Hamzah Rahmat

THE Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is tackling the shortage of frontliners in the tourism industry by introducing an 18-month training programme known as the National Dual Training System.

The course combines classroom learning with practical training and is endorsed by the government’s skills development department.

Hamzah Rahmat, president of MATTA, explained: “Apprentices spend only 20 to 30 per cent of their time in a training centre. For the rest of the programme, they are attached to a travel or tour company for work-based learning under the supervision of specially trained coaches, who are members of MATTA.

“Upon completion of the programme, successful apprentices will be certified competent in inbound and outbound tour operations, reservations and ticket handling, tour transportation handling, sales and marketing as well as tour leading.”

Recruitment begins today, September 2, at MATTA Fair Kuala Lumpur and the first intake of 20 will begin the programme in January. The number of intakes will depend on demand for the programme.

Those who complete the programme can further upgrade their qualification by taking courses that lead to a Malaysian Skills Diploma.

THE Japanese government will be dramatically reducing landing fees for domestic flights serving some of the nation’s more remote airports in order to encourage foreign tourists to explore more of the country.

Landing fees for domestic flights into Japan’s more far-flung destinations will be reduced by a minimum of 10 per cent while some airports will have their fees slashed by as much as 50 per cent.

The initiative has been welcomed by travel companies with operations outside the primary destinations of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

“Anything that the authorities can do to reduce the costs associated with getting to Japan would be extremely helpful to us and the rest of the tourism industry,” said Paul Christie, CEO of specialist hiking company Walk Japan.

“A lot of the airports that they have built up and down the country are not being used to anywhere near their full capacity and I hope this would encourage more low-cost carriers to expand their operations within Japan,” he said. “For us, an initiative like his cannot come soon enough.”

The transport ministry is also looking into reducing landing fees for international flights into some regional airports.

Landing fees are calculated according to aircraft weight and noise levels, with a Boeing 767, for example, carrying 175 passengers charged around 200,000 yen (US$1,936) to land at an airport operated by the national government.

The ministry expects airlines to pass on the reduced fees to passengers in the form of lower ticket prices.

Details of the proposal are to be discussed before the end of the year and the new tariffs could be introduced for the start of Japan’s new fiscal year on April 1.

Tel Aviv, Israel

ISRAEL’s ministry of tourism has stepped up marketing efforts in India with a focus on digital and television campaigns that kick-started in August.

The NTO also organised its maiden roadshow in India covering Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai last month with plans to introduce an online training programme for travel agents in the next few months.

“It is our first major advertisement campaign in India that we have designed to cater to high-end and experienced travellers. We are investing around 7 million shekels (US$1.8 million) on the campaign,” said Hassan Madah, director, Israel Ministry of Tourism, India.

The tourism board had engaged with Indian travel agents before. Now, the NTO hopes promote different segments.

“We are looking to highlight our offerings for segments like adventure, incentive, spa and wellness. Also, many new hotels are coming up in Israel. So we are planning to introduce a new training programme for Indian travel agents that will include all this information,” said Madah.

The NTO is also in talks with Air India to begin direct flights to Tel Aviv. Israel’s second largest carrier Arkia has shown interest to operate flights to India as well, and at present is awaiting delivery of three Dreamliners before beginning operations.

“Connectivity is a major challenge for the growth of tourist arrivals from India. We believe that once new sectors open up for direct connection between the two countries, there will be a healthy increase in tourist arrivals from India,” added Madah.

At present, El Al Israel Airlines is the only one operating direct flights between Mumbai and Tel Aviv.

Israel recorded about 40,000 Indian tourist arrivals last year. It is expecting a 10 per cent increase in foreign arrivals from the market this year.

THE World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling all travel and tourism businesses to present their sustainable initiatives for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2017.

This 28^th edition of the annual awards will feature five categories for applicants, namely Community; Destination; Environment; Innovation; and People.

“Through the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2017 we shall highlight the commitment of the travel and tourism sector to the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all 193 member states of the United Nations in September 2015,” said David Scowsill, president and CEO, WTTC.

“Companies and organisations that enter for these awards can show governments and other tourism organisations how growth and successful business models go hand in hand with the safeguarding of local communities, the environment and cultural heritage.”

Fiona Jeffery OBE, former chairman of World Travel Market and founder and chairman of the international water aid charity Just a Drop, will be chairing the awards for the third time.

Graham Miller, chair in sustainability in business at the University of Surrey, will oversee an independent judging and on-site evaluation process carried out by an international panel of experts representing academia, non-profit organisations, government and the private sector.

The finalists will be announced in January 2017 and the winners will be awarded during the WTTC Global Summit 2017 in Bangkok, held from April 26-27, 2017.

Applications can be submitted online. Entries close on November 14, 2016.

Alexandre de Juniac

CHAIRMAN and CEO of Air France-KLM, Alexandre de Juniac, has officially taken office as director general and CEO of IATA, succeeding Tony Tyler who is retiring from the post after five years in service.

De Juniac was confirmed by the 72^nd IATA Annual General Meeting in June to be the seventh person to lead IATA. He started work yesterday, September 1.

“I am excited to be taking on this great responsibility. IATA plays a critical role in facilitating safe, efficient and sustainable global air transport. My aim is to ensure that IATA continues to deliver the value that our members and partners rely upon,” said de Juniac.

“IATA’s mission is to represent, lead, and serve the airline industry with global standards. For me that means we must use change as a catalyst for innovation to please customers and contribute positively to the business of our members.”

He further emphasised the need for industry stakeholders, especially governments, to recognise the value that aviation creates.

“The numbers are clear. Air transport supports an impressive 63 million jobs and some US$2.7 trillion in economic activity. But that’s only a part of the value that aviation creates,” he added.

“Our industry is in the business of freedom. We help people to explore the planet, to do business globally, to bridge cultures with friendships and understanding, and to enjoy better lives through the prosperity that connectivity creates.”