A group of 44 Thai OTAs and attractions have banded together to set up the Online Tourism Club (Thailand) to beat back online competitors in China that are undercutting prices to attract customers.

According to the club’s president, Nipon Boonmasuwaran, some Chinese OTAs were reselling tourism products in Thailand at prices 15 per cent below costs, which significantly affected Thai OTAs’ competitiveness and price structures.

TAT’s Yuthasak Supasorn and Srisuda with Online Tourism Club’s (Thailand) Nipon (upper row, centre three) and members

Chinese OTAs were undercharging prices to increase their bargaining power and building customer databases, with some even manipulating financial statements to the stock markets, he said.

“Setting aside the zero-dollar tour problem, we think this issue will have impacts on Thai tourism in the future,” Nipon said, who led the club’s members to meet with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) representatives yesterday to discuss solutions.

Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT deputy governor for international marketing, said the NTO was keen to solve the problem for the sustainable growth of tourism in Thailand.

Late last year, the Thai government had introduced measures to ban zero-fee tours that affected the Chinese group tour market to Thailand. The emergence of price undercutting now hits the Chinese FIT market.

The number of FITs from China to Thailand accounts for 60-70 per cent of total Chinese arrivals (8.7 million visitors in 2016) to the country. It is also a market segment that both Chinese and Thai OTAs are targeting as more Chinese travellers seek out travel and hotel bookings via online channels.

To address this issue, Srisuda said TAT and local OTAs are planning roadshows in China’s three main cities, namely Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, to meet with their Chinese counterparts and convince the latter to abolish undercutting policies.

An MoU will also be proposed to five major Chinese OTAs, she revealed.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has served a notice to revoke the travel agent licence of MISA Travel for “(ceasing) to carry on the business of a travel agent and being unable to fulfil its obligations towards customers”.In a statement, STB advised affected consumers to contact MISA Travel regarding the status of their booking or seek a refund. In the event that the agency cannot be reached or fails to provide the relevant service or refund, consumers with applicable travel insurance should approach their insurance providers.

Those not covered by travel insurance can approach the Consumers Association of Singapore or the Small Claims Tribunal, STB said.

STB also stressed that consumers should take precautionary measures such as purchasing travel insurance that covers unforeseen events such as travel agent insolvency and making instalment payments.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has served a notice to revoke the travel agent licence of MISA Travel for “(ceasing) to carry on the business of a travel agent and being unable to fulfil its obligations towards customers”.In a statement, STB advised affected consumers to contact MISA Travel regarding the status of their booking or seek a refund. In the event that the agency cannot be reached or fails to provide the relevant service or refund, consumers with applicable travel insurance should approach their insurance providers.

Those not covered by travel insurance can approach the Consumers Association of Singapore or the Small Claims Tribunal, STB said.

STB also stressed that consumers should take precautionary measures such as purchasing travel insurance that covers unforeseen events such as travel agent insolvency and making instalment payments.

Hotelbeds Group has announced its intention to step up commitment to China, now its fastest-growing source market and fifth biggest globally, up from 22nd place just five years ago.

Speaking at the recent MarketHub Asia event in Bangkok, global sales director at Hotelbeds Group, Sam Turner, commented: “China is our fastest growing source market and a top priority for growth over the next few years – the potential is huge, by many measures the Chinese are already the number one traveller globally and yet only six per cent of them hold a passport.”

Besides sourcing and contracting accommodation, Hotelbeds has also recognised the need localise payment solutions through social media platforms like WeChat to match the rising demand and sophistication of Chinese travellers, Turner observed.

The global bedbank has also rolled out technology solutions for a market that is deemed “one of the most advanced” in the world, he added, citing its APItude Cloud as an example.

Turner commented: “But it is no longer just outbound international bookings, we are seeing increasing demand internationally for China as a destination and therefore we are looking to significantly increase our hotel offerings in the country over the next 12 months.”

From its current 200 employees across China, the group is also looking to increase its staff strength in the country across its various brands, including both Hotelbeds and Bedsonline, as well as its destination management brands such as Pacific World and Destination Services.

On the back of a strong first quarter, Marriott International says 2017 will be marked by continued growth momentum with nearly 80 hotels targeted to open in Asia-Pacific, bringing 19,000 new rooms to the region.

Among the new Asia-Pacific hotels coming online are 16 new resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap and the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay.

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park

This year will also see the debut of two Marriott brands in Asia-Pacific with the opening of Moxy Tokyo and Delta Hotels by Marriott Shanghai Baoshan, which will bring its total number of brands in the region to 23.

Craig Smith, president and managing director for Marriott International Asia Pacific, said: “This is already shaping up to be a great year for Marriott across Asia-Pacific. We are looking at nearly 80 new properties slated to open their doors this year, which means an average of two hotels a week from now till the end of the year.”

As well, Marriott expects to create over 20,000 jobs and employ over 140,000 associates at its company-operated and franchised hotels in Asia-Pacific by end-2017.

In China, Marriott is working closely with over 150 hospitality schools and colleges through internship programmes to help youth launch their careers in Asia’s booming hospitality industry. It will also look to foster a partnership with the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, with plans to be laid out in mid-2017.

Following a landmark merger with Starwood last year, Marriott now has over 550 operating hotels and more than 170,000 rooms in Asia-Pacific, with an additional 500-plus properties expected to open by 2021.

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) has filed cases against unidentified persons from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India and others for suspect decisions made under an earlier government regime that resulted in heavy losses for the state-run airline.

One case relates to the slashing of profit-making Air India routes in favour of national and international private airlines.

Other allegations concern the purchase of 111 aircraft for national airlines costing about Rs700 billion (US$10.9 billion) to benefit foreign aircraft manufacturers; and the leasing of large number of aircraft without due consideration, proper route study and marketing or price strategy. It was also alleged that the aircrafts were leased even while aircraft acquisition was ongoing.

The CIB is also investigating the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, which caused losses to the national exchequer.

Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi government is mulling divesting government stake in the loss-making Air India, which is surviving on a nine-year bailout package approved by an earlier administration in 2012.

Within the span of a week, three airlines have sent out scam alerts about surveys falsely advertising free air tickets as prizes.

Singapore Airlines said on its Facebook page that there’ve been contests, emails and calls that claim to be Singapore Airlines offering free air tickets, before requesting personal data.

The statement read: “We advise customers to exercise discretion when revealing personal data to unverified sources. Singapore Airlines also wishes to advise customers to be cautious of social media posts and phishing websites that appear similar to our official website singaporeair.com.”

Thai Airways also clarified in a statement that it has no connections with the scam website that asked readers to answer a questionnaire for a chance to win a free ticket with the airline.

AirAsia warned of a similar survey circulating on social media offering 268 free tickets in conjunction with AirAsia’s 28th anniversary.

Three of Hertz Global Holdings’ car rental brands – Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty – are now operating in Sri Lanka’s capital of Colombo, following the signing of a multi-brand partnership agreement with local franchise partner Andrew The Car Rental Company.

Mahen Kariyawasan, managing director, Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty Sri Lanka, said: “We intend to expand to the Colombo international airport and another downtown location by early 2018.”

Kariyawasan expressed optimism citing the country’s “booming tourism, growth in expatriate relocations and an increase in international investments”.

Rental options in Sri Lanka vary between short- and long-term, self- and chauffeur-drive options, with vehicles including compact, wagon/state, luxury cars, SUV and minibuses.

All international customers renting with Hertz in Sri Lanka will receive a free SIM card and gift coupons while supplies last.