Customised cosiness

February 8, 2013

Hotel companies profile their fastest expanding mid or upscale brand in Asia and tell TTG Asia how they tailoring them to the palates and palettes here

Holiday Inn Express InterContinental Hotels Group

In operation
One in Thailand, one in India, two in Hong Kong, two in Taiwan and 32 in China.

Under development
Two in Malaysia, nine in Indonesia, two in Singapore, three in Thailand, two in Hong Kong, one in Taiwan, 11 in India and 28 in China.

Brand standards
Room – High-quality bedding, three-function massage shower head, choice of firm and soft pillows, and free Wi-Fi access.

Hotel – A self-service business centre, 24-hour gym, complimentary Express Start breakfast, vending machines, luggage trolleys, a self-service laundry room, compact meeting rooms for intimate events and free Wi-Fi access in all public areas.

How the brand is tailored for Asia
Before the Holiday Inn Express brand was rolled out in the region, extensive research was conducted throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Location is one of its most important aspects.

F&B – Culinary offerings are tailored to suit the tastes of specific regions. For example, congee may be featured on the breakfast menu in China, while dahl may be offered in India.

Décor – The artwork, fabrics, wallpapers and staff uniforms of Holiday Inn Express hotels often reflect the country’s arts and culture. For example, Holiday Inn Express Ahmedabad showcases works of a local artist while bedspread runners are made from native fabrics and designs.

Park Inn by Radisson Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

In operation
Three in India.

Under development
A total of 53 in the Philippines and India. The group intends to expand the brand in China, Thailand and Indonesia.

Brand standards
Room – Signature bedding package.

Hotel – Free Internet access, fitness and business centres, Red Bar & Grill restaurant and complimentary grab-and-go breakfasts.

How the brand is tailored for Asia
Room size -– Park Inn by Radisson’s room sizes in Asia are an average of 24m², bigger than Europe’s 19.8m², in order to accommodate the increase in family travellers who require a third bed.

F&B – Park Inn by Radisson in Europe is a limited service brand with the option of takeaway food, but in Asia, hotels have one restaurant serving local fare three meals a day, as well as a full-service bar. Depending on demand, the number of restaurants may be increased.

Facilities – Hotels have three small meeting rooms.

Décor – Colour palettes reflect the local culture. In India, hotels are decked in red, purple and saffron; in China, colours are lime green, pale yellow and red.

Renaissance Marriott International

In operation
A total of 29 properties in China, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

Under development
A total of 20 properties in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Brand standards
The lifestyle brand within Marriott’s global portfolio, properties are stylish, distinctive and designed to reflect the location, with input from renowned designers and architects from around the world.

Innovative programmes include RLife Live, showcasing emerging musical artistes through live performances in hotels, and Navigator, an online and mobile programme with curated recommendations on what to see or do locally. A sizeable amount of space is also dedicated to meetings. Restaurants serve local fare with global flair.

How the brand is tailored for Asia
F&B – 24-hour room service at Renaissance Shanghai Caohejing Hotel features both Asian and Western cuisine, including Shanghainese specialties, vegetarian options and a kids’ menu.

Décor – Renaissance Shanghai Caohejing Hotel balances a mix of traditional Chinese décor with a contemporary Western feel.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s national flower is a recurring theme at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, which also incorporates modern Thai elements such as tanganika wood, colour-coated glass, carving leather and engraved stone juxtaposed with Italian marble. A resident DJ welcomes guests in the lobby, reflecting Bangkok’s ultra-chic, cosmopolitan style.

Pullman Accor

In operation
One in India, three in Indonesia, two in Malaysia, two in South Korea, four in Thailand, one in Vietnam and 16 in Greater China.

Under development
Three in India, one in Indonesia, two in Malaysia, one in Thailand, three in Vietnam and 25 in Greater China.

Brand standards
Room – Room size in city locations range from 30-36m², while for resort properties, they vary between 36-42m². Rooms are equipped with an LCD television offering international channels, a minibar with complimentary water, tea and coffee, free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour room service and Roger & Gallet bath amenities.

Hotel – Free Wi-Fi access, a high-tech business centre developed in partnership with Microsoft, minimum of two restaurants, a bar, a swimming pool and a gym. Meeting space is also key in Pullmans, with areas available such as a ballroom, meeting rooms and a chill out lounge.

How the brand is tailored for Asia
Catering to the cosmopolitan business and leisure traveller, Pullman has no set country-by-country standards, but each property is designed with the destination and local market requirements in mind.

