Al Meroz Hotel, a halal hotel in Bangkok, is offering the 7D6N Martial Arts Package.
The package includes six-night accommodation on deluxe room inclusive of buffet breakfast; five days of Thai boxing lessons with twice-daily training; round-trip airport transfers and shuttle services to Thai boxing classes at LKT Muay Thai Gym; five meals of international buffet lunch at the hotel; and six meals of international buffet dinner at the hotel.
If a Thai boxing holiday up your alley, look no further
Other inclusions in the offer are a welcome drink; Wi-Fi in room and public areas; coffee and tea in room; late check-out till 16.00; and a 20 per cent discount on F&B at all the hotel’s outlets.
Guests can also use hotel facilities such as the swimming pool and public prayer room.
Valid until December 31, the package is priced at 31,900 baht net (US$983; single occupancy) and 41,900 baht (twin-sharing).
PHIST 2018 saw over 550 tourism professionals from around Asia head to the JW Marriott Mai Khao in Phuket, debate the key issues regarding island sustainability and agree to #fight4phuket
At the inaugural Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 (PHIST), hotels and tourism groups pledged to establish a model for the sustainable development of Asian islands, with the focus currently on plastic usage and its purported detriments.
The pledge commits stakeholders to reducing, reusing and recycling single-use plastic in Phuket, with the goal of eventually eradicating them in all hotels, as well as to undertaking a youth community education programme to raise grassroots awareness of the problems surrounding plastic usage.
PHIST 2018
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PHIST 2018 saw over 550 tourism professionals from around Asia head to the JW Marriott Mai Khao in Phuket, debate the key issues regarding island sustainability and agree to #fight4phuket
Deputy governor of Phuket Khun Prakob Wongmaneerung
C9 Hotelworks' Bill Barnett
From left: Phuket Hotels Association's Anthony Lark, and Greenview's Eric Ricuarte
From left: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas' Bernhard Bohnenberger; Thai Hotels Association's and Sukosol Hotels' Sukosol Nunbhakdi; Central Pattana's Wilaiporn Pitimanaaree; and Phuket Hotels Association's Anthony Lark
The PHIST tattoo
PHIST gathered over 550 delegates from countries including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong at the JW Marriott Mai Khao in Phuket to debate key issues.
At the Green Groove area, regional suppliers headlined an exhibition of Asia’s cutting-edge producers and inventors of sustainable products for the hospitality and tourism industries.
“We need to fight for Phuket. It is as simple as that. And we can’t do it alone. We need to do it together,” said Phuket Hotel Association president and managing director of Trisara, Anthony Lark.
“We have worked to build an inclusive coalition of public and private sector tourism groups who understand the critical need to act and think long term. We hope the Phuket Pledge will be a start and ultimately become a model for us and other islands regionally to come together for the sake of sustainable island tourism in Asia,” he added.
PHIST was opened by the deputy governor of Phuket, Prakob Wongmaneerung, and featured experts in their respective fields, focusing on marine and coastal tourism, sustainability, youth education and community tourism.
The event was co-organised by Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks led by managing director Bill Barnett and Greenview CEO Eric Ricaurte, with support from tourism bodies including the Ministry of Sports and Tourism.
Wharf Hotels has appointed Stephen Antram as general manager of Marco Polo Shenzhen.
Prior to this appointment, Antram was the general manager of Intercontinental Beijing Beichen.
The experienced hotelier has over 40 years of knowledge in the hospitality industry, with over 25 years in Asia. He possesses a track record in operations management, business development and talent development across Europe and Asia with international luxury hotel companies.
Shane Christopher Ingram has been appointed as hotel manager for Hilton Garden Inn Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman North and Hilton Garden Inn Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman South.
Ingram most recently served as director of operations at Hilton Colombo Sri Lanka, where he began his hospitality career with, working in various departments such as housekeeping, the executive floor and the front office.
The 28-year hospitality veteran went on to hold various positions in Hilton, locally and internationally, such as a revenue manager in Hilton Colombo Sri Lanka, and later in Hilton Petaling Jaya as the director of business development and director of operations.
