Buyers from emerging European markets are seeing increasing demand for South-east Asia, as travellers in these markets are drawn by the exotic allure of the Far East and affordable ground costs.
Tomasz Brych, executive manager at Adventure Travel, Poland, shared: “Year-on-year, we saw a 25 per cent increase in demand for leisure and business events to South-east Asia. Seven-day incentive programmes or a one-week stay for leisure travellers to South-east Asia are popular.”
European tourists hiking in Sapa, Vietnam
Viktorila Buzova, CEO, Team Link, Ukraine is recording greater demand for corporate incentive travel and teambuilding activities, especially to Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
“In terms of pricing, the airfares (to South-east Asia) are higher than to Western Europe, but the ground costs, including hotels, meals and activities, are much lower. Overall, the total costs work out to be the same as having (programmes) in Western Europe,” she said.
Picking up on the trend for “fancy” holidays in his market, Radek Madera, manager at Czech Republic’s Arcadia Air, remarked that Asian destinations present opportunities for him to offer clients aspirational trips for the same budget.
“Travel preferences in the Czech market are changing every year. Our clients follow lifestyle and travel trends. It’s now going towards fancy travel, fancy style and fancy luxury. Before, travellers opting for Asia were content with more rugged trips and ask for cheaper or regular hotels, said Madera.
“Now, they want more luxury and more expensive experiences – not only for hotels, but also services. With the same travel budget, in Asia, they can buy more things, opt for more luxurious hotels, and enjoy higher-end service.”
Madera is also planning to incorporate more off-the-beaten-path destinations into itineraries. The launch of Hôtel de la Coupole – MGallery by Sofitel, the first international brand luxury hotel in Vietnam’s Sapa, presents an example of a destination that can fulfil his clients’ preference for luxury and hidden gems, he said.
ATF sellers from South-east Asia have also registered keener interest from emerging European markets.
Henry Wong, executive director at Discovery Overland Holidays in Malaysia, shared that while business from Eastern Europe has increased, travellers are generally new to the offerings in this part of the world, and are more likely to seek out expertise of travel agents.
He said: “The FIT segment (from Europe’s emerging markets) is not as adventurous as Western Europeans such as the UK and Germany who tend to design their own itineraries. Travellers from Eastern Europe are more comfortable buying a package from a reliable travel agent.
“Many are also first-timers to the destination. As such, everything is new to them and they are open to new experiences,” said Wong.
“Traditional European markets on the other hand, tend to be repeat visitors and are more precise on what they want to see and do.”
Elsewhere in the region, Bali-based Manumadi Travel is also starting to receive bookings from the Baltic states, a new market the company is targeting, shared Siggi Neuhaus, general manager of Caraka Travelindo (sister company of Manumadi Travel).
Additional reporting from Yixin Ng and Mimi Hudoyo
The massive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum in Singapore
Buddhist tourism has strong growth potential in South-east Asia, but more needs to be done in order to develop this sector.
Home to an estimated 156 million Buddhists, South-east Asia is “replete with Buddhist religious activities, ceremonies and festivals”, as well as “many cultural, architectural and historical monuments and relics”, according to Victor Wee, secretary-general of ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA), which comprises 16 public and private universities in South-east Asia.
The massive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum in Singapore
However, Wee said that there has not been much attempt to consider how Buddhist sites and relics across the region could be used to develop and promote tourism centred on Buddhism.
These findings were part of an ongoing study on Buddhist tourism on eight countries in South-east Asia – with the exception of Brunei and the Philippines – which was presented by ATRA to South-east Asian NTOs at ATF in Halong Bay last week. The complete findings are expected to be published later this year.
Wee elaborated: “(The study) examined the programmes, policies and infrastructure that could be developed in order to capitalise on their tangible and intangible heritage of Buddhism.”
The study also examined destination management strategies at iconic sites to relieve congestion and improve sustainability in terms of tourism dispersal strategies; carrying capacity; and management of visitor impacts.
It also gave recommendations on what was needed for Buddhist tourism to gain traction in the region. This included the training of tourist guides to equip them with better and in-depth storytelling; development and improvement of infrastructure and amenities without causing negative impact to local communities and the environment; and sustainable development of tourism attractions, products and services.
