Travel commerce platform Travelport has appointed Ming Foong as regional managing director of Asia.
In his new role, Ming takes responsibility for managing and growing Travelport’s business in Asia (excluding Japan and India), providing leadership to the teams and partners in the region. He will continue to be based in Hong Kong and report to Mark Meehan, managing director of Travelport’s newly formed Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region.
Having joined Travelport in 2012, his most recent role was managing director for the greater China region and online business group Asia-Pacific.
Roemer will helm Diethelm from Bangkok starting next week
Diethelm Travel Group has acquired leading Thailand-based DMC, Travel Center Asia (TCA), to strengthen its in-destination operations and regional DMC ambitions.
The new acquisition, which follows Diethelm’s earlier consolidation with Tourasia in 2017, will see the merger of the two companies to continue operations under the Diethelm Travel branding as of November 1, 2018.
Roemer: Travel Center Asia acquisition a complement to Diethelm’s existing Thailand operations
Diethelm expects to “secure even more access to key European markets, in which TCA is a specialist”, the company said in a statement.
In particular, TCA’s strengths in customised high-end tours and services as well as unique special interest products, such as exclusive cycling tours and large group incentive experiences, will align well with Diethelm Travel Group’s emphasis on highly unique and tailor-made programmes.
“TCA has long been a prominent DMC, particularly for Thailand travel,” said Stephan Roemer, CEO of Diethelm Travel Group. “Combining the brand’s excellent relationships within Thailand as well as their key accounts in various European markets and Canada, this new acquisition is an excellent complement to Diethelm Travel’s existing Thailand operations, and further highlights our ambitions to continue strengthening our position as a leading regional DMC partner in Asia.”
TCA’s owner, Thomas Maurer, will stay on during the transition as the current TCA team continues routine operations under the Diethelm Travel brand. All key members of TCA will move to become part of the new team ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the highest servicing standards for all tour operator partners and their guests.
“I’m confident that the acquisition is a smart move for both entities as each is committed to providing unparalleled on-the-ground service, excellent rates and unique Asia travel products throughout the region,” said Maurer. “I look forward to seeing how the two companies come together and continue to grow.”
Meanwhile, Diethelm Travel’s Bangkok headquarters will move to upgraded offices on Silom Road. The company expects to complete its relocation and continue operations as usual from December 1, 2018.
Travellers participating in yoga classes in Kathmandu
The Himalayan nation of Nepal, home to eight of the 10 tallest mountains in the world, has its sights set on attracting two million visitors through its Visit Nepal 2020 campaign.
Running under the slogan, Lifetime Experiences, the campaign also aims to highlight Nepal’s diverse offerings away from trekking.
Nepal wants to push its other draws like wellness activities; travellers participating in yoga classes in Kathmandu pictured
Sudhan Subedi, senior officer for public relations and publicity at Nepal Tourism Board, said: “We have one prime product that is pushed again and again. We have so much more than that. We want people to realise Nepal’s potential and show it’s more than mountains.”
He added a budget will be allocated to the campaign, with funding coming from the government and Nepal Tourism Board.
The initiative will see a series of new destinations promoted, aggressive marketing campaigns rolled out and a swathe of incentives introduced to attract new and repeat visitors.
As part of the campaign, tour operators will be offering reduced rates, complimentary add-ons and other incentives to attract more visitors to the country.
The campaign will target China and India, as well as neighbouring countries. In South-east Asia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will be the focus, while the main longhaul markets of the US and UK will be a priority.
In 2017, Nepal welcomed nearly one million international visitors, with 2018 predicted to attract up to 1.2 million. Subedi acknowledges that hitting the two million target by 2020 will be a challenge, but remains confident as more industry efforts go underway to draw visitors.
National carrier Nepal Airlines is currently in talks to operate direct flights to Japan and South Korea next year, with hopes high that a non-stop connection to Europe – most likely London – will follow.
Colleen Renner, travel consultant at Playful Spirits Travel US, plans on building golf and wellness itineraries in Nepal for her clients. She said: “People don’t traditionally associate Nepal with golfing or wellness, but it has great offerings… and that is what we are looking for, places people don’t think of.”