Wind shelter on the summit of Mt Wellington in Hobart city, Tasmania
With destination awareness maturing in Asian travel markets, Tourism Tasmania is looking to highlight winter experiences to the region’s travellers to grow low-season holiday demand.
Tourism Tasmania recently completed the Malaysia and Hong Kong legs of its Asian Tourism Mission, which is also taking the tourism promotion body to other markets including Singapore.
Wind shelter on the summit of Mt Wellington in Hobart city, Tasmania
Travel from Asia to Tasmania doubled in the last four years, surging from only 150,000 to 300,000 for this year.
Malaysia is among the top seven international arrival markets for Tasmania, after Asian markets such as China, Hong Kong and Singapore. From Malaysia, Tasmania has seen a 68 per cent year-on-year increase in total visitor nights to 364,000 nights for the year ending March 2018.
Meanwhile, the destination recorded 26,000 visitor arrivals from Hong Kong, up 25 per cent year-on-year.
Tourism Tasmania CEO John Fitzgerald told TTG Asia on the sidelines of the mission in Hong Kong last week: “The Hong Kong market has matured and so has its understanding of Tasmania. However, we want to work with market… to develop ways to entice people to travel in Tasmania’s snowy winter months. We need to determine how we can offer not just a totally different experience but also a contrasting seasonal one, attracting more travellers in low season.”
Playing up the destination’s winter appeal, Fitzgerald pointed out that Tasmania’s “pricing is more competitive than summer while at the same time, seafood and produce are at its best”.
Attractions include easy accessibility to wildlife, self-drive tours and gastronomy. Soft adventure attractions such as glamping is also on the rise, Fitzgerald shared.
Most of the 15 Tasmanian exhibitors involved in this mission, already successful in the summer months, are looking to supplement the success with better low season business.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate, already known for its flower season lasting two months in the summer, has created all-year-round tour experiences such as soap making classes, tea tasting, cooking and craft demonstrations.
Another seller, Shannon Wells, managing director of Par Avion Airlines of Tasmania, said the company was promoting a product launched this month – scenic flights over Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay, targeted at the Asian markets. The three-hour programme flies over the east coast and includes an exploration of the Maria Island National Park.
In Hong Kong, Alex Lee, general manager of Miramar Travel, acknowledged that “Tasmania’s winter is attractive and outside of the water sports, there are authentic activities like star gazing, fishing and outdoor BBQ”, in addition to being about 20 per cent cheaper on land compared to the summer season.
However, he pointed out: “The down side is the lack of direct access, and transit flights mean more cost for airfares.”
Still, new domestic flights from Adelaide (launched April 2018) and Perth (launched in September 2018) are boosting air capacity and providing access to Tasmania for international travellers.
Moreover, Hobart International Airport’s runway extension completed this April, allowing it to service widebody jets. The international terminal is scheduled for completion by December 2019, revealed Fitzgerald.
In Malaysia, Fitzgerald also shared that Tourism Tasmania is working to attract direct flights from South-east Asia, and is expected to be “a game changer” for the destination when that happens.
In terms of hospitality infrastructure, the Australian island will see at least 1,200 additional hotel beds in the next 18 months. International brands investing in the area include Marriott (165 rooms), Crowne Plaza (295 rooms) and Hyatt Centric (206 rooms).
Hong Kong now linked to China's high speed rail network
Following years of delay and cost overruns, the 26km rail link connecting Hong Kong to mainland China’s high-speed rail network was finally launched on Sunday.
With the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) now complete, travellers will be able to ride from Hong Kong to 44 destinations in mainland China destinations without changing trains, making the city an ideal starting point for multi-destination journeys through China.
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Hong Kong now linked to China's high speed rail network
Inside West Kowloon Station
Outdoor space at West Kowloon Station
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort launched a new guest service centre at the arrival hall of West Kowloon Station
HKDL wants to ride on the enhanced connectivity from China to strengthen promotions to mainland Chinese visitors
In particular, the new rail link puts Hong Kong in easier reach of nine neighbouring cities in Guangdong province and heralds a major boost to tourism in the Greater Bay Area. With frequent direct high-speed trains linking Hong Kong to Shenzhen and Guangzhou in as little as 48 minutes, travelling within the Greater Bay Area will be faster and more convenient than before.
