SILKAIR is set to begin its fleet transition to Boeing aircraft, having sealed a deal with the aircraft maker for 54 planes totalling a hefty US$4.9 billion.

The airline’s order for 23 Next-Generation 737-800s and 31 737 Max 8s is the largest order in the airline’s history.

Both models are said to fly farther than competing airplanes, enabling the airline to open new routes. They also feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which has modern sculpted sidewalls and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, among other highlights.

The 737 Max 8 builds on the Next-Generation 737 and comes with engines that deliver a 13 per cent fuel-use improvement rate over the most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes today and an eight per cent operating cost per seat advantage over future competitors, said a joint SilkAir-Boeing press release.

“The capability of the 737s will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes,” said SilkAir chief executive Leslie Thng.

AEROWISATA, the support services arm of Garuda Indonesia, has entered into a joint venture with Smailing Tour, forming Garuda Indonesia Holidays (GIH), a wholesale travel company selling domestic and outbound products within the airline’s network.

Formerly a full subsidiary of the airline, GIH was relaunched last week after Smailing Tour was chosen after a tender process.

Garuda Indonesia’s president and CEO, Emirsyah Satar, said Garuda Orient Holidays (GOH) would continue to create products for inbound tourists. “This is a concept we applied to GOH overseas, where we also partnered local travel companies,” he explained.

Smailing Tour CEO Anthony Akili, also GIH president and CEO, said: “We have seen the success of Qantas Holidays, Cathay Pacific Holidays and Emirates Holidays. Their products sell so well. If (Garuda) can achieve double-digit growth in passenger traffic (every year), why not its holiday products?”

He said GIH would be helpful for travel consultants who may be able to access airline seats, but not hotels, adding that the company has some 140,000 hotels worldwide, with 1,500 to 2,000 within Indonesia, that allow instant confirmations.

GIH products will be available to consultants who enrol as GIH retailers, and the company is aiming to sign on 1,000 retailers within a year. Products range from land content only to free-and-easy air tickets and accommodation to all Garuda destinations. Special interest products such as culinary and cycling tours will also be offered.

There are also plans to cross-sell products with GOH at a later stage.

Asked if there was a conflict of interest for Smailing Tour, Akili said GIH’s products only feature Garuda airfares, while Smailing also sells packages with other airlines.

CHINA will be Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s (SLH) top priority in 2013, as the marketing group continues to court customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our main goal for 2013 can be summed up into these two words: Go China. China is our fastest growing source market and we’ve just literally opened our office in Shanghai to capitalise on the phenomenal Chinese appetite for luxury accommodation,” said SLH’s CEO, Paul Kerr.

He added that plans are in the works to create a Mandarin website and iPhone app, and to grow the number of Chinese members in SLH’s loyalty programme, The Club, to around 60,000 by end-2013 from approximately 5,000 now. Tie-ups with Shanghai-based luxury clubs, which will give SLH direct access to the city’s elite, are also in the pipeline.

Beijing is another key segment SLH plans to woo, although there are no immediate plans to open an office there.

Kerr also hinted that SLH is set to unveil a group of exclusive-use properties worldwide, including ski lodges and villas, in the first quarter of 2013.

Its travel consultants website was also recently relaunched, and plans are also on the cards for an extensive B2B marketing blitz in the new year.

Kerr said that despite the group’s intense focus on China, it would still be keeping a watchful eye over other markets in Asia and the Pacific.

He said: “All signs point to the fact that we can still expect major growth in this region despite the less than ideal economic conditions, and we believe that in order for SLH to truly benefit from this growth, we have to remain true to the tenets of our brand by continually providing unique, exceptional experiences for the most discerning of leisure travellers.”

SLH currently has a collection of 115 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for almost a quarter of all of its properties worldwide, compared to under five per cent in 1992.

THE opening of The Stones Hotel Legian, Bali last week heralded the arrival of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection in the Asia-Pacific.

The Stones is the 36^th hotel to join Marriott’s exclusive portfolio of independent properties, which boasts hotels across the US, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Each hotel within the Autograph Collection possesses its own identity and can access Marriott’s global sales and marketing channels, including the Marriott Rewards loyalty programme.

“We are thrilled to introduce Autograph Collection to Asia. Bali represents the ideal location to launch this dynamic new concept for Marriott International, developed for guests who seek an extraordinary independent hotel experience,” said Simon Cooper, president and managing director of Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

Located on Legian Beach, The Stones offers 308 guestrooms and 22 suites, including a three-storey Presidential Suite. Other facilities include a 3,000m² pool, F&B options and a spa.

The hotel is 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Aiport and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and leisure activities in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.

THE Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has responded with a “cautious welcome” to news that the inclusion of international aviation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has been suspended, but remains wary that the move “may not go far enough”.