While Stratis Voursoukis, group director of sales and marketing at Argo Travel in Greece, said the lack of direct flights from Europe to Nepal was a setback, he sees growing interest in Nepal and said that the destination’s nature and adventure travel make it ideal for unique incentive trips.
Al Dhaheri: taking on the competition with focus on specialised treatments like open heart surgeries
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT) is stepping up efforts to position itself as a destination for medical tourism, posing potential competition to South-east Asian countries looking to tap key markets like China.
DCT recently signed an agreement with the Medical Tourism Association, which has now opened a regional office in Abu Dhabi.
Al Dhaheri: taking on the competition with focus on specialised treatments like open heart surgeries
Apart from working closely with medical tourism tour operators, DCT will from October embark on a series of roadshows in markets like GCC, Russia and China.
The department is also working on creating medical tourism packages. “Medical tourists purchasing packages to Abu Dhabi will be offered discounts on attractions. This way, we are encouraging medical tourists to travel with their families,” said DCT executive director, Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, on the sidelines of the recent annual convention of Travel Agents Association of India in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, DCT plans to organise a fam trip for Chinese tour operators dealing in medical tourism.
Biju Andrews, manager-tours, Airtravel Enterprises & Tourism, observed: “Abu Dhabi’s promotion of its medical tourism offerings will pose competition to South-east Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia, which are working towards attracting international medical tourists.”
For Al Dhaheri, what will help Abu Dhabi “take on competition” are a focus on specialised treatments like open heart surgeries, world-class medical facilities such as Cleveland Clinic, and the tour component.
Travel industry observers also single out Abu Dhabi’s “state-of-the-art medical facilities”, combined with new hotels and attractions, as key draws that will help the destination tap markets such as China.
“There are medical tourists even from South-east Asian countries like Indonesia already visiting Abu Dhabi for medical procedures,” Andrews said.
Added Hamzah, Rahmat, executive director, Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations: “Medical tourists from South-east Asian countries are going beyond the region to places like South Korea as well. So there are enough opportunities for Abu Dhabi to attract medical tourists from across the globe and compete with South-east Asian destinations.”
Manhattan, Singapore earlier this week clinched third place at the World's Best Bars award event in London
The company behind widely recognised rankings such as Asia’s 50 Best Bars has entered into a three-year (2019-2021), “multi-faceted” deal with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) that will see the two organisations anchor a series of 50 Best awards and events in Singapore.
Commenting on William Reed Business Media’s (WRBM) first multi-year agreement with a NTO, Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director of 50 Best, said: “We know and appreciate Singapore’s commitment to hosting great events, welcoming people from around the world and investing in its own F&B sector, and recognise the appetite to attend our events from the Singaporean public.”
Manhattan, Singapore earlier this week clinched third place at the World’s 50 Best Bars award event in London
Under the agreement, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards will make its Singapore debut in 2019, marking the first time the awards platform will be held in Asia. Previous editions were held in Bilbao, Melbourne and New York.
The World’s 50 Best Bars awards will arrive in 2021, making Singapore the first city, apart from its original home of London, to be confirmed as host of this award.
Singapore will continue to welcome Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2019 and 2020, following the inaugural edition held earlier in 2018.
In a statement, STB outlined the benefits the partnership will bring.
STB says it will “drive healthy competition” among local F&B players who will then “vie for an opportunity to be on the awards platform”. In the longer term, STB says the partnership will help “raise the bar of excellence for the whole industry” and enhance Singapore’s reputation as a gastro-city.
Melissa Ow, acting chief executive, STB, commented: “Underscoring this partnership are the benefits that local enterprises can expect to gain – from the creation of business opportunities, to profiling of our local culinary and bartending talents and brands on an international stage, and importantly, the global exposure Singapore’s dining and cocktail scene will get.”
STB added that opportunities for grooming the next generation of local chefs is a priority. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 will see 50 Best and STB collaborate on an interactive culinary student programme, where top chefs from around the globe will impart their knowledge and skills to aspiring students.