The Hong Kong section of the High Speed Rail network runs from West Kowloon Station. Visitors can enjoy views of iconic Victoria Harbour by walking along the Sky Corridor on the station’s rooftop.
The tourism hub of Tsim Sha Tsui ls is a short walk away from the station, which is also connected by public transport to neighbourhoods including Sham Shui Po in Kowloon, or Old Town Central on Hong Kong Island.
Directly outside the station is Hong Kong’s new arts and cultural hub, the West Kowloon Cultural District. The hub will soon offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.
Capitalising on the increased connectivity from mainland cities, the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) opened a guest service centre at West Kowloon Station on the same day XRL commenced service.
Named the Magic Gateway, the disney centre will provide in-town check-in, baggage transfer and free shuttle bus service for guests with a reservation at any of the three Hong Kong Disneyland themed hotels.
Magic Gateway will also provide information on HKDL offers, and electronic park ticket purchase service.
Commented Samuel Lau, managing director of HKDL: “Last year, about 30 per cent of guests at the park came from the mainland. As the opening of the XRL Hong Kong section introduces more flexible and convenient transportation options, we are capturing the opportunity by strengthening the promotion of HKDL’s experiences and products to attract more guests from mainland China, especially from the cities along the national high-speed rail network such as Changsha, Wuhan and Fuzhou.”
Grab says the Uber app will continue to operate for two weeks, while Uber Eats will run until the end of May
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has issued fines and pro-competition directions to Grab and Uber, having found that their March merger has “led to a substantial lessening of competition in the provision of ride-hailing platform services in Singapore”.
After launching an investigation on March 30, and considering feedback from industry players, stakeholders and the public, CCCS found that the merger infringed section 54 of the Competition Act, and that “it will be difficult for potential new entrants to attain a sufficient network” and compete effectively against Grab without intervention.
Grab says the Uber app will continue to operate for two weeks, while Uber Eats will run until the end of May
In a statement, CCCS said it has received “numerous complaints” from riders and drivers on the increase in fares and commissions by Grab post-merger, such as via a decrease in amount and frequency of driver promotions and incentives. Grab also reduced the number of points earned by riders per dollar spent as part of its rewards scheme, and increase the points required for redemptions.
Overall, CCCS found that effective fares have increased between 10 and 15 per cent.
Moreover, Grab has imposed exclusivity obligations on taxi companies, car rental partners and some of its drivers, which have made it difficult for potential competitors to scale and expand in the market. According to CCCS, Grab now holds about 80 per cent market share.
To level the playing field for new players, CCCS has issued directions, including for Grab to remove exclusivity arrangements with drivers and taxi fleets, as well as to maintain its pre-merger pricing algorithm and driver commission.
The watchdog has also slapped financial penalties – around S$6.5 million (US$4.8 million) each on Grab and Uber – taking into account “the relevant turnovers of the parties, the nature, duration and seriousness of the infringement, aggravating and mitigating factors (such as whether the parties were cooperative)”.
CCCS said Grab and Uber were informed of potential penalties that come with anti-competitive mergers, and had the option to notify the transaction for clearance prior to completing the deal. The two however proceeded with the transaction and began the transfer of assets immediately, “thus rendering it practically impossible to restore the pre-transaction status quo”.
From left: Sahid Hotels & Resorts' Yanti Sukamdani and Hariyadi Sukamdani; Royal Palace's Sadhullokhon Mavlyludov; and Uzbekistan's ambassador to Indonesia Ulugbek Rozukulov
Indonesia-based Sahid Hotels & Resorts is set to foray outside the country with an Uzbekistan property opening mid-2019.
Under the Operational Management Agreement signed in Jakarta on September 19, Sahid Hotels & Resorts will manage a three-star hotel owned by Royal Palace in Samarkand, one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan.