Wee added that the study will form part of the UNWTO study on Buddhist tourism in Asia, adding to the growing religious tourism research the global tourism body has undertaken in the region.
Asnawi Bahar and Ben Sukma have abruptly stepped down from their respective positions of chairman and advisory board chair of the Association of the Indonesia Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA).
The resignations were announced at the ASITA Plenary Meeting in Jakarta last week.
Asnawi (pictured) has stepped down from his position at ASITA
Budijanto Ardiansyah, vice president of ASITA, said: “Asnawi resigned to focus on his nomination as a member of the Regional Representative Council of Indonesia in the West Sumatra electoral district.”
The association says Ben Sukma is stepping down to go into retirement.
TTG Asia, however, understands that both executives were discharged from their positions following a no-trust motion by the regional chapter boards.
Denying the news, Budijanto said: “That is not true. Yes, there was a friction, which is common in any organisation, but it had been resolved well before the plenary meeting.”
Budijanto was appointed acting chairman of ASITA and an Extraordinary Assembly will be held in Jakarta on February 26-28 to elect a new chairman.
He assured: “During this transition period it will be business as usual for ASITA, with all complete board members until the election of the new chairman.”
Hasiyana Ashadi, ASITA’s Jakarta chapter chairman, added that a steering committee and organising committee have been formed to hold National Assembly.
She said candidates running for the post of chairman should have served in the ASITA chapter and central boards for at least one term.
“The most important thing is the person must stay in Jakarta because ASITA needs to work together with government. Whoever the new chairman will be, I expect the person can make ASITA better, and support the development of Indonesian tourism.”
Over half of the robots at Henn-na Hotel have been rendered jobless, with humans being hired to replace the androids after they failed to live up to standards.
According to a report from The South China Morning Post (SCMP), the hotel replaced the androids because they suffered frequent breakdowns, required costly maintenance and were unable to field more complicated questions from guests such as local attractions or access to airports.
Hen-na Hotel Reception
Humans were also on stand-by every time a guest’s passport needed to be registered. In addition, robot luggage carriers were not able to reach all of the rooms in some hotels, and broke down when they got wet, while the in-room assistant Churi struggled to understand accents.
However, a company official confirmed that the chain is pushing ahead with plans to develop a new generation of robot employees and plans to open new properties across Japan, the SCMP reported.
A new startup that gives independent hotels access to a loyalty programme – a sell-point traditionally seen as the domain of chains – is looking to grow its membership in Asia.
Loyal Guest, which launched in 3Q2018, says independent hotels can enjoy loyalty opportunities without having to forsake control over management or branding, according to Chatuporn Ruttalaungsak, the company’s Thailand general manager.
A screenshot from the Loyal Guest website
“So far, we don’t see any others like us who offer a loyalty programme for independent hotels. Chain hotels have their own programmes (and a larger portfolio of participating hotels)… It is difficult for independent hotels without being part of a similar (programme to entice guests), she told TTG Asia at ATF last week.
“And we are not like hotel representation or management companies (in that) our members get to run things however they like, except they gain access a loyalty programme,” she added.
The Singapore-registered company allows guests to earn and redeem points at member hotels.
From an independent hotel standpoint, loyalty opportunities may be considerable now given the size of Loyal Guest’s current portfolio, which spans 85 independent hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam.
But as the startup grows, it remains to be seen if its value proposition to hotels would continue to be as strong.
Chatuporn told TTG Asia that the business model is not limited to hotel membership. It is currently also pursuing tie-ups with attractions and tours.
“We are not only for hotels but also for tourist attractions, car rentals, departmental stores or any business related to hospitality. We are looking for opportunities to tie up with tours and activities,” shared Chatuporn.
South-east Asia's ministers sit down to discuss various issues on the last day of ATF 2019
South-east Asia’s ministers have pledged to work together to implement a raft of measures targeted at raising the nations’ tourism profiles and solving various issues.
For instance, the push for a single entry visa, ramping up of marketing and promotions, and tackling overtourism were some of the issues discussed during the ministers’ meetings at the recently concluded ATF.
South-east Asia’s ministers sit down to discuss various issues on the last day of ATF 2019
Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Vietnam’s minister of culture, sports and tourism, also added that festivals, Buddhist tourism and cruising will be developed and promoted, as part of a united drive to diversify tourism products.
He noted that while a single visa would boost cross-country travel throughout South-east Asia, the decision does not fall within the ministry of tourism’s remit. However, members have pledged to take up the issue with their governments.
Thailand’s minister for tourism and sports, Weerasak Kowsurat, added: “We (ASEAN ministers) have agreed to go back to our cabinets and see what can be done, so that the single visa dream we have been having together gets closer.”
Combatting overtourism was another issue discussed, with new measures outlined to disperse visitors – such as identifying 55 new destinations in the region which will be actively promoted throughout 2019.
“This is not just for international visitors but domestic travellers too. We are learning that overcapacity is becoming one of the major issues, and we are all going to pay a lot of attention to it,” Weerasak said.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the Philippines’ secretary of tourism, pointed out that setting a carrying capacity is one way to deal with overtourism. One example is the recently-reopened Boracay, and it will soon be rolled out to other popular tourist destinations in the Philippines.
“For us, it’s not the numbers that matter now. It’s balancing business opportunities with social responsibility,” she concluded.
Dream Hotel Group – comprising brands Dream Hotels, Time Hotels and Unscripted Hotels – has extended its 12 per cent group commissions through 1Q2019 for select properties in Asia and the US.
This applies to its Dream Bangkok hotel in Bangkok.
Flava Bar Lounge at Dream Bangkok
The latest deal is an extension of its earlier April 2018 offer, which saw the group increase its group commissions from 10 per cent to 12 per cent for qualified groups and meetings that were booked and actualised in 2018.
Reservations must be booked and actualised by March 31, 2019, with a minimum of 10 rooms on the peak. The offer is not valid for any business previously booked or consumed and is subject to availability, cancellation or extension at any time.
Vietnam’s diverse cultures have been highlighted in a new book, seeking to inspire fresh wave of visitors.
Tourism Stories – the Vietnam Edition was officially launched at last week’s ATF in Halong Bay. Produced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the UNWTO, the book features 20 stories from grassroots tourism players.
(Fourth from left) Thailand’s tourism minister Weerasak Kowsurat; UNWTO’s Zhu Shanzhong; and Vietnam’s tourism minister Le Quang Tung
Zhu Shanzhong, UNWTO executive director, shared that the book helps tourists to understand the locals’ perspectives, and how the tourism dollar can “positively impact livelihoods”.
Le Quang Tung, vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, added the book, complete with a range of colourful images, highlights Vietnam’s diversity. He opined: “The interesting stories bring a unique perspective to Vietnam’s tourism.”
BRUNEIby S Puvaneswary Chang Ming Vui
Managing director, BruVacation Adventure | Diving is a new activity promoted by Brunei Tourism. We work closely with dive operators to promote diving off the Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Belait districts, which are all home to a number of shipwrecks and a healthy fish population, which makes for beautiful underwater scenery. These dive sites are not crowded, hence appealing to tourists from Asia and Europe.
Sugumaran Nair
Inbound manager, Freme Travel Services Nature | Visitors who like sea sports should try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on Lugu Lake with SUP Surfari, the only SUP provider in Brunei. The 80-minute session, with lesson and eco tour components, is led by a professional SUP instructor, and is safe and suitable even for non-swimmers. Tourists will get a full safety briefing and learn about SUP’s history, equipment, and different strokes for kneeling and standing. You might also be able to spot hornbills, monkeys and jungle creatures in a serene environment
A traditional Cambodian dish called fish amok
Cambodiaby Marissa Carruthers Miles Gravett
General manager, Khiri Travel Cambodia Adventure | What’s happening at Cardamom Tented Camp in Koh Kong is exciting for nature lovers. It’s a perfect balance of badly needed conservation efforts and tourism. With some efforts being put into marine conservation, diving in Cambodia is also getting better. Additionally, kayaking down the Mekong River is a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Andy Brouwer
Production and research consultant,
Hanuman Travel Nature | There is a new elephant experience at Phnom Tamao with Wildlife Alliance. Entitled Elephant Keeper for a Day, participants get to work with elephant keepers and learn about elephant care.
Steve Lidgey
General manager, Travel Asia a la Carte Culinary | Cambodian cuisine is becoming more popular. Many restaurants, such as the recently opened Pou Kitchen & Café in Siem Reap, provide new interpretations of authentic Khmer cuisine.
Laosby Marissa Carruthers Stefan Scheerer
General manager, Khiri Travel Laos Adventure | Khammouane Province is opening up for adventure, with activities such as kayaking through cave formations, while the Bolaven Plateau is suitable for trekking, waterfalls and Jeep safaris.
Linh Le
Group managing director, Asia DMC Nature | In the Bolaven Plateau, we offer a jeep tour integrated with kayaking in 4,000 Islands. Guests will be able to enjoy the year-round beautiful vegetation in Southern Laos.
Virginie Kury
General manager, Asian Trails Laos Culinary | Paste is a new restaurant in Luang Prabang. It is owned by a Michelin-star chef from Bangkok, Bee Satongun, and her husband Jason Bailey.
Malaysia by S Puvaneswary Ken Lau
CEO and founder, Adventoro Adventure | Kedah in (Peninsular Malaysia’s) north-west is a new adventure destination thanks to improved air links as well as the upgraded facilities at Langkawi airport. Among Kedah’s offerings we are promoting to adrenaline junkies and millennials is paragliding on Mount Jerai. It offers scenic views of paddy fields, and a birds’-eye view of the Straits of Melaka and its offshore islands.
Manfred Kurz
Managing director, Diethelm Travel Malaysia Nature | Samadhi Belum, set within the Royal Belum Rainforest in Perak, will offer 55 luxury tents when it opens in late 2019. I’m looking forward to the opening as it will offer Malaysia’s first luxury tented camp experience set within a 130-million-year-old rainforest, which is also a protected area. Our clients are mainly Europeans and Americans, and they will love the concept of being close to nature, while not sacrificing on comfort.
Arokia Das Anthony
Director, Luxury Tours Malaysia Culinary | Plane in the City is a new product introduced by TwoSpicy Entertainment Live. The 90-minute fine dining experience revolves around a Boeing B737 aircraft, and allows guests to take pictures and selfies in the cockpit, or walk on the wing of the plane. The Western-style cuisine served is prepared by Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and guests can choose between a three- or four-course meal.
Myanmarby Marissa Carruthers Sammy Samuels
Founder, Myanmar Shalom Travels Adventure | Caving adventures in Hpa-An and hiking or trekking in Chin State are becoming popular. Trekking around Hsipaw and Keng Tung are places to watch out for in 2019 and beyond.
Min Than Htut
Founder, Pro Niti Travel Nature | For nature, there are exciting things happening in southern Myanmar. In particular, the coastal towns of Myeik, Kawthaung and Dawei, which are also great gateways to the many untouched islands in the south.
Edwin Briels
General manager, Khiri Travel Myanmar Culinary | Cooking classes, food tastings and discovering the flavours of tribal food in Kachin, Wa, Shan and Rakhine. The first episode of Myanmar Masterchef was a huge success and has led to an increased awareness in Myanmar food.
Singaporeby Pamela Chow Daniel Tan
Founder, Let’s Go Tour Singapore Adventure | Sentosa’s upcoming developments will be interesting. We have been having discussions with the companies operating some attractions there, as we’ve realised that tourists who choose bicycle tours usually also want to try something different. We might have synergy and are looking into cross-promoting.
Jane Goh
Xperience director, Xperience Singapore Events & Travel Nature | 2019 will see the opening of Floral Fantasy at Gardens by the Bay, which will have four themed garden landscapes, plus a 4D multi-sensorial ride. It should be interesting to see another part of the gardens transformed. In the National Orchid Garden, the Tan Hoon Siang Mist House, Yuen Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection enclosure and the Cool House will be reopened in 2019 after major redevelopments. This will enhance the visitor experience to the Botanic Gardens.
Fadz Abdhan
General manager for Singapore and Malaysia, Lotus Asia Tours Culinary | With World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards coming to Singapore, we won’t just look at bringing guests to these restaurants. We can take famous chefs out of their restaurants and bring them closer to our guests in any location of their choice – be it Gardens by the Bay or the Singapore Flyer – and have a cooking class or multi-course meal.
Canoeing on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Thailandby Xinyi Liang-Pholsena Matt Blench
Adventure director, Exo Travel Adventure | One of the recent trends we have been seeing is a growing demand for family adventures in Thailand, especially in Mae Wang district, central Chiang Mai. Whether it’s deep in nature such as cooking a delicious meal in the jungle, or cultural interactions in homestays, there is a wide variety of activities suitable for any family.
Christian Sutton
Director of product & contracting, Diethelm Travel Thailand Nature | Khao Sok National Park is without doubt one of the most stunning parts of Thailand. Our full day excursion is full of community interaction, and is an intimate affair for just six visitors twice-daily. During the tour, we meet Somboon the elephant, who was rescued from a nearby camp. Guests feed and bathe him, and also learn about the job of mahout.
For the second half of the day, guests cross a picturesque bridge and visit a small village. Here they meet a local community and are given a tour of the fruit orchards before settling down to eat a tasty southern Thai lunch. The excursion can be booked from Khao Lak, or added to a tailor-made overnight itinerary which includes trekking, kayaking and also a night on a floating bungalow on beautiful Cheow Lan Lake.
Soontarut Wattanahongsiri
Founder, Blackrice Travel Culinary | I think the farm-to-table concept will be the new culinary programme for 2019, as people wish to learn more about the whole supply chain. This includes learning about the origin of food from the source of the ingredients, engaging in local culture including eating and learning about local traditions, and the cooking process.
Terraced rice fields in Muong Hoa Valley in Sapa, Vietnam
Vietnamby Marissa Carruthers Tanya Trang
Marketing manager, Luxury Travel Vietnam Adventure | Cruising is a key attraction. The discovery of the Halong Bay region, which extends up to Bai Tu Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago by Emperor Cruises delivers a sophisticated yet stylish adventure.
Ken Lau
CEO, Adventoro Nature | The Muong Hoa Valley – Sapa Rice Terraces Adventure tour is a great way to explore Sapa’s natural beauty, taking in rice terraces, the valleys of Muong Hoa and meeting local tribes.
Sandor Leinwand recte Rein
General manager, Exo Travel Vietnam Culinary | Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) now boasts an impressive line-up of local, craft beer specialists. The craft beer culture is thriving, giving the Exo food discovery tours a nice extra twist.
Philippinesby Rosa Ocampo Gia Fortun
Marketing director, Fiesta Tours and Travel Adventure | Masungi Georeserve in Rizal is popular among millennials due to its panoramic views and easy access from Manila.
Millennials are also into mountain climbing on Mounts Macolod and Pulag, as well as surfing in Siargao, La Union and Zambales. Adventure travel also encompasses the Visayas and Palawan.
Jordan Mamaril
Tours and PR manager, Regent Travel Philippines Nature | Ecotourism is the next big thing as travellers look for new destinations, and the government gets serious about developing sustainable and responsible tourism. We’re looking at Quirino Province in the north. It’s raw, with vast natural offerings like nature parks, caves, mountains and rapids. The local government is also keen on promoting it for nature tourism.
Other destinations to look out for are the untapped nature resort of Dakak in Dapitan; Isla de Gigantes, a pristine island in Iloilo; as well as Dumaguete which is the jumping-off point to several destinations in Negros and Siquijor.
JP Cabalza
Inbound manager, Corporate International Travel and Tours Culinary | Quality restaurants – from the private dining halls of Bale Dutung and Denlim’s Kitchen to the carinderia-style Mila’s eatery – sprouting in Pampanga lend credence to the province’s sobriquet as the Philippines’ culinary capital.
Pampanga has also crafted exotic dishes including sisig or sizzling pork cheeks, ears and brain served with liver sauce; crab fat; fermented rice with fish or shrimp paste; and deep fried farm-raised frogs. And we haven’t included to-die-for desserts in the list.
To satisfy the increasing demand, we offer standalone culinary tours or, for tourists to Bataan or Subic, we combine it with a meal in one of Pampanga’s restaurants.