The partnership will also bring the 50 Best branded events closer to consumers, with STB stating it “made concerted efforts to ensure (complementary consumer experiences) are included in the programming of each 50 Best event”.
At The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, collaboration dinners by top international and local chefs will be curated for locals and visitors to attend. The #50BestTalks in 2020 will also be open to the public, who can learn about the latest trends in gastronomy, partake in discussions on topical issues around food, as well as attend masterclasses by some of the world’s greatest chefs.
In addition, the Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards will collaborate with the annual Singapore Cocktail Festival to feature 50 Best branded activations for both locals and visitors to experience.
Ow added: “Ensuring consumers can take part in the series of 50 Best events is key to increasing engagement levels with locals and visitors. With the 50 Best brand being globally recognised and with their significant international following, they are an ideal partner for STB to shape and create unique events with. This is in line with our pursuit of curating a vibrant annual events calendar of differentiated events to grow tourism.”
Visitors entering Singapore at Changi Airport Terminal 1 do not need to fill out paper cards should they pre-register
Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is trialling an electronic arrival card for foreign visitors to the country, a system that will eventually replace the paper-based disembarkation/embarkation card.
The trial will be conducted for three months from October 4, 2018 at most of the country’s air, land and sea checkpoints. The checkpoints are Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, Changi Airport, and the four cruise/ferry terminals – Singapore Cruise Centre, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Changi Point Ferry Terminal and Changi Ferry Terminal.
Visitors entering Singapore at Changi Airport Terminal 1 do not need to fill out paper cards should they pre-register
Travellers can submit their personal information and trip details through the ICA website or via a mobile application before arriving in Singapore. With this done, they will only need to produce their passports for immigration clearance upon arrival.
In the trial phase, it is not mandatory for foreign visitors who arrive at these checkpoints to have completed the paper-based card beforehand. ICA said in a statement that those that have not may be approached by ICA officers to participate in the trial, and to provide feedback.
Foreign visitors travelling with their families or in small groups will have the option of making a one-time group submission. Trip information such as flight details, last port of embarkation, expected date of arrival and departure, as well as address in Singapore will be automatically replicated for all persons in the group.
The mobile application will also allow travellers to save the information submitted from previous trips for use for their next trip to Singapore.
The trial will not affect Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders (e.g. students and workers) who are returning to Singapore, groups currently not required to produce a disembarkation/embarkation card when entering the country.
The electronic arrival card is a significant step towards ICA’s vision of paperless immigration clearance, and could save up to 48 million paper-based disembarkation/embarkation cards a year. More details of the implementation of the electronic arrival card will be announced at a later date, after completion of the trial.
Sabre has rolled out its Digital Airline Commercial Platform (DACP) with Aeroflot, Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways on board as launch partners.
Announced earlier this year, the platform was designed to deliver end-to-end personalised retailing and help airlines retail, distribute and fulfil across all customer touchpoints.
Sabre launches retailing mobile platform with three airlines
DACP is said to be the industry’s only platform to enable complete digital transformation through intelligent retailing solutions including dynamic pricing capabilities, a flexible and open API hub, a shopping engine and a mobile-first, consumer-grade workspace for airport agents.
Russia’s Aeroflot and Ethiopian Airlines are the launch partners for Sabre’s Digital Workspace, which will enable airport agents to deliver a more seamless and personalised airport experience to customers via mobile devices. This solution is a complete redesign of Sabre’s Interact Interface.
Announced last month, Etihad is a launch partner for Dynamic Availability, the platform’s pricing optimisation technology.
Dave Shirk, Sabre president of travel solutions, said the DACP “will transform the way airlines do business moving forward” in today’s dynamic environment. “The platform gives airlines a competitive edge to differentiate themselves while further enhancing the travel experience with industry-first retailing capabilities,” he commented.
Tribute Portfolio Homes feature full kitchens, some similar to this chef’s kitchen in a bright and airy flat in London
Hailing its homesharing pilot in London a success, Marriott International is now expanding Tribute Portfolio Homes to Paris, Rome and Lisbon.