From left: Sahid Hotels & Resorts’ Yanti Sukamdani and Hariyadi Sukamdani; Royal Palace’s Sadhullokhon Mavlyludov; and Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Indonesia Ulugbek Rozukulov
The 65-room Sahid Royal Palace Samarkand will be the company’s launch property. There are also plans for further expansion in the city, including a 200-room hotel in the memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari.
Vivi Herlambang, director of business development, sales & marketing of Sahid Hotel & Resorts, shared that Sahid Royal Palace Samarkand will target travellers from China, Europe, Japan, and countries around Central Asia.
Hariyadi Sukamdani, president director Sahid Hotel & Resorts, said that as a country that has just opened up after being separated from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has seen extraordinary development.
He remarked: “The government is committed to developing the country and strongly encourages tourism to advance and become the main sector. After doing research, we see the big and untapped potential of Uzbekistan. The population is also big, so we want to invest there.”
In addition, Uzbekistan would make an interesting destination for Indonesian Umrah pilgrims as it is home to many relics of Muslim civilisation, such as the memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari.
Hariyadi added: “Usually the Umrah package goes to Turkey or Jordan, now it can be offered to Uzbekistan as well.”
Ulugbek Rozukulov, ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Indonesia, said that the presence of the Sahid Hotel & Resorts in Uzbekistan represents potential to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
“Currently there are no direct flights from Indonesia to Uzbekistan, but flights can be made through Kuala Lumpur,” Ulugbek said.
In addition, there are now direct flights from Jeddah to Uzbekistan.
Not only is Uzbekistan interested to bring the Sahid Hotel & Resorts brands into the country, it is also keen in developing human resources.
Vivi explained: “We have the Sahid University with (high) standards of education, especially in tourism. They realised that skilled human resources are the key to the future of Uzbekistan tourism so we are collaborating to educate the young generation here.”
A single-visa scheme for five Chiang cities across Thailand, Myanmar, China and Laos is in the works.
The five cities comprise Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Chiang Tun in Myanmar’s Shan State, Chiang Rung in China’s Jinhong (Yunnan) and Chiang Thong in Laos’ Luang Prabang.
Ho Kham Luang in Chiang Mai
According to a Bangkok Post article, the policy was initiated “a while back” by the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, along with private and public sector players, to leverage the strength of Thailand’s two Chiang hubs to promote Thai tourism.
The scheme is expected to help the two cities in Thailand benefit from the flow of tourists from China, South Korea, Japan and France, the report said, quoting president of the Association of Northern Tourism Federations, Kitti Tissakul.
Kitti was also quoted as saying that the scheme could be treated as a pilot of one-stop services and a single-visa policy while the ASEAN bloc sets sights on a scheme for the region.
The robots will have semantic map, autonomous navigation system and facial recognition capabilities
Come October, Alibaba AI Labs will introduce a robot designed specifically for the hospitality sector.
“Alibaba AI Labs’ robot is the next step in the evolution towards smart hotels,” said Chen Lijuan, general manager of Alibaba AI Labs, adding that the development will help “bridge the gap between guest needs and the response time they expect”.
The robots will have semantic map, autonomous navigation system and facial recognition capabilities
From its deployment in October, the new robot will be able to deliver food or laundry to guests, offering a glimpse into the future of hotel service. Guests can talk to the robot, using voice commands, touch and hand gestures. Its answers are powered by AliGenie, the software behind the Tmall Genie smart speaker made by Alibaba AI Labs.
The robot, slightly under one metre in height, moves at a speed of up to one metre per second. It is cased in aluminium and features multi-sense data functionality, along with parallel computing, for fast responses.
Onboard are a semantic map, autonomous navigation system to identify and dodge obstacles, a communications system to control elevators and facial-recognition technology for ID verification.
The global market for service robots is on the rise. Citing the International Federation of Robotics, Alibaba says there the market is growing between 20 and 25 per cent from 2018 and 2020, with sales during that period totalling around US$27 billion for the professional service segment.
After trialling the service robot at hotels, AI Labs will determine whether it’s suitable for use in hospitals, restaurants and offices.