The European Commission on Monday “stopped the clock”, implementing a year-long suspension of the ETS for international airlines, which means they will not have to surrender allowances next April for carbon emissions produced flying in and out of Europe during 2012. Flights within the EU, however, will still be charged.

AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman, said in a press statement: “In making this long overdue move, the EU has finally bowed to the inevitable, in effect acknowledging that it cannot unilaterally impose the scheme on non-EU airlines without the consent of other governments.”

He added: “Temporarily suspending the scheme is obviously a positive gesture by the EU, but may not go far enough. The implied threat of an automatic snapback in a year’s time means that the EU will still be seen by some as negotiating with a gun on the table.”

The move follows recent scathing criticism from the association at its 56^th Assembly of Presidents (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 9, 2012).

AAPA, which has argued that an international industry such as aviation requires a coherent global policy framework on emissions, said it would continue to work with other stakeholders to encourage the development of proposals for consideration by the ICAO Assembly in September next year.

Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, urged all parties to ICAO to make full use of this window of time to take action towards creating an international framework to govern emissions.

She said: “Let me be very clear: if this exercise does not deliver – and I hope it does – then needless to say we are back to where we are today with the EU ETS. Automatically.”

HYATT Hotels Corporation yesterday announced that an affiliate had entered a management agreement with Bangkok-based Grande Asset Hotels and Property Public Company Limited, to develop Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Sukhumvit as the first Hyatt Regency-branded hotel in Bangkok.

The property, expected to open in 2017, will join Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

Hyatt Regency Bangkok, Sukhumvit will feature 288 guestrooms, inclusive of 26 suites, and over 1,000m² of meeting space which also entails a ballroom.

It will also offer amenities such as a six treatment room spa, a fitness centre, swimming pool and club lounge.

HVS Global Hospitality Services has opened an office in Jakarta as part of HVS Asia, and appointed Arief Gunawan as vice president Indonesia to oversee business development, strategic consulting, valuation and investment services across the region.

The opening of the Indonesian office is in line with growing interest from investors in developing properties in the country, not only in major cities but also in secondary destinations.

Chairman, HVS Global Hospitality Services China & South-east Asia, David Ling, said: “There has been growing interest in Indonesia’s second and third-tier markets, with many market players taking note of their massive potential.

“Stakeholders such as hotel operators, investors, developers, hospitality consultants and government sectors are hovering about the new investment hotspots of Indonesia.

“Economy to midscale hotel properties are key target segments for many stakeholders’ growth expansion plans in the coming years.”

Data from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy showed that until end-September 2012, foreign investments in Indonesia’s tourism sector have doubled to US$7.3 billion. In contrast, the same period in 2011 saw US$ 2.5 billion in investments.

The Indonesia National Tourism Masterplan – which identifies 88 strategic destination clusters and 88 destinations, of which 16 will be given priority development in the next three to five years – has also given more reason for the opening of an Indonesia office.

HVS Global Hospitality Services is multi-skilled in the real estate and hotel industries, and well exposed to markets across Asia including hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and other hospitality related properties.

TRAVEL industry recruitment specialist TMS Asia-Pacific has been sold to a joint consortium consisting of its current CEO, Helene Taylor, and Asia-based entrepreneur Steve Hamblin, who founded the Parker Bridge Group in 1988.

“This newly forged partnership will inject new seed capital to feed TMS’ growth and expansion plans in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, as we strive to make TMS the leading recruitment specialist in the hospitality and tourism field for the Asia-Pacific region,” said Taylor. She rejoined the company this year as general manager, and also has a background in business development and coaching.

One of the new consortium’s first priorities, as outlined by Taylor, is to increase TMS’ headcount. She said: “At the moment, we are taking things step by step. First we will focus on re-establishing TMS’ presence in Bangkok, before heading to New Zealand, where the office in Auckland is scheduled to reopen.” TMS will continue to operate under its current branding.

Taylor also confirmed that there are no plans to relaunch the office in Singapore, which shuttered in September. “We will probably service Singapore out of Bangkok for the time being,” she said.

Clients were not informed of the change of ownership prior to Monday’s official announcement, but Taylor reaffirmed that TMS would implement measures for a smooth transition.

Announcing the news in a press release, TMS founder Gary Marshall said making the decision to sell the company he established in 1994 had proven to be a very difficult one.

He said: “The reality is, I have been standing very much on the sidelines for the last five years, becoming more of an inactive shareholder along with Phil Hoffman rather than having a day-to-day hands-on management role in the business.

“I found myself even less involved when Mark Rizzuto came on board as managing director last January. I knew it was time to move on and focus on the other business interests that tend to dominate my time these days.”

HANS-PETER TUGGENER, a pioneer of tourism to Thailand from Western Europe, died last Friday in Switzerland after a long battle with cancer.

