BHUTAN’S national carrier Drukair has entered into a partnership with global aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn to provide private jet services into the kingdom.

The partnership will enable Chapman Freeborn to operate private jet aircraft and obtain the necessary permits to the Himalayan kingdom, as all flights into Paro International Airport require the guidance of Drukair-certified specialist navigators to negotiate the steep mountains during landings and takeoffs.

Tshering Penjore, general manager of Drukair, said: “The partnership with Chapman Freeborn will enable us to use the wide and global resources and portfolio of aircraft for private charters. Further we expect to build strong and readily available access to improve search and rescue and emergency air operations within Bhutan.”

Shailendra Seth, director of Chapman Freeborn India, added: “Drukair and Chapman Freeborn are both niche organisations and this synergy between the two will enhance opportunities to boost luxury travel to Bhutan.”

AS AIRLINE passenger traffic in Indonesia grows and the 2015 implementation of the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement draws near, Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has called on airlines and ticketing agents to turn their attention towards ensuring passenger rights are met.

Speaking at the recent Association of Air Ticketing Companies in Indonesia (ASTINDO) congress in Jakarta, the ministry’s director of air transportation, Djoko Murjatmojo, said: “In the last few years, we have been focusing on how to operate airlines properly, and it is now time to take care of passenger rights.”

He quoted the example of how an airline was obliged to book a hotel for passengers to take the next day’s flight when a flight was delayed. But a mismatch in expectations caused passengers, who had paid a budget fare, to demand a five-star room. “This would not have happened if they were well informed of their rights from the beginning,” he remarked.

Therefore, he said ticketing agents must better educate passengers.

“(Passengers) need to know if the flight is a codeshared one. They need to be informed on what facilities are available in the airport of origin and in the destination, especially when passengers are disabled or have reduced mobility. Airlines must have this information for ticketing sales staff to pass on to the passengers,” he explained.

According to ministry data, the number of air travellers in Indonesia hit 77.2 million in 2012, 61.5 million of which travelled domestic. Demand for air travel in the country has increased by more than 16 per cent annually in the last 10 years – one of the highest growth rates in the world – with an average load factor of about 80 per cent in recent years.

With such a buoyant market, Djoko  said it was important for ticketing agents to have staff with competency certificates in order to be competitive when the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement and free movement of labour takes place in 2015.

*Our headline initially stated that it was ASTINDO who was calling for education on passenger rights. This is incorrect and has been amended to the above.

TRADITIONAL longhaul markets to Malaysia have developed an appetite for volunteer tourism, with travel consultants reporting growing interest in the niche segment.

Diethelm Travel Malaysia’s managing director, Manfred Kurz, said: “Traditionally, CSR programmes appeal only to meeting and incentive groups from European markets. But we have seen growing interest from the FIT segment over the last couple of years.”

To harness rising demand, Diethelm Travel will work with established tour operators in Germany to promote more volunteer tourism programmes in Sabah and Sarawak for the FIT market this year.

Sarawak-based Masama JS Adventure Tours’ business development manager, Marco Wunsch, said: “In 2012, we saw 30 per cent year-on-year growth (in the number of participants) for our turtle conservation programme at Talang-Talang Island, with the most requests coming from FITs from the Netherlands.”

Masama works with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation for this programme.

Wunsch said: “This year, we would like to develop more conservation tours in Sarawak, especially those with the rare Irrawaddy dolphins in the Santubong area.”

Alex Lee, CEO of Terengganu-based Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours, explained the difference between the regular leisure tourist and a volunteer tourist. “The FIT tourist involved in volunteer tourism spends at least 50 per cent more than the average tourist, as they even pay the locals a fee to be involved (in activities).

“This year, we plan to develop more volunteer programmes in Terengganu, involving local culture, heritage and nature. Tourists will be able to decide on the programmes they wish to be involved in, based on their budget and length of stay.”

MARRIOTT International is set to debut its first Fairfield property in India, having signed a franchise agreement with GHJM Hotels for the Fairfield by Marriott in Surat, Gujarat. GHJM is the Indian subsidiary of US-based JHM Hotels.

The hotel will be located within the campus of Auro University, which is partially sponsored by JHM Hotels, and will feature 150 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, business centre, gym and a 279m² banquet hall. It will be managed by JHM Interstate Hotels, a joint venture between JHM Hotels and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

“Marriott International is looking to open two to three Fairfield properties in India by the end of this year. This should be the next growth segment  for Marriott in India. The brand falls in the three-star category and offers great quality and value,” said Kanika Hasrat, general manager, Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon.

“Most of the Fairfield properties in India will come up in second-tier and third-tier cities,” he added.

Apart from Surat, Marriott is aiming to open Fairfield hotels in cities including Vadodara, Indore, Ranchi, Manesar, Goa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Noida and Visakhapatnam.

The company has also set a target of 52 more properties in the country over a period of four years, with most to fall in the mid-market segment, which also encompasses the Courtyard by Marriott brand.

“I think one of the strongest segments of growth in India will be the mid-market. With the economic slowdown, travellers are looking for value-for-money hotel options. Travellers stand to benefit as more international chains open new properties targeting this market,” predicted Arun Anand, managing director of Midtown Travels.

Vishwas Joshi, managing director, Girikand Travels, said: “The opening of Fairfield hotels in India will strengthen Marriott International’s presence among budget-conscious travellers.”

Separately, Marriott International yesterday signed an agreement with Jamuna Builders to operate the 700-room JW Marriott Hotel Dhaka, which is located within a mixed-use development.

Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported that the JW Marriott would open in 2015. The hotel will be Marriott’s second in Dhaka, with a Courtyard by Marriott expected to open next year.