It is unlike Accor’s Grand Mercure brand, which was recently adapted to suit the Chinese market and carries the name Mei Jue.

Best Western Best Western International

In operation
A total of 133 properties in China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Under development
A total of 55 properties in South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India.

Brand standards
Room – Room size varies from 30-35m² and designs may differ. Amenities include a television, a work desk, a coffee/tea maker, toiletries, high-speed Internet connection and safety deposit boxes.

Hotel – Breakfast, computers in the lobby, an iron and ironing board upon request, 50 per cent non-smoking rooms, high-speed Internet access in the lobby and breakfast area. Luggage assistance, luggage storage, copy and fax services and morning calls are also available.

How the brand is tailored for Asia
Best Western hotels in Asia are similar to other Best Westerns elsewhere.

This article was first published in TTG Asia, February 8 – 21, 2013 issue, on page 10-11. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

Feng shui of flying revealed

By TTG Asia

February 8, 2013

Microsoft Word - Jetstar Chinese New Year - press release - 5 Fe

IN THE spirit of the Lunar New Year season, Jetstar has launched a consumer website dispensing advice on the best airplane seats, travel times and destinations based on feng shui.

At fengshui.jetstar.com, passengers can input their date of birth, gender and what they are looking for this New Year – wealth, love, career, friendship or health – and receive personalised results. Results will indicate one’s “lucky destination” and “lucky seats” for this year.

Having conducted a thorough analysis of Jetstar’s Airbus A320 aircraft, feng shui master David Tong, reached conclusions on the plane’s energy flow and how passengers can encourage various symbolic well wishes when flying.

For a prosperous year, Tong advises that men travelling for good health should seat themselves in rows 9,19 or 29; women looking for wealth should pick rows 1,11 or 21; and lonely hearts who want to make new friends should sit at rows 3,4,13,14, 23 or 24.

The best time for travelling is between 05.00-07.00, though 19.00-21.00 is also a good time to fly.

Bangkok will host PATA Annual Summit in April

By TTG Asia

February 8, 2013

THE 2013 PATA Annual Summit will be held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre from April 25-28.

During the one-day summit, speakers from both the public and private sectors will address the Embracing the Complete Visitor Economy theme by sharing their insights on the considerable impact as well as social and economic reach of the visitor economy.

“International visitor arrivals statistics do not tell the full story,” said PATA CEO, Martin Craigs. “We need politicians to fully understand the importance of the visitor economy as a force for social and economic good.”

He added: “The response to the summit concept from leading government and private enterprise members and our own executive board has been very encouraging. The summit will break new ground and help build business in all sectors. PATA is finalising an impressive speaker list and will make a further announcement shortly.”

Registration for the 2013 PATA Annual Summit is now open. Fees are priced at US$699 per person for PATA members, US$899 for chapter members and US$1,299 for non-members. Special rates for young tourism professionals and students apply.

Meanwhile, the PATA Youth Forum will take place at Thammasat University on April 25, while the PATA board meetings and AGM will be held on April 27-28 respectively.

Chapman Freeborn takes private jet services to Bhutan

By TTG Asia

February 8, 2013

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.”

Indonesia’s transport ministry calls for education on passenger rights

By Mimi Hudoyo

February 8, 2013

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.

Starwood launches limited edition MICE rewards deal for members

By TTG Asia

February 7, 2013

STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts is giving away a tablet and double Starpoints to Starwood Preferred Planner members who place an event booking by March 31 this year.

Events must be held by June 30 at any of the 200 participating Starwood hotels and resorts in Australia, China, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam.

For individual group bookings with spend of more than US$18,000, members will receive a mini tablet.

Individual group bookings with spend exceeding US$25,000 will earn members a tablet as well as two Starpoints for every US$3 spent.

The offer is valid for all group events and meetings, including those booked through travel agents.

Starwood senior vice president, sales – Asia Pacific, Alison Taylor, said: “As the world’s largest luxury/upper upscale hotel operator, Starwood’s growing footprint across nine brands offers meeting planners greater value and choices of venues to suit every budget and requirement.

“This limited time offer is also an excellent way to book meetings at our new hotels such as Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central; W Bangkok; the ITC Grand Chola, A Luxury Collection Hotel; or soon-to-open hotels such as W Guangzhou and Aloft Kuala Lumpur – Sentral.”