This follows on the heels of a five-month pilot initiated earlier this year in collaboration with Hostmaker, a London-based home rental sharing management company.
Tribute Portfolio Homes feature full kitchens, some similar to this chef’s kitchen in a bright and airy flat in London
Now, travellers can choose from more than 340 properties across four European markets with the ability to earn and redeem points across Marriott’s loyalty platform.
To roll out Tribute Portfolio Homes to Paris, Rome and Lisbon, Marriott extended its collaboration with Hostmaker, which currently operates in these European cities, to identify and curate a portfolio of homes that complements the quality, aesthetic and service values of Marriott.
According to a Marriott statement, homes are chosen based on their overall design, functionality and location. Marriott added that the chosen properties must also have met quality, safety and security standards.
Selected properties feature at least one bedroom, full kitchens and in-unit laundry. Guests also have access to 24/7 support as well as an in-person welcome/check-in experience through Hostmaker.
Dream Hotel Group has named Kitmun Fung as vice president of Development, Asia-Pacific, following the company’s recent appointment of Sunny Li for a similar role for China and North Asia.
Based in Singapore, Fung will oversee the development of new projects and source for new deals in the Asia-Pacific region for the hotel group and its portfolio of lifestyle brands.
Fung has a background in business strategy, finance, and mergers and acquisitions with nearly 10 years working in financial services, and another decade of hospitality experience.
She most recently served as director of development (Greater China) at Hilton. Fung has also worked with Raffles International, as well as companies such as Intraco, Daimler-Benz and Merrill Lynch International Bank.
Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
The city-state’s first Kempinski hotel stands in the downtown Civic and Cultural District, offering 157 guestrooms and suites spanning almost 50 unique configurations. In all eight room categories however, guests can expect regular mod-cons such as a Sonos audio system, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and a generous work desk area. For suite guests, a stay includes complimentary daily breakfast.
For meetings and events, the property offers event spaces ranging from the Private Room, good for 12 guests, to the Salon, which can hold 220 pax theatre-style. Other facilities include a spa, gym and saltwater pool. Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore will also have several F&B offerings in the months to come, anchored by its signature restaurant that has been conceptualised by a three-Michelin-star chef.
Pullman Tokyo, Japan
The first Pullman to open in Japan stands in Tamachi, an up-and-coming business district. The property offers 143 rooms including suites across six categories. Room sizes start from 29m2, and go up to the 81m2 Pullman Suite. All spaces come furnished with mod cons such as a Pullman bed from Takumi Otsuka, LCD TV, blackout shades, complimentary Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee machine and Bose wireless speaker.
For functions, Pullman Tokyo offers four banquet rooms all located on the ninth floor, the largest of which can take up to 64 pax banquet-style. There’s also a meeting room on the second floor that can take 15 pax in boardroom configuration. Other facilities include the Platform 9 rooftop bar, all-day dining restaurant Kasa and fitness centre.
Novotel and ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 4, Thailand
The second dual-hotel brand concept in Bangkok has opened in the heart of Sukhumvit, within the Thai capital’s CBD. Guests staying at either of the two hotels can avail amenities such as the all-day diner Food Exchange, RedSquare Rooftop Bar on level 24, fitness centre and swimming pool.
Featuring modern Thai interiors, Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 boasts 185 Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms that overlook the city skyline. Guestrooms feature a 49-inch Smart TV, a connectivity panel, minibar, safety deposit box, and work desk.
The newly-built 133-room ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 features double and twin bedding, where each guestroom comes furnished with a 42-inch TV, a minifridge, and tea and coffee making facilities.
Oakwood Apartments Yangzhou, China
The first international serviced apartment brand to open in Yizheng, Yangzhou offers 144 keys. The 17-storey building’s apartments range from studios to three-bedrooms, and includes fully-equipped kitchens, household appliances and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests will be able to enjoy a host of facilities such as a fitness centre, resident’s lounge, an F&B outlet, meeting rooms and bilingual concierge support.
