MORE than half of Chinese travellers now make accommodation reservations via the web or mobile, up from 45 per cent in 2013, according to a Hotels.com survey.

According to the OTA’s third edition of the Chinese International Travel Monitor (CITM), slightly less than half use review sites in the research stage of travel, a third keep their eyes on social media, and 84 per cent share photos and experiences on social media during and after a trip.

Younger Chinese travellers are also venturing overseas on their own, with two-thirds saying they now prefer to travel independently, five percentage points higher than in 2013.

Given how connected the Chinese traveller is, free Wi-Fi is unsurprisingly the most important service in a hotel, said 59 per cent of respondents.

Abhiram Chowdhry, vice president and managing director APAC of Hotels.com, said: “There are many factors driving the desire of the Chinese people to explore the world. The rising affluence of the growing middle class with higher disposable incomes, the upward trend in the number of repeat travellers, more relaxed visa conditions and improved local infrastructure are all dovetailing to expedite this growth.

“However, our report quantifies another factor: the rate at which technology is transforming the landscape of Chinese overseas travel.”

The CITM garnered responses from more than 3,000 Chinese international travellers and 3,000 hoteliers around the world.

THE upgrading of Myanmar’s data networks by new telecomms companies in the country are facilitating DMCs’ own systems upgrade with many turning to software-based solutions to handle bookings.

A spokesperson from a Yangon-based travel agency who wished to remain anonymous, remarked: “Myanmar’s recent opening resulted in more bookings, and therefore we need a software that can handle this increased workload.”

Such software would allow travel consultants selling packages to perform faster single and cross-country package calculations, as compared to doing them manually.

Local offices of Asian DMCs can also provide real-time data to headquarters to enable management to react faster to changes in booking patterns and observe trends for the future.

Take-up of software solutions were lacklustre before due to Myanmar’s slow bandwidth, coupled with power outages that made sending and receiving data a tedious task.

Khiri Travel Myanmar is one such company that has implemented new software. Vice president Andre van der Marck commented: “Our Myanmar office now has a real chance to catch up with our (12) other Khiri offices in terms of getting online back office systems aligned.”

However, the same spokesperson from the Yangon-based travel agency pointed out: “Introducing a software-based solution means a lot of extra work that cannot be done by our staff while they are busy with day-to-day schedules. Therefore we need to hire professionals who will implement our software cleanly and provide training to our staff during the process.”

By Tobias Esche

SINGAPORE-BASED LCC Scoot is relocating to Don Mueang Airport from its current location at Suvarnabhumi Airport starting from September 1, 2014.

The airline announced that the move was prompted by two factors: cheaper and faster access to the Bangkok city centre, as well to offer passengers connections to more than 20 Thai cities via its LCC parter, Nok Air.

Passengers can now view a full range of onward destinations on Nok Air at www.flyscoot.com for travel from September 1.

Scoot officially entered a joint venture with Nok Air for the budget NokScoot Airlines, acquiring Pete Air to jump-start the new carrier (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 20, 2014).

WITH a bumper crop of new hotel owners signing up with Best Western Australasia in the last year, the chain of hotels has launched a new website to serve as an information hub.

The website joinbestwestern.com features a contemporary design and is meant to educate regional and international hoteliers, owners and developers on the benefits of Best Western branding in Australasia.

Best Western’s general manager of development, Barry Fleischmann, said: “We’ve built the web and mobile site to share localised information about branding with Best Western in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania…We’re pleased that joinbestwestern.com offers a deep look into the value of brand membership.”

Best Western Australasia’s chief executive, Rob Anderson, observed that 2013/2014’s new member signings were the most positive in 20 years. “Business is up, results are up, and we’re seeing excellent growth in our midscale and upscale hotel types, driven by the successful expansion of Best Western Plus.”

The chain signed 21 hotels and launched 14 last year.

MALAYSIA Airlines’ (MAS) crashed MH17 flight was an “isolated” incident and air travel remains safe, said industry players as investigators continue to determine the cause and liability.

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) expressed condolence to the victims and their families, as well as support for MAS. “MATTA fully stands behind MAS in this crucial period of time and will support MAS despite this very unfortunate incident of MH17.”

MATTA stated that the shooting down of MH17 is an “isolated and very unfortunate” incident. “MATTA with its 3,000 members sells a lot of MAS seats; more than half of their tickets sold are on MAS. MATTA members will continue to push hard and sells MAS to the customers,” it said.

IATA director general and CEO, Tony Tyler, added in another statement yesterday: “This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer.

“Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made. And the industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead.”

Tyler also called for the bodies of victims to be returned to their next-of-kin with immediate effect, and for total freedom and access to be given to investigators.

The MH17 tragedy comes months after the baffling disappearance of another MAS flight, MH370, during what was supposed to be a key year for Malaysian tourism.

In the meantime, Malaysia will continue to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014 in Europe via in-market and online campaigns.

Minister of tourism and culture, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia and fellow Malaysians, our sympathies, sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences go to each and every one affected by this unfortunate tragedy.”

The NTO said in a statement last week that it has not received information on any cancellations of tour packages but will continue to monitor reactions (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 18, 2014).

INDIAN arrivals to Australia surged 19 per cent year-on-year for the period between January and May, with agencies reporting a growing preference for holidays Down Under due to flight connectivity and other reasons.

During this period, a total of 82,500 Indian visitors arrived in Australia. May itself registered 39 per cent growth, chalking up 21,700 arrivals.

Arvind Tandon, managing director, Faraway Places Marketing Mumbai, pointed to the increasing desire for experiential travel as a factor. Tourism Australia’s There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign and tie-ups with trade partners have also made Australia a more viable destination.

“Flight connectivity is good on this longhaul sector and Indian cuisine is largely available. There are multiple activity options for FIT, groups and families,” he explained.

Sushil Wadhwa, chairman, Platinum World Mumbai, agreed. “Other than Melbourne and Sydney, there are interesting destinations like Cairns, Hobart, Gold Coast and Brisbane that Indians have begun exploring. I believe this will be a great Indian travel migration, from the West to Down Under,” he noted.

Nishant Kashikar, country manager, India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said: “Tourism Australia is optimistic that the impending launch of our food and wine-centric Restaurant Australia campaign (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 9, 2014), and the mega sporting event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will bring further growth in Indian visitor arrivals (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 2, 2013).”