Asian countries highlight their milestone achievements in 2013 as they break new ground
From left: Petronas Twin Towers; Plain of Jars; Kai Tak Cruise Terminal; River Safari Giant Panda Forest
We recently reopened our tourism office in Istanbul, which will oversee our markets in Turkey, Armenia, Romania, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. We have seen arrivals growing from these markets and with an office in Istanbul, we will be able to further promote Malaysia to these markets.
Azizan Noordin
Deputy director general, planning, Tourism Malaysia
2013 has been an exciting year for Singapore. We continued to elevate the country’s status as a vibrant leisure destination with new attractions such as the River Safari, and exciting tourism content including the famed private art museum Pinacothèque de Paris and the season-ending Women’s Tennis Association Championships. The launch of our Kickstart Fund this year has also enabled us to tap into creative minds and support the development of innovative lifestyle concepts.
Lynette Pang
Assistant chief executive, marketing group Singapore Tourism Board
The highlight of the year was developing special interest tourism through a number of events, including jazz festivals, sporting events (such as the Jakarta Marathon and Musi Triathlon) and cruises (such as Sail Komodo).
The Ministry has also stepped up efforts to create unique events outside the tourism mainstream to expand our means of attracting travellers to the country.
It is also working together with the Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board, whose role, among others, is to promote creative tourism involving the creative industries in the country.
Esthy Reko Astuti
Director general, tourism marketing, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy
Our highlight of the year was definitely the restoration and reopening of Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of Seoul. When erected in 1398, the massive two-storey pagoda-style gate served as a main entrance to the royal city of the Joseon Dynasty. For centuries, through trials and triumphs, the gate has stood watch over the capital and fittingly earned the title of National Treasure Number One. Sungnyemun is an enduring historical landmark as well as a symbol of South Korean hospitality.
Maureen O’Crowley
Vice president, Seoul Convention Bureau
There were several milestone events but the most important one was the launch of our new global marketing and promotion tagline, Amazing Thailand: It begins with the people. This tagline is designed to reflect our positioning and core values. It is also an extension of our longstanding marketing tagline, Amazing Thailand.
The tagline speaks of the increasingly human-centric aspect of Amazing Thailand. It deepens the emotional value of visiting the country, one that is linked to its people in their attitude, hospitality and spirit. It is also a core component of our adherence to the Marketing 3.0 concept whereby customers are treated as complex, multi-dimensional human beings.
Today’s travellers are choosing destinations and services that satisfy deeper needs for participation, creativity, community and idealism. We believe that Thailand is able to provide travellers with all of these aspects.
Suraphon Svetasreni
Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand
We have been preparing to organise a caravan tour in the second week of 2014 to the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang province and Vieng Xay caves in Houaphanh province, in north-eastern Laos. The purpose of this event is to promote the new tour route showcasing the historic stone jars and caves.
Houaphanh, one of the least visited provinces in the country, is home to 22 different ethnic groups. The province offers an authentic, varied experience where travellers can learn about weaving techniques, enjoy the pristine natural environment and explore the mysterious standing stones of Hintang Archaeological Park that dates back more than 2,000 years.
Viengxay Caves, or the ‘Hidden City’, is a network of caves used during the Lao revolutionary movement and the site of a little-known episode of the world’s history.
Saly Phimphinith
Director general, tourism marketing Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism
Tokyo being selected as the host country for the Olympic Games in 2020. This is also a remarkable opportunity for overseas visitors to come to know the various prefectures of Japan.
Besides Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido, there are many other attractive places across Japan, such as Shirakawa-go in the Chubu region, Wakayama in Kansai, and the Kyushu and Shikoku regions where travellers can enjoy streets lined with traditional houses, local produce and great food, as well as activities like fruit picking, fishing, driving through refreshing highlands and shopping. JNTO feels that it is necessary to promote these local charming hotspots that have yet to be widely known to the world and the Olympics is a great catalyst to showcase them.
With the depreciation of the Japanese yen, now is the best opportunity to enjoy a trip to Japan and experience omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).
Hideki Manabe
Executive director, Singapore office, Japan National Tourism Organization
2013 saw the completion of an important tourism infrastructure in Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Hong Kong Tourism Board has stepped up the terminal’s promotion as Asia’s cruise hub. A ground-breaking effort was our collaboration with Taiwan Tourism Bureau to invite an international cruise line to deploy its vessel to Hong Kong and Taiwan, with Hong Kong as the home port. This marked a significant milestone in regional cooperation to grow Asia’s cruise tourism market.
This year, visitor arrivals grew steadily, with new markets demonstrating encouraging performances. Russia, the GCC countries and Vietnam recorded double-digit growth in the first three quarters, while India recorded a stable rise. In terms of marketing, we continued to inject new elements into our mega events. In the recent Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, we set up a tasting room for exclusive culinary activities and divided the venue into six zones, offering guests a unique experience of Hong Kong’s sumptuous wine and food offerings.
Anthony Lau
Executive director, Hong Kong Tourism Board
Additional reporting from Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Mimi Hudoyo, Karen Yue, Hannah Koh and Prudence Lui
This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 13, 2013 – January 16, 2014 issue, on page 6. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.