Tuggener, or ‘Tuggi’ to friends, was general manager of Diethelm Travel Thailand in the early days when the country was just on the cusp of tourism growth.

Peter Diethelm, former managing director of Kuoni UK, recalled: “On a hot and humid day in April 1968 in Tuggi’s office at Diethelm Travel in Bangkok was where my love affair with Thailand began. We debated a crazy idea that Kuoni would start a weekly charter flight from London to Bangkok and I promised that if he helped me get the right product at the right price we would send thousands of passengers from the UK to Thailand and use Diethelm Travel as our inbound agency.

“Next day, we started a 14-day site inspection trip together and checked out hotels in Bangkok, upcountry tours to Chiangmai and the beach resorts of Pattaya which only had two reasonable hotels, Nippa Lodge and the new Pattaya Palace. I was bowled over by the beauty of the country, its smiling people, the unique experience, not to mention the exotic nightlife.

“Thanks to Tuggi’s instant enthusiasm and support for our project, Thailand became the flagship destination for the fledgling Kuoni UK tour operation and, in a matter of a few years, we were the undisputed leader of package holidays from UK to Thailand, carrying more than 20,000 passengers to this lovely destination year after year.”

Luzi Matzig, CEO of Asian Trails Thailand, said: “He was the man who recruited me in November 1971 to join Diethelm Travel where he was the GM till 1989, when I took over from him till 1999.

“Hans and I were among the early discoverers of upcountry Thailand as we went on many pioneering trips together to the north, travelling on dirt bikes and staying in remote tribal villages. We had some really good times together. He was good at telling stories from the ‘olden days’. Playing the Guggitaler Jass, a Swiss card game, was a monthly affair for us until not too long ago when cancer started to wear him down.”

Kurt Rufli, former managing director of Amari Hotels & Resorts, said: “During his decades-long tenure as boss of Diethelm Travel, Hans not only played a major role in developing Thailand’s tourism industry, he became an essential and highly-respected member of the trade fraternity. On every occasion, his quiet presence, ready smile, interesting conversations and gentle mien endeared him to many.

“During his long battle with cancer, we watched with admiration as he submitted himself to surgery and debilitating chemotherapy, yet still retained his sense of humour and caring concern for others. I salute Hans for his courage, and I am most grateful for the friendship I was privileged to share with him over many years.

Said Basil McCall, then vice president sales and marketing who negotiated room allocation and rates with Diethelm: “Hans Tuggener was a gentleman, and a gentle man. Affable, quiet spoken and always pleasant company, he concealed a subtle sense of humour which often took you by surprise.

“Although he commanded a high position in Thailand’s travel industry, and played a major part in its development over many years, Hans became an endearingly down-to-earth person out of his office chair and enjoyed the simple things in life most. Months before the Superhighway to Don Muang airport was opened, early mornings often saw Hans pedalling his bicycle along stretches of the virgin road. He would often describe to me the sheer pleasure of doing that, long before the city was awake.”

The funeral service will be held on November 16 at 2 pm at the Roman Catholic Church of Siebnen in the Zurich region of Switzerland.

GARUDA Indonesia is planning to launch services to London, Brisbane and Auckland in 3Q2013 with the delivery of 24 new aircraft next year.

Speaking at the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GATF) in Jakarta last weekend, Garuda president and CEO, Emirsyah Satar, said: “Next year we will receive 24 new aircraft comprising four B777-300ER, 10 B737-800 NG, two Airbus A330-200, one A330-300 and seven Bombardier CRJ-1000 NG. This will allow us to ­­expand our domestic and international network to support the Indonesian tourism (industry).

“With the arrival of our B777 aircraft, we are planning to start (the) Jakarta-London (route) next year. We also plan to (to fly) to Brisbane and Auckland (with A330s).”

The airline plans to fly to London four times a week initially, according to Garuda’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Elisa Lumbantoruan.

Welcoming Garuda’s potential new services, Indonesia’s deputy minister of tourism and creative economy, Sapta Nirwandar, said: “Tourist arrivals will grow much higher than they are today if we have more direct flights. Depending on other airlines means (having a) limited seat allotment. Therefore, we are looking forward to new route openings and capacity increases from our national carrier.”

At GATF, Garuda also introduced the concept of a mobile ticketing counter. A converted minibus will be parked in public places such as shopping malls at stipulated times.

Satar said: “The service will provide convenience for our passengers in areas like South Jakarta, where we do not have a sales office, allowing them to make reservations and check-in to get their boarding pass. They only need to drop their baggage at the airport.”

The airline will first roll out the mobile ticketing counter in Jakarta, followed by other major cities. Schedules will be available on the airline’s website, according to a Garuda spokesman.