Coffee expo set for stronger attendance this year

By TTG Asia

February 7, 2013

THE annual Coffee Expo Seoul is expected to see a stronger buyer and seller turnout this year, benefitting from the country s booming coffee trade.

To be held from April 11-13 at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center Seoul, the event is gearing up for an estimated 50,000 domestic and international buyers and exhibitors, up from 30,000 visitors seen at last year’s edition.

The number of coffee- and tea-themed exhibition booths is expected to hit 500 this year, up from 230 in 2012.

Coffee Expo Seoul 2013 will also host the World Super Barista Championships and several educational seminars.

The event provides an interactive platform for coffee businesses, buyers and enthusiasts as they gather in a city that is recognised for its strong coffee culture.

According to a press statement from COEX, South Korea’s coffee industry has seen vast growth over the past half-decade. It witnessed almost 900 per cent growth in the number of coffee shops between 2006 and 2011, and a 1,800 per cent rise in national sales over the same period.

Seoul now boasts the highest concentration of coffee shops in the world, with more than 10,000 cafes and coffee houses.

Global design experts to converge on Gwangju come 2015

By TTG Asia

February 7, 2013

THE International Design Alliance (IDA) has appointed the South Korean city of Gwangju as the host destination of the 2015 IDA Congress, following a strong bid put forth by the Korea Craft & Design Foundation and Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The event will be the third IDA Congress which aims to bring together the international design community in a themed framework to advance the vision and mission of the alliance by engaging government leaders as well as representatives from international non-governmental organisations, businesses and the sectors of science and technology, education and social sciences, and to present multi-disciplinary design sessions relevant to the IDA partner disciplines.

Kimdaejung Convention Center will be the main conference venue for the congress when it takes place in October 2015.

Sydney remains optimistic as convention centre closure looms

By TTG Asia

February 7, 2013

A WAVE of new business decisions is sweeping through Sydney’s MICE landscape as the closure of the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre looms closer, with some major events looking to relocate elsewhere.

With less than 11 months until the centre closes its doors, a number of business event organisers have announced plans to relocate their shows until the future Darling Harbour precinct (TTGmice e-Weekly, December 12, 2012) opens at the end of 2016.

The future of CeBIT Australia, a massive annual international IT trade fair, is still uncertain. The government has vowed to find an alternative location, although identifying one large enough to accommodate CeBIT’s 32,000-plus visitors and 500 exhibitors will be a problem.

Several trade sources believe that the G20 summit in November 2014 was awarded to Brisbane due to a lack of facilities in Sydney, while other events including The Australian Fitness & Health Expo will relocate to Melbourne until the new Sydney facilities open; Vforum organisers are also looking at interstate alternatives.

However, general business sentiments are still positive. A number of events, including the 2014 Rotary International Convention and the Australian International Motor Show, have confirmed staying in Sydney and will shift to alternative venues such as Sydney Olympic Park, Moore Park, the Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh and the interim exhibition facility on Glebe Island (TTGmice e-Weekly, September 27, 2012).

Hoteliers are expecting business as usual over the three-year closure of the convention centre. In fact, some are predicting increased occupancy as they look to host some of the smaller relocated events.

“We are already receiving a large number of enquiries for meetings and events at Sydney Olympic Park, which offers the city’s largest collection of conference spaces. Our hotels with large-scale meeting facilities are also receiving record forward bookings for 2014. So while there will be a temporary disruption and some relocation to other states, Sydney is more than likely going to see a displacement of events to other areas of the city,” said Peter Hook, general manager communications for Accor, which has 42 hotels across Sydney.

Hook added: “We also have several hotels that are upgrading their meeting facilities in preparation for the (convention centre’s) closure, with Pullman Sydney Hyde Park and the Sebel Pier One Hotel spending millions to renovate their meeting facilities to attract event business.”

Despite the size of the future Darling Harbour precinct, MICE operators suggested it would not be large enough to cater to increased inbound conference demand, which Tourism Australia estimates to be worth AU$16 billion (US$16.4 billion) by 2020, up from AU8.5 billion in 2011.

By Natasha Dragun

George Koumendakos heads InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 as general manager

By TTG Asia

February 7, 2013

GEORGE Koumendakos has been appointed as general manager of the upcoming InterContinental Hanoi Landmark 72 in Vietnam.

Koumendakos brings with him over 20 years of hospitality management experience in various locations worldwide, including 14 years working within the InterContinental Hotels Group for the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands.

A Dutch descendant, Koumendakos was previously the general manager for the ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe.