sector to bounce back after A$3.2 billion was wiped from the pre-Covid A$5.9 billion visitor economy in 2020.
“The Gold Coast continues to top the list as a preferred holiday destination on booking engines and this is backed up by consumers voting with their feet, seeing us as the leading beneficiary of the federal government’s half-price flights scheme,” she said.
“With some 200,000 flights to-date sold to the Gold Coast, it is initiatives like this that will drive visitors into the region, coupled with increased aviation connectivity and cut-through destination marketing.”
Singapore tightens border measures with Taiwan
Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering Singapore with recent travel history to Taiwan will have to serve a 21-day stay-home notice (SHN), effective since May 16, 11.59.
The tightened border measures are in response to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Taiwan, said MOH in a statement on Saturday.
Travellers from Taiwan will have to serve a 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities, followed by an additional seven-day SHN at their place of residence. They will undergo Covid-19 PCR tests on arrival, on Day 14 of their SHN, and before the end of their 21-day SHN period.
This overrides the previous regulation which allowed travellers from Taiwan to go about their activities in Singapore without the need to serve a SHN, if their on-arrival PCR test results were negative.
In addition, short-term travellers holding an air travel pass with recent travel history to Taiwan will not be allowed to enter Singapore.
Travellers who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents, and who have recent travel history to Taiwan will be required to take a PCR test within 72 hours before departure. They will also need to present a valid negative Covid-19 test result for entry into Singapore.
All travellers with travel history to Taiwan who entered Singapore between May 15 and May 16 will be subject to government-funded PCR tests on Day 3 and Day 7 of their arrival in Singapore.
MOH said that affected travellers will be contacted with additional details on how they can take their PCR tests.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s tourism and sports bureau has signed a MoU with Tencent Cloud to revitalise Seoul’s inbound tourism in the post-pandemic era and build a smart tourism ecosystem.
Both parties plan to create a Seoul travel app for Chinese tourists as well as a smart tourism solution through Tencent Cloud’s artificial intelligence technologies in Weixin Mini Program. The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s tourism and sports bureau will promote the digitalisation of its tourism services via Tencent Cloud to strengthen the competitiveness of Seoul tourism and enhance its service quality.
Through customised Seoul tourism information and services for Chinese tourists using Tencent Cloud’s cloud computing and AI technology, the bureau aims to boost Chinese visitor numbers to South Korea post-Covid.
The one-stop Seoul city travel app for Chinese tourists links the city’s online and offline public and private tourism services. With customised travel products and services, the app will provide a variety of information including hotel reservations, car rentals, tourist maps and GPS, online shopping, tourist ticket purchases, visa issuance and tax refunds.
Restaurants and attractions in Seoul can also be found using the real-time AI recommendation function, making travel much more personalised and convenient by scanning the Weixin QR code after purchasing an online ticket and entering tourist attractions without the wait.
In addition, Tencent Cloud will also build a Mini Program, leveraging Weixin’s user pool of 1.2 billion monthly active users and digital marketing service capabilities to connect local merchants and Chinese tourists in Seoul. Through it, travellers can also use hotel favourites, weather information, tourist attraction search and travel guides, discount coupon downloads, travel directions and travel tax refund services.
The two parties will also promote mid- to long-term exchanges and cooperation measures for the early recovery of Seoul tourism. Apart from helping foster Seoul tourism start-ups, Tencent Cloud is also set to participate in various marketing activities such as creating better tourism infrastructure, tourism advertisement and influencer activity support.
The MoU marks Tencent Cloud’s second Korean tourism revitalisation project following its collaboration with Incheon Tourism Organization for smart tourism solutions last